St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital continues to grow as a 15-story Clinical Center and adjacent 15-story clinical office building are constructed. That expansion crossed a milestone when the final beam of the Clinical Center was placed. ? “Every time we have a new building on campus, I think it has the same characteristics as St. Jude—optimism, hope and excitement for the future,” said Ellis Neufeld, MD, PhD, clinical director, physician-in-chief and executive vice president. “We have the resources, there is a need we can solve, and we have the optimism to look forward decades into the future. Now is the time and we are marching into a better future for our staff and our patients.” ? The two buildings are comprised of 11,920 tons of steel and 9,297 beams and columns. A total of 73 ironworkers worked a combined 103,945 hours to complete the 253-foot structures. The final beam features a touch of the St. Jude culture, with signatures from patients, families and staff that were collected before its placement. ? The new Clinical Center and clinical office building are scheduled to be completed in 2026. These buildings are in addition to other recent projects including a 625,000-square-foot research facility, a 307,000-square-foot long-term lodging for patients and families and a 45,000-square-foot respite space away from the clinic so patients and families can unwind during long days at the hospital. All of these new buildings are part of the institution’s $12.9 billion FY22-27 Strategic Plan to build and support best-in-class environments that help employees advance the institution’s life-saving work and offer patients and their families a home away from home.

On Thursday, October 24, at 12 PM CT / 1 PM ET, join us for an insightful discussion featuring Gregory Reaman, MD, Scientific Director of The Childhood Cancer Data Initiative at the National Cancer Institute. ? In this session, Dr. Reaman will delve into the transformative efforts being made in childhood and young adult cancer research with The Childhood Cancer Data Initiative. He is leading efforts through the NCI to establish a comprehensive framework for standardized patient-level data to accelerate discovery leading to new therapeutic insights and strategies to improve outcomes of pediatric cancer. ? Learn more about this impactful initiative by registering here:?https://ow.ly/ppC450TO0cg

The second annual St. Jude Nursing Shared Governance Fair showcased the significant contributions of our nursing councils over the past year exhibiting over 20 posters that highlighted the achievements of the prior year, council mission statements and goals for the year ahead. Attracting more than 200 interdisciplinary attendees, this event underscores the critical role our nurses play in driving practice improvements, enhancing patient outcomes and elevating nurse satisfaction. St. Jude is recognized as a Magnet-designated institution, sharing the highest designation a hospital can receive with only nine percent of all US hospitals. The Shared Governance model empowers nurses by fostering collaboration with leadership, enabling them to take an active role in shaping nursing practices. We look forward to continuing this tradition with next year’s fair in October 2025! Read more to learn about the Magnet designation that sets apart our nursing program, where nurses take an active role in shaping nursing practices at St. Jude and beyond. https://ow.ly/cM6X50TNPF2

Indonesia is working toward the nation’s first Pediatric National Cancer Control Plan (PNCCP) with the support of the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer. The Initiative was launched in 2018 by St. Jude, World Health Organization, and other global stakeholders. The work in Indonesia illustrated how the Initiative continues to unite people worldwide to increase childhood cancer survival rates. "Good intention is the first step in the right direction, but it is even more important to implement things safely for children in Indonesia," said Andini Handayani, Program Manager for the St. Jude Global Asia Pacific Regional Program. Over 12,000 children are expected to develop cancer annually in Indonesia, but just over 2,000 seek care, many of whom do not complete treatment. The PNCCP will address critical gaps in care, building on 15 years of collaboration with St. Jude to help more children complete their treatment and live healthier lives. The St. Jude Global Asia Pacific Regional Program has been instrumental in coordinating these efforts. Catherine Lam, MD, MPH, Director of the program, highlights the significance of this collaboration: "It’s tremendous to see the local Indonesian teams shine. There is an unmissable opportunity to save many more children. That’s what the new plan will address." This ongoing work is part of a broader effort that has been years in the making. Although the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays, the Indonesian Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Working Group is now focused on finalizing the PNCCP this year. Collaboration across sectors has been crucial, demonstrating the impact of coordinated efforts on global pediatric cancer care. Learn More: https://ow.ly/iyYy50TM0LF

Join us on Thursday, October 17, at 12 PM CT / 1 PM ET to hear Mark Hatley, MD, PhD, Director of the Division of Molecular Oncology at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discuss “Developmental heterogeneity in rhabdomyosarcoma”. ? Dr. Hatley will share recent research on the intricate relationship between pediatric cancer and normal developmental processes, utilizing rhabdomyosarcoma as a model system. His findings challenge the traditional assumptions regarding the cell of origin for cancers, emphasizing the potential dangers of these assumptions. Through his work, he has identified cell reprogramming and developmental transdifferentiation as critical mechanisms in the transformation of pediatric sarcomas, providing new insights into the origins of rhabdomyosarcoma in tissues devoid of skeletal muscle. ? Register here: https://ow.ly/j7vg50TJeYv

St. Jude recently celebrated the diverse cultures that make up the fabric of the institution at its annual Heritage Fest, where employees from different nations share the music, art and culture from their homelands. With vibrant dances and flavors of traditional foods of each country, employees from 22 nations shared the unique stories and histories that shape who they are. Across the research institution and hospital, St. Jude employees come from 125 different homelands. “Through storytelling sessions, cultural performances and interactive workshops, Heritage Fest aims to deepen attendees’ understanding of different cultures and foster a stronger sense of unity and appreciation,” said Shonda Wilson, senior Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator. “It’s an opportunity to connect with coworkers from different backgrounds, share experiences and create meaningful connections that go beyond borders.” This annual event not only celebrates the rich heritage of the St. Jude community but also reminds us that our differences strengthen our collective mission—to provide the best care for children, no matter where they come from.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has been recognized as one of the top 10 pediatric cancer hospitals by U.S. News & World Report for 17 consecutive years. Evaluated on clinical data and specialist surveys, the hospital excels in areas like bone marrow transplantation and innovative clinical trials. As the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center focused solely on children, St. Jude boasts exceptional survival rates for aggressive childhood cancers including acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It has nearly doubled the survival rates for medulloblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor in children. The St. Jude Centers of Excellence focus on leukemia, brain tumors and the use of immunotherapy to treat cancer, continuing to work toward improved outcomes for children with cancer. To ensure children around the globe have access to lifesaving treatments, St. Jude launched the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines with the WHO to improve treatment access in low- and middle-income countries. While many programs for improving access to cancer medicines have been developed, this new platform is the largest in scope and most comprehensive in approach. “Being named one of the top children’s cancer programs every year since the survey began speaks to the incredible contributions our employees make every day in the clinic, in the laboratory and around the world,” said James R. Downing, M.D., St. Jude president and chief executive officer. “In the past year, we have made strategic gains in fundamental science, childhood cancer, pediatric catastrophic diseases, global impact, infrastructure, talent and culture. We welcome the best and brightest in the field to join us in our mission to find cures and save children across the nation and throughout the world." Learn more about this accomplishment: https://ow.ly/gejf50THfzt

At St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, we believe in the power of purpose-driven work. Each role within our institution—ranging from groundbreaking research to compassionate patient care—contributes significantly to our mission: finding cures and saving children. We invite both experienced professionals and those at the outset of their careers to discover how your unique skills and talents can play a vital role in our life-changing mission. During this event, you will gain insights into diverse career paths and learn about the cutting-edge projects happening at St. Jude.?

Over the last decade, we’ve made significant strides in uncovering the molecular foundations of pediatric glioma. While we now understand how these tumors differ from adult brain cancer, many questions still linger. What drives oncogenesis beyond just DNA mutations?? ? By exploring these mechanisms, we can deepen our understanding of cancer initiation and progression, ultimately leading to better treatments for our young patients. ? Don’t miss the opportunity to hear Cynthia Hawkins, MD, PhD, from The Hospital for Sick Children and a professor at the University of Toronto discuss "Oncogenesis in Pediatric Glioma: Moving Beyond the Genome" on Thursday, October 10th at 12 PM CT / 1 PM ET. Register here: https://ow.ly/Nr2K50TCFn4

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of researchers through the National Graduate Student Symposium (NGSS). This three-day event offers top PhD candidates an unparalleled opportunity to explore postdoctoral careers, engage in research presentations, and participate in one-on-one meetings with esteemed faculty members. From the rich candidate pool, approximately 15% of attendees secure postdoctoral positions at St. Jude. By nurturing emerging scientists through NGSS and other educational initiatives, St. Jude is strengthening the pipeline for pediatric research, ensuring ongoing innovation and advancement. “Inviting top students to visit the St. Jude campus enhances our chance of recruiting them to St. Jude, and NGSS is crucial in facilitating this process,” said Linda Harris, PhD, Director of Postdoc Talent Acquisition. NGSS not only serves as a recruitment tool for postdoctoral positions but also opens doors to a variety of career paths within academia and beyond. By participating in NGSS, students gain insights into the innovative research environment at St. Jude, fostering meaningful connections that can significantly impact their professional journeys. Nominations are open until October 16. Help shape the future of pediatric research by nominating a deserving PhD student today. Learn more and nominate here: (https://ow.ly/VEI750TCs2T) #PostdocRecruitment #CareerDevelopment #ScientificCareers #PediatricResearch #NGSS #StJude