St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - Science and Medicine

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St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - Science and Medicine

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a global leader in the research and treatment of pediatric c Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, St. Jude. Follow St.

Jude Children's Research Hospital is the first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Jude has been named a top pediatric cancer hospital on U.S. News & World Report’s annual "Best Hospitals" list and named to Fortune magazine’s "100 Best Companies to Work For" list. Research and treatments developed at St. Jude are shared to help impr

ove the survival rate for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases worldwide. Jude is recognized as one of the world’s premier pediatric research and treatment institutions with a focus on acute lymphoblastic leukemia, brain tumors and infectious diseases. With eight affiliate clinics across the country, St. Jude treats about 8,600 children each year. Beyond the United States, the institution’s St. Jude Global initiative seeks to improve health care for children with life-threatening disease worldwide. Follow us to discover the research, scientific discoveries, clinical care and employment opportunities at St. View our career opportunities: www.stjude.org/join-our-mission. Jude across social media at .

04/24/2026

During Volunteer Appreciation Week, St. Jude recognizes individuals who contribute their time and skills to improving the patient experience. Alexa Bobelis is one of those volunteers, supporting patients and families through the hospital’s Doggy Daze program.

Bobelis is a nurse practitioner in the Center of Advanced Practice and volunteers on her days off with her dog, Coco. As a certified volunteer team, they visit patient-facing areas across campus, including waiting rooms and outpatient clinics, offering moments of connection and calm during busy clinical days.

“I’m thankful that I have my day off to volunteer,” said Bobelis. “Everyone tends to smile and chuckle at seeing a dog walking the halls of St. Jude, and I’m excited to see how together we can help more patients.”

During visits, Bobelis is mindful of patient families’ needs, adjusting her approach so children using wheelchairs or wagons can comfortably interact with Coco. The visits often provide a welcome distraction for patients and caregivers waiting for procedures such as MRI scans or X-rays.

Bobelis and Coco reflect the many ways individuals support the St. Jude mission beyond their primary roles. St. Jude thanks volunteers from within our staff and beyond whose time and dedication help strengthen the community that surrounds patients and families.

04/16/2026

In the halls of the Patient Care Center at St. Jude, patient-created artwork often becomes part of how families navigate long days of treatment. For Dominic, a piece he noticed in the hallways during his own care stayed with him for months, anchored by a single word: hope.

That experience shaped what he created for the Teens and 20s Art Show, where patients share work that reflects what can be difficult to communicate in clinical settings. Dominic’s piece, “Fight,” uses the image of a tree to represent stages of progression and the realities patients face during treatment.

“There are so many things you can fight,” Dominic said. “Fighting cancer or something much bigger than you is much harder. This can symbolize all of us and what we have to go through.”

The show, a St. Jude tradition since 2001, is designed to give patients an open-ended space to share personal narratives through a range of media, from painting and photography to maker-space projects. “Our goal when we come up with the theme every year is to give patients an open-ended springboard to come up with ideas,” said Heather Haluska, senior Child Life specialist. “We want to invite them to tell whatever story about themselves that they want.”

After the show, the work will be featured in the halls of the Patient Care Center for the next year, reaching patients as they move between appointments and daily routines. “Hopefully my artwork can inspire somebody else,” Dominic said.

04/13/2026

A move into a new clinical environment starts long before the doors open. At St. Jude, teams are preparing to transition into two new 15-story towers: the Clinical Center and the Clinical Office Building. The focus is on ensuring continuity of care while preparing teams to work effectively in a new setting.

For more than a year, St. Jude teams have led workflow planning with each clinic and support group that will relocate into the new Clinical Center. Teams have met regularly to document how care is delivered today and to identify what may need to change in the new space. In one planning session, the project team printed full floor plans and tested workflows and walking paths through each clinic. They simulated different times of day and patient pathways from arrival to departure to spot bottlenecks early and refine how the space will function.

As move-in approaches, planning becomes more operational. Teams are developing training, logistics and move sequencing, along with “Day in the Life” simulations and command center planning to test scenarios and support go-live readiness.

“This institution-wide effort is a reflection of the values and culture at St. Jude, with clinical, research and support teams coming together in collaboration and dedication. Through planning, activation and training, we’re equipping every team for a seamless transition, ensuring confidence and continuity from day one,” said Colette Hendricks, senior vice president, clinical operations.

Construction began in 2022, and the new clinical buildings will expand the footprint and capabilities of St. Jude. The design approach keeps patients and families at the center, supports growth and collaboration through the layout of the clinical floors and prioritizes a welcoming environment from arrival onward.

04/10/2026

Through nearly 40 years of groundbreaking clinical research, St. Jude has advanced care for youth living with HIV and those engaged in preventing HIV. The introduction of long-acting injectable antiretrovirals, cabotegravir and rilpivirine, marked a new chapter in HIV treatment and prevention, offering an option beyond daily oral medication.

The IMPAACT 2017 trial demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of these long-acting injectable medications in adolescents aged 12-18, administered once every two months, leading to their approval for this age group. This advancement was a meaningful step toward improving medication adherence and empowering individuals to focus more on their lives. Additionally, the HPTN 083 trial brought FDA approval for the first long-acting injectable antiretroviral for HIV prevention in adolescents and children aged 17 years old and younger.

Efforts to bring new administration options to younger age groups continue through trials at St. Jude and beyond, such as IMPAACT 2036. Building on insights from IMPAACT 2017 and others, researchers are advancing more practical treatment and prevention options to people who need them.

But the true impact of this work comes alive through the voices of those it touches. St. Jude collaborated with patients to share their stories through art and audio, offering a window into their lived experiences.

When science meets storytelling, the humanity behind the research is amplified. One patient shared their story of enrolling in a clinical trial which gave them the freedom to focus on their goal of becoming a healthcare provider. This National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day, listen to his story and others impacted by HIV along with those taking steps to prevent HIV in themselves and their communities: https://ow.ly/FpoB50YEMpT

04/08/2026

Reliable access to quality-assured childhood cancer medicines is strengthening pediatric oncology in Zambia and building a foundation of trust that supports long-term treatment adherence.

Zambia, like many countries around the world, has faced an erratic supply of chemotherapy due to factors including limited local manufacturing which cause frequent disruptions in treatment plans. Over time, those disruptions have contributed to a loss of confidence in care, and fewer families receiving essential therapy when medicines were not available.

Through the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines, a St. Jude and World Health Organization partnership, participating countries can access essential medicines procured in bulk and quality-assured. The Global Platform is currently working in 12 countries worldwide to help bridge medication gaps and reduce inconsistencies in care.

In Zambia, a reliable medicine supply is enabling clinicians to build and reinforce trust with families. That shift brings a renewed need for outreach to ensure communities understand what has changed and what is now possible, especially when families travel long distances for centralized care.

Maliwa Mushikita, senior pharmacist at Cancer Diseases Hospital in Zambia, emphasized the next steps needed to translate medicine availability into sustained outcomes. “We must strengthen logistics and outreach systems to identify children in remote areas and bring them into care in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other partners,” she said.

“As a country, we are thankful that we have actually been given this opportunity to participate in this project,” Mushikita added. “We hope it will transform how we manage pediatric cancers in our nation and improve survival outcomes for our children.”

Learn more about how the Global Platform is strengthening care and treatment in Zambia: https://ow.ly/20zX50YFhFq

04/06/2026

During Graduate Student Appreciation Week, St. Jude recognizes the graduate students whose work contributes to research across the institution. Their efforts support discovery science, translational studies and data-driven approaches that advance understanding of pediatric catastrophic diseases.

Graduate students at St. Jude come from a wide range of academic institutions, including the St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and partner universities. Together, they represent various disciplines, perspectives and expertise for the research enterprise.

Across laboratories and departments, graduate students design experiments, analyze complex datasets and collaborate with leading experts and clinical teams. Their work helps sustain long-term research efforts and move ideas from the bench toward patient-focused outcomes.

This week provides an opportunity to acknowledge the essential role graduate students play in fostering a rigorous and collaborative research environment. Their training and contributions are an important part of advancing the mission at St. Jude.

03/30/2026

On National Doctors’ Day, we recognize the physicians who advance patient care while pushing science forward. Emily Hanzlik, MD, is an assistant member in the Departments of Oncology and Pediatric Medicine at St. Jude and an integral member of the brain tumor medical team.

Her clinical and research focus in pediatric neuro-oncology is closely connected to the long-term neurologic complications that children can experience during and after cancer treatment.

“We use clinical data to try to predict which patients may have a more strenuous treatment course and develop early interventions to improve their neurological outcomes,” said Hanzlik.

Her work also reflects the importance of individualized care, accounting for differences such as a patient’s age andtumor location as well as complications such as seizures that may affect quality of life in distinct ways. She collaborates closely with specialists across disciplines to adjust treatment and follow-up care with the goal of improving outcomes.

Hanzlik, who was named the St. Jude Outstanding Physician in 2025, is one of many doctors who provide exceptional care to our patients every day. Thank you to St. Jude doctors for all that you do.

03/24/2026

Children living with or exposed to chronic illnesses, such as HIV, often face different challenges than adults, particularly when treatment requires daily medication. For young children and infants, limited medication options can make adherence difficult for both patients and caregivers. Through pediatric clinical trials, St. Jude is working to expand treatment and prevention options designed specifically for the youngest age groups.

Managing or preventing HIV requires consistent use of antiretroviral medications, yet most available formulations — such as pills or injections — were developed for adults and adolescents. For younger children and newborns, options remain limited and often involve multiple daily doses or medications that are difficult to administer.

To address these challenges, St. Jude is participating in two multisite clinical trials: IMPAACT 2036 and GS5578. IMPAACT 2036 is evaluating a long-acting, injectable antiretroviral regimen for children ages 2–11, offering an alternative to once-daily pills. GS5578 is studying a multidrug, fixed-dose formulation for newborns and infants that dissolves in liquid and is administered orally.

As the first site to enroll patients in both trials, St. Jude is helping advance pediatric HIV care and prevention by generating safety, dosing and pharmacokinetic data needed to support future regulatory approval. These studies represent an important step toward giving children and caregivers more flexibility, improving medication adherence and supporting better long-term outcomes.

03/20/2026

When Brett Wyatt was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia at 13, his family faced an unimaginable moment. On the day of diagnosis, Brett suffered a brain bleed and was in a coma. As machines hummed and caregivers worked around him, his parents were encouraged to play music they knew he loved.

Seven days later, Brett woke up. He had lost his vision and struggled with movement, speech and short-term memory. Music, however, remained. ““Somehow, coming out of the coma, he knew the lyrics to entire songs,” Carla recalls. “It was very powerful for us to witness.”

Moved by what they witnessed, the Wyatt family spoke with Brett’s care team about adding music therapy to his treatment at St. Jude. Music therapy is designed to help patients cope with fear, pain, and uncertainty while offering opportunities for expression and connection.

“Music therapy uses music to help patients reach different goals,” said Celeste Douglas, senior music therapist. “We use music to help patients and families cope with hospitalization.”

Through music therapy, Brett worked on coordination, following directions and emotional regulation. Just as importantly, he found joy and comfort during long days of treatment. “If your child is struggling in the hospital setting, we can come in and provide comfort, give your child a chance to make choices, a chance to be in charge of their care and a chance for your family to bond together,” Douglas said.

For Brett, music therapy continues to be part of healing. It supports not only recovery, but also the relationships and moments that help families feel connected through even the hardest days.

03/17/2026

The DAISY Award for Nursing Excellence is a global recognition honoring nurses who demonstrate clinical skill, leadership and compassionate care. This year, St. Jude recognizes Lindsey Reap, DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Inpatient Manager for Bone Marrow Transplant, as the DAISY Nurse Leader Award recipient for her impact across multiple inpatient teams.

Over the past year, Reap expanded her leadership responsibilities, including serving as an interim inpatient manager during a period of transition. In this role, she provided steady leadership, set clear expectations and encouraged collaboration among clinical staff leaders and nursing teams. She also supported onboarding efforts and shared processes developed during her interim role, helping ensure continuity for staff and patient care.

Now leading the Bone Marrow Transplant inpatient team, Reap continues to support nurses, clinical staff leaders and patient care assistants through operational changes aligned with the institution’s strategic plan. Her consistent presence and thoughtful approach have helped teams navigate change while maintaining stable, supportive environments. Please join us in recognizing Lindsey Reap for her leadership and commitment to nursing excellence.

03/10/2026

Scientific progress depends on collaboration and a shared commitment to helping others succeed. At St. Jude, that collaboration often happens beyond the spotlight, where scientists and staff support one another to keep critical work moving forward. Aaron Shafer, PhD, plays a key role in that effort by combining technical expertise with a strong focus on mentorship and teamwork.

Shafer’s work in the Good Manufacturing Practice facility supports the development of therapies that might otherwise never reach patients. He regularly contributes analytical insight to projects across departments, helping teams move more efficiently toward their goals. When an essential quality control assay was at risk, Shafer stepped in, drawing on his prior experience to help ensure a key stability study continued without delays.

For Shafer, collaboration is rooted in trust and shared growth. “The key to a good team starts with trust and a desire to see your fellow members grow and succeed,” said Shafer. That mindset shapes how he works with colleagues and how he approaches challenges that extend beyond his immediate role.

His commitment to helping others extends to mentorship. For the past three years, Shafer has served as a mentor in the High School Research Immersion Program, guiding three students each year through hands-on research experiences. He developed a structured curriculum that introduces them to therapeutic development using analytical tools, helping prepare them for future careers in biomanufacturing and research.

Shafer finds purpose in watching others develop confidence and skills over time. “Being part of a process where we can watch other people grow and thrive is one of the most meaningful things that I can do,” he said.

Through collaboration, mentorship and a willingness to step in where needed, Shafer reflects how people across St. Jude contribute every day to advancing the institution’s mission.

03/06/2026

Match Day marks an exciting milestone for our newest nurse residents as they reach an important step in their journey at St. Jude. This celebration represents the culmination of weeks spent rotating through inpatient and outpatient units, surgical services and the ICU, providing exposure to the full spectrum of care while fostering meaningful connections across the organization. At the conclusion of this process, each nurse resident received their unit match and will now begin a personalized clinical orientation within their assigned unit.

Founded in 2012, the St. Jude Nurse Residency Program supports the transition from student to professional practice through evidence‑based learning, hands‑on experience and continued growth. The program brings together nurses from a wide range of backgrounds and communities, creating a culture grounded in teamwork, learning and shared purpose. As Chief Nursing Executive Sarah Currie shared during Match Day, “Caregiving is a team sport, and nurses are central to that team.”

This year’s Match Day also included a special moment of connection when our first nurse resident from Hawaii presented her cohort with handmade leis. “I’m glad that I have the opportunity to bring a piece of home here,” said Hermaine, who matched in the ICU. “I was always interested in critical care. I love the teamwork and how everyone jumps in to support one another. This is a place where I know I can grow because everyone is a resource.”

Congratulations to our newest nurse residents, and welcome to St. Jude as you begin this next chapter of learning and growth.

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262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN
38105

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+18662785833

Website

http://www.stjude.org/joinourmission

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Our Story

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, located in Memphis, Tennessee, is a pediatric cancer research center. Its mission is to find cures for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases through research and treatment. Founded in 1962, St. Jude is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children.

In 2017, St. Jude was named the No. 1 pediatric cancer hospital on U.S. News & World Report’s 28th Annual "Best Hospitals" list. The hospital has also named to Fortune magazine’s "100 Best Companies to Work For" for nine consecutive years. Research efforts are directed at understanding the molecular, genetic and chemical bases of catastrophic diseases in children; identifying cures for such diseases; and promoting their prevention. Research is focused specifically on cancers, some acquired and inherited immunodeficiencies, sickle cell disease, infectious diseases and genetic disorders. Patients at St. Jude are referred by a physician, and nearly all have a disease currently under study and are eligible for a clinical trial. Most patients seen at St. Jude are treated on a continuing outpatient basis and are part of ongoing research programs.

Treatments developed at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since the hospital opened. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing and food. To learn about the science and medicine at St. Jude: www.stjude.org/research/initiatives.html.