St. Jude Research
Chair: Andrew Smith, MD, PhD

Department of Radiology

  

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Mission

To advance cures and understanding of pediatric cancer and catastrophic diseases through excellence in radiology clinical practice, research, innovation, education, and administration.

Departmental Sections

  1. Body Imaging

    Body Imaging interprets all non-CNS plain film radiography, ultrasounds, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Body radiologists also perform diagnostic fluoroscopy examinations and prescribe IV and oral contrast materials, as well as prescribe scanning procedures daily.

    Section chief: Zachary R. Abramson, MD, DMD

  2. Intelligent Imaging Informatics

    Intelligent Imaging Informatics (I3) harnesses the power of imaging informatics and artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate research, clinical care, and translational efforts in pediatric radiology, advancing the St. Jude Mission. 

    Section chief: Paul Yi, MD

    Explore I3

  3. Interventional Radiology

    Interventional Radiology provides optimum patient care through minimally invasive, image-guided procedures using state-of-the-art technology. Services include diagnostic biopsies, aspirations, line placements and removals, arterial and venous endovascular procedures, pain management and urological interventions.

    Section chief: Michael Temple, MD, FRCPC

  4. Medical Physics

    Medical physics supports clinical research, patient care and education through expertise in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound (US), X-ray fluoroscopy and radiography, computed tomography (CT), radiation safety and nuclear medicine (NM).

    Section chief: Yuxi Pang, PhD

    Find out more

  5. Neuro Imaging

    Neuroimaging provides diagnostic expertise for malignancies involving the central nervous system and, in the head, and neck region using MRI and CT. Neuroradiologists prescribe disease-specific imaging protocols and IV contrast media and perform additional fluoroscopy-based procedures. This group is also pioneering the transition from traditional, descriptive radiology to quantitative imaging using innovative advanced MRI technologies and has been the driving force behind MRI sequence standardization and optimization and a broader use of IT in clinical diagnostic imaging practice at St. Jude.

    Section chief: Asim K. Bag, MBBS, MD, EDiNR

  6. Nuclear Medicine

    Nuclear Medicine faculty interpret most nuclear medicine imaging studies and conduct all nuclear medicine therapies. In collaboration with Molecular Imaging Research, this team supports the development of radiopharmaceuticals.

    Section chief: Barry L. Shulkin, MD

Departmental Modalities

  1. X-ray (XR)

    The X-ray area is responsible for performing images for outpatients, inpatients, in the OR, ICU, and on the inpatient floors. When performing imaging intra-operatively, X-ray helps guideline placements and hardware placements for orthopedic surgeries.  We also perform bedside imaging for critically ill patients.  Our imaging is sometimes the first imaging that can visualize if a patient has a tumor, or fracture caused by a tumor. X-rays can show if a patient has a collapsed lung or fluid in their lungs. An X-ray can show if a feeding tube is properly placed. Without an X-ray, intervention would not be possible.

    Technology: Philips Digital and Fluoro, Panorex

    Operational Supervisor: Jessica Frazier

  2. Ultrasound (US)

    Ultrasound imaging is also called sonography. It uses high-frequency sound waves to create images to evaluate soft tissue and vascular structures in the body. Ultrasound is responsible for performing imaging for outpatients and inpatients as well as assisting in procedures in Interventional Radiology and the OR. There are several imaging options that are performed in ultrasound which include grayscale, Doppler, Transcranial Doppler with imaging, liver Elastography, and Contrast Enhanced imaging.

    Technology: GE Logiq E9 and GE Logiq E10

    Operational Supervisor: Sarah Craig

  3. Computed Tomography (CT)

    A CT scan is a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce images of the inside of the body. It shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, organs and blood vessels. St. Jude has a GE Revolution Dual Energy CT scanner. Dual Energy CT, also known as Spectral CT is an advancement of Computed Tomography in which two energies are used to create two sets of data. This allows more flexibility with scanning techniques. We perform all scan types including CT angiography.

    Technology: GE Revolution Dual Energy CT, Hologic DXA Unit

    Operational Supervisor: Yen Duong

  4. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

    Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive imaging technology that produces three dimensional detailed anatomical images. It uses a large magnet, radio frequency waves, and computers to produce high-quality, detailed images of the inside of the body.  It is often used for disease detection, diagnosis, and treatment monitoring. Unlike other modalities, MRI does not have a radiation component, which is a major reason of choice. MRI is constantly changing, growing, and improving. There is an abundance of MRIs included in most research and clinical aspects within the institution. MRI is the most demanded modality; therefore, it is important for the modality to have the most up to date software and equipment for better diagnosis of patients.

    MRI takes pride in safety; therefore, the MRI technologists are trained to evaluate various safety conditions. MRI has a dedicated prescreening team responsible for vetting implanted devices prior to performing an MRI exam. The prescreening team works collaboratively with our MRI physicist throughout the prescreening process.

    Technology: Siemens 1.5T Avanto Fit operating E11E software, Siemens 3T Prisma operating XA30 software. Additional software functionality includes elastography, multinuclear spectroscopy, and real-time functional.

    Operational Supervisor: Annie Pindell

  5. Interventional Radiology (IR)

    Interventional Radiology (IR) performs minimally invasive procedures using image guidance (X-ray, fluoroscopy, CT, MRI, and US). Both diagnostic and therapeutic interventions are performed. Common procedures include biopsy, central line placement, drainage of fluid collections and gastrostomy tube insertions. The IR team is currently working to develop and assess pediatric interventional oncology procedures such as tumor ablation (e.g., cryoablation, microwave) and locoregional vascular treatments (such as Yttrium-90 radioembolization).

    Technology: Siemens Artis Q integrated with Siemens Somatom Confidence 20 slice CT, Siemens Cios Spin C-arm, Siemens Freestyle Ultrasound, Sony Nucleus video and imaging integration system

    Operational Supervisor: Andy Struchen

  6. Nuclear Medicine (NM)

    Nuclear medicine is a department of Radiology specialty that uses radioactive tracers (radiopharmaceuticals) to assess bodily functions and to diagnose and treat disease. To perform the study, a small amount of a radioactive substance is given through your child's IV (subcutaneous port, picc line, central line, etc.) or may be administered orally for certain exams. Most common scans performed are Pet Body Scan, MIBG w/ Spect CT, Liver/Spleen Scan and we also perform Plasma Clearance injections (lab test used to assess kidney function).

    Technology: United uMI Panorama GS PET/CT, Siemens SPECT/CT

    Operational Supervisor: Tiffany Holman

Radiology research labs

The Department of Radiology has created focused labs in the areas of metabolic, functional, and structural imaging research. Each of these labs is actively pursuing cutting edge research for different aspects of childhood cancer including, but not limited to, observing metabolic changes that precede morphological changes as an early readout for treatment efficacy, strengthen the Cancer Center’s neuroscience initiatives with epidemiology, Psychology, and Radiation Oncology, and perform quantitative structural analyses of the CNS to guide interventions and assess response to cancer treatment to minimize impact on the developing brain. The department is currently recruiting faculty to lead two additional labs focused on molecular imaging and body imaging respectively.

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Leadership

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    Andrew Smith, MD, PhD

    Member, St. Jude Faculty

    Chair, Department of Radiology

    Andrew Smith, MD, PhD

    Member, St. Jude Faculty

    Chair, Department of Radiology

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    Affiliations

    Department of Radiology

    Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Developmental Biology and Solid Tumor Program

    Research Interests

    • Clinical applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Radiology
    • AI in tumor response evaluation and detection of cancer
    • AI for opportunistic screening of diseases
    • Use of large language models in radiology reporting

    Contact Information

    Andrew Smith, MD, PhD

    Department of Radiology

    MS 220

    St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

    262 Danny Thomas Place

    Memphis, TN 38105-3678

Administrative leadership

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    Nancy Foster

    Director, Imaging Informatics & Information Services

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    Kendri Herring

    Manager, Diagnostic Imaging Operations

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    Cindy Hooper

    Program Manager, Quality Patient Safety and Risk Management

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    Leslie Jones

    Manager, DI Academic and Research Operations

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    Hailey Ross, PhD

    Operations Manager, Intelligent Imaging Informatics (I3)

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    Erin Starnes

    Sr. Program Manager

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    Hartwell Strain

    Administrative Director

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    Amy Vavere

    Director, Molecular Imaging Core

Radiology Faculty

Contact us

Department of Radiology
MS 220, Room I3109
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN, 38105-3678 USA
Imaging@stjude.org

Preferred contact method: email

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262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN, 38105-3678 USA
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