Skip to main content

Our Approach to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

In 2018, St. Jude began asking: What more can we do to enhance our culture? Although St. Jude has an inspirational culture that informs how we serve children with catastrophic diseases and their families, we are always making improvements.

Following the vision of Danny Thomas and the example set by the diverse group of employees who helped create and build the institution, we can enhance the culture by making it more inclusive and ensuring a diverse, representative workforce with equal access to opportunities.

Vision for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at St. Jude

The vision for diversity, equity and inclusion at St. Jude supports the institution’s vision, mission and strategy.

 

When Danny Thomas founded St. Jude, he courageously challenged the status quo and was committed to health equity and access for children regardless of race, religion or socio-economic status.

St. Jude stands for the elimination of all forms of discrimination.

The St. Jude mission inspires us to ensure an inclusive, culturally responsive and equitable environment where current and future employees, patients, families and members of our community feel a sense of belonging, empowerment and respect.

We seek to dismantle bias and promote fair policies and practices with accountability and transparency.

At St. Jude, we value and celebrate the uniqueness in all people.

 

Strategic Goals

The hospital’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives are structured around strategic pillars with associated goals to focus our efforts and maximize impact for the institution.

Pillars of Diversity

Goal 1. Infrastructure and Analytics: Build and maintain an infrastructure to support equity, justice, diversity and inclusion at St. Jude.

Goal 2. Leadership: Equip St. Jude leaders with inclusive leadership skills to actively build a more inclusive workplace and increase the diverse representation of people managers.

Goal 3. Talent: Improve recruitment, advancement and professional development of people of color, women and under-represented populations where needed in the institution.

Goal 4. Culture: Dismantle bias and advance inclusive behaviors at St. Jude through training, accountability and transparency.

Goal 5. Patients and Research Participants : Enhance a culturally responsive environment for employees, patients and our patient communities.

Goal 6. Community: Align with community efforts across the institution for more effective impact.

Goal 7. Reputation: Enhance the St. Jude reputation as a leading employer and research center that values diversity, equity and inclusion.

 
 
Ester Obeng, MD, with postdoc Reid Palumbo
Close