At St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, we strive to live out our core values every day. These seven principles guide us in our behaviors and decisions, ultimately empowering every employee to deliver on our mission — finding cures and saving children.
Value 1
Always recognize that advancing treatment for children with catastrophic diseases is at the center of everything we do.
Honoree Spotlight
Rima Saad, PhD
Global Pediatric Medicine
Drawing on her years of experience in pediatric oncology and palliative care, Rima works to ensure that no child or family walks through their most difficult moments alone or unsupported. Her leadership and vision have advanced family-centered care, strengthened professional training, and expanded access to high-quality palliative care across regions. Through her role in the Global Palliative Care Program at St. Jude, she builds tools, guides research, and mentors clinicians worldwide. Rima helps to redefine what compassionate care means for children and families everywhere.
“Her voice resonates far beyond our walls; she is a nurse-hero, an inspiration to countless nurses across regions and cultures."
Value 2
Do what is right; take ownership of what you do.
Honoree Spotlight
Nidhi Bhatt, MD
Hematology
By combining clinical expertise with a gift for educating others, Nidhi helps both patients and the fellows she mentors to gain the clarity and confidence they need to make informed decisions. As associate director of the Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program, she equips fellows to deepen their understanding and to lead with purpose. Her work also focuses on improving health literacy for adolescents with hemophilia and other blood disorders by creating clear, accessible educational materials that guide families through complex treatment choices. She continues to advance understanding and compassion in care.
“Dr. Nidhi Bhatt is a great leader by nature.”
Value 3
Work with purpose and urgency — your efforts matter.
Honoree Spotlight
Meiling Jin, PhD
Computational Biology
By transforming complex genomic data into clinical insight, Meiling helps make today’s personalized treatments possible. A scientist in clinical genomics, she designs and implements tools that improve genetic testing for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Her innovations have made tumor-only genome-wide copy number analysis faster and more efficient to perform in-house. With determination and creativity, she continues to refine genomic methods and develop new diagnostic tools that will shape the future of pediatric care.
“Dr. Jin’s dedication is truly commendable and has had a profound impact on both patient care and scientific progress.”
Value 4
Embrace the challenge to create a new tomorrow.
Honoree Spotlight
Mandy Shelby-Little
School Program
By turning a moment of inspiration into action, Mandy empowered her students to reimagine the hospital experience. Through the Teen Blue-Sky initiative, she guided her adolescent students to share ideas for improving life at St. Jude, from hosting research area field trips to creating more welcoming spaces for families. With thoughtful collaboration and determination, Mandy helped bring many of those ideas to life, giving students a voice in shaping their environment.
“St. Jude is better today because Mandy took the time to bring the best out of her students, and I’m excited to see many of these ideas come to fruition.”
Value 5
Work collaboratively and help others to succeed.
Honoree Spotlight
Aaron Shafer, PhD
Therapeutics, Production and Quality
Aaron helps turn promising ideas into lifesaving therapies. Known for his collaborative spirit, he supports projects across campus while offering expertise to help teams achieve their goals. When a specialized lab test faced disruption, Aaron’s knowledge kept a key study on track. Beyond the lab, he mentors students through the High School Research Immersion Program, guiding them in hands-on biomanufacturing while inspiring them to become future scientists. Aaron strengthens both the science and the people who make progress possible.
“Aaron is someone others want to call on and who is always on-call to help others.”
Value 6
Always be respectful of your coworkers, our patients and their families, and visitors to our campus.
Honoree Spotlight
Dwane Meeks
Security
As a security officer at Target House, Dwane helps families find a sense of home during their St. Jude journey. For the past three years, he has provided a sense of security and protection. But he also greets residents with warmth, humor and a genuine interest in their lives — remembering not only their names, but also their favorite teams and superheroes. His friendly high-fives and easy conversations bring comfort to parents and laughter to children. Whether he’s swapping sports updates or sharing a quick joke with residents, Dwane’s steady presence and kind spirit make Target House feel welcoming for every family who walks through its doors.
“Officer Meeks radiates a comfortable sincerity with his quick smile and quiet presence.”
Value 7
Make the most of St. Jude resources, and be mindful of those who provided them.
Honoree Spotlight
Michael Cothern
Facilities Operations and Maintenance
At Tri Delta Place and The Domino’s Village, Michael keeps things running smoothly — and saves St. Jude time and money in the process. A maintenance mechanic with a can-do spirit, he tackles everything from heat pumps to toys, all with care and craftsmanship. Instead of replacing chipped countertops or worn bathtubs, Mike restores them to look brand new, and his switch to LED lighting has made family units brighter and more efficient. Known for his resourcefulness and heart, he finds creative ways to make repairs that extend the life of equipment and spaces across St. Jude facilities. Through every project, Michael’s dedication ensures families feel comfortable and cared for and that St. Jude resources go further.
“He always has a big smile and does whatever it takes to live by the St. Jude values.”
Every day, I see faculty and staff fulfill our mission by living our seven core values. The St. Jude Values shape our culture and fuel our purpose of generating knowledge.
These inspiring stories illuminate the qualities that make St. Jude a place of discovery, innovation and healing — a living testament to the dream of hospital founder Danny Thomas.
James R. Downing, MD
President and Chief Executive Officer