James R. Downing, MD, President & CEO of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital today announced the induction of James R. Downing, MD, president and CEO of St. Jude, into the Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame. Downing is one of four leaders being inducted this year for their significant and lasting contributions to health and the health care industry.
“I am honored to receive this recognition as a health care leader of a state I’ve proudly called ‘home’ for more than 40 years,” Downing said. “Over the past decade, I’ve had the privilege of leading St. Jude during historic growth of our clinical and research enterprise and our global footprint. This honor reflects the dedication and efforts of the faculty and staff of St. Jude fueled by the incredible support provided by ALSAC and the millions of donors who support our mission.”
Downing became president and CEO of St. Jude in 2014. During his tenure, he has led transformative efforts to advance scientific discovery, improve clinical care and increase survival rates of pediatric catastrophic diseases around the world. Milestones of his tenure include the launch of the $200 million Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines and of a $12.9 billion strategic plan to grow the institution’s research and global mission. Under his leadership, St. Jude consistently earns national recognition for innovation and excellence, including honors from U.S. News & World Report, Fast Company and Glassdoor.
Downing earned his undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of Michigan. He joined St. Jude in 1986 after training in anatomic pathology at Washington University in St. Louis and completing a fellowship in hematopathology at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Prior to taking the helm of St. Jude, Downing served as the institution’s scientific and deputy director.
The Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame was created by Belmont University, the McWhorter Society and the Nashville Health Care Council, with a mission to honor those who have made significant and lasting contributions to the health and health care industries in the state of Tennessee. Former St. Jude recipients include Ching-Hon Pui, MD; William E. Evans, PharmD; and Walter Hughes, MD. St. Jude founder Danny Thomas was inducted in the inaugural class in 2015.
“The 2025 inductees to the Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame embody the transformative power of dedication, innovation and compassion," said Greg Jones, PhD, president of Belmont. "From pioneering hospital leadership and long-term care systems to groundbreaking pediatric cancer research and exceptional medical education, these individuals have made lasting impacts on the wellbeing of countless people and communities.”
The honorees will be recognized at an induction celebration on November 12 at Belmont University.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats, and cures childhood catastrophic diseases. As the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children, St. Jude advances groundbreaking research and shares its discoveries worldwide to accelerate progress in pediatric medicine. Treatments developed at St. Jude have helped increase overall childhood cancer survival rates from 20% to 80% since the hospital opened more than 60 years ago. Through collaboration and innovation, St. Jude is working to ensure that children everywhere have access to the best possible care. To learn more, visit stjude.org, read St. Jude Progress, a digital magazine, and follow St. Jude on social media at @stjuderesearch.