Meet the HPV Cancer Prevention Team

The program is led by director Heather M. Brandt, PhD, a social and behavioral scientist and leader in cancer prevention and control, primarily in HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening. Her research focuses on working with stakeholders to prevent and control cancer by using evidence-based interventions through innovative, partnered approaches. She is also a member of the Department of Epidemiology & Cancer Control.

“My approach to building a network of viable community members is to use the tenets of servant leadership—encouraging diversity of thought, creating a culture of trust, having an unselfish mindset, and fostering leadership.”

“A major part of my work is centered around developing partnerships to help increase the HPV vaccination rates in the communities we serve,” says Minor. “The work is done through encouraging provider recommendations to vaccinate and educating parents around the safety, efficacy and lasting effects of the HPV vaccine.”

“Through my work with the HPV Cancer Prevention Program, I hope that the general public will learn about the accessibility, safety, and efficacy of this vaccine,” says Neely. “I hope that there will be an increase in vaccination rates and a decrease in the number of deaths related to HPV cancers. There are so many tools and resources available to us that we can see prevention accomplished during our lifetime.”

“As a program coordinator, I strive to advocate for public health, by helping build awareness about how we can eliminate HPV with a vaccine," says Knowlton. "It is my goal to bridge any gaps of hesitancy and begin conversations of understanding.”

“Every year, about 36,000 Americans are found to have cancer caused by HPV. Thankfully, an HPV vaccine has been available since 2006 to help protect against these cancers. I want to help parents get the facts they need to make informed decisions about HPV vaccination for their children.”

“As a program coordinator, I hope to educate parents and caregivers that HPV vaccination is cancer prevention, and that the HPV vaccination protects against more than 90% of HPV cancers. In my work, I expect to provide parents and caregivers with the resources and tools, as well as work with healthcare providers to increase the recommendation so that more children will receive HPV vaccinations. With partnerships on a local, state, and national level we can achieve the Healthy People 2030 goal of getting 80% of children vaccinated against HPV.” 

“I love the mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. I've worked in areas where I've seen firsthand how St. Jude will go above and beyond to accommodate the patient, the patient's parents/caregivers and family. It brings me joy to know this and how I'm able give this testimony of what a great place this is to work.”

“HPV vaccination prevents cancer and save lives. Unfortunately, many barriers prevent people from getting vaccinated or understanding the benefits of vaccination. At St. Jude, I hope to help lessen some of these barriers so that people feel confident in getting themselves or their children vaccinated and have peace of mind in knowing they are protected from several types of cancer.”