About the Department

The Department of Diagnostic Imaging, a recipient of the Quantitative Imaging Excellence (CQIE) designation, is the only broad-based pediatric radiology program committed largely to childhood cancer. Diagnostic Imaging has a fundamental role in improving the quality of patient care and outcomes for children with catastrophic diseases. We function in three sections: Body Imaging, Neuroimaging, and Nuclear Medicine. Our focus on exceptional and specialized imaging via multiple modalities to guide diagnosis and therapy monitoring is balanced with a drive to explore research technologies that enhance diagnostic accuracy. Our research endeavors span multiple facets of imaging: functional MRI (fMRI), spectroscopy, metabolic imaging, a growing Interventional Radiology section, as well as preclinical development of new imaging techniques. The department also offers a variety of education opportunities to support both new and experienced physicians.

Clinical operations: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital provides clinical diagnostics in multiple imaging modalities including MRI, Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound, CT, X-Ray, and Interventional Radiology. Our investments in advanced imaging technologies support new diagnostic procedures and low-dose radiation solutions. We are committed to reducing patient radiation exposure through routine evaluation of imaging protocols and dose.  The Department of Diagnostic Imaging’s equipment and software are customized to support treatment protocols St. Jude’s patient population.

Technologies
  • MRI: Siemens Prisma 3.0T, Siemens AvantoFit 1.5T, Siemens PrismaFit 3.0T, Elastography, 128-Channel Head Coils, Multi-Nuclear Spectroscopy
  • X-Ray: Philips Digital Radiography Unit, Philips Digital Radiography/Fluoroscopy Unit, (2) GE C-arm Elite, Sirona Orthophos XG, (3) Portable X-Ray Units
  • Ultrasound: (2) GE Logiq E9 Ultrasound Units, GE Logiq E10 Ultrasound Unit, Contrast Imaging, Elastography
  • Nuclear Medicine: GE 5-ring Digital PET/CT with Diagnostic CT, Siemens SPECT/CT
  • Computed Tomography: GE Revolution Dual Energy CT, Hologic DXA Unit
  • Interventional Radiology: Philips Allura FD20 Single-Plane Interventional Radiology Unit with Cone-Beam CT, Ultrasound Unit, Ablation devices

Diagnostic Imaging Research Hubs

The Department of Diagnostic Imaging has created focused hubs in the areas of metabolic, functional, and structural imaging research. Each of these hubs 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 hubs focused on molecular imaging and body imaging respectively.


Cores and services


Related resources


Join the Diagnostic Imaging team

Leadership

photo of Beth McCarville
Beth McCarville, MD

Interim Chair, Department of Diagnostic Imaging
Chief, Clinical Radiology
Chief, Body Imaging Section

Staff

Courtney Sievers, PhD, MHA
  • Courtney Sievers, PhD, MHA
  • Administrative Director
Nancy Foster
  • Nancy Foster
  • Director, Imaging Informatics and Information Services
Leslie Jones
  • Leslie Jones
  • Manager, DI Academic and Research Operations
Amy Vavere, PhD
  • Amy Vavere, PhD
  • Director, Molecular Imaging Core
Cindy Hooper
  • Cindy Hooper
  • Program Manager, Quality Patient Safety and Risk Management
Erin Starnes
  • Erin Starnes
  • Project Manager
Amanda Meek
  • Amanda Meek
  • Administrative Manager

Department Faculty

Contact us

Department of Diagnostic Imaging
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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