Divisions

The Division of General Pediatric Surgery provides treatment for several pediatric solid tumors including bilateral Wilms tumor, high risk neuroblastoma and the surgical management of complex soft tissue sarcomas. 

• Andrew J. Murphy, MD
  Chief, General Pediatric Surgery, Surgery Department

The primary role of the Division of Dentistry is to eliminate potential sources of odontogenic infection during oncologic treatment. The Division also offers St. Jude patients preventative, restorative, and surgical procedures of pediatric dentistry, general dentistry, oral surgery, and prosthodontics. The dental service works with multiple departments within the institution to implement innovative protocols to improve oral hygiene and patient compliance and assist with research objectives. 

• Martha Wells, DDS 
  Chief of Dentistry, Surgery Department

The Division of Orthopedic Surgery focuses on limb-sparing surgery for bone and soft tissue tumors and the treatment of patients with orthopedic-related conditions that arise as a consequence of the late effects of therapy. Within the Division exists the Department of Rehabilitation Services, which provides clinical support for the orthopedic clinics. This Department ensures that physical therapists are available for pre- and post-operative time frames and for long-term follow up. The Division of Orthopedic Surgery is also heavily vested in the publication of retrospective reviews and in developing and participating prospective clinical trials. 

• Michael D. Neel, MD 
  Chief, Orthopedic Division, Surgery Department 
  OrthoSouth, PC

The Division of Ophthalmology provides primary and supportive care for patients with pediatric malignancies. This Division contains a clinic which performs enucleations, brachytherapy, and cataract surgery and treats ocular issues. Of special interest is the rare intraocular tumor, retinoblastoma. Members of this Division perform over 500 examinations per year to treat and monitor this malignancy and partner with the Department of Developmental Neurobiology to advance our understanding of retinoblastoma through cutting-edge translational research. The Division also provides support to the Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control for St. Jude LIFE and St. Jude Global.  

The Division of Otorhinolaryngology treats conditions of the ears, nose, throat, head and neck. The Division’s Otolaryngology clinic is staffed by skilled providers capable of providing treatment and surgical options for patients during treatment and when they are ready to transition from St. Jude. The Division operates the Head and Neck Cancer Program to oversee the treatment and follow-up of patients with head and neck tumors and those who have developed treatment-related head and neck symptoms. Additional groups have been placed under the Head and Neck umbrella including the Pediatric Tracheotomy team, Thyroid team, Skull Base team, Dysphagia/Dysphonia team, and Hearing Loss team. Specifically, the Division of Otorhinolaryngology specializes in thyroid-related issues, providing thyroidectomies to patients and participating in national research studies and drug trials. This Division also participates in research focused on thyroid cancer, improving imaging modalities, and identifying factors contributing to health outcomes. 

• Celine C. Richard, MD, PhD
  Chief, Otolaryngology (ENT) Division, Surgery Department
  UT Le Bonheur Pediatric Specialists
  Pediatric Otolaryngology

The Division of Neurosurgery performs brain tumor-related operations through a collaboration with Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. Tissue from every tumor is sent to St. Jude where it undergoes pathological evaluation and is stored in the tissue bank, ensuring its availability for translational research studies. This Division also collaborates with the St. Jude Neurobiology and Brain Tumor Program. 

The Division of Urology provides urologic care in the inpatient and outpatient settings as well as in the operating room. This Division provides collaborative surgical management of issues such as complex bilateral Wilms tumor and pelvic and vaginal rhabdomyosarcoma. They also manage a spectrum of urologic issues from stone disease to urinary retention and hematuria. The Division of Urology also ensures that surgical fellows gain experience in urologic surgeries and contributes to clinical research.  

The Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery provides management for complications arising following cancer therapy, including immediate reconstruction after oncologic surgery or procedures necessitated by the delayed effects of radiation and surgical treatments. This Division addresses the unique reconstructive challenges of the patient population at St. Jude and contributes to clinical research by focusing on areas such as distraction osteogenesis in the radiation bone field, fat grafting, and outcome analyses for subsets of brain tumor patients undergoing reconstruction procedures. 

• Robin Evans, MD
  Chief, Division of Plastic Surgery, Surgery Department
  UT Le Bonheur Pediatric Specialists
  Plastic Surgery

The Division of Gynecology focuses on gynecological issues and promoting quality of life in its patient population. This Division, and its close collaboration with the Department of Hematology and Reproductive Endocrinology, allows for comprehensive patient care in managing bleeding disorders, sexual health, hormonal dysfunction, premature ovarian failure or insufficiency, pubertal development, and oocyte preservation. 

• Owen P. Phillips, MD 
  Chief, Gynecology Division, Surgery Department 
  UT Regional One Physicians 
  Professor, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Infertility and Genetics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tennessee, Memphis

Operating within the Division of Gynecology lies a subspecialty focusing on reproductive endocrinology. Physicians in Reproductive Endocrinology coordinate the integration of fertility preservation services into the care of St. Jude patients and survivors of childhood cancer. This specialty provides all fertility-related care, provides oncofertility risk assessment, and counseling. It is also heavily vested in educating providers on fertility preservation and collaborating with researchers to advance research pertaining to fertility care.  

The Division of Podiatry addresses foot and ankle issues resulting from cancer treatment, issues which occur in association with primary oncology pathology, and any issue that hinders treatment goals. The Division has helped develop innovative treatment protocols for complex pediatric foot pathology including chemotherapy-induced paronychia, rapid eradication of pedal infections, pedal non-healing ulceration, gait abnormality, fungal infections, neuropathy, and structural pathologies. 

• Carl Siciliano, DPM
  Chief, Podiatry Division, Surgery Department