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Why St. Jude for your child's surgery?

St. Jude surgeons are nationally recognized for their experience and expertise in complex and rare solid tumor surgeries. 

St. Jude is the only hospital dedicated solely to children that has been named a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. This focus on children means our surgical facilities, treatment program and team of experts are all built to meet the special needs of your child.

Our Expertise

  • U.S. News and World Report recognizes St. Jude as one of the nation’s best children’s cancer hospitals.
  • Our surgeons have decades of experience.
  • St. Jude is designated a Magnet hospital. Overall, we have one nurse for every three children in the hospital. In the ICU, that ratio is one nurse for every child.
  • Our surgeons are world leaders in surgical research and training.

Surgical Facilities

  • Our operating rooms have video monitors that allow surgeons to work directly with radiologists, pathologists and other team members in real time during surgery. For example, a pathologist can look at a slide under the microscope, while the surgeon looks at the same slide on the monitor. This real-time technology helps surgeons pinpoint tumors and remove as much of the cancer as possible.
  • The Surgery Center is equipped with a sophisticated air-handling system to maintain a sterile environment. The system controls humidity levels and continuously filters the air to remove dust, mold spores and other microscopic particles.
  • The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is located next to the surgical center to help doctors move patients quickly to an operating room when needed.
  • Each ICU patient room has a parent room to keep you close to your child.

Personal Care

  • Children who have surgery are given anesthesia. You can stay with your child until he or she falls asleep.
  • A tracking system in the waiting room helps you to know exactly where your child is during the surgery process.
  • Parents are involved in daily care team discussions regarding their child's care.
  • St. Jude offers a wide range of additional services to patients and their families. Learn more about Child Life.

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