Andrea Harden, known for her kindness and selflessness, passed away May 16 following a battle with cancer.
Harden began her career at St. Jude in 2012. Working in Psychosocial Services for the past six years, she served as the department’s administrative director for the last year.
As a dog lover, Harden had a special connection with the St. Jude facility dogs. She was administrative lead of the Paws at Play program and served as a relief handler for Rosalie.
Janet Sellers, Resilience Center, said Rosalie and her handlers visited Harden near the end of Harden’s life.
“The moment was a true gift to everyone present,” Sellers said. “Her greatest legacy will forever be her reminder to be grateful. She modeled it, lived it and inspired us all to be better.”
To honor Harden’s contributions to the Paws at Play program, St. Jude will name the facility dog park in her memory.
Valerie Crabtree, PhD, vice president of Psychosocial Services, said Harden cared deeply about the facility dogs, her colleagues and St. Jude.
“Her warmth and genuineness were truly unparalleled. She exuded positivity and light, even during the worst parts of her cancer treatment,” Crabtree said.
To show gratitude for others, Harden started the Pineapple Project in Psychosocial Services. She purchased gold pineapple embossed cards and encouraged teams to write thank you notes for colleagues.
“The Pineapple Project lives on and is a beautiful example of Andrea’s legacy,” Crabtree said.
Amy Scott, Child Life, said Harden’s face would light up when she talked about the Pineapple Project.
“She saw the impact that this could make on others and wanted to spread goodness in an environment where some days can feel heavy. We will remember her by continuing to appreciate others,” Scott said.
Doni Anderson, Child Life, remembers Harden’s ability to bring joy and positivity into every interaction.
“She had a unique ability to bring out the best in her team, always making sure we felt valued and empowered to do our best work. Her kindness and genuine care for each team member was her superpower,” Anderson said.
Tania Cortez, School Program, said Harden’s legacy will be resilience and determination.
“As a leader, her gentle spirit radiated throughout our workplace, infusing it with an atmosphere of profound respect and genuine affection. Even now, her presence lingers, like a glowing beacon of warmth, casting a comforting light over our cherished memories,” Cortez said.
Emily Browne, DNP, Transition Oncology Program, remembers Harden as a great friend who was selfless and kind.
“She could find the positive in every situation and was the biggest cheerleader for her friends and colleagues,” Browne said.
Sarah Daniels, PhD, Child Life, became friends with Harden after sharing an office with her in 2018.
“With the same energy that she brought to building meaningful connections with others, she brought to job performance. Through her own actions, she demonstrated how to channel positivity in even the toughest times,” Daniels said.
Erica Sirrine, PhD, Social Work director, said Harden was empathetic and cared deeply for others.
“She had a true gift for recognizing people’s contributions and making them feel valued. I’ve heard many of Andrea’s friends and coworkers share that she made them feel like the most special person in the room,” Sirrine said. “She certainly made me feel that way on multiple occasions.”
Anne Kolb-Quinn, School Program, also said she appreciated Harden’s warmth and positivity.
“She always helped me see the bigger brighter picture and spread joy everywhere she went,” Quinn said.
Alli Leslie, School Program head, remembers a special day when Harden volunteered at the School Program’s front desk.
“A patient showed up early for school and asked Andrea if she could talk to her. She took the time to listen, answer questions and connect with the patient at that moment. This was one of many moments when Andrea used her strength as a listener to help someone feel seen,” Leslie said.
John Boatner, Social Work, said Harden greeted him during his job interview at the hospital.
“Andrea had the brightest smile and upbeat attitude. I’ll never forget that day or her,” Boatner said.
Barbara Dawson, Hospitalist Medicine Program, said Harden taught her about the policies and culture of St. Jude.
“I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to get to know Andrea. She touched my heart,” Dawson said.
Michelle Wilemon, Hospitalist Medicine Program, said Harden was kind, funny and brave.
“You would never know what she was going through. She always had a smile on her face,” Wilemon said.
Randy Thompson, School Program, said Harden enriched the lives of everyone who met her.
“She always made you feel as if your time with her was sacred and was happy to give you an amazing one-on-one experience,” Thompson said.
A memorial for Harden will be Saturday, September 14, from 10 a.m. to noon at Collierville Christian Church, 707 New Byhalia Road, Collierville. There will be a mimosa toast, Harden’s favorite, at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, her family requested donations be made to St. Jude.
How It Works: Center of Excellence hosts inaugural conference
BY MIKE O’KELLY
St. Jude hosts a network of Centers of Excellence that are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery in key fields.
These include the Center of Excellence for Data-Driven Discovery, the Center of Excellence for Innate Immunity and Inflammation (CoE-III), the Center of Excellence for Leukemia Studies (CELS), the Center of Excellence for Pediatric Immuno-Oncology (CEPIO) and the Center of Excellence in Neuro-Oncology Sciences (CENOS).
These centers aim to drive innovation in their fields through collaborative research and interdisciplinary approaches. The FY22-27 Strategic Plan established these centers to advance knowledge and accelerate process.
CEPIO is the lone center that spans two departments and has two directors: Hongbo Chi, PhD, of Immunology and Stephen Gottschalk, MD, chair of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (BMTCT).
CEPIO, which onboarded its first faculty member last month, focuses on three key areas: systems immunology, functional genomics and translational immuno-oncology.
“We want to benefit and impact the entire institution across different departments, cores and centers by advancing immuno-oncology and translational research,” Chi said.
Immunotherapy uses the immune system to find and remove unhealthy or damaged cells, including cancer cells. These treatments include adoptive cell therapy, antibodies such as immune checkpoint blockade, and cancer vaccines. Adoptive cell therapy with T cells is a major research focus at St. Jude. Investigators pursue studies focused on T cell
The conference brought together international experts to discuss the latest advancements in pediatric immunotherapy.
biology, how cancer cells evade T-cell responses, and on genetic engineering approaches, including chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), to improve their anti-tumor activity.
While there have been remarkable advances in both fundamental and translational research in the past decade, immunotherapy for pediatric cancer remains a challenge. As a center of excellence, CEPIO seeks to drive thought leadership and foster collaboration in the field. One such initiative stemming from that effort was the International Conference on Cellular Immunotherapy in Pediatric Oncology (CIPO) in June at the Renasant Convention Center in Memphis.
The conference brought together international experts to discuss the latest advancements in pediatric immunotherapy with the goal of capturing the current state of cell therapy, identifying promising new cell therapies, sharing insights and preliminary data, and fostering collaborations to accelerate basic discoveries and clinical translation.
While there had been conferences on Immunotherapy in Pediatric Oncology in the past, with the last being held in 2015, this was the first conference focused on cellular immunotherapy for pediatric cancer.
“The sole focus on cell therapy reflects its significant growth over the last decade,” Gottschalk said. “It also highlights its promise to develop cures for pediatric cancers and reduce treatment-related complications of current therapies.”
The conference consisted of nine sessions, which covered the entire spectrum of cell therapy – from basic science to clinical experience with cell therapy. One of the sessions also focused on patient advocacy and how to best translate promising cell therapy studies into the clinic. Finally, there was a poster session. Breakfast, lunch and dinner was provided to foster interactions and discussions.
“We encouraged conference participants to share unpublished data with a goal of looking forward as to where their work might be in the next few years,” Chi said.
“Speakers and participants alike were impressed with everything, and many new collaborations were started,” said Jola Dowdy, director of research programs in BMTCT. “That was our overall goal—to foster collaborations and accelerate discoveries.”
Based on the success of the CIPO 2024, planning has already started for a follow up conference in 2026.
Students reflect on summer experience at St. Jude
BY DONELLE LEAK
Throughout the year, students from around the world spend time at St. Jude learning and growing in departments across the institution. St. Jude hosted approximately 250 student interns alone this summer.
Whitney Jordan, Legal intern, Office of Legal Services, had her eye on the Legal Internship Program since her freshman year of college; however, the program requires eligible students to be enrolled in law school. Now a rising second-year law student at Southern Methodist University, she eagerly applied for the opportunity.
“Growing up in Memphis, I have seen the incredible work St. Jude does from a distance and have always longed to be part of its mission,” she said. “My experience at St. Jude has filled me with sincere gratitude, and I am very appreciative to have spent my summer learning under such incredible legal professionals.”
Student employees enjoyed events specifically designed for them to meet peers working in other departments they otherwise may not interact with. Two institutionwide socials were hosted for all students: one in the Inspiration4 Advanced Research Center June 26 and a second off-campus event at Loflin Yard July 19. Individual departments and offices also offered opportunities for students to get involved and expand their network.
Paige Rishel, Media Relations intern, SCEO, attended as many events as possible to immerse herself in the St. Jude community.
“Being a small-town girl, my first time living in a city was an adjustment,” she said. “Luckily, I met students from all over the world and found I was not alone.
The student events allowed me to learn about different fields in healthcare that are completely different from my own.”
In the spirit of firsts, James R. Downing, MD, president and CEO, hosted the first Town Hall exclusively for students June 17.
Downing introduced students to St. Jude history, mission and values. He also reminded students of the St. Jude FY 2022-2027 Strategic Plan and emphasized that students are the next generation of leaders, making them a key part of this strategic plan.
Goal 10: Create a work environment that encourages employees to contribute maximally toward the mission, rewards their contributions and supports their career development.
Strategic Initiative 4: Enrich the talent pipeline by developing educational efforts targeted at potential future St. Jude employees.
St. Jude President and CEO James R. Downing, MD, speaks with students after a town hall meeting June 17.
“The Town Hall for students made me feel truly connected to St. Jude,” Rishel said. “What’s remarkable about St. Jude is that mission-driven work will never leave you unfulfilled.”
Downing, reflecting on how the mission has inspired him, encouraged students to find and fearlessly pursue their passions. His message resonated as he urged students to experiment with their interests, then “go all in on Plan A,” emphasizing the importance of committing to one’s dreams and persevering to achieve them.
As the summer winds down, students are taking Downing’s words with stride as they reflect on their own journey, impact and lessons learned.
Amy Rice, Legal intern, Office of Legal Services, initially planned to complete a traditional 10week internship but extended her time to 13 weeks because of how much she enjoyed her work.
“The attorneys gave me challenging tasks but were very gracious in their teaching when my work needed corrections,” she said. “The hardest thing I did this summer was draft a policy for the Graduate School. It was truly unlike anything I had ever done, and it challenged me to think from a perspective I hadn’t before.”
Riley Holleran, Legal intern, Office of Legal Services, worked on health-related legal research, collaborated on contract and policy amendments and participated in meetings with the legal team.
“It has meant the world to me to work as a Legal intern at St. Jude. It pushes me to continue on toward my goal of working on the legal team of a pediatric hospital,” she said. “Every single person at St. Jude is committed to furthering the mission and fighting for the future of pediatric health care.
This place is special: from the employees, to the patients, to the mission. To even be a small part of it is something I will cherish.”
Current student programs include the Pediatric Oncology Education Program, Student Interns, Paris Program, Bath Program, Rhodes Summer Plus, High School Immersion Program, UTHSC Biomedical Science Program, Winn-CIPP Program, and Khorana Program, University of Memphis collaboration, International Research Scholars, and Graduate Students.
Colleagues share memories of Lawrence Berry
BY ST. JUDE INSIDER
St. Jude colleagues remember longtime employee Lawrence “June” Berry as a dedicated worker who was passionate about the mission, had a joyful demeanor and was a sports enthusiast.
Berry, who served as lead biohazard technician in Environmental Services, passed away July 30. He joined St. Jude in 1984 and recently celebrated his 40th anniversary.
Michael Talley, Environmental Health and Safety, worked with Berry since 2000.
“I will never forget his big laugh that could be heard throughout St. Jude. He made the world around him laugh, and I will never forget him,” Talley said.
Dana Farmer, Tumor Cell Biology, said she often passed Berry in the hallways. He was always quick to greet anyone in the vicinity.
“Lawrence was one of the longtime employees who embodied the spirit of St. Jude,” Farmer said.
Leo Old, Environmental Health and Safety director, remembers first meeting Berry in 2006.
“He told me then that he loved that his job allowed him to interact with patients and families every day,” Old said. “It brought him great joy and satisfaction.”
Joy Turner, Grants and Research Administration, said that Berry often shared stories about his family and his work.
“He would often share stories with me about the hospital and Danny Thomas,” Turner said.
“He was always there to greet you with a smile and laughter.”
Frederique Zindy, PhD, Tumor Cell Biology, said she will miss the daily waves and greetings that Berry shared.
“I will miss our conversations while on breaks, sharing with each other thoughts about life,” Zindy said. “He was kind, sweet and funny.”
Ashley Chabot, Surgery, said that Berry always went the extra mile for his colleagues.
“Lawrence was one of a kind who lived out the St. Jude values daily,” Chabot said.
Prady Baviskar, DVM, PhD, Pathology, said he and Berry would interact daily in the break area during lunchtime, primarily discussing sports.
“His smiling face, cheerful and energetic personality always created a positive atmosphere,” Baviskar said.
Lawrence “June” Berry joined St. Jude in 1984 and recently celebrated his 40th anniversary.
Jennifer Parris, Developmental Neurobiology, said Berry’s commitment to his work ensured a safe environment for the research team.
“He ensured that everything was done safely and was a key part of the St. Jude team,” Parris said.
Sabrin Albeituni, PhD, Oncology, will remember Berry for his smile and joking nature.
“Every morning, he would greet us warmly in the lab, always checking in to see how we were doing,” Albeituni said. “He was the face of the DTRC, often seen walking around the hospital, diligently performing his duties.”
James Henry, biological safety officer, said that Berry’s commitment to safety never faltered.
“Lawrence’s incredible 40-year tenure at St. Jude is a remarkable testament to his commitment and passion,” Henry said. “His contributions have left an indelible mark on our institution, and his legacy of dedication will continue to inspire for many years.”
Many additional colleagues shared their thoughts and memories of Berry. Their messages are included below:
“Lawrence always had a smile and spoke to everyone. He was a hard worker and a great role model,” said Suzanne Gronemeyer, PhD, Academic Programs director.
“I had the pleasure of working with him since 1989,” said Terry Ivery, Environmental Health and Safety. “Sports was the highlight of our conversation when we passed by one another in the morning during our daily routine.”
“Lawrence will be sorely missed,” said Guy Joyner, general safety officer. “Anyone who knew Lawrence knew his love for the Pittsburgh Steelers football team.”
“He was one of the people who epitomized the St. Jude values—a kind, generous and warm soul,”
said Casey Langdon, former St. Jude employee, Medical University of South Carolina.
“He always had a smile on his face. He was always friendly and ready to hold a conversation about Memphis and his many years here at St. Jude,” Vella Laws-Bell, Pathology.
“His kindness, sincerity and warm demeanor made a lasting impression. I will greatly miss his presence,” Mo Mehr, Pathology.
“Lawrence was a bright soul, bringing immense joy and happiness to all who knew him,” said Sarah Moore, Graduate School.
“He was a cherished colleague, always present early in the morning in our lab at St. Jude. I will miss him greeting the morning with a warm cup of coffee and his warmer compliments of ‘Have a great day!’” said Emilia Pinto, PhD, Pathology.
“He always had the unique ability to make everyone feel like a someone whenever he spoke to them,” said Hailey Ross, Infectious Diseases.
“I’ll never forget our various conversations about music, family and especially the different restaurants I should try in Memphis. He was truly remarkable and great at his job,” said LaShanale Wallace, PhD, Oncology.
“It was always a pleasure to see him on the BMT-CT floor. I am so glad our paths crossed,” said Diane Woods, Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy.
Journey to the Jude: St. Jude dosimetrists make valuable contributions
BY SASHA STEINBERG
In celebration of National Medical Dosimetrist’s Day (August 21), four St. Jude dosimetrists share why they love the work they do and where they do it.
Erika Krzeminski, Senior Dosimetrist
Joined St. Jude in 2017
“I’m from Sherrard, Illinois, a farm town just south of the Quad Cities, and I currently live in Burlington, Wisconsin. I began my journey at St. Jude in 2017, right after graduating from dosimetry school. The mission of St. Jude deeply resonated with me, fueling my desire to work here.
In 2019, I decided to relocate to be closer to my family, but I returned to St. Jude in late 2023 when the institution introduced the option for hybrid/remote work. That has provided the perfect balance between my professional responsibilities and family life.
My return was also driven by a strong desire to collaborate and contribute to research. During my previous tenure, I had established a great working relationship with Dr. Thomas Merchant, who graciously created a role that allows me to split my time between clinical work and research.
In contrast to the adult radiation oncology world, dosimetry at St. Jude is more dynamic and complex. The majority of our patients undergo weekly imaging, which often necessitates modifications to their treatment plans.
As dosimetrists, we create unique treatment plans that ensure the tumor or disease is fully covered by the prescribed dose while minimizing radiation exposure to organs at risk
(OARs) to reduce side effects. This allows the cancer to be treated while reducing stress and discomfort for the patient and preserving the patient’s ability to see, hear, talk and think.
I am committed to making each patient’s treatment as efficient and effective as possible. Helping to reduce the time they spend in treatment each day while ensuring the efficacy of their therapy makes me feel that I am significantly impacting their overall treatment experience.”
Amber Bryant, Dosimetrist
Joined St. Jude in 2021
“I am originally from central Indiana and moved to Memphis from Knoxville, Tennessee. I worked in a proton therapy center as a radiation therapist and eventually as a dosimetrist before starting at St. Jude in 2021.
I wanted a job where I could do the most good for kids, and St. Jude was the perfect fit for that. I have known about St. Jude most of my life from word of mouth and TV commercials, and everything I saw on TV was true to how life really is here at St. Jude.
The whole reason I started in radiation therapy is because my grandmother had radiation treatments. She said they were long, cold and painful, and that’s why it’s very important to me to take patients’ comfort into consideration when I plan their radiation treatments.
As dosimetrists, we draw and contour the organs in the body on CT scans. We take the prescription from the physician and make a plan to treat the targeted area and spare the organs that are in the area. We make sure
the plans meet requirements from the doctors and can be delivered by the radiation therapists. We also work with the medical physicists in our department to make sure the plans are perfect, and we work with clinical research associates to submit protocol information.
The words ‘St. Jude’ make me smile. I want to be an advocate for patients in any position I’m in, and I enjoy knowing that I’m making a difference. I love the fact that I am part of a community that takes away a little bit of the worry for a family. I know not everyone can work in a facility like this, and I am thankful that I can.”
Felicia Graham, Dosimetrist
Joined St. Jude in 2019
“I grew up in Petal, Mississippi, and worked as a radiation therapist in Hattiesburg for six years treating adult cancer patients prior to moving to Indianapolis, Indiana, for dosimetry school. I learned about the position at St. Jude through online research and when I came onsite for the interview, I was inspired by the St. Jude mission and the hospital’s impact on families.
As a dosimetrist, I work alongside radiation oncologists, medical physicists and radiation therapists to develop a safe, high-quality radiation treatment plan. Using multiple software programs, I use my critical thinking skills, professional training and clinical experience to choose different beam arrangements to maximize radiation dose to the target volume while sparing normal healthy tissues.
Even though I have no direct contact with the patients or families, my work as a dosimetrist directly affects their care. This care also is very important to me because I have been on the patient family’s side.
My son was diagnosed with high-risk Neuroblastoma at age 2 and received radiation treatments. I understand firsthand why it’s important that we work toward the best possible outcome, and that motivates me in my daily work.”
Julia LeBaron, Dosimetrist
Joined St. Jude in 2024
“I am originally from Jonesboro, Arkansas, but over the past two years have lived in Houston, Texas, and Fargo, North Dakota, for my training/work. I started working at St. Jude in April of this year. The people, atmosphere and opportunities at St. Jude are like no other, and I truly wake up every day grateful that I get to work here.
Medical Dosimetry is a behind-the-scenes role that not many know about, but it makes a huge impact on treatment quality and patient outcomes.
At St. Jude, we are given the best tools to create optimal radiation dose distribution plans for each patient. St. Jude Radiation Oncology, unlike many other centers, is able to treat patients with proton radiation. Proton radiation is most advantageous for children because it targets cancer cells while reducing radiation exposure to healthy tissue.
Medical Dosimetry is an art, and each patient presents a new challenge. It is our job to use our knowledge of treatment planning software, anatomy, radiobiology and physics to figure out the best possible way to deliver radiation.
I love being a resource in each kid’s fight to beat cancer.”
Journey to the Jude: Aaron Pitre, Cellular Imaging Shared Resources
BY SASHA STEINBERG
On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, where Louisiana native Aaron Pitre was scheduled to start medical school.
In looking for the calm after the storm, Aaron took a different route to further his education—a decision that led him to a St. Jude career now almost 15 years strong.
“In 2005, I was scheduled to start medical school at LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and devastated much of the city. I scrambled to find something to do, went back to college for another year and decided to do a Ph.D. at another LSU campus in the northern part of the state.
My Ph.D. mentor Omar Skalli worked very closely with the Feist-Weiller Cancer Center in Shreveport, Louisiana, which is an affiliate campus for St. Jude. It was there that I first learned that St. Jude had an amazing research component. (I did math-a-thon as a kid and raised funds for St. Jude, but I had no idea that we had such a strong research component.)
When I learned I could do substantial basic science research and a post-doctoral fellowship at St. Jude, I was like, ‘I have to try this!’
I applied for a post-doctoral fellowship here and was accepted in 2011 in the lab of John Schuetz. I originally learned how to do microscopy because I needed it for a project in grad school, but being at St. Jude was the first time I had been in an institution with shared resources. After finishing my fellowship, I transitioned to a scientist position in a shared resource at St. Jude. Now, I am a senior scientist in Cellular Imaging Shared Resources, assisting St. Jude researchers in their microscopy projects.
One nice thing that sets St. Jude apart is the Shared Resources. In the Cell and Tissue Imaging Center (CTIC), we have five Ph.D.-level scientists that all have differing expertise culminating into an amazing resource for St. Jude researchers.
Rather than individual St. Jude researchers spending time learning a microscopy technique, they can reach out to us in the shared resource and utilize our expertise. We can then take our knowledge to help see problems before they arise or help shape experiments to ask more questions than originally planned or designed, saving days (potentially weeks) of valuable time.
Because of the speed at which we move and the level of expertise we have in pulling out the data behind the research, St. Jude is helping to move research forward. We’re always making a big stride for improvement. Science builds on itself, so when we ask one question, that leads to another question and so on. Our research involves asking deeper, harder questions. The faster we move as an institution, the more we can discover the basic building blocks and make movable targets to help improve survival rates.
At St. Jude, we’re all serving the same mission for the betterment of our patients. The discoveries that come out of St. Jude are multi-faceted like each of us. St. Jude brings together people with various backgrounds and expertise, and I think that’s why we can move at the speed we do. That collaborative nature and friendliness that exists across the institution is everything that makes St. Jude what it is.”
