Feel Good Friday: Teen patient’s creative spirit shines bright with help from fellow St. Jude artists
BY ST. JUDE INSIDER
The Feel Good Friday series is a periodic look at inspirational, positive and uplifting stories from members of the St. Jude community.
In early September, 13-year-old St. Jude patient Madeline went to the Makerspace in Family Commons with an out-of-this-world idea for a Halloween costume.
For this special project, Madeline decided her head would be the sun, and she would create a solar system to wear around it.
Madeline started her project with a series of sketches that she shared with Sean Winfrey, Family Commons Activities coordinator who oversees the Makerspace workshop. With Winfrey’s help, Madeline measured her head and used the workshop’s Glowforge 3D laser printer to build a ring to go around her head.
“Madeline is really talented,” Winfrey said. “She frequently visits the Makerspace and Art Studio. She’s made a lot of stop motion sets and videos.”
Madeline spent a day modeling each planet. She and Winfrey glued supports on each planet, and Madeline hand painted her cosmic creations. She spent two hours a day bringing her vision to life, with support from Winfrey, Makerspace Supervisor Amie Plumley, and Activities Coordinator Sarah Camp, who oversees the Pop of Art Studio in Family Commons.
Three days before Halloween, the staff sensed that Madeline wasn’t feeling well. She underwent a difficult chemo treatment, inspiring the staff with her courage and strength.
On Halloween, Madeline carried in her pocket the planet Pluto she created. She also wore a shirt with stars and Converse shoes featuring stars.
St. Jude patient Madeline models the solar system Halloween costume she created with help from staff in Family Commons.
Information Security rolls out updates to prioritize security
BY MIKE O’KELLY
Cybersecurity Month may have ended in October but safeguarding your system is a year-round responsibility for St. Jude employees.
Recent updates such as a new phishing button and changes to the password policy were designed to enhance safety measures while also encouraging reporting of suspicious emails.
“As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, the role of every employee in safeguarding our institution becomes increasingly critical,” said Kayla McKinney, awareness coordinator in Information Security.
The Information Security team hosted the inaugural Cybersecurity Fair October 2 for workforce members to learn more about password security, personal cybersecurity, data protection, phishing and more. The team also hosted the inaugural annual Information Security Awards Banquet to recognize individuals and teams who have played a key role in maintaining and enhancing a secure working environment.
Ryan Heine, program coordinator in Oncology, was recognized at the event for his efforts in reporting more than 300 suspicious threats in the past year.
Before taking action on an email, Heine uses the following approach:
• Do I know the individual who is emailing?
• Does the sender’s email address seem appropriate?
• Does the subject line seem appropriate?
• Does the body of the email seem appropriate?
• Are there any urgent requests in the email?
• Do the URLs and/or attachments seem appropriate?
“Cybersecurity is a constant priority throughout my day. Our patients and their families are top priority. This is not just limited to their physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social health. This includes the protection of their data
and information that they share with us as patients and/or participants in clinical trials,” Heine said. “Thus, I have to be mindful of potential threats to our systems and networks as St. Jude is susceptible to cyber-attacks. If an email seems ‘phishy,’ then I report it and rely on our Information Security team to determine if an email is safe or a threat.
Namratha Intha, director of Clinical Research Systems in Cancer Center – Informatics, received the Security Champion Award for advocating and implementing strong security practices within her department. Intha said her team prioritizes data security in all their operations.
“We ensure that only authorized personnel can access our applications, requiring users to complete e-learning before gaining access. We actively participate in vendor calls to identify vulnerabilities and ensure timely application of upgrades/patches to mitigate risks,” Intha said. “We discuss Cybersecurity team announcements in our meetings and are ready to participate in any testing exercises they organize. Additionally, we attend Information Security Quarterly outreach meetings to stay informed about practices in other healthcare institutions and improve our own data protection strategies.”
Brian Elrod, vice president of Information Security, speaks during the Information Security Awards Banquet.
Journey to the Jude: Andrew Hardee, Center of Advanced Practice
BY SASHA STEINBERG
In celebration of National Nurse Practitioner Week, Andrew Hardee is sharing his St. Jude journey.
“I am originally from Henderson, Tennessee. Growing up in the western part of the state, I would come to Memphis for different reasons like sports tournaments or Grizzlies games, so moving here wasn’t a hard transition. Having the amenities of a bigger city for eating out and even just grocery store availability is nice.
I first learned of St. Jude when I was 5 years old. I had a friend whose sister was a patient here. At that time, I just knew it was a place for children who are sick. As I grew up, I learned a little more of the St. Jude story and how vastly the survival rate has increased for patients dealing with cancer and other diseases. My mom is a nurse, and she has always viewed it as a ministry to help others. That appealed to me too.
Coming out of school as a newly graduated nurse in 2018, I was scared. I don’t think I’m alone in that. Through the residency program and great managers at St. Jude, I was well supported as I began my career.
My preceptors created safe spaces to learn, ask questions and mess up in a controlled environment. Back when I graduated with my undergraduate degree, becoming a nurse practitioner was not on my radar at all. After a few years at the bedside, I wanted more. I wanted to be more involved in the decision-making process for our patients. I spent a little more than five years working as a bedside nurse before transitioning into my current role as a nurse practitioner with Quality of Life.
Our Quality of Life team gets to work alongside the primary team and other specialty services. In our department, we see firsthand every day how terrible these diseases are and how much suffering they can cause. Our overarching goal is to alleviate that suffering as much as we can and make each day the best it can be for our patients and their families.
I enjoy getting to work creatively with other disciplines and departments to best support each patient.
My biggest moments of joy here are when I see a patient in the hall that I cared for years ago, and they are back on campus for scans. Seeing those patients grow up and flourish is extremely fulfilling.
I also enjoy teaching as adjunct faculty, which I’m doing currently for Union University. I feel well prepared and confident that I can succeed because of the training and nurturing I have received here at St. Jude, and I want that same thing for more nurses. When my students show interest in being here too, I want to make that possible for them.
I am thankful for where I am and what has led me here. This institution is filled with fantastic people across all departments, and being a tiny part of the work that goes on here truly is an honor and a blessing.”
Andrew Hardee is a nurse practitioner in the Center of Advanced Practice.
Rao receives International Society of Paediatric Surgical Oncology’s highest honor
BY SASHA STEINBERG
Bhaskar Rao, MD, Surgery Emeritus faculty member, has received the International Society of Paediatric Surgical Oncology’s (IPSO) highest honor.
Rao recently accepted the Jack Plaschkes Medal at the society’s meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii. The award, which honors the society’s founding first president, marks outstanding contributions to pediatric surgical oncology.
A founding member, early president and active participant in IPSO, Rao completed his undergraduate studies in Mumbai (formerly Bombay) on India’s west coast. He graduated from Bangalore Medical College in south India in 1962 and came to the United States in 1963.
After completing an internship in Pennsylvania, Rao pursued his first interest of psychiatry before switching to surgery. He later spent two years in England, completing a fellowship before returning to the U.S. to complete his residency in Nashville. He pursued his oncology training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
While at Memorial Sloan Kettering, an orthopedic surgeon encouraged Rao to perform limb salvage surgery for both bone tumors as well as some muscle tumors. Rao took this advice and said he was among the first general surgeons in the country to do limb-sparing surgery.
After seven years as a faculty member at Memorial Sloan Kettering, Rao came to St. Jude in 1980 and has played a pivotal role in improving outcomes for patients with tumor-related cancers.
“From 1962 to 1980, 95% of St. Jude patients with bone tumors or muscle tumors of the extremities had an amputation. With improved therapy and more children surviving, we became a little bolder in offering limb salvage to patients that came to us with a bone tumor or muscle tumor,” Rao said.
“Nowadays, less than 5% of the children who come to St. Jude will have an amputation. It’s a radical change and something that I’m happy about.”
Throughout his career, Rao estimates he has been involved in nearly 500 limb salvage cases for bone tumors. He also is proud of the more than 100 residents he has trained. He often encouraged residents to consider pursuing a career in surgery even if it was not initially on their radar.
“Most of the time, the professor does the surgeries and says, ‘Look at what I do and learn from what I do.’
But I’m just the opposite,” he said. “I would say to my residents, ‘I’ll lead you through the whole procedure and whenever you’re in trouble, I’ll show you how to get out of it.’ I think that gave them great respite. It really encouraged them to say ‘OK, somebody’s trusting me.’”
“All the chiefs at St. Jude, from Dr. Maur to Dr. Davidoff, every one of them encouraged me to be myself, so I wanted to do the same for my residents.”
As a former IPSO president, Rao promoted professional development and knowledge sharing among his residents.
Bhaskar Rao, MD, recently accepted the Jack Plachkes Medal, the International Society of Paediatric Surgical Oncology’s highest honor.
He encouraged his residents to join IPSO and write or present a paper every year. He appreciates that IPSO and St. Jude have similar visions of achieving cures for children with cancer.
“It’s important to have a coordinated center like St. Jude, so we can treat patients and find cures. Our scientists, clinicians, oncologists, radiation therapists, surgeons, everyone at St. Jude is doing an excellent job. All of our specialties are doing a great job taking care of the children, and I commend them for that.”
Rao is optimistic about the future of St. Jude and the field of medicine. He said an openness to different perspectives has and will continue to make a difference for St. Jude.
“It’s amazing the changes that St. Jude has undergone. Newer generations of surgeons are bolder, think a lot and are willing to take risks. That’s a blessing,” he said. “One of the things that can make you feel good is seeing your students do better than you. They are, and the entire field of medicine is better, no question about that. Every aspect of medicine has improved.”
Since 2019, Rao has been enjoying retired life at home. An emeritus faculty member in the Department of Surgery, he enjoys traveling to conferences to enhance his knowledge and stay connected to colleagues in the field.
“Do something that makes you happy. If you enjoy something, share it with others.”
How It Works: Updated guidelines allow for campus visits for employee families, guests
BY ST. JUDE INSIDER
For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, employees can once again bring family members and guests to visit the St. Jude campus.
The updated guidelines, which go into effect Friday, November 29, allow employees to bring a maximum of five guests to visit campus on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays.
Since early 2023, the most frequent question employees sent to the AskStJude email centered around the visitor policy.
As is currently done with vendors coming to campus, all employee family members and guests will need to be pre-registered in the HID Safe system before coming to campus. All vehicles containing guests must stop at the security gates to check in. Certain areas of campus are restricted. Guests are not permitted to enter those areas to preserve patient safety as well as campus operations.
St. Jude employees are responsible for following and ensuring that their guests comply with the updated procedures.
“It’s exciting to welcome families of St. Jude employees back to campus for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Ellis Neufeld, MD, PhD, clinical director and executive vice president.
“We believe it is important to be able to share our exceptional environment with our families. We are confident that, despite the constraints of construction projects and parking limitations, we can provide a fun, safe and eye-opening experience for all.”
What’s involved in the update?
• Visits are permitted on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only
• Employees must enter all guests into HID Safe
• Employees and guests should not come to campus if they are sick
• Guests must self-screen using the recommended questions prior to arrival
• All vehicles containing guests must stop at the security gate to check in.
• Guests should not use the Lauderdale gate (patient gate). A.W. Willis East is open 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.
• Employees must accompany their guests at all times
• Certain areas are restricted
• Employees are limited to a maximum of 5 guests per visit
• Guests must follow the same infection control and masking procedures as employees
• Photos or videos of patients, families and other employees are prohibited
• Visits are not a substitute for offsite child care Where can we visit?
• General common areas
• Administrative offices and buildings
• Non-lab spaces in laboratory buildings such as lounges and offices
• Non-clinical buildings
Employee guests may not enter:
• Clinics
• Waiting rooms
• Inpatient units
• Research and clinical labs
• Any area with restricted access
• Kay Kafe (due to dense patient population)
• Living Well Center
• Family Commons
How do I register a visitor?
• Visit the HID Safe portal.
• The visitor’s name and an accurate date of birth are required.
What is the arrival process?
• If arrival is after-hours or on weekends, use the A.W. Willis East gate.
• Guests in their own vehicles should not use the Lauderdale Gate (patient gate) at any time.
• Guests should avoid arrival during Friday morning rush hour traffic.
• All vehicles containing any non-employee occupants, regardless of age, must stop at gate security for visitor check-in.
Thanksgiving dinner brings employees, patients and families together
BY KERRY GOFF
As a senior cook in Food Services, Sylvie Taylor has helped prepare the traditional Thanksgiving dinner at St. Jude for nearly two decades.
It warms her heart to see patients, families and employees enjoying a meal on a special day.
“I thank God every day for the opportunity to do what I do best—cooking great food. My Thanksgiving is providing a great meal for all of St. Jude.”
To honor employees, patients and families who are at St. Jude for Thanksgiving, Food Services provides a traditional Thanksgiving dinner—planned, prepared and served by Food Services employee volunteers. The meal is always complimentary for all.
Chef Michael Vetro, director of culinary operations, said, “It’s a traditional American Thanksgiving with all the trimmings and is served to everybody who is a St. Jude employee scheduled to work on Thanksgiving, including The Dominos Village, Target House and Tri Delta. That way families and employees enjoy the celebration without having to walk all the way to Kay Kafe. We also offer the same menu available to inpatient room service, so they don’t miss out on all of the goodies.”
Besides the work they do for the Today Show’s Thanksgiving dinner, Food Services feeds around 350 guests each year on Thanksgiving Day. In Kay Kafe, the team serves from the hot food station since it is the most efficient way to keep everything fresh and ready to serve. They serve turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans and pie. Other locations have an identical menu.
Lisa Frankin, Food Services operations manager, offered kudos to the behind-the-scenes team who makes the day, and every day, run smoothly. “The culinary team generally owns this entire event. There are a couple of front-of-house pieces as far as menu screens and who
manages the registers, but it’s a fine-tuned machine now, mainly because of Patrick Prince (Food Services supervisor). He is the core of the storeroom and all the purchasing for the food at St. Jude—all year round.”
Rogelio Gonzalez Lara, Campus Operations sous chef, said that his favorite part of preparing dinner is the combination of teamwork, preparation and logistics. “Thanksgiving dinner is unique. The atmosphere is truly different. It’s invaluable to witness everyone working with such joy, enthusiasm and dedication, knowing the meal they’re preparing will be shared with others. It’s deeply fulfilling to realize that, through our efforts, we help make this day memorable for families, workers and colleagues. If I had to choose, I’d say the true essence of Thanksgiving is what I cherish the most.”
Tiara Strahan, Food Services manager, said that on Thanksgiving Day, employees and families come through Kay Kafe excited for a good meal.
“Families and staff come together, even in a work setting, to create a sense of community and warmth that transcends the usual work atmosphere. It’s a reminder that even when we’re away from our own loved ones, the kindness
Chefs Rick Farmer and John Jernigan prepare for the Thanksgiving meal.
and appreciation from others can fill the void and make the day special. It’s always a full circle moment and is a perfect illustration of gratitude in action,” Strahan said.
The day of celebration not only uplifts the spirits of those who are working, but it also reinforces the importance of connection, no matter the circumstances.
Strahan added, “It’s very fulfilling to be part of this kind of environment, especially during a holiday like Thanksgiving.”
Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner from 4 to 9 p.m. It will include one entree, two sides, roll or cornbread, choice of dessert and a fountain beverage or tea. Vegetarian meal options will also be available.
