St. Jude appoints new CEO

James R. Downing, MD, took over as CEO of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in mid-July.

Downing — who previously served as the hospital’s deputy director, executive vice president and scientific director — replaced William E. Evans, PharmD, who served as CEO for 10 years. Evans will remain involved with the pharmacogenomics research program at St. Jude.

Downing has conducted extensive work related to genomic sequencing, overseeing the Pediatric Cancer Genome Project.

“It is my responsibility as the new CEO of St. Jude to ensure that St. Jude remains the global leader in the fight against pediatric cancer and other deadly illnesses, continuing to set the global agenda to achieve our mission to advance cures,” Downing said in a press release. “Today’s intersection of science and technology is paving the way for unprecedented discovery and innovative treatment. I am honored to lead an institution that values collaboration and daring, forward-thinking investigation; an institution where the translational goal of our research makes it impossible to separate research from patient care; an organization that provides unsurpassed care for today as we work to identify the next advances and improve cure rates for tomorrow.”

Downing said his goals for St. Jude include continuing to increase the number of patients with cancer treated at the center, expanding the institution’s treatment and research program on pediatric solid tumors and expanding St. Jude’s International Outreach Program, which teaches practitioners in developing countries how to effectively treat children with cancer.