When a novel virus emerged in Asia in late 2019, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital began monitoring the outbreak. This coronavirus was named by the World Health Organization as SARS-CoV-2.
St. Jude began preparing and implementing plans to protect its patients, families and staff from what would soon be called COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
To salute the people who are making tough decisions and extraordinary sacrifices to keep our community safe, we are sharing our stories of these health care heroes, essential employees and resilient researchers.
“As the country and St. Jude respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, our employees are inspiring examples of courage and compassion,” says James R. Downing, MD, president and CEO of St. Jude. “I have been moved to see how people across our institution are banding together to serve patients and their families—and to support one another.”
From our nurses and our food staff to our infectious disease researchers and those who communicate with our patient families on a daily basis, everyone has answered the call of service during this difficult time.
“We have all hands on deck,” says Carlene Edwards, RN. “Everybody is making a difference and encouraging and pulling for each other. We are working together to get us through this crisis.”
St. Jude continues to monitor the situation and is following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
You can read the latest updates about COVID-19 from the World Health Organization.
Read Our Stories of Collaboration During COVID-19
When Times Are 'Ruff'
Due to COVID-19, hospital therapy dogs Puggle and Huckleberry, along with their handlers Brittany Reed and Shandra Taylor, began providing virtual sessions to St. Jude patients.
Surveying Survivors During COVID-19
Concerned about contracting COVID-19, many survivors of childhood cancer turned to St. Jude staff in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study for answers.
Filling the Need: Printing Face Shields During a Pandemic
What do dedication and ingenuity sound like? At St. Jude, they reverberate in the quiet whir of 3D printers creating face masks for clinical staff. #HealthCareHeroes
A New Space for Testing
St. Jude nurses converted an outpatient clinic building into a COVID-19 screening facility for patient families. Learn more about their hard work.
Supporting Survivors Through the Pandemic
St. Jude has developed innovative ways to support our survivorship patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more about our new ways of staying connected.
Filling the Need: Producing Hand Sanitizer During a Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic as medical supplies like hand sanitizer became scarce, St. Jude staff worked together to devise a solution. Learn more.
Harnessing St. Jude Computing Power at Home
When St. Jude shifted to a work-from-home model in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists had to figure out how to move that same high-tech capability to low-tech kitchen tables and home offices. Learn how.
Navigating Clinical Research in a Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, St. Jude balances safety and access to therapeutic clinical trials. Learn more about how our clinical research is continuing.
Look for the Helpers
St. Jude staff volunteer in different roles in a time of new and unfamiliar processes. Learn more about our volunteer staffing pool.
The Colors of Coronavirus
St. Jude creates coloring books and activity books that help children, tweens and teens understand the new coronavirus.
Heroes Behind the Scenes
St. Jude staff responsible for cleaning facilities quickly adjust to the new needs of the hospital in the era of COVID-19. Learn more about their work.
Traveling Band of Nurses
Nurses take care and services to patients at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read how they keep patients safe.
Meeting Challenges in Times of Change: The Incident Command Center
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Incident Command Center has transformed the St. Jude campus. Learn more.
All Hands on Deck: Nursing Answers the Call
With proactive measures, new policies and collaboration, Nursing brings a front-line approach to the hospital’s pandemic response. Read about their remarkable efforts.
COVID-19 Preparations: Racing a Pandemic
Each infection comes with its own challenges. Learn how St. Jude has confronted the threat of COVID-19.