Division of Endocrinology

Childhood cancer and its treatment increase risk for multiple endocrine and metabolic conditions during and after therapy.  Up to 50% of childhood cancer survivors will have at least one endocrine condition in their lifetime.  Non-oncologic hematological conditions are also associated with a variety of endocrine conditions requiring evaluation, monitoring, and/or management by an endocrine specialist.  Our mission is to work collaboratively with our colleagues across the institution to provide outstanding clinical care to patients and survivors based on the latest medical evidence available, to support and engage in research that aims to reduce endocrine toxicity and its consequences in cancer patients and survivors, and to improve health outcomes among all children with catastrophic diseases followed at St. Jude.

Consultation Services - The Division of Endocrinology provides consultation services for St Jude patients with hormonal disorders. Our areas of expertise include disorders of growth and puberty, hypothalamic and pituitary dysfunction, thyroid and adrenal disease, changes in body composition, abnormal glucose regulation, and issues with bone health. Endocrine services are offered to patients followed at St Jude over the course of their treatment within the institution, whether in the inpatient care setting or in the ambulatory setting of outpatient clinics.

Embedded within our outpatient clinic is the Hypothalamic Obesity clinic, led by Dr. Ellen Grishman, which uses a multidisciplinary approach to manage eligible patients with rapid and/or excessive weight gain due to hypothalamic damage from tumors and/or radiation in that region of the brain.  Providers from across the institution collaborate with Endocrinology providers to perform comprehensive evaluations that inform and support treatment plans for children with this complex disorder.

Clinical Research - Endocrine complications are among the most common health concerns observed in survivors of childhood cancers, especially those surviving brain tumors. The Division of Endocrinology is actively involved in the investigation of the long-term endocrine outcomes in this population and interventions to improve health outcomes among patients and survivors with endocrine conditions.  We have cultivated close partnerships with all clinical departments within the institution as well as with the Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control to pursue these objectives. 

Our faculty also collaborates with non-oncologic specialties within the institution to support and initiate research that aims to characterize and improve health outcomes among patients with hematologic disorders, such as sickle cell disease, who are at risk for endocrine and reproductive conditions. 

Angela Delaney, MD
Associate Member, St. Jude Faculty

Research focus: hypothalamic/pituitary dysfunction in childhood cancer survivors

Christine Yu, MD
Associate Member, St. Jude Faculty

Research focus: Improving metabolic outcomes in cancer survivors

Ellen K. Grishman, MD
Associate Member, St. Jude Faculty

Research focus: Treatment of hypothalamic obesity

• Karen Clark, PA-C, MMSc
  Clinical/Research focus: Thyroid cancer

• Camille Wheeler, MSN, FNP-C, CPN
  Clinical/Research focus: Growth hormone case management & secondary adrenal insufficiency (ACTH insufficiency)

• Lindley Abrams, PNP, BC-ADM, CDCES
  Clinical/Research focus: Glycemia management & hypothalamic obesity

Growth Hormone Case Manager

• Margaret Garner, RN 

Clinical Research Nurse (CRA-RN)

• Gheri Terry, RN

Sr Administrative Specialist

• Adriane Matthews