New St. Jude CEO Dr. Charles Roberts says childhood cancer treatments are at ‘the dawn of a new era’

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has appointed Dr. Charles W. M. Roberts as its new president and chief executive officer, replacing Dr. James R. Downing who led the organization for 12 years. Roberts, who previously served as director of the hospital's Comprehensive Cancer Center and an executive vice president, is set to begin his new position on January 1st, with Downing transitioning into a faculty role in the hospital's Global Pediatric Medicine department.

Upon assuming the role of CEO, Roberts expressed his excitement about the present moment, stating that the field is at the "dawn of a new era." He believes that in the coming years, significant progress will be made in making childhood cancer treatments more effective and less burdensome for patients. Roberts attributes this optimism to recent technological advances that are revolutionizing the treatment landscape.

He emphasized that these advancements are also aiding in the development of treatments for other life-threatening childhood diseases, extending beyond just cancer.

Judy Habib, chair of the St. Jude Board of Governors, played a crucial role in the selection process by highlighting Roberts' expertise and vision. She praised his unique blend of being a researcher, clinician, and passionate advocate for the mission. The board's decision to choose Roberts was a result of a global search, and Habib firmly believes that his leadership will propel the institution to new heights.

As the new CEO, Roberts plans to continue his research activities, which have involved confirming the role of certain genes in suppressing tumor growth. He stressed the importance of staying at the forefront of scientific understanding and leveraging input from other researchers to guide the hospital's priorities. Roberts firmly believes in the value of collaboration and learning from others in order to drive the field forward.