Dr. James R. Downing, MD, the distinguished president and CEO of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, has announced his planned resignation later this year after more than a decade of extraordinary leadership. Dr. Downing’s remarkable 12-year tenure has been marked by unprecedented institutional growth that has substantially advanced the treatment and understanding of pediatric cancer globally. His decision to step down is part of a carefully structured leadership transition, and he will assume a faculty role in the Department of Global Pediatric Medicine—a division he was instrumental in founding in 2018 to champion St. Jude’s mission across international borders.
Dr. Downing’s career at St. Jude spans 40 years, beginning with a focus on groundbreaking scientific research that has propelled the institution to the forefront of pediatric oncology. His enduring commitment to science and mission-driven leadership has transformed not only St. Jude but the entire field of childhood cancer treatment. In his own words, it has been a life-defining honor to contribute to an organization focused on changing childhood cancer outcomes worldwide, motivated deeply by St. Jude’s unique culture and vision.
As the hospital embarks on a global search for Dr. Downing’s successor, he will continue to serve as president and CEO, ensuring a smooth leadership handoff slated for completion by the end of 2026. This transition reflects the Board of Governors’ commitment to selecting a leader who can build on Dr. Downing’s visionary work and continue the institution’s momentum toward its ambitious scientific and clinical goals.
Judy Habib, Chair of the St. Jude Board of Governors, lauded Dr. Downing for his exemplary global leadership and collaboration. Under his guidance, St. Jude strengthened extensive alliances across academic institutions, governments, international organizations, and advocacy groups, building an ecosystem centered on pediatric cancer research and care. His legacy of fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and championing basic science ensures the institution will continue to lead transformative advances in the years ahead.
Ike Anand, president and CEO of ALSAC—the fundraising arm for St. Jude—emphasized the partnership and mutual dedication that characterized his working relationship with Dr. Downing. Anand highlighted Downing’s visionary leadership in expanding St. Jude’s national and global footprint, recognizing how his efforts have shaped initiatives that radically improve survival and quality of life for pediatric patients facing cancer and other catastrophic conditions.
Technically, Dr. Downing is acclaimed for pioneering childhood leukemia research through the application of genome sequencing, unraveling the genetic underpinnings that have paved the way for precision medicine approaches. His early work as an assistant member and later chair of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine set a strong foundation for his scientific director role from 2004. In this capacity, he spearheaded the Pediatric Cancer Genome Project, a seminal initiative that revolutionized the molecular understanding of pediatric malignancies and accelerated the development of novel therapies.
Ascending to CEO in 2014, Dr. Downing has orchestrated the hospital’s largest expansion, with an emphasis on fundamental, clinical, and translational research. His strategic vision included broadening St. Jude’s global influence and strengthening its compassionate culture while expanding both infrastructure and workforce. The development of critical facilities such as the Domino’s Village patient housing, the Inspiration4 Advanced Research Center, and the St. Jude Data Center exemplify this growth, with additional research and clinical towers underway to meet increasing demands.
Dr. Downing’s distinguished career is decorated with memberships in the National Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, reflecting the high esteem with which his scientific leadership is held. Recognitions such as the Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering Prize and awards from major hematology and oncology societies underscore his influential role in shaping contemporary pediatric oncology research and care.
Under his leadership, St. Jude has consolidated an unparalleled position in combating childhood cancer, clearly defined by an urgent mission: if not St. Jude, then who? Driven by this ethos, Dr. Downing has emphasized persistence and collaboration, recognizing that revolutionary advances transcend individual lifetimes and require a collective workforce united by shared purpose and innovation.
Dr. Downing’s impact extends beyond monumental scientific achievements to embody a deeply ingrained culture of mentorship and excellence. Marlo Thomas, St. Jude’s National Outreach Director, highlighted his ability to inspire and cultivate talent while maintaining unwavering dedication to serving the hospital’s patients. His leadership style has constructed an environment where every staff member is empowered to perform at their best, fostering a community focused on compassionate care and scientific rigor.
Strategic plans implemented during Dr. Downing’s tenure have entailed nearly $20 billion in investments and the creation of over 2,300 new positions, fueling landmark initiatives spanning foundational science, clinical innovation, global outreach, and institutional culture. These efforts include establishing new academic departments in emerging scientific disciplines and launching initiatives such as St. Jude Cloud, a vast pediatric cancer genomic data repository providing unprecedented research opportunities worldwide.
The convergence of innovative science, clinical expansion, and global impact under Dr. Downing’s leadership has positioned St. Jude as a beacon of hope and progress for children afflicted by cancer and other devastating diseases. Initiatives like the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer in partnership with the World Health Organization exemplify the hospital’s expanding role as a global leader and collaborator in pediatric health. His foresight in launching educational programs in global child health further ensures the next generation of clinicians and scientists will be equipped to continue the fight.
Beyond tangible accomplishments, Dr. Downing’s legacy is characterized by a relentless commitment to improving the patient and family experience. He prioritized initiatives improving care quality and expanding patient resources, including pioneering supportive housing through Domino’s Village and enhancing clinical environments with new towers. These advances underscore an integrated approach that blends state-of-the-art research with holistic care models dedicated to families’ well-being.
As Dr. Downing transitions out of his CEO role, his passion for pediatric medicine and scientific discovery remains undiminished. He is poised to contribute actively as a faculty leader within the Department of Global Pediatric Medicine, continuing to shape policies, partnerships, and training that expand St. Jude’s influence worldwide. His remarks reflect a deep humility and enduring commitment: stewardship of the institution to fulfill the vision that no child should die in the dawn of life remains an uncompleted journey that calls for continued collective effort.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital stands as one of the world’s premier institutions devoted exclusively to pediatric catastrophic diseases like cancer and sickle cell disease. It holds the unique distinction as the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center focused solely on children. Breakthrough treatments pioneered at St. Jude have elevated childhood cancer survival rates from 20% at the hospital’s inception to approximately 80% today. Through open sharing of scientific findings and clinical advances with global partners, St. Jude continues to expand its transformative impact well beyond its Memphis campus, significantly raising the standard of pediatric oncology care worldwide.
Subject of Research: Pediatric cancer, childhood leukemia genetics, translational and clinical pediatric oncology, genome sequencing, global pediatric medicine.
Article Title: Dr. James Downing to Step Down as President and CEO of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital After 12 Years of Transformational Leadership
News Publication Date: February 19, 2026
Web References: https://www.stjude.org/people/d/james-downing.html, https://www.stjude.org/research/translational-innovation/pediatric-cancer-genome-project.html
Image Credits: Courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Keywords: Pediatric cancer, childhood leukemia, genome sequencing, pediatric oncology, translational research, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, global pediatric medicine, pediatric cancer survival, pediatric oncology leadership, childhood cancer treatment, pediatric genomic data, healthcare expansion
Tags: childhood cancer research breakthroughsglobal pediatric medicine departmentJames R. Downing retirementLeadership in Pediatric Healthcarepediatric cancer global impactpediatric cancer mission-driven leadershippediatric cancer treatment advancementspediatric oncology innovationSt. Jude CEO succession planningSt. Jude Children’s Research Hospital leadership transitionSt. Jude institutional growth under Downingtransition in healthcare leadership
