St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital names Dr. Charles Roberts as new CEO

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has appointed Dr. Charles W. M. Roberts as its new president and chief executive officer. Roberts, who currently serves as the director of the hospital’s Comprehensive Cancer Center and as an executive vice president, is scheduled to begin his new role on January 1.

He succeeds Dr. James R. Downing, who led the nonprofit institution for 12 years. Downing will transition into a faculty role within the hospital’s Global Pediatric Medicine department.

Dr. Roberts expressed optimism regarding the future of pediatric oncology, stating that the field is at ‘the dawn of a new era’ due to technological advances that allow for more effective treatments with reduced patient impact. Judy Habib, chair of the St. Jude Board of Governors, noted that Roberts’ focus on new treatment discoveries was a key factor in his selection following a global search. Roberts intends to continue his research efforts while serving as CEO.