St. Jude Ranked No. 1 Pediatric Oncology Hospital in Parents Magazine

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Parents magazine has named St. Jude Children's Research Hospital as the No. 1 pediatric cancer care hospital in the country. The results, based on the magazine's survey of more than 100 children's hospitals, appear in the February 2009 issue on newsstands nationwide January 13, 2009. Tau Kappa Epsilon and St. Jude recently announced re-partnering to increase critical funding for the hospital (see The TEKE Spring 2008 edition ).

All hospitals surveyed are members of the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions, an organization of children's hospitals that promotes the health and well-being of all children and their families through support of children's hospitals and health systems that are committed to excellence in providing health care to children.

"This is wonderful recognition of what goes on every day at St. Jude," said Dr. William E. Evans, St. Jude director and CEO. "One thing that distinguishes St. Jude is how we seamlessly blend quality, innovation and compassion for patients and families. It also reflects the culture of collaboration that allows St. Jude to translate discoveries into better patient care in an incredibly effective manner."

In the fall of 2008, St. Jude faculty and staff completed Parents magazine's extensive survey. The hospitals that completed surveys were ranked on their responses to detailed questions in the following areas: covering survival rates for childhood cancer, pediatric heart disease and other critical conditions; experience in performing certain complex procedures; the depth of the research program; safeguards to prevent medical errors; staffing ratios and quality; waiting times in the emergency department; community outreach; and services that address the emotional needs of sick children and their families.

"It is great not only to know that we are the best but also to be recognized as such by a publication that benefits the parents of our patients," said Joseph Laver, M.D., St. Jude clinical director and executive vice president.

The magazine also chose the top five hospitals for pediatric emergency care, heart care, neonatal care, orthopedic care and pulmonary care. A complete list of the best children's hospitals by specialty can be found at www.parentsmag.com.

"I believe that the intricate link between broad-based research efforts and patient care is what makes St. Jude stand out among its peers," said Michael Kastan, M.D., Ph.D., St. Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center director. "It is satisfying to see these efforts recognized in this way."

St. Jude and TKE

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Founded by late entertainer Frater Danny Thomas (Gamma-Nu, Univ. of Toledo) and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. No family ever pays for treatments not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. For more information, please visit www.stjude.org .