St. Jude CEO James Downing to Step Down After 12 Years

Downing will transition to faculty role after leading major expansion and growth at the renowned children's hospital.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

James Downing, MD, the president and CEO of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, will step down from his role later this year after 12 years at the helm. Downing will transition into a faculty position within the hospital's Department of Global Pediatric Medicine, which he helped found in 2018. The St. Jude board of governors expects to name Downing's successor this summer, with the leadership transition projected to be complete by the end of 2026.

Why it matters

Downing's departure marks the end of an era for St. Jude, which has undergone significant growth and expansion under his leadership. During his tenure, the hospital launched two strategic plans that included $20 billion in investments and the addition of over 2,300 positions. Downing also oversaw the development of two new clinical towers set to open in 2027, solidifying St. Jude's position as a global leader in pediatric cancer research and treatment.

The details

Downing, a physician-scientist known for his work in childhood leukemia and cancer genomics, joined St. Jude in 1986 and previously served as scientific director before being named CEO in 2014. Under his leadership, St. Jude has become the nation's only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center dedicated exclusively to pediatric cancer, and treatments developed at the hospital have contributed to increases in overall childhood cancer survival rates from 20% to 80% since it opened more than 60 years ago.

  • Downing will step down as president and CEO of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in late 2026.
  • The St. Jude board of governors expects to name Downing's successor this summer, with the leadership transition projected to be complete by the end of 2026.

The players

James Downing, MD

The current president and CEO of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, who will be stepping down from his role later this year after 12 years of leading the institution.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

A renowned children's hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, that is the nation's only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center dedicated exclusively to pediatric cancer.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“When I joined St. Jude 40 years ago, I came for the opportunity to do great science, but I stayed because of the mission and culture. St. Jude has become uniquely positioned to solve some of the world's most challenging problems around childhood cancer and other pediatric diseases. I often ask, 'If not St. Jude, then who?' and if the answer is no one, then we're going to do it.”

— James Downing, MD, President and CEO, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (Becker's Hospital Review)

What’s next

The St. Jude board of governors expects to name Downing's successor this summer, with the leadership transition projected to be complete by the end of 2026.

The takeaway

Downing's departure marks the end of a transformative era for St. Jude, as the hospital has undergone significant growth and expansion under his leadership. The next CEO will have the challenge of building upon Downing's legacy and continuing to position St. Jude as a global leader in pediatric cancer research and treatment.