St. Jude CEO talks hospital culture

One of the first directives Dr. James Downing got from the board of directors at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital upon his appointment as the hospital’s president and CEO in 2014 was blunt, to say the least: “Don’t screw up.” Downing, a longtime scientist at St. Jude before getting tapped as its chief executive, recalled what happened next – including a strategic plan he quickly set about pursuing for the hospital – during a recent address to the Great Places to Work organization.