Heather Brandt, Ph.D., to lead cancer prevention community outreach projects for St. Jude

“The HPV vaccine can have major impact on public health, as we could eliminate most cancers caused by HPV—but people have to get vaccinated,” said Charles Roberts, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president at St. Jude and director of the St. Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center. The center joined all other National Cancer Institute–designated comprehensive cancer centers in 2018 to call for increased HPV vaccination and screening to eliminate HPV-related cancers. “Dr. Brandt brings a depth of experience and a clear vision to lead St. Jude initiatives on this important issue.”

Brandt comes to St. Jude from the University of South Carolina, where she served as an associate dean and as a professor of Health Promotion, Education and Behavior in the Arnold School of Public Health. Her research focuses on working with communities to prevent and control cancer by examining, describing and intervening on cancer-related health disparities through innovative approaches in partnership with the community. She has worked with churches, nonprofit organizations and health care settings in rural areas of South Carolina to increase cervical cancer screening, HPV vaccination and colorectal cancer screening.

Nearly 80 million Americans – 1 out of every 4 people – are infected with HPV. Of those millions, more than 31,000 will be diagnosed with an HPV-related cancer this year. Despite the availability of a vaccine to prevent the infections that cause these cancers, HPV vaccination remains low in the United States.

 “I am inspired by the mission-driven activities of St. Jude and am honored to join the team to help prevent HPV-associated cancers in the community,” Brandt said. “For almost 15 years, we have had a safe, effective and durable vaccine to prevent six types of HPV-associated cancers in men and women. However, rates of this cancer-prevention vaccination remain low, especially in areas of the southeastern and mid-southern United States where HPV-associated cancer rates are high. Far too few have taken advantage of this cancer prevention tool, and I look forward to joining forces with other partners to improve uptake.”

Brandt holds a doctoral degree and a Master of Science degree in public health from University of South Carolina-Columbia, and a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Iowa. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the 2016 Norman J. Arnold Alumni Medal, 2015 James A. Keith Excellence in Teaching Award, 2014 Crescent Award, 2014 Tribute to Women in Industry Award for Health, and 2013 Early Career Award from the Public Health Education and Health Promotion Section of the American Public Health Association.