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Thurman honored for marketing work addressing health disparities

By Jim Goodwin |
Christina Thurman (holding plaque), marketing team lead at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington... Christina Thurman (holding plaque), marketing team lead at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, received an Excellence in Health Care Award from the St. Louis American Foundation on April 27 in part for her work educating the public about health disparities and cancer screenings. Joining her at the awards luncheon were (from left): Nick Fisher, Siteman executive director of research and business administration; Lannis Hall, MD, Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital director of radiation oncology; Timothy Eberlein, MD, Siteman director; Rick Stevens, Christian Hospital president; and Arlinda Warren, Siteman executive director of marketing, communications and physician services. (Photo by Dustin Horn)

Christina Thurman, marketing team lead at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, was honored April 27 at the St. Louis American Foundation’s 18th Annual Salute to Excellence in Health Care awards luncheon.

She received an Excellence in Health Care Award in part for her work educating the public about health disparities, including in the African-American community, and for increasing awareness about the importance and availability of cancer screenings.

“She has taken on a role to ensure that Siteman’s marketing messaging regarding prevention, screening, research and treatment is reaching and touching all communities in the St. Louis area and beyond,” Lannis Hall, MD, director of radiation oncology at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital, said in her letter nominating Thurman for the award.

“Christina has the uncanny ability to listen intently, analyze facts and opinions, and reach a fair decision that would work best for all parties involved,” Hall wrote. “Her desire to make sure that everyone is treated fairly and given the necessary tools to succeed is both amazing to witness and more important now than ever.”

Thurman and other professionals in the health-care community were recognized at a luncheon at Hilton St. Louis Frontenac. The foundation is the philanthropic arm of the St. Louis American newspaper.

“I would like to thank the St. Louis American Foundation for honoring me with the Excellence in Healthcare Award,” she said after the ceremony. “I work with a lot of  amazing people and truly feel lucky and blessed that I have the opportunity to do what I love to do while making a positive impact in my community.”

Thurman, a six-year employee of Siteman and BJC HealthCare, leads Siteman’s communications efforts for:

  • The Program for the Elimination of Cancer Disparities (PECaD), a national model for eliminating local and regional disparities in cancer education, prevention and treatment.
  • Breast health clinics and a mammography van.
  • Prostate screening program for African-American men, as part of the Prostate Care Coalition.
  • The new Siteman Cancer Center satellite location at Christian Hospital.

Thurman received multiple nominations for the award.

“Christina is a very humble person who would never boast or talk about her accomplishments, which I think is another reason she is so deserving of this award,” wrote Angie Phillion, a former colleague on the Siteman marketing team.

Other Salute to Excellence in Health Care awardees included:

  • Moyosore Onifade, MD, an internal medicine specialist at Christian Hospital and a graduate of Washington University School of Medicine.
  • Shunta Johnson, RN, a nurse practitioner at BJC HealthCare.

Renee Cunningham-Williams, PhD, an associate professor of social work and associate dean for doctoral education at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, received the Dr. John M. Anderson Excellence in Mental Health Award.