The St. Jude Children’s Hospital Ombuds Resource
Confidential, impartial, independent, and informal support for employees and leaders navigating workplace concerns and conflict. A trusted place to talk through challenges, explore options, and find constructive ways forward.
Meet Your Ombuds
Michael Stephens
St. Jude Ombuds
Michael is an experienced ombuds, mediator, and coach who helps foster positive workplace culture and effective communication.
View full profile →
Ellen Reardon
St. Jude Ombuds
Ellen is an organizational ombuds and facilitator with a clinical healthcare background and over 25 years of experience helping individuals navigate conflict and difficult workplace conversations.
View full profile →How the Ombuds Resource Can Help
How We Can Help
- Listen and provide a confidential space to talk
- Help you clarify concerns and explore options
- Prepare for and navigate difficult conversations
- Identify helpful resources and next steps
- Surface patterns and concerns anonymously to leadership
What We Do Not Do
- Conduct formal investigations
- Make decisions or enforce outcomes
- Advocate for any one person or the organization
- Replace Human Resources or legal processes
- Receive official notice for the organization
- Keep records that identify you
Ways We Can Support Individuals, Teams, and the Organization
In addition to one-on-one support, the ombuds offers a range of services to help individuals, teams, and the organization navigate conflict and work more effectively.
One-on-One Conversations
A confidential space to talk through concerns, clarify options, and prepare for next steps.
Facilitated Conversations
Support for constructive, forward-looking conversations between individuals.
Team and Group Support
Facilitation and support for teams working through challenges, communication issues, or conflict.
Workshops and Training
Practical sessions on communication, feedback, conflict management, and workplace skills.
Organizational Insight
Identifying patterns and trends to inform improvements in systems, practices, and workplace culture.
What Makes An Ombuds Different
The ombuds operates according to four core principles that help create a safe, fair, and trusted experience.
Confidential
The ombuds will not share what you discuss, or even that you met, without your permission, except in rare situations involving imminent risk of serious harm.
Impartial
The ombuds does not take sides for any individual or the organization.
Informal
The ombuds is an off-the-record resource and does not participate in formal processes.
Independent
The ombuds operates outside management structures and is not part of formal reporting channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the ombuds resource not do?
The ombuds does not conduct investigations, provide legal advice, make decisions, discipline employees, or participate in formal grievance or complaint processes.
Are there limits to confidentiality?
Yes. The ombuds maintains confidentiality except in rare situations, such as when there is an imminent risk of serious harm or when disclosure is required by law.
Will anyone know I contacted the ombuds?
No. The ombuds does not disclose the identity of visitors without permission, except in rare safety-related or legally required situations.
Can I choose my ombuds?
Yes. You may request the ombuds team member you would like to work with, or you may ask to speak with the first available ombuds.
Will my visit cause something to change at St. Jude?
The ombuds can help individuals think through options and may share anonymized trends or systemic concerns with leadership. The ombuds does not mandate organizational change or make decisions for St. Jude.
How do I prepare for a meeting with the ombuds?
No preparation is required. You can simply come ready to talk through your concern. If helpful, you may bring notes about what happened, who was involved, what you have already tried, and what outcome you are hoping for.
Connect with an Ombuds Team Member
Whether you have a question, want to think through a situation, or need help preparing for a conversation, the ombuds team is here to support you.
What People Are Saying
Feedback from individuals who have worked with an ombuds.
“[The ombuds] was great with this situation. I appreciate him and he is a great asset to the ombuds resource program.”
“I'm really thankful this resource is available. I needed an unbiased sounding board and encouragement to remain vocal and persistent.”
“I really appreciated [the ombuds'] expert handling of the situation. She was objective and perceptive, she cut right to the heart of the matter and helped us define productive solutions. In the end she helped me resolve a problem that I was afraid was going to blow up into a HR matter.”
Contact an Ombuds Team Member
Submit a confidential request to connect with an ombuds. A member of the ombuds team will respond within one business day.
Your submission is confidential.
The St. Jude Children’s Hospital Ombuds Team was established under a charter approved by the St. Jude Children’s Hospital Chairperson and follows the International Ombuds Association Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. View the charter here.