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Dear Memphis Roundtable Members, |
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New Year, Same Goals. HPV vaccination is cancer prevention.
As we welcome 2026, the Memphis and Shelby County HPV Cancer Prevention Roundtable reflects on the strides made last year and eagerly embraces the opportunities ahead in the coming year and beyond. January also is Cervical Health Awareness Month, a timely reminder of why our collective efforts matter and the critical role HPV vaccination plays in preventing cervical cancer as well as all HPV cancers.
Recently, significant national updates were made to the childhood immunization schedule. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services directed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to revise the schedule, and HPV vaccination continues to be routinely recommended. The CDC is also now following several peer nations in recommending one dose of HPV vaccination. According to Diego Hijano, MD, pediatric infectious diseases specialist at St. Jude, these updates reflect changes in federal decision‑making processes—not access. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians continue to recommend the full roster of vaccines consistent with longstanding guidance. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the HPV Cancer Prevention Program remain aligned with AAP recommendations for HPV vaccination, which are grounded in strong scientific evidence and U.S. public health expertise.
Even as the vaccination environment evolves, our focus remains clear: ensuring that all children in Memphis and Shelby County are protected against the HPV cancers they could face in adulthood. As we shape our 2026 strategy, we invite you to share your voice. Please take a moment to complete the 2025 Membership & Engagement Survey, which will help guide our priorities for the coming year.
Together, we look forward to continued progress in HPV cancer prevention across our community.
In this edition of the monthly communication, we cover:
If you have any ideas and/or questions, please reach out to Akeria Taylor with the St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program at akeria.taylor@stjude.org.
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| Read the December Memphis Roundtable Communication |
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Fact or Myth: Separate HPV Facts from Fiction |
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Myth: Childhood vaccines, including HPV, were never tested in long-term, placebo-controlled trials.
Fact: Many childhood vaccines, including the HPV vaccine, were tested in rigorous clinical trials using placebos or active controls. A placebo does not always mean saline; sometimes the placebo may be an inactive substance or an older vaccine to ensure safety and ethical standards in comparison to the new vaccine being tested. Using saline placebos is ethical only when no effective vaccine exists; otherwise, researchers compare new vaccines to trusted older ones to avoid leaving people unprotected. HPV vaccines were tested thoroughly for both safety and also efficacy and effectiveness before being considered for approval. HPV vaccines continue to be monitored through long-term studies and real-world data. |
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What’s Happening with the Memphis Roundtable? |
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Looking Back on 2025 |
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We celebrate the incredible progress achieved by the Memphis Roundtable throughout 2025. Together, we welcomed 51 new members, bringing our total membership to 201. We hosted impactful gatherings, including the 2025 Mid-year and 5th Annual meetings and advanced work in our priority areas: engagement and membership, health care providers and professionals education, data, and communication.
Our collective efforts made a measurable difference.
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Offered educational trainings, including three Announcement Approach Trainings, which equipped more than 60 health care providers and professionals with effective communication strategies for recommending HPV vaccination.
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Hosted one webinar that reached 40 health care providers and professionals and participated in the Tennessee Department of Health’s virtual Immunization Provider Expo, helping educate more than 600 providers on HPV vaccination and cancer prevention best practices.
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Released and distributed over 250 It’s Our Way in Memphis communication campaign materials, supporting clinics, providers, and community partners in promoting HPV vaccination across Memphis and Shelby County.
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Distributed resources, such as health care provider fact sheets and 2025 Memphis and Shelby County HPV Data Profile to more than 600 health care professionals to strengthen evidence‑based HPV vaccination practices.
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Showcased Shelby County’s nearly 15% increase in HPV vaccination rates from 2019 to 2025 on a national stage, highlighting the community’s collective progress in advancing HPV cancer prevention.
These milestones and many more reflect the unwavering dedication of our community to prevent HPV cancer. |
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Looking Ahead to 2026
This year promises even greater opportunities for collaboration and impact. Members can look forward to new resources, events, and collaborative projects designed to build on last year’s successes. Together, we will continue working to increase HPV vaccination rates and strengthen our community’s commitment to cancer prevention.
In the months ahead, expect programming aligned with our priority areas of action, all aimed at improving HPV vaccination coverage across our region. In March, in recognition of HPV Awareness Day, the Memphis Roundtable will release a special seminar focused on raising awareness and supporting our community’s efforts to prevent HPV cancers. Stay tuned for more information and ways to get involved! |
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Join us for the 2026 Mid-year Meeting on March 24 |
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We are thrilled to announce that registration for the 2026 Mid-Year Meeting is officially open! This important convening underscores our shared commitment to advancing HPV cancer prevention across our community. Please mark your calendar for March 24, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. |
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We are excited to feature Deanna Kepka, PhD, MPH as our keynote speaker. Kepka is with the Huntsman Cancer Institute and professor in the College of Nursing at the University of Utah. She founded and leads the 500-member Mountain West HPV Vaccination Coalition and is the Director of Global and International Health in the College of Nursing. Kepka is an expert in community-level cancer prevention and control research among underserved communities and promoting HPV vaccination as cancer prevention. Kepka will present on the growing national and global momentum toward eliminating cervical cancer and other HPV cancers, highlighting emerging strategies and collaborative efforts driving progress.
The interactive mid-year meeting will bring together Memphis Roundtable members and partners to map out next steps in our collective efforts to prevent HPV cancers.
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2026 Mid-Year Meeting
March 24
9:00 a.m. to noon. Central Time |
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Your Voice Matters: Take the Memphis Roundtable Membership Engagement Survey |
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Please take a few minutes to complete the 2025 Membership Engagement Survey.
This survey is designed to help us better understand your experiences, needs, and priorities so we can continue strengthening connections, fostering collaboration, and supporting HPV vaccination efforts across Memphis and Shelby County. Your feedback will directly inform our 2026 membership engagement strategy, guide planning for upcoming events, and ensure that our collective work remains meaningful and impactful. We know that engagement looks different for everyone; whether you stay connected through newsletters, attend meetings, or actively participate in planning and implementation efforts, your voice plays an important role in advancing our shared mission.
The survey should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. All responses will remain confidential, and findings will be reported only in aggregate for program improvement.
We sincerely appreciate your time, insight, and partnership as we continue building an even stronger Memphis Roundtable network. |
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It’s Our Way in Memphis Communication Materials Available |
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Start the year off by highlighting how HPV vaccination is our way in Memphis. The Memphis Roundtable offers co‑brandable communication materials—postcards, posters, social media graphics, and banners—to support HPV vaccination outreach. With key awareness dates approaching, including International HPV Awareness Day on March 4, these materials are a great way to elevate your efforts. If you and your team would like to use or co‑brand the full collection or request printed copies, click the buttons below to get started. All materials are available at no cost. |
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Start at Age 9 and Other Best Practices: Accelerate efforts to start HPV vaccination at age 9
Join the HPV Vaccination Roundtable of the Southeast for the next Start at Age 9 and Other Best Practices Quarterly Case Study Meeting on January 29 from 1-2:15 p.m. Central Time. The first meeting of 2026 will highlight Barbara Schuler, MPH, founder and CEO of VAX 2 STOP CANCER, to speak about their recent efforts in promoting starting HPV vaccination at age 9. |
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St. Jude HPV Program Tennessee Legislative Breakfast, February 10
St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program will host a legislative breakfast on February 10 for Tennessee General Assembly members and their staff. The event will take place from 7:30–9:30 a.m. at the Cordell Hull State Office Building (8th Floor) in Nashville, Tennessee. Program partners and supporters of HPV vaccination are invited to participate in this engagement opportunity. Due to limited space, attendance will be capped, and partners are encouraged to reach out with any questions regarding additional attendees.
The breakfast will reinforce the program’s commitment to HPV cancer prevention and highlight the critical importance of ensuring access to HPV vaccination as a cancer-prevention strategy. Discussions will focus on the safety, effectiveness, and long-lasting protection of the HPV vaccine against six types of cancer. The program will also share updates on the HPV Vaccination Roundtable of the Southeast and rural HPV cancer prevention efforts. |
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Tennessee Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics Day on the Hill, March 4
Mark your calendars and join Tennessee Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics in Nashville, Tennessee on March 4, which is International HPV Awareness Day, for a day of advocacy. This day offers a chance to learn about the legislative process, discuss proposed legislation, and meet with Tennessee legislators and leadership to advocate for children and pediatricians. Whether you are new to advocacy or a seasoned veteran, your voice plays a critical role in making a meaningful impact. |
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February 19 | 12-1 p.m. Central Time
St. Jude 2026 Rural HPV Vaccination Quarterly Updates Meetings
Register here
February 19 | 1 – 2 p.m. Central Time
American Cancer Society (ACS) and the ACS National HPV Vaccination Roundtable (HPVRT) 2026 Promising Practice Series
Register here
March 4
International HPV Awareness Day
Learn more here
March 24 | 9 a.m. - noon Central Time
Memphis Roundtable Mid-year Meeting
Register here |
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Learn More about the Memphis and Shelby County HPV Cancer Prevention Roundtable |
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The Memphis and Shelby County HPV Cancer Prevention Roundtable, established in 2021, is a collaboration of health care, community, and advocacy partners with a mission to measurably increase HPV vaccination coverage in Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee.
The St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program provides support for the Roundtable. To learn more about the Roundtable or join our efforts, please visit stjude.org/memphis-roundtable. If you have organizational or member information we should highlight in our communications, please contact us at PreventHPV@stjude.org. |
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