Diego R. Hijano is a physician-scientist specializing in pediatric infectious diseases at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and an assistant professor in the department of pediatrics at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Born and raised in Argentina, he blends clinical expertise with a deep commitment to human connection, particularly in the bone marrow transplant and oncology units, where he supports patients and families through some of medicine’s most challenging moments. Dr. Hijano’s work focuses on advancing compassionate, equitable, and effective care while shaping institution-wide improvements in healthcare delivery. His research contributions can be explored via his NCBI bibliography, and more about his career is available on his LinkedIn and Bluesky.
Diego R. Hijano is a physician-scientist specializing in pediatric infectious diseases at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and an assistant professor in the department of pediatrics at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Born and raised in Argentina, he blends clinical expertise with a deep commitment to human connection, particularly in the bone marrow transplant and oncology units, where he supports patients and families through some of medicine’s most challenging moments. Dr. Hijano’s work focuses on advancing compassionate, equitable, and effective care while shaping institution-wide improvements in healthcare delivery. His research contributions can be explored via his NCBI bibliography, and more about his career is available on his LinkedIn and Bluesky.
“Dr. Who?” the child asked.
“Dr. Hijano,” I said. “But you can call me Dr. Diego. Like Go Diego Go! Dora the Explorer’s cousin, the one with the baby jaguar who saves the rainforest.”
A pause. A smile. And just like that, the ice broke. In pediatric oncology, that is no small thing.
I work in a pediatric cancer center, most often in the bone marrow transplant unit. When people hear this, they …
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