Metrics and Performance

Short Biography

Miriam Gonzalez-Guzman, MD, MSc, is a pediatrician and native of El Salvador. She is a program coordinator with Metrics and Performance for St. Jude Global. She has a diverse academic record to include a master’s degree in Health Sciences from the University of Memphis.

At St. Jude, Dr. Gonzalez has been actively involved in improving the survival of children with cancer by designing and implementing infection control and educational quality improvement initiatives at international sites during the past 10 years. Currently, she is responsible for and participates in the planning, management and evaluation of the Global Metrics and Performance Unit projects implemented locally and at St. Jude Global international sites.

She has been particularly focused on the validation and implementation of the St. Jude Global Pediatric Oncology Facility Integrated Local Evaluation (PrOFILE) tool. Her research interests include the identification of metrics and organizational readiness factors that promote success during the implementation of evidence-based interventions in pediatric cancer centers in developing countries.

Short Biography

Alyana Alvarez is a Program Coordinator, Metrics and Performance for the department of Global Pediatric Medicine. She was born in the Philippines and moved to Alexandria, VA at the age of three. With continuous visits to the Philippines, Alyana was exposed to the diverse lifestyle and quality of life which grew her passion for global health. Alyana received her Bachelor of Science in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience with a minor in Psychology from Virginia Tech and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Health in Epidemiology at George Washington University.

Throughout undergrad and post-graduation, she held a wide range of positions from research assistant to a children's program coordinator as well as an administrative assistant. This blend of experiences within healthcare, non-profit, and laboratory settings helped cultivate her understanding of the mechanics in public health. Alyana is thrilled to be working at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital knowing its vibrant community and endless opportunities will help strengthen her footprint within the public health realm.

Short Biography

Tracy Estevez is the program manager for the Metrics and Performance Transversal Program in the Department of Global Pediatric Medicine. Empathetic and analytical, she is a dynamic and results-driven problem solver with experience spanning business management, project management, clinical research, and healthcare. 

She brings a unique blend of skills and expertise to her role, driven by a passion for innovation and a commitment to making a positive impact on local and global communities by leveraging health, financial and technological literacy with business and organizational acumen.

With a background in both medical and non-medical sectors, Tracy has demonstrated her ability to lead complex projects and develop innovative solutions that drive efficiency, productivity and improved outcomes. Her career journey has seen her take on diverse roles, from managing multimillion-dollar portfolios to spearheading the overhaul of project budgets and operations, and conducting impactful pediatric hematology research in the Dominican Republic.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Tracy is deeply committed to volunteer work, particularly in initiatives aimed at supporting children's health and well-being. Through her roles as a childhood-resilience advocate and a community capacity-building specialist, she has made significant contributions to empowering vulnerable populations and driving sustainable development initiatives, at home and abroad.

Tracy holds a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in healthcare management from Franklin University, complemented by a Bachelor of Science in biomedical sciences from The City College of New York. She is also a Lean Six Sigma Greenbelt certified professional and holds certificates in Spanish Language & Literature from  Universidad de la Rioja.

Short Biography

Melissa Vickers is a program coordinator with Metrics and Performance for the Department of Global Pediatric Medicine. She was born and raised in the Memphis area.

Melissa received her Bachelor of Science in sport and entertainment management from the University of South Carolina. She then received her master’s in business administration from Wichita State University. Her diverse business experience includes working in college athletics and lawn care and even some brief government work. She started as a contractor with Metrics and Performance in March 2022. While a contractor, Melissa has overseen multiple cohorts through the Full Version of PrOFILE and organized multiple steering committee meetings.

When she is not working, Melissa enjoys spending time with her dogs, watching sports and reading. She is excited to use her business background to improve childhood cancer care around the world.

Short Biography

Nate Lewis has devoted the last decade to population health research and program enhancement at Oracle Health/Cerner. During this tenure, he assisted numerous health systems in devising, implementing, evaluating, and refining programs spanning care management, quality measures, and primary care.

Before joining Cerner, Lewis engaged in four years of post-doctoral research at Shands Hospital, University of Florida, focusing on the pathogenesis mechanisms in oral microorganisms.

Lewis holds a PhD in molecular biology from the University of Arkansas, where his research delved into the universally conserved protein targeting and translocation mechanism termed the signal recognition particle pathway.

Before transitioning to roles in science and health services research, Lewis obtained a Bachelor of Science in journalism from Missouri State University and spent two years as a newspaper writer and editor.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Lewis enjoys staying active, spending quality time with family, walking his dog, and engaging in board games.