Audrey Evans, MD, retired after an exceptional 60-year career dedicated to improving the care of children with cancer. Dr. Evans joined Children’s Hospital in 1969 as the first director and chief of the Division of Oncology. She immediately began contributing to advances in care that have led to the enormous growth and success of the department’s clinical and research programs.

Among her many achievements, Dr. Evans developed the Evans Neuroblastoma Staging System to assign treatment based on tumor stage, described the spontaneous regression of some cases of neuroblastoma, established a series of international neuroblastoma research meetings that has evolved into the prestigious Advances in Neuroblastoma Research biennial international conferences, and helped to form and lead the first Childhood Cancer Cooperative Group whose efforts dramatically increased cure rates in a variety of childhood cancers.

In addition, Dr. Evans recognized the importance of incorporating nursing, psychology, and social work into oncology programs, an innovative approach that has affected the care of every child with cancer.

Dr. Evans has impacted generations of patients at Children’s Hospital and throughout the world. She has received an outstanding number of awards in the field of pediatric oncology, most recently the 2009 Pitcher of Hope Award, presented annually to a CHOP professional who shows extraordinary commitment to caring for children with cancer.

In her retirement, Dr. Evans will remain an active part of national and international childhood cancer programs.