The St. Jude Children’s Hospital Ombuds Resource

Independent. Impartial. Informal. Confidential.

If you experience any kind of workplace issue and you are not sure what to do or who to talk to, the ombuds team is here for you!

We can help with any workplace issue, including:

In a confidential, off-the-record meeting, we will listen, explore different options for addressing your concerns, help you navigate relevant organizational resources, and coach you through how to effectively communicate your concerns to others should you choose to do so. We can also help facilitate informal discussions between two or more people when appropriate or work with groups experiencing conflict.

What is an ombuds? The term “ombuds” (pronounced “ahm–buhds”) comes from a Swedish term meaning “a person who has an ear to the people.” The ombuds team is an independent, impartial, informal, and confidential resource for St. Jude faculty, staff, students, and trainees. The ombuds team has two ombuds (Michael Stephens and Ellen Reardon, see bios below) available to work with employees to effectively manage, address, and surface work-related issues. The ombuds team supplements and does not replace formal administrative channels.

FAQs

For answers to frequently asked questions about the ombuds resource, please see this page: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Visitor Resources

Here’s a bank of resources for articles, videos, tip sheets that can help you strategize and develop skills to help you overcome communication and conflict challenges.

About the Ombuds Team at St. Jude Children’s Hospital:

The St. Jude Children’s Hospital staff should contact one of the following ombuds below to discuss options for resolution.

Michael Stephens (michael-ombuds@mwi.org (email preferred) and 413-341-6977) is an experienced ombuds, mediator and coach with the goal of helping foster good working relations and a more positive culture in the organizations he serves. Michael is a member of the International Ombuds Association, and has significant experience as an ombuds in both corporate and academic settings. Michael has a certification in Mediation from the Mediation Training Institute. Michael worked for many years as an ombuds, as well as the manager of other ombuds, at Merck, a multi-national pharmaceutical company. Before that, he had many years of experience in Human Resources roles at Merck and several other companies. After retiring from Merck, he has served as ombuds for Amherst College and Smith College. Michael is also an experienced facilitator and workshop leader, specializing in communications skills, conflict resolution and change management. He has a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Colorado and a Masters in Business Administration from New York University. Send an email to michael-ombuds@mwi.org (preferred) or call Michael at 413-341-6977.

Ellen Reardon (ellen-ombuds@mwi.org and 858-769-9802) is an experienced Organizational Ombuds, consultant, facilitator, and workshop presenter with expertise in communication skills, conflict resolution, and building resilience at work. Clinician-trained with a background in nursing, Ellen brings deep credibility and cultural fluency to her work, with a strong understanding of the complex dynamics of healthcare, research, and academic environments. She earned her Master’s degree in Nursing from Case Western Reserve University. Ellen has more than 25 years of experience in healthcare as both a clinician and manager. This foundation gives her a practical appreciation for the pace, hierarchy, and high stakes of patient- and mission-driven settings. She has worked as an Organizational Ombuds since 2007, supporting individuals and organizations through challenging workplace situations. Ellen is known for skilled, compassionate listening that helps people feel heard and think more clearly under pressure. She offers practical, actionable strategies for navigating difficult conversations and resolving conflict early. Ellen is an active member of the International Ombuds Association and adheres to the IOA Standards of Practice. Her approach incorporates collaborative coaching, education, and facilitated dialogue to support constructive, self-determined outcomes. Schedule a time to talk with Ellen by sending an email to ellen-ombuds@mwi.org or by calling 858-769-9802.

Contact

• Email: Email any member of the St. Jude Children’s Hospital Ombuds Team at the email addresses provided here – michael-ombuds@mwi.org or ellen-ombuds@mwi.org
  • Please use email for scheduling only. Email and voicemail cannot be guaranteed to be confidential, so do not include any details about your questions, situation, or concerns. If you share the best way to reach you, an ombuds will follow up to schedule an appointment.
• Confidential web form:  If you have a concern at work and would like to raise it in confidence, please feel free to fill out the web form below.
  • If you would like to schedule an appointment with an ombuds team member, please include your preferred contact information and indicate which ombuds you would like to work with or whether you prefer to speak with the first available one. To share a concern anonymously, please do not include personally identifiable information. An anonymized summary of your comments may be shared with the organization unless you indicate otherwise on this form.
• Phone: Contact Michael at 413-341-6977 or Ellen at 858-769-9802 (direct and confidential phone and voicemail).

Any Ombuds Team member will get back to you within one business day.