Welcome to the St. Jude Global/King Hussein Cancer Center Regional Qualitative Research Center (Qual Center).
We are a team of pediatric oncologists, researchers, and healthcare professionals committed to understanding the experiences of pediatric cancer patients, their caregivers, and healthcare providers.
Our goal is to enhance qualitative and mixed-method research in Jordan and the Middle East, building capacity, and fostering collaborations to improve patient-centered care.
Dr. Rawad Rihani, MD, MSc
Director, SJG/KHCC Regional Qualitative Research Center
A pediatric oncologist and chairperson of the Pediatric Department at KHCC. Dr. Rihani is a proficient researcher with several publications in leukemia, hematopoietic cell transplantation, and thalassemia. Dr. Rihani serves as a director for the Qual Center, she directs the center’s activities and projects while ensuring high research standards. Moreover, she fosters collaboration with local and international partners.
Dr. Iyad Sultan, MD
Associate Director, SJG/KHCC Regional Qualitative Research Center
Dr. Sultan is a pediatric oncologist with an extensive career in pediatric oncology, including 12 years as chairman of the Pediatric Department at KHCC. A respected researcher with numerous publications on sarcomas and retinoblastoma, he has made significant contributions to advancing pediatric cancer care. Dr. Sultan played a pivotal role in shaping the strategic plan of the Qual Center, ensuring alignment with its mission and goals.
Nisrein Al-Aqqad, MPH
Coordinator, SJG/KHCC Regional Qualitative Research Center
A Qual Center coordinator who functions as an advocate for qualitative and mixed-methods research, playing a crucial role in building local and regional partnerships. She manages the research process from conception to dissemination while ensuring compliance with ethical standards and Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements. Her role is to act as a bridge, facilitating collaborations between two partners, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and KHCC. She conducts training sessions and lectures for healthcare providers on qualitative research methods, supplemented by practical training.
Dr. Dylan Graetz, MD, MPH
A pediatric oncologist and assistant professor at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where she directs the Culture and Communication program in the Department of Global Pediatric Medicine. Her mixed-methods research examines how cultural context affects interactions among pediatric cancer patients, families, and healthcare teams. She aims to improve communication practices and patient-centered care in various global settings, with ongoing studies in the U.S., Guatemala, Pakistan, Jordan, Zimbabwe, and the Philippines. Clinically, she specializes in treating children with solid tumors, particularly renal cancers.
Dr. Tharwa Bilbeisi, Ph.D.
A Clinical Research Scientist working with the Culture and Communication program in the Department of Global Pediatric Medicine at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Her research interests lie in health equity and socio-environmental factors contributing to health disparities affecting marginalized communities. She explores these areas through qualitative and mixed-methods research methodologies. Dr. Bilbeisi has publications in cancer mortality and survivorship, communication, qualitative research, and palliative care.
Dr. Julia Hanebrink, Ph.D.
A Qualitative Research Consultant with the Culture and Communication program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and an assistant professor at Rhodes College in Memphis, she is a biocultural anthropologist with nearly two decades of experience in qualitative and mixed methods research on global health systems, disparities, and psychosocial initiatives. She has collaborated with the Qual Center to define its goals, develop a strategic plan, and enhance capacity through mentorship and training.