Jim Powell has come full-circle in his journey from a dancer in the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon to a Four Diamonds Fund pediatric oncologist at Hershey Medical Center.

He graduated from Hazelton High School and began at University Park in fall 1984.

Studying molecular and cell biology, he wouldn't know until much later that his choice of major would be so important.

"A lot of cancer studies is based on molecular biology, which is a perfect fit with my major," Powell said.

Powell's destiny began when he danced in Thon in 1988.

"Thon started the ball rolling. I was impressed with how the people came together and raised money for the kids," he said.

Powell didn't make his decision to become a pediatric doctor until his third year of medical school.

"I wanted to keep an open mind in med school. In my third year, I found myself more interested in pediatrics," Powell said.

After deciding to take the pediatrics route, Powell headed to St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia to do his residency, where in his first year he realized he wanted to be a pediatric oncologist. Powell finished his residency and then a fellowship at Duke University. Then, he called Hershey Medical Center. He wanted a job.

They were full.

After several jobs, Powell was recruited to go back to Hershey a year ago when the patient-doctor ratio was getting too high.

Powell was invited to Thon 2003, just before beginning work at Hershey.

"I thought, 'I'm at home again.' I signed on the dotted line that weekend," he said.

Since last year, Powell has been closely involved in Thon, doing such things as giving talks, meeting with committees and going to the family functions.

"I think it's important that the Thon overalls see that the doctors know what they are doing is important," Powell said.

The money from Thon allows the medical center to provide extra help and better care for their patients, including therapists and family counselors, Powell said.

"We can do things here that other hospitals can't," he said.

While Powell has only been at the medical center since July 2003, he has seen the impact of Thon already.

"A light bulb went off, and I thought, 'Wow, this is what The Four Diamonds is all about,' " Powell said.