The American Society of Hematology to Honor Inspirational Hematologists with Mentor Awards

The American Society of Hematology to Honor Inspirational Hematologists with
Mentor Awards

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Society of
Hematology (ASH) is honoring two prominent hematologists with ASH Mentor
Awards in recognition of the important role they play in the training and
career development of hematologists early in their careers. Stuart H. Orkin,
MD, and Arthur W. Nienhuis, MD, will receive their awards during the 51st ASH
Annual Meeting in New Orleans.

Dr. Orkin, who will be receiving the Mentor Award for Basic Science, is the
David G. Nathan Professor of Pediatrics at Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical
School. He has mentored more than 70 highly successful academic physicians and
scientists in the field of hematology, and is known to instill confidence in
his trainees to think independently, to see the big picture, and to stay
focused. One of his former trainees commented, "It's never a question of time
and commitment, it's just natural. You [can] send him an e-mail, you [can]
call him up, [if] you've got a question, he's just there and makes the time to
provide the kind of input that you're seeking."

Dr. Nienhuis is a member and emeritus director of the St. Jude Children's
Research Hospital, and will be receiving the Mentor Award for Clinical
Investigation. During his career at St. Jude, and prior to that at the
National Institutes of Health (NIH), he has mentored many individuals, with
more than 90 percent of his students and fellows remaining engaged in academic
hematology-oncology or gene therapy research at leading research institutions
worldwide. Some of his trainees have gone on to become presidents and
directors at academic institutions or cancer centers, NIH Institute directors,
department chairs, and editors-in-chief of Blood and Seminars in Hematology.
According to one of his former trainees, "Despite his being incredibly busy,
even when he was president of ASH, he always had time to chat."

Drs. Nienhuis and Orkin will be formally presented with their awards prior to
the Plenary Scientific Session on Sunday, December 6, at 1:30 p.m. in the
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

The ASH Mentor Award was established in 2006 to recognize hematologists who
have excelled at mentoring trainees and colleagues. Those selected to receive
the award are chosen because they have shown a sustained commitment to
mentoring, have made a significant, positive impact on their trainees'
careers, and have advanced research and patient care in the field of
hematology through their trainees and their trainees' trainees. Two awards are
given each year, one in the basic sciences and one in clinical investigation
and training. Awardees are selected from a group of candidates nominated by
individuals whose careers they have helped shape.

Reporters who wish to arrange an interview may contact Patrick C. Irelan, ASH
Communications Assistant, at 202-776-0544 or pirelan@hematology.org.

The American Society of Hematology (www.hematology.org) is the world's largest
professional society concerned with the causes and treatment of blood
disorders. Its mission is to further the understanding, diagnosis, treatment,
and prevention of disorders affecting blood, bone marrow, and the immunologic,
hemostatic, and vascular systems, by promoting research, clinical care,
education, training, and advocacy in hematology. ASH provides Blood: The Vital
Connection (www.bloodthevitalconnection.org), a credible online resource
addressing bleeding and clotting disorders, anemia, and cancer. The official
journal of ASH is Blood (www.bloodjournal.org), the most cited peer-reviewed
publication in the field, which is available weekly in print and online.

SOURCE American Society of Hematology

Patrick C. Irelan, American Society of Hematology, +1-202-776-0544,
pirelan@hematology.org