Q: How did you become interested in the field of hematology? Clinical hematology in particular?
A: Because of some wonderful hematologists I met: Murray Silverstein, Bob Kyle, and others.
Q: Why do you think it is important for people to get involved in this field?
A: Fascinating range of diseases and conditions for which there are no other experts- opportunity to treat both malignant and non-malignant disorders. I also need to know several other fields - infectious disease, neurology, radiation therapy, etc.
Q: In your experience, what is the most difficult or challenging aspect of becoming a hematologist in the United States?
A: Carving out ability to see non-malignant hematology- enormous pressure to see malignant hematology and solid-tumors - by virtue of tumor volumes and reimbursement.
Q: How do you feel advances in technology (recent or past) have helped you along the way, be it in your studies or in general practice?
A: Discovery had been absolutely the main engine of improvement for treating patients with hematologic disorders: in my life-time landmarks include: use of cladribine in hairy cell leukemia; autologous stem cell transplantation in lymphoma and myeloma, imatininb in CML, rituximab and all such therapies- arrival of the imids- and of JAK2 inhibitors...and on and on. All new approaches to classifying, diagnosing, and treating disease comes from scientific discovery.
Q: What do you find to be most rewarding about a career in hematology?
A: Patients, colleagues, training fellows and medical students, intellectual stimulation, participation in science and publication.
Q: Finally, what advice might you have for a younger person who will be pursuing a career in this field?
A: Go to the best possible place you can go for training -
find the best possible mentors - take advantage of any training offered by the
American Society of Hematology!