During these trying times, more than ever, we need a leader, and through it all, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) and 2020 ASH Annual Meeting keynote speaker, has been there. Dr. Fauci has authored in excess of 1,000 publications and led the NIAID for more than 30 years. He has advised six U.S. presidents, been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and was just awarded the first ever presidential citation for exemplary leadership from the National Academy of Medicine. And despite working 19-hour days during the pandemic, he still clocks 3.5 miles daily! If that’s not #lifegoals, I’m not sure what is. Don’t miss your chance to hear this national treasure and one of the world’s foremost COVID-19 experts chat with ASH President Dr. Stephanie Lee about the effects of COVID-19 on hematologic conditions. “A Fireside Chat With Dr. Fauci” takes place Saturday, December 5 at 7:00 a.m. Pacific time (PT).
To prepare for the Fireside Chat, be sure to check out the “Scientific Workshop on Infectious Disease and Coagulation” on Wednesday, December 2, at 7:00 a.m. PT for some fascinating sessions on the immunohemostatic response to COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. COVID-19 infection has many hematologic implications, and the consultant hematologist is integral to the care of these patients. From the early days of the pandemic, many clinicians observed coagulation abnormalities and increased rates of venous and arterial thrombosis — an inflammatory response that is also seen with other viral and bacterial infections. Dr. Robert Sidonio, one of the session organizers, was excited to be involved in planning what he calls, “an optimal forum to stimulate thoughtful discussion of this complex intersection of fields.”
This far-reaching workshop will cover basic science, clinical translation, and public health implications of immune-hemostasis. Starting with the underlying pathophysiology, Dr. Ed Pryzdial will describe the body’s usual response to infectious pathogens. Dr. Robert Campbell and Dr. Jamie O’Sullivan will illustrate this response as it specifically pertains to COVID-19, as well as dengue fever and malaria. The workshop will then shift to focus on the care of these challenging patients. Dr. Jean Connors will discuss the prevention and treatment of adverse hemostatic outcomes in infectious disease, including the hot topic of thromboprophylaxis use in these high-risk patients. What patients should receive thromboprophylaxis? Do patients with COVID-19 require treatment or prophylactic dosing of anticoagulation? So many questions!
We’d all be lost treating these complicated cases without our coagulation labs. Dr. Jerrold Levy will illustrate the role of the coagulation laboratory in helping to identify adverse outcomes, as well as monitoring patients on preventive therapies. Dr. Cheryl Maier will then expand the focus from the individual patient to population level data and address efforts to improve monitoring of the incidence of hemostatic complications. In addition to these didactic sessions, I’m specifically looking forward to the livestreamed panel discussion and Q&A session.
If you’re a hemostasis nerd like me and that’s not enough COVID-19 and coagulopathy, plan to attend what look to be some captivating oral sessions: “Basic Science and Clinical Practice in Blood Transfusion: COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma, Antigen Typing, and the Prothrombin Complex II” on Saturday, December 5, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. PT; “Venous Thromboembolism Associated with Cancer and/or COVID-19” on Saturday, from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. PT; and “Anticoagulation and Antithrombotic Therapy: COVID-19, Obesity and Hemorrhagic Complications” on Monday, December 7, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. PT. These sessions are the perfect start to the cascade of coagulation sessions #ASH20 has to offer.
About the Author
Dr. Angela Weyand is an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology at the University of Michigan School of Medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Her specialty is pediatric hematology with a focus on thrombosis and hemostasis, and her clinical and research interests include von Willebrand disease, bleeding and clotting disorders in young women and girls (Shemostasis), and using social media for medical education. “I love using tweetorials on benign hematology topics to teach on Twitter!” she shared.Originally from a suburb of Kansas City, Kansas, Dr. Weyand obtained her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University, attended medical school at the University of Michigan (Go Blue!), and completed her pediatric residency at Seattle Children’s Hospital/University of Washington. She expanded her love of hematology in pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she continues to live and practice.
Dr. Weyand has participated in several ASH initiatives. She presented a von Willebrand disease lecture for the new ASH Hematology Review Series and is involved in the development of the ASH Benign Hematology Curriculum.
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