ASH thanks all of the current Ambassadors and Faculty for their service and dedication to hematology’s next generation:
Oyebimpe O. Adesina, MD
Natasha M. Archer, MD
Staci D. Arnold, MD, MBA, MPH
Caroline Cromwell, MD
Laura M. De Castro, MD, MSc
Maria Teresa De Sancho, MD
Adolfo Enrique Diaz Duque, MD, MSc
Tamara J. Dunn, MD
Monique Hartley-Brown, MD
Reem Karmali, MD, MSc
Allison King, MD, PhD, MPH
Sri Lakshmi Sudha Kollepara, MD
Jose A. Lopez, MD
Anjlee Mahajan, MD
Brandon McMahon, MD
Rakhi P. Naik, MD
Anupama Narla, MD
Oluwatoyosi Onwuemene, MD
Betty Pace, MD
Terri L. Parker, MD
Rita D. Paschal, MD
Rayne H. Rouce, MD
Santosh L. Saraf, MD
Romanos Sklavenitis-Pistofidis, MD
Kim Smith-Whitley, MD
James G. Taylor, MD
Rahma Warsame, MD
The ASH Ambassador Program is a critical piece of the MRI Awards’ infrastructure and ASH’s ongoing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. It was designed to support trainee recruitment and retention in the field of hematology and at the Society level, through effective grassroots promotion of ASH’s career development and training programs. The program has established a formal volunteer role for faculty-based ASH members who serve as representatives of the Society at medical institutions and who function as a bridge between ASH, mentors, and trainees. The initial focus of program participants is to encourage under-represented minority trainees to apply for ASH’s mentorship programs, and this focus will eventually expand to include all trainees.The ASH Ambassador Program is a critical piece of the MRI Awards’ infrastructure and ASH’s ongoing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. It was designed to support trainee recruitment and retention in the field of hematology and at the Society level, through effective grassroots promotion of ASH’s career development and training programs. The program has established a formal volunteer role for faculty-based ASH members who serve as representatives of the Society at medical institutions and who function as a bridge between ASH, mentors, and trainees. The initial focus of program participants
This year, ASH News Daily spotlights Anjlee Mahajan, MD, an assistant clinical professor in the UC Davis Cancer Center in Sacramento, California, and a program participant since 2018. Here, Dr. Mahajan shares some thoughts on her experiences as an ASH Ambassador, and why she continues to find the role so rewarding.
What led you to the ASH Ambassador Program?
I was inspired to apply to the ASH Ambassador program because of the impact the ASH HONORS Program had on my own career. As a resident I joined the ASH community, and it really shaped my career and helped me become the physician and educator I am today. I also am passionate about improving diversity and inclusion within hematology, and the ASH Ambassador Program’s focus to promote under-represented trainees really resonated with my own goals.
What have you found to be most rewarding thus far?
The most rewarding aspects of the ASH Ambassador program have been expanding outreach of ASH’s many award programs and initiatives into my own community. As an Ambassador I have been able to meet students and residents from many different backgrounds and help encourage their interest in hematology. As part of my work as an Ambassador I connected with a medical student who I was fortunate enough to mentor as part of the Minority Medical Student Award Program, which was an incredibly rewarding experience that taught me a lot about mentorship. The networking aspect of the ASH Ambassador Program has also been amazing as I have gained friends and colleagues from other institutions around the country and learned about their experiences in promoting diversity and inclusion, and outreach to under-represented trainees.
Why should trainees seek out ASH Ambassadors?
Trainees should seek out ASH Ambassadors at their own institutions because we are a great resource for all the amazing things ASH has to offer, especially for those early in their career and training. ASH Ambassadors are excited and passionate about fostering our next generation of hematologists. We love hearing about your interests to see how we can help get you involved in ongoing projects and research at your own institution and connect you with mentors. Ambassadors are also happy to help with career advice!
