The need for clinicians and clinical/translational researchers in hematology-related disciplines is strong. In recognition of the changing role of the hematologist and of current workforce needs, training opportunities for physicians interested in hematology-related careers must be expanded. The American Society of Hematology (ASH) invites Training Program Directors and other educators to submit proposals for novel training initiatives that will augment existing training programs. The Alternative Training Pathway Grant is intended to address the needs of trainees with primary interest in various aspects of hematology and to encourage competency-based training in established and emerging areas of hematology. Additionally, the grant is intended to produce clinicians and clinician-scientists with the skills to apply the full array of technologies made available through advancing medical sciences for the management of complex hematologic problems.

Description of Need

The Alternative Training Pathway Grant is intended to foster the development and/or implementation of creative new curricula for trainees in clinical and clinical/translational hematology and related fields. A growing number of trainees are expressing an interest in pursuing hybrid careers (e.g., medicine/pediatrics) and/or a desire to become trained in both clinical care and laboratory medicine (e.g., transfusion medicine or directing hemostasis laboratories). There is a perceived need for specialists with integrated expertise in hematology and other rapidly evolving areas of applied medicine such as vascular biology, stem cell technologies, cellular therapeutics, and targeted pharmacotherapeutics, laboratory oversight, and transfusion medicine. The Alternative Training Pathway Grant is designed to allow training program directors the opportunity to develop curricula that meets these new demands. Examples of previously funded initiatives include integrated pathways in adult and pediatric benign hematology; pediatric hemostasis-thrombosis and pharmacology; and hematology and palliative care.

Support

Grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded to support the development and implementation of novel hematology-related training programs as an alternative to traditional training programs. The award may be expended over a one- to two-year period of time. No institutional overhead (i.e., indirect) costs will be supported by this grant.

2011 Alternative Training Pathways Grant Recipients

Brian Smith, MD, Yale University, New Haven, CT

• Pathway: Transfusion Medicine and Laboratory Coagulation Fellowship for Non-Pathologist Adult/Pediatric Hematology Trainees

Thomas Ortel, MD, PhD, Duke University, Durham, NC

• Pathway: Translational Hematology and the Clinical Laboratory

2010 Alternative Training Pathways Grant Recipients

Kathleen Sakamoto, MD, PhD, University of California David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA

• Pathway: Pathway in Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes

Linda Stork, MD, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR

• Pathway: Adolescent & Young Adult (AYA) Fellowship for Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Medical Oncology

Erik Yeo, MD, FRCPC, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON

• Pathway: The Canadian Adult Comprehensive Hemoglobinopathy (CAtCH) Fellowship

2009 Alternative Training Pathways Grant Recipients

Ellis J. Neufeld, MD, PhD, Harvard Medical School, Children's Hospital Boston Karp, Boston, MA

• Pathway: Pediatric and Adult Training in Hematology Pathway (PATHway)

Thomas Shea, MD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC

• Pathway: Transition of Care for Adolescent and Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases

Alvin Schmaier, MD, Case Western Reserve University; University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH

• Pathway: Specialized Clinical and/or Basic Research Training in Benign Hematology

2008 Alternative Training Pathways Grant Recipients

Thomas C. Abshire, MD, Emory University School of Medicine

• Pathway: Training in Adult and Pediatric Benign Hematology

Donald Mahoney Jr, MD, Baylor College of Medicine

• Pathway: Pediatric Hemostasis-Thrombosis Pharmacology Fellowship Training Pathway

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