ASH: A Global Society

2008-07-01

As the world's premier professional association representing hematologists, ASH has grown substantially in its international influence and impact around the globe. International membership continues to expand, international professional attendance at the ASH annual meeting hovers around 50 percent, and ASH continually seeks means of increasing the scope and breadth of programs targeted toward international hematologists.

Hematologists outside of North America may be elected to International membership upon the recommendation of the Executive Committee. These members represent roughly a quarter of the Society's total membership and have the same privileges as Active members, except the rights to vote and hold office. To begin membership in January 2009, applications must be received by August 1, 2008.

Benefits of International membership include:

  • A subscription to Blood: Journal of the American Society of Hematology
  • All annual meeting mailings in advance
  • Reduced registration rates and priority hotel reservations at the annual meeting
  • Eligibility to sponsor abstracts
  • Access to Consult a Colleague, an online service to submit clinical questions to respected colleagues in specific areas of hematology
  • Society publications and the membership directory

Below are some misconceptions about international membership and the opportunities available to international members.

Myth: I am not eligible to serve on an ASH committee.

Fact: International members may become members of ASH standing and scientific committees. Currently, international members serve on four standing and 12 scientific committees.

They are represented in the leadership of the Society by the International Members Committee, which advises the Executive Committee about issues relevant to international hematologists and makes recommendations to the Nominating Committee about international representation in the Society's leadership and potential committee members. IMC membership is restricted to members from outside of North America. As a volunteer-run association, self-nomination for committee service is encouraged and welcomed as a good indication of interest in leading the Society.

Myth: As an international member, I cannot submit an abstract to the annual meeting.

Fact: Abstracts are accepted from every corner of the globe, although abstracts submitted by non-members must be sponsored by an ASH member.

Myth: I cannot participate in Blood's publication process.

Fact: International hematologists may participate in every stage of the publication process for Blood, including reviewing manuscripts, serving on the editorial board, and authoring articles; in fact, more than half of submitted papers come from outside North America. Read the article, "International Blood," written by Blood Editor-in-Chief Cynthia Dunbar, MD, in the May/June issue of The Hematologist to learn more about the process for editorial board appointments and tips on how to get published in the journal.

Myth: ASH never recognizes International members for career-achievement awards.

Fact: International hematologists are eligible to receive several career-achievement awards, including the Ham-Wasserman Lecture, which is traditionally awarded to an individual from outside of the United States; the William Dameshek Prize; the Henry M. Stratton Medal; the E. Donnall Thomas Lecture and Prize; the Mentor Award; and the Wallace H. Coulter Award for Lifetime Achievement in Hematology. International hematologists are also eligible for career-development awards; in particular, European hematologists are eligible for the EHA-ASH International Fellowship Award. The ASH Web site contains descriptions of each of these awards, including eligibility criteria and application/nomination deadlines.

Myth: Travel support to attend the ASH Annual Meeting is unavailable to international members.

Fact: To help defray annual meeting expenses, ASH offers need- and merit-based travel awards to trainees. Trainees presenting an abstract at the ASH annual meeting and demonstrating financial need may receive a $500 travel award. (You do not have to be a member of ASH to receive these travel awards.) Presenters with the highest scoring abstracts in the categories of undergraduate student, medical student, graduate student, resident physician, and post-doctoral fellow (MD or PhD) may receive travel reimbursement in addition to the $500 honorarium. Application deadlines for these awards coincide with the abstract submission deadline.

ASH continues to fulfill its mission to help hematologists worldwide conquer blood diseases. The array of benefits, awards, and programs available to international hematologists furthers the understanding of hematology globally through international collaboration, fosters the worldwide exchange of knowledge and resources, and enhances clinical care through education and training.

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