What is "Classical Hematology?"

ASH has adopted the term “classical hematology” in place of “non-malignant” or “benign” to refer to a broad range of non-cancerous blood disorders. Use of the terms “benign” and “non-malignant” has done both practitioners and patients a disservice by minimizing the seriousness of what are often life-threatening blood conditions. The term “classical hematology” helps us define the field by what it is rather than what it is not, while celebrating centuries of scientific advances and progress fundamental to every aspect of health care and medicine.  

Classical hematology encompasses a large number of diseases and conditions including thrombotic and hemorrhagic disorders; hemoglobin disorders such as sickle cell disease; anemia; thrombocytopenia; disorders of iron metabolism; obstetric hematologic conditions; rare genetic hematologic diseases; and more. Discoveries in classical hematology have significantly advanced the field, helping to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life of patients with non-cancerous blood disorders.

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What ASH Is Doing to Foster Recruitment Into the Field of Classical Hematology

ASH’s Investment in Future Classical Hematologists: The ASH Hematology-Focused Fellowship Training Program (HFFTP)

The ASH Hematology-Focused Fellowship Training Program (HFFTP) is an exclusive pathway that offers physicians the opportunity to pair comprehensive classical hematology training with career-enhancing education in several related areas. Funded entirely by ASH, 10 new hematology-focused fellowship tracks were created at nine ACGME-accredited institutions across the United States. Additionally, four institutions were inspired by this program to launch additional hematology-focused fellowship programs. HFFTP aims to strengthen the next generation of hematologists, with the goal of producing 50 new academic hematologists by 2030.

Recruiting the Next Generation of Hematologists

ASH provides free access to valuable resources for prospective hematologists including training, funding and award opportunities, mentor matching, and more. Explore our Trainees section for additional information about these resources and career options in the field of classical and malignant hematology. 

There is no perfect name to capture this important subset of hematologists. A major objective was to address the critical workforce shortage of hematologists and to be able to count, and then support, them in laboratory and clinical research. ASH does not endeavor to change anyone’s identity, but rather promulgate and support an increasing number of individuals that train primarily in classical hematology so that exciting advances continue.

Robert Brodsky, MD

2023 ASH President

Classical Hematology in ASH Publications

Dr. Alfred Lee and Dr. Chancellor Donald discuss classical hematology presentations delivered at the 2022 ASH Practice Partnership Lunch during the 64th ASH Annual meeting.