William Dameshek Prize

William Dameshek Prize is named after the late Dr. William Dameshek, MD, a past president of the Society. Dr. Dameshek made major contributions to the Society and was the first editor of its journal, Blood. The Dameshek prize is awarded to an individual no more than 50 years of age (at the time of nomination) who has made outstanding contributions in hematology.

If you know someone who meets the criteria for this award, you can submit a nomination by completing a nomination form.

Qualifications for this award are not stipulated in any other way. Biographical descriptions of previous awardees have emphasized outstanding scientific contributions leading to a critical new understanding of hematology and new opportunities for treatment of hematological diseases, leadership within the Society, contributions to public appreciation of hematology, and mentoring of younger colleagues. It is expected that this individual is in the earlier stages of their career. This award does not include a plenary lecture.

Key Dates

Nomination Deadline for William Dameshek PrizeJuly 15, 2026
Award Notification for RecipientsMarch 2027
Presentation of Awards for RecipientsDecember 2027

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

  • Nominees and nominators must be members of ASH. Not an ASH member? Apply today
  • Nominees of all nationalities and all countries of residence are eligible; however, all nomination materials must be submitted in English.
  • Nominees must be 50 years of age or younger at the time of nomination. Consideration is given to requests for an exception to the age-based eligibility requirement for a nominee who experienced a pause in their career that impacted their ability to meet the requirement.

Exclusion

  • Self-nominations and posthumous nominations will not be accepted.
  • Past recipients are not eligible for the same award they received previously.
  • Recipients may only receive one honorific award per year.
  • Voting members of the ASH Executive Committee and the ASH Awards Committee are ineligible for an honorific award during their tenure.

Additional Guidance

Before getting started, please review the Honorific Award Nominations Guidance document, which provides detailed information about each award and guidance on crafting an effective nomination letter.

The following documents are required in order to submit a nomination package:

  • A completed nomination form
  • A copy of the nominee's current CV or a copy of the nominee's NIH biosketch (preferred) annotated with “Contributions to Science,” if available
  • A two-page letter of nomination summarizing the nominee's contributions to hematology, explaining how those contributions have advanced the field, and describing why the nominee deserves the specific honorific award (please refer to the Honorific Award Nominations Guidance document for recommendations on writing an effective nomination letter)
  • Optional: One additional two-page letter of support will be accepted but is not required; multiple people are allowed to sign one letter.

If you are having trouble completing or submitting your nomination, please email awards@hematology.org to request assistance.

The Pioneer Behind the Award Name

William Dameshek, MD

William Dameshek, MD, (1900-1969) was a past president of ASH, as well as the founder and first editor of its journal, Blood. Recognized as the preeminent American clinical hematologist of his time, Dr. Dameshek left an indelible mark on the field thanks to his keen intellect, insatiable curiosity, and indefatigable work ethic.

A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Medical School, Dr. Dameshek first worked at Boston City Hospital, followed by Beth Israel Hospital, and, later, the Pratt Diagnostic Hospital (which later become part of what is now Tufts Medical Center in Boston), where he established a blood research laboratory. He was a pioneer in the use of chemotherapy to treat cancer (nitrogen mustard for Hodgkin lymphoma) and developed the concepts of myeloproliferative and lymphoproliferative disorders, as well as chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

To learn more about Dr. Dameshek, visit this biographical webpage, which includes a profile and links to some of his many published papers and articles.

Questions?

For assistance or more information about ASH Honorific Awards, please contact the Awards Department at awards@hematology.org or 202-776-0544.