The American Society of Hematology Honors J. Evan Sadler, MD, PhD, with the 2018 Exemplary Service Award
(WASHINGTON, October 15, 2018) – The American Society of Hematology (ASH) will recognize J. Evan Sadler, MD, PhD, with the 2018 Exemplary Service Award for his exceptional years of service and dedication to ASH and to hematology.
The Exemplary Service Award was established in 1998 to recognize an individual whose outstanding service, extending over a period of years, has significantly advanced the interests of the Society. The award will be given to Dr. Sadler today by ASH Executive Director Martha Liggett, Esq., and Blood Deputy Editor and ASH Past President Nancy Berliner, MD, at a symposium in his honor at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Additionally, ASH President Alexis Thompson, MD, PhD, will present this award during the 60th ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition this December in San Diego, California.
“The hematology community is grateful for Dr. Sadler’s many contributions throughout his career. Not only has he accomplished a great deal in advancing our understanding of bleeding and clotting disorders, but he has also generously given his time to mentoring the next generation of researchers and educators, peer review, and holding numerous leadership positions at ASH,” said Dr. Thompson.
Dr. Sadler, who has served on the Washington University faculty for 34 years, pioneered the study of several blood coagulation factors. In particular, his contributions have been critical to the molecular, genetic, and biochemical characterization of von Willebrand factor and ADAMTS13, two proteins associated with bleeding and clotting disorders. His laboratory identified the molecular basis for a range of subtypes of the bleeding disorder von Willebrand disease (VWD), which has led to improved diagnosis and therapy. In addition, his complementary studies of ADAMTS13 structure and function have important implications for understanding the pathophysiology of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, a rare clotting disorder. The molecular understanding of these diseases enabled Dr. Sadler to lead efforts to develop existing clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of VWD and TTP. He currently serves as director of the hematology division at Washington University, where he is also a professor of medicine and of biochemistry and molecular biophysics.
Dr. Sadler has previously been recognized by the ASH membership for his contributions to hematology. In 2016, Dr. Sadler received the Society’s Henry M. Stratton Medal for Basic Science, which honors a senior investigator whose contributions to basic hematology research are well recognized and have taken place over a period of several years. In 1998, he received the William Dameshek Prize, which is given to a hematologist in the early stages of his or her career who has made outstanding contributions to hematology.
He has been a dedicated member of ASH throughout his career, serving as a councillor from 1998 to 2002, treasurer of the Society from 2003 to 2006, and president in 2011. Dr. Sadler served as an associate editor of Blood from 1993 to 2002 as well as on the editorial board, and he has published more than 60 papers in the journal. He was a scientific program co-chair for the 50th ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition in 2008 and has also served on the Committee on Investment and Audit, the Nominating Committee, the Society’s taskforce on recruitment and retention to hematology, and scientific committees on biochemistry, bleeding disorders, and platelet disorders. Dr. Sadler was also involved in ASH’s first step into Asia as a speaker for the 2011 Highlights of ASH meeting in China; he also spoke at the first Highlights of ASH meeting that same year in Uruguay. Colleagues have noted that his care in supporting the future of hematology is apparent in his insightful and thoughtful participation in study sections for ASH awards that promote the careers of hematologists.
Dr. Sadler earned his PhD in biochemistry and his MD from Duke University in 1978 and 1979. He completed his postgraduate internship at Duke University before heading to the University of Washington in Seattle to complete his fellowship. He began his academic career at Washington University in St. Louis in 1984.
In addition to his dedicated volunteerism with ASH, Dr. Sadler has served on and chaired study sections at the National Institutes of Health and the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH). His most distinguished honors in addition to those from ASH include the Investigator Recognition Award and Distinguished Career Award from ISTH and election to the National Academy of Medicine. In addition to his numerous research and leadership accolades, Dr. Sadler is known as an extraordinary mentor, having trained a number of the key world leaders in academic hematology, particularly in hemostasis.
The American Society of Hematology (www.hematology.org) is the world’s largest professional society concerned with the causes and treatment of blood disorders. Its mission is to further the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders affecting blood, bone marrow, and the immunologic, hemostatic, and vascular systems by promoting research, clinical care, education, training, and advocacy in hematology. The official journal of ASH is Blood (www.bloodjournal.org), the most cited peer-reviewed publication in the field, which is available weekly in print and online. In 2016, ASH launched Blood Advances (www.bloodadvances.org), an online, peer-reviewed open-access journal.
CONTACT:
Sara Khalaf, American Society of Hematology
skhalaf@hematology.org; 202-552-4925