ASH Announces Recipients of 2024 ASH Advocacy Awards
The leadership of Rep. Burgess and Dr. Hulihan has improved the lives of individuals living with blood diseases
(WASHINGTON – Nov. 18, 2024) — The American Society of Hematology (ASH) will honor Rep. Michael Burgess, MD (R-TX) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) health scientist Mary Hulihan, DrPH, for their leadership on issues of importance to hematology research and practice at the 2024 ASH Annual Meeting, Dec. 7-10, in San Diego, California.
“We are delighted to honor the steadfast commitment of Drs. Burgess and Hulihan to improving the lives of those living with sickle cell disease,” said Mohandas Narla, DSc, ASH president and distinguished scientist at New York Blood Center Enterprises. “Their efforts have greatly increased awareness of the disease at both the state and federal levels, paving the way for expanded research, education, and advocacy resources. We at ASH are deeply grateful for their collaboration and support.”
Rep. Burgess is the recipient of the 2024 ASH Public Service Award, which recognizes unparalleled leadership by an elected public official on issues of importance to hematology. He is being recognized for introducing and championing the Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act alongside Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL). This legislation seeks to improve and standardize care for Medicaid beneficiaries living with sickle cell disease (SCD) through the creation of SCD Health Homes, which will provide comprehensive and coordinated outpatient SCD care in states that submit a state plan amendment. Rep. Burgess has also supported federal SCD programs and sponsored educational briefings on issues related to SCD for his colleagues and congressional staff.
Dr. Hulihan, a health scientist in the Blood Disorders Surveillance and Epidemiology Branch of the Division of Blood Disorders and Public Health Genomics at the CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, is the recipient of the 2024 ASH Outstanding Service Award. This award recognizes individuals in either the public or private sector who have displayed effective behind-the-scenes leadership in areas relevant to the mission of the Society.
Dr. Hulihan has served as an advisor and a partner to ASH for over a decade through her role in the Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch of the CDC. Specifically, Dr. Hulihan led and expanded the CDC’s Sickle Cell Data Collection program, a 16-state comprehensive health database assessing long-term diagnosis, treatment, and health care access trends for patients in the U.S. living with SCD. This program has greatly informed ASH’s efforts to advance and improve access to comprehensive care through ASH’s SCD Initiative, and increased evidence for public health programs and to establish cost-effective practices to improve and extend the lives of individuals with SCD.
SCD is the most common inherited blood cell disorder in the U.S., affecting an estimated 100,000 people and one out of every 365 Black or African American births. It is characterized by misshapen red blood cells that can block blood vessels and cause severe pain. Individuals living with SCD are privy to uncoordinated, inconsistent care, leading to poor clinical outcomes, avoidable complications, low quality of life, and increased costs to the health care system.
The American Society of Hematology (ASH) (hematology.org) is the world’s largest professional society of hematologists dedicated to furthering the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders affecting the blood. Since 1958, the Society has led the development of hematology as a discipline by promoting research, patient care, education, training, and advocacy in hematology.
The Blood journals (https://ashpublications.org/journals) are the premier source for basic, translational, and clinical hematological research. The Blood journals publish more peer-reviewed hematology research than any other academic journals worldwide.
Claire Whetzel, 202-629-5085
cwhetzel@hematology.org