Why Should You Join the ASH Trainee Council?

We asked the fellows who joined the ASH Trainee Council in 2018 why someone should apply to be part of the council.

“The Trainee Council represents an invaluable opportunity to learn from and be a part of a larger community of hematologists. My experience has been eye-opening as I have developed connections with co-fellows, junior trainees, and senior faculty from across the globe. The Trainee Council also provides an opportunity to advocate for this community and the unique needs of trainees, creating a platform for its members to contribute to the evolution of ASH. I am confident that the experience and network of peers I have gained will continue helping to make me a better physician, researcher, and educator in the years to come.” — Jori May, MD, University of Alabama, Birmingham

“The major benefit of Trainee Council membership for me is that I am able to serve as a liaison between ASH at the national level and my own institution, which gives residents and trainees better insight into their career paths. Also, I was able to advocate for issues that I was passionate about, such as research funding and translational science, and I felt that I could help other trainees do the same.” — Shyam Patel, MD, PhD, Stanford University

“You should consider applying for the ASH Trainee Council if you 1) recognize a need within the community of trainees and have ideas for providing support; 2) want to advocate for issues trainees are facing or for a group of trainees whom you are representing; or 3) know someone who has helpful advice and ideas worth spreading and wish to nominate them to speak at the ASH annual meeting’s trainee sessions. You have opportunities to do all these things by serving on the Trainee Council!” — Ze Zheng, PhD, Columbia University

We also asked the fellows rotating off the ASH Trainee Council what they enjoyed most about their service.

“I appreciated the chance to be involved nationally with the advancement of the trainee experience in such a large and important specialty organization. The council allowed me to build personal networks for my future (which ASH has been instrumental in cultivating), and I feel that I have been part of tangible projects that improve trainees’ experiences.” — Alex Boucher, MD, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

“Being on the Trainee Council gives you a voice to advocate for fellow trainees and an opportunity to bring about change. It has been really heartening to see that our opinions are valued and result in action. An example of this is the redesigned ASH Trainee Day, which now has a more interactive format as ASH-a-Palooza.” — Surbhi Sidana, MD, Mayo Clinic, Rochester

“My favorite part of being on the Trainee Council is getting to interact on a more personal level with those who are advancing the field of hematology from all across the world, and with other fellows across the country. I feel grateful for the networking opportunities that the Trainee Council has given me and know I will continue to build on those relationships moving forward.” — Puja Arora, MD, University of Virginia

“So much of the training experience for young scientists is self-focused and contained within your own lab at your own institution. Being part of the ASH Trainee Council gave me the opportunity to gain a much broader perspective and the chance to get to know some truly incredible friends and colleagues that I would have never met otherwise. I am proud of my time on the council and will use what I learned throughout my life.” — Andrew Volk, PhD, Northwestern University

“The Trainee Council has had a tremendous impact on my professional growth. The opportunities to be a voice for fellow trainees, to network with giants in the field, and to contribute to significant changes at the national stage has been truly amazing.” — Arun Singavi, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin