Hearts of Hematology: Stories That Continue to Bring Our Field Together
Hearts of Hematology (HoH) is an anthology of hematology-related stories aimed at capturing the human side of hematology. HoH was first conceived in late 2023 as an ASH Trainee Council effort to make room for the lived experiences that shape our field. The series launched publicly in the fall of 2024 as a home for honest reflection, revealing where the hearts of hematologists and oncologists truly lie.
The authors span all levels of training, from new students eagerly exploring the specialty to seasoned physicians reflecting on hematology’s riveting evolution and their own roles within it. Perspectives encompass the breadth of hematology and medical oncology, showcasing adult, pediatric, classical, malignant, research-oriented, and clinical perspectives — all shared through the lens of a diverse and global community.
Readers at any stage can find something recognizable in these stories: lessons learned from mentors, the reality of career pivots, the give and take of patient-physician relationships, and the impact of advocacy. Many pieces examine how personal experience informs professional practice — for example, how growing up in a bleeding disorders community reshapes one’s approach to counseling, or how a mentor’s loss still guides daily decisions. Others trace unexpected paths into hematology or describe the routines that make long stretches of training possible. Some entries are more intimate: a pediatric oncologist writing about new parenthood and the recalibration it brings to work, or a fellow reflecting on a patient whose words reframed an entire week on service.
HoH is deliberately concise. Each piece aims to do a small number of things well: capture a moment, surface a tension, or name a truth that others have felt but not yet written down. The editorial approach favors clarity over ornament, specificity over generalities, and respect for patients and colleagues above all. Contributors are encouraged to protect privacy, write plainly, and resist the urge to tidy complexity, because complexity is often the point.
As the series grows, our goal is simple: preserve and share the experiences that mold how hematology is practiced and taught. Ultimately, Hearts of Hematology will keep our community’s voices at the forefront, bridging science with the human stories that remind us why our work matters. At its core, HoH highlights the many ways this field is lived, not just studied.
Where can you see these stories?
HoH will be housed on ASH's website (coming soon!), ensuring these narratives have a permanent and citable home. These stories will also be featured across ASH’s social media channels, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and Bluesky. Look out for the hashtag #HeartsofHematology.
A Hearts of Hematology gathering will take place during ASH-a-Palooza at ASH’s 67th annual meeting in Orlando, Florida, on Friday, December 5, 2025, 3:00 p.m. – 3:50 p.m., offering authors and trainees an opportunity to connect in person and celebrate the series together.
How can you share your story with the hematology community?
Those interested in contributing to Hearts of Hematology are encouraged to reach out to training@hematology.org.
Disclosure Statement: Dr. Tijaro Ovalle indicated no relevant conflicts of interest.
Acknowledgment: This article was edited by Ryan Mack, PhD, Ruby Arora, MD, and Andrew Volk, PhD.