The American Society of Hematology (ASH) will honor Curt Civin, MD, and Craig Kitchens, MD, MACP, with 2015 Mentor Awards at the 57th ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition in Orlando, Florida, for their sustained, outstanding commitment to the training and career development of early-career hematologists.
The ASH Mentor Award was established in 2006 to recognize hematologists who have excelled in mentoring trainees and colleagues. Each year, the Society recognizes two outstanding mentors.
Curt Civin, MD
During his nearly 40-year career, Dr. Civin, Director of the Center for Stem Cell Biology and Associate Dean for Research at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, has served as the primary faculty preceptor to 49 postdoctoral fellows and 9 predoctoral students.
Dr. Civin’s research focuses on stem cell biology, Fanconi anemia, and leukemia. He is internationally recognized for his discovery of the CD34 lympho-hematopoietic stem cell antigen and subsequent development of the CD34 monoclonal antibody, heralded as a major milestone in the development of cell therapy. This work has not only led to improved stem cell transplantation for thousands of patients, but it has also indirectly contributed to the training of thousands of physicians and technicians throughout the world.
Craig Kitchens, MD, MACP
Through his 40-year career, Dr. Kitchens, Professor Emeritus at the University of Florida College of Medicine, has influenced many of his trainees to pursue careers in nonmalignant hematology.
Dr. Kitchens is a world authority on thrombosis, evidenced by his contributions to more than 120 publications and more than 40 book chapters, most of which were coauthored with his trainees. In addition to caring for patients with a myriad of hemostatic and thrombotic diseases, Dr. Kitchens has an interest in envenomation by poisonous snakes and has recently developed a snake antivenom. ■
