Cage S. Johnson, MD
José A. López, MD
DURING THE 2018 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting & Exposition in San Diego this December, ASH will honor Cage S. Johnson, MD, Professor Emeritus of Medicine, Physiology, and Biophysics at the University of Southern California, and José A. López, MD, Professor of Medicine and Biochemistry at the University of Washington, with the ASH Award for Leadership in Promoting Diversity for their commitment to diversity and inclusion in hematology.
“It is a great honor to receive this award from ASH, because increasing the participation of all groups at all levels of society has always been a goal of mine,” said Dr. López. “I am proud that I was able to help establish ASH’s minority programs and help the Society increase the participation of underrepresented minorities training in hematology-related fields.”
“Diversity demonstrates that all people are valued members of society,” noted Dr. Johnson. “It is important in medicine because patients need to know that their physicians and other caregivers reflect the same principles and life experiences that they have. I am honored that our work to increase diversity within hematology is being recognized in such a big way.”
The ASH Award for Leadership in Promoting Diversity was established by the Society to recognize hematologists who have supported the development of an inclusive hematology workforce, encouraged the career development of underrepresented minority trainees, or made a commitment to inclusiveness through contributions in support of ASH’s mission.
ASH Committee on Promoting Diversity
DRS. JOHNSON AND LÓPEZ served as founding Co-Chairs of the ASH Committee on Promoting Diversity, a group of ASH members who advise the Society in its efforts to recruit and support the careers of underrepresented minorities into hematology research and practice. Drs. Johnson and López were instrumental in the launch of programs, including the Minority Medical Student Award Program, a research opportunity for a junior hematology faculty member from underrepresented minority backgrounds; and expanded minority recruitment and diversity programming at the ASH annual meeting. Drs. Johnson and López have served as career development mentors for these programs since their inception. ■
