Hematology Professionals From Developing Nations To Pursue Training

Main Category: Blood / Hematology
Also Included In: Medical Students / Training
Article Date: 12 Sep 2008 - 3:00 PST

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The American Society of Hematology (ASH) is proud to announce Drs. Ritesh Pamnani and Irina Panovska-Stavrides as 2008 participants in its Visiting Trainee Program, which allows hematologists and medical professionals from developing countries to receive valuable clinical laboratory or technological training on a specific topic at a host institution under the mentorship of an ASH member.

Beginning this month, Dr. Pamnani of Nairobi, Kenya, will be studying immunophenotyping at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston under the mentorship of Dr. L. Jeffrey Medeiros.

"Most of the developed countries have used immunophenotyping as a routine investigation for diagnosis of leukemia for many years, but due to the high costs, we have not been able to perform this type of test in Kenya," said Dr. Pamnani. "The main objective of my studying immunophenotyping is to establish it as a routine procedure in Africa for all leukemias and lymphomas. I want to be the first one to do this in the whole of East Africa."

Dr. Irina Panovska-Stavrides of Skopje, Macedonia, will be studying the determination and utility of the new prognostic factors/laboratory criteria, clinical stratification, and the new treatment modalities for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in Manhasset, NY, under the mentorship of Dr. Nicholas Chiorazzi.

"Although in the several past years the overall life expectancy of patients with CLL in Macedonia has slightly improved by introducing new treatments, we still have to improve the prognostic workup and the clinical stratification of CLL patients," said Dr. Panovska-Stavrides. "The purpose of my participation in the Visiting Trainee Program is to gain a better understanding of new prognostic factors and treatments for CLL."

The Visiting Trainee Program is part of ASH's larger effort to address hematology related needs in research, practice, and training in developing areas. Participants in the Visiting Trainee Program have the opportunity to spend up to 12 weeks at their host institution before returning home to apply their new knowledge and skills.

Since 2003, the Visiting Trainee Program has supported nearly 20 medical professionals.

The American Society of Hematology is the world's largest professional society concerned with the causes and treatment of blood disorders. Its mission is to further the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders affecting blood, bone marrow, and the immunologic, hemostatic, and vascular systems, by promoting research, clinical care, education, training, and advocacy in hematology.

American Society of Hematology