Hematology Approval Committees
The Approval Committees aim to maintain a composition that reflects the diversity and complexity of the physician and patient populations that certification serves. They comprise entirely practicing, board certified physicians with active certificates in their respective specialties.
Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment
Dr. Kasner is the Director of the Leukemia Section at Thomas Jefferson University as well as the Medical Director of the Cancer Clinical Research Office of the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center. She also serves on the American Society of Hematology’s Committee on Educational Affairs.
Dr. Kasner is an active hematologist-oncologist specializing in the care of patients with acute leukemias and related disorders. Her clinical and translational research is focused on understanding and improving the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, myeloproliferative neoplasms and associated disorders.
Dr. Kasner earned her medical degree and a master’s degree in clinical epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of Pennsylvania. She completed her residency and hematology oncology fellowship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. She is ABIM Board Certified in Hematology and Medical Oncology.
As of October 2025, Dr. Kasner reported the following external relationships:
Funding for clinical trial expenses and staff, paid to Thomas Jefferson University, from the following companies:
- Astellas
- Daiichi Sankyo
- Otsuka Pharmaceutical
Service on data and safety monitoring boards for the following companies, with compensation for travel expenses and honoraria:
- Janssen, serving as data and safety monitoring board chair.
- Consulting on design of new drugs or devices, clinical trials, the use of specific agents or other research-related activities for the following companies, with honoraria:
- Jazz Pharmaceuticals
- Ono Pharmaceuticals
Teaching in or developing continuing medical education with funding from the following companies, with compensation for travel expenses and honoraria:
- Geron Corporation, continuing medical education speaker, without compensation.
Dr. Lim has been an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology and Hematologic Malignancies at the University of Utah since October 2018. She is the recipient of two foundation-sponsored grants to determine the epidemiology and risk factors for inhibitor development in non-severe hemophilia A patients. She has co-authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications.
She is ABIM Board Certified in Hematology and Medical Oncology. Her clinical interest lies in the field of hemostasis and thrombosis. Her research interest is focused on complications affecting patients with congenital bleeding disorders, specifically hemophilia patients with inhibitors.
Dr. Lim earned her medical degree at Cambridge University, England, and completed her two-year foundation training in the United Kingdom. She then completed residency in internal medicine at the Mayo Clinic Rochester and fellowship training in hematology and oncology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
As of August 2025, Dr. Lim reported the following external relationships:
Service on a research-related advisory board for the following companies, with compensation for travel expenses and honoraria:
- The National Hemophilia Foundation
Dr. Lim serves in significant roles with the following organizations, receiving reimbursement or compensation as listed:
- The Hemostasis and Thrombosis Research Society, Education Officer, without compensation.
Dr. Boggio is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Section of Hematology at Rush University Medical Center and Clinical Director of the Rush Hemophilia and Thrombophilia Treatment Center, a federally funded comprehensive treatment center for children and adults with hemophilia, Von Willebrand disease and other bleeding disorders, as well as a wide range of clotting disorders. She is also a codirector of the consultative hematology service.
She is a member of the American Society of Hematology, the Hemophilia Foundation of Illinois, the National Hemophilia Foundation, the World Federation of Hemophilia, the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis, the Hemophilia and Thrombosis Research Society, the American Association of Blood Banks, the American College of Physicians, the American Society of Clinical Apheresis and the Hemophilia and Thrombosis Research Society. She has contributed to several committees within these societies. She is also a member of the Hemophilia Foundation of Illinois Board of Directors and Medical Director of Camp Warren Jyrch. She is a guest reviewer for several journals, including The Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Drugs, Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolysis, The Journal of the American Medical Association, The American Journal of Cardiology and Haemophilia.
Dr. Boggio has expertise in bleeding and thrombotic disorders, cytopenia, myeloproliferative disorders and myelodysplastic disorders. She has authored numerous publications and was a recipient of the David Green-Hau Kwaan Teaching Award at Northwestern University.
Dr. Boggio graduated from Chicago Medical School and completed her residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in hematology and oncology at Northwestern University. She is ABIM Board Certified in Hematology.
As of August 2025, Dr. Boggio reported the following external relationships:
Service on a research-related advisory board for the following companies, with reimbursement for travel expenses and honoraria:
- Genzyme
- Novo Nordisk
- Octapharma USA
- Pfizer
- Sanofi
Research-related consulting for the following companies, with reimbursement for travel expenses and honoraria:
- CSL Behring
Dr. Cataldo is a medical oncologist and hematologist who has dedicated his career to medical education and continues to support an extensive practice that includes the treatment of solid organ malignancies and benign and malignant hematologic disorders. Originating from South Louisiana, Dr. Cataldo earned his medical degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans in 2002. He completed his residency and chief residency in internal medicine at Louisiana State University in New Orleans, serving as the last chief resident of Charity Hospital at the time of its permanent closure due to Hurricane Katrina. After his chief residency, Dr. Cataldo completed his hematology and medical oncology fellowship training at MD Anderson Cancer Center. He then returned to Baton Rouge, where his career focused on resident and medical student education. In 2025, Dr. Cataldo returned to MD Anderson as the Fellowship Program Director of the Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellowship Training Program. Prior to being named to the Hematology LKA Approval Committee, he served on the Hematology Item-Writing Task Force, and he continues to serve as a mentor to Item-Writers. Dr. Cataldo is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Society of Hematology. He is ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology.
As of April 2026, Dr. Cataldo reported no ongoing external relationships.
Dr. Gertz is the Roland Seidler Jr. Professor of the Art of Medicine and Chair of the Department of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He is ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology. Previously, Dr. Gertz served as Treasurer for the International Myeloma Society and President of Mayo Staff Officers and Councilors. He also formerly chaired the Mayo Personnel Committee. He is the Chair of the ABIM Hematology Board.
Dr. Gertz has been recognized as a Mayo Distinguished Clinician and in 2014 received the Jan Waldenström Medal for Medical and Scientific Achievements in Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia. He is recognized for contributions in amyloidosis and Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. He has authored more than 500 peer-reviewed publications in the field and is a frequently invited speaker across the country.
Dr. Gertz is a Master of the American College of Physicians. His undergraduate degree was awarded with highest distinction from Northwestern University, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa. Dr. Gertz received his medical degree cum laude from Loyola University Chicago’s Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, Illinois, where he was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha, the medical honor society. He completed a three-year medical residency at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago where he was twice voted Resident of the Year.
As of September 2025, Dr. Gertz reported the following external relationships:
Research-related consulting for the following companies, receiving reimbursement for travel expenses and honoraria:
- AbbVie, receiving honoraria.
- Akcea Therapeutics Inc., receiving honoraria.
- Alexion, receiving honoraria.
- AstraZeneca, receiving honoraria.
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, receiving honoraria.
- Dava Oncology, receiving honoraria.
- Janssen, receiving honoraria.
- Johnson & Johnson, receiving honoraria.
- Medscape Education, receiving honoraria.
- Sanofi, receiving honoraria.
Service on data and safety monitoring boards for the following companies, with compensation for travel expenses and honoraria:
- AbbVie, receiving honoraria.
Dr. Hermosillo Rodriguez is the Area Specialty Chief – Oncology/Hematology for Colorado Permanente Medical Group (CPMG), Franklin Medical Office in Denver. He is ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology.
His areas of focus are cancers of the prostate, bladder and ureter, kidney, lymphoma and leukemia, lung, breast, brain, colorectal and gastrointestinal malignancies, and blood disorders. He also has a special interest in LGBTQ+ care and gender-affirming care.
Dr. Hermosillo Rodriguez received a medical degree from Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico. He completed internal medicine residency training and an oncology and hematology fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, where he served one year as a chief fellow.
As of September 2025, Dr. Hermosillo Rodriguez reported no ongoing external relationships.
Dr. Kouides is the Medical and Research Director of the Mary M. Gooley Hemophilia Center in Rochester, New York, and a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine. In more than 25 years of affiliation with the Mary M. Gooley Hemophilia Center, Dr. Kouides has served as principal investigator on a number of retrospective and prospective studies focused on the gynecological and obstetrical complications of von Willebrand disease (VWD) and as a local principal investigator on numerous hemophilia surveillance and treatment studies.
Dr. Kouides is Section Co-Chair of the American Society of Hematology’s Self-Assessment Program Chapter on Women with Hemostasis and Thrombosis Issues. He is a member of the VWD working group of the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee and past and present member of the Medical and Scientific Advisory Council. He is a member of the ISTH/WHF/NHF VWD Management Guideline Committee. He is a mentor to the Foundation for Women and Girls with Blood Disorder Learning Action Network. He also directs the World Federation of Hemophilia twinning program between the Mary M. Gooley Hemophilia Center—initially with Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from 2009 to 2013 and presently with Kathmandu, Nepal, since 2014.
Previously, Dr. Kouides served as President of the Thrombosis and Hemostasis Societies of North America 2018 – 2020, Co-Chair of the Centers of Disease Control Universal Data Collection study of women with bleeding disorders and member of the International Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis Women’s Health Issues Scientific Subcommittee.
Dr. Kouides has received numerous awards, including:
- 2005: The National Hemophilia Foundation Special Recognition Award for Research in Women with Bleeding Disorders.
- 2007: The Rochester General Hospital first annual Dr. Samuel Grove and Dr. Ignaz Semmelweiss “Golden Hand Award.”
- 2008: The University of Rochester Primary Care Program in Internal Medicine Teaching Award.
- 2009: The National Hemophilia Foundation Physician of the Year Award.
- 2010: The Rochester General Hospital Father Norton Award (“Physician of the Year”).
- 2014: The Hemostasis and Thrombosis Research Society Award of Appreciation as Past President.
- 2014: The Thrombosis Hemostasis Summit of North America Award of Appreciation as Summit Co-Chair.
- 2017: The Roswell Park Memorial Cancer Institute Fellows Teaching Award.
- 2019: The Hemostasis and Thrombosis Research Society Dr. Joan C. Gill Award for Outstanding Service.
- 2019: The Foundation for Women & Girls with Blood Disorders Ann-Marie Nazzaro Award for advancing the mission and vision of the foundation.
As of March 2026, Dr. Kouides reported the following external relationships:
Service on data and safety monitoring boards for the following companies, with honoraria:
- CSL Behring
Dr. Kra is a hematologist/oncologist with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and the Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. He is ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology.
Dr. Kra received a medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and completed internal medicine residency training at Mount Sinai Beth Israel in New York City, where he served one year as chief resident. He completed fellowship training in hematology and medical oncology at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey.
As of September 2025, Dr. Kra reported no ongoing external relationships.
Dr. Pai is a hematology/oncology physician practicing at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, California, where he sub-specializes in classical hematology. He is ABIM Board Certified in Hematology and Medical Oncology. Dr. Pai completed his internal medicine residency at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center Program and fellowship training in hematology/oncology at the University of California Davis Medical Center.
As of February 2026, Dr. Pai reported no ongoing external relationships.
Dr. Petkova is a hematologist with Houston Methodist Academic Medicine Associates – Hematology and an Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Academic Institute, Department of Medicine, of Houston Methodist and Weill Cornell Medical College. She provides care at the Houston Methodist Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center and is affiliated with Houston Methodist Hospital. She is ABIM Board Certified in Hematology and board certified by the American Board of Pathology in Blood Banking/Transfusion Medicine.
Dr. Petkova received a medical degree from the Medical University of Sofia in Bulgaria. She completed internal medicine residency training at Ascension Illinois and a hematology and oncology fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin Associated Hospitals, where she also completed fellowship training in blood banking and transfusion medicine.
As of August 2025, Dr. Petkova reported the following external relationships.
Traditional, 10-Year MOC Exam
Dr. Means, who is ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Hematology, is a Professor of Clinical Medicine, Joseph E. Palascak MD Endowed Chair in Bleeding & Thrombosis, and Chief of the Classical Hematology Service at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He previously served as dean and Professor of Internal Medicine at the James H. Quillen College of Medicine of East Tennessee State University.
Other positions Dr. Means has held include Executive Dean of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Senior Associate Chair of Internal Medicine, Interim Director of the Markey Cancer Center and Chief of the Medical Service at the Lexington VA Medical Center. He served as Director of the Hematology Oncology Division at the Medical University of South Carolina and was previously on faculty at the University of Cincinnati and Vanderbilt.
Dr. Means is a past president of the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation and a Master of the American College of Physicians. He is also an Associate Editor of The Journal of Investigative Medicine, Deputy Editor for The American Journal of the Medical Sciences, Blood Research and on the editorial board for International Journal of Hematology. Dr, Means is Red Cell Section Editor for UpToDate and was editor-in-chief of the 15th edition of Wintrobe’s Clinical Hematology. He is on the Medical & Scientific Advisory Board of the Iron Disorders Institute.
Dr. Means received his bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Rice University in Houston. He earned his medical degree at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. He trained in internal medicine at Baylor College of Medicine Affiliated Hospitals in Houston before returning to Vanderbilt for a fellowship in hematology.
As of January 2026, Dr. Means reported the following external relationships:
Work as an author or editor for the following companies, with compensation as listed:
- Lippincott Williams & Wilkins/Wolters Kluwer, receiving compensation as an editor for Wintrobe’s Clinical Hematology.
- UpToDate, receiving compensation as an author and editor.
Dr. Means serves in significant roles with the following organizations, receiving reimbursement or compensation as listed:
- The Iron Disorders Institute, Member of the Medical & Scientific Advisory Board, without compensation
Dr. Davidson is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology and Oncology at the University of Virginia (UVA), where she practices hematology at the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center. She is ABIM Board Certified in Hematology.
Dr. Davidson specializes in a variety of benign and malignant hematologic diseases, with a focus on cellular hematology. She sees patients with myeloproliferative and myelodysplastic disorders, red cell disorders including sickle cell disease, bone marrow failure syndromes, plasma cell dyscrasias, mast cell disorders and disorders of hemostasis and thrombosis. In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Davidson teaches in the second-year medical student course in hematology and plays an active role in resident and fellowship training at UVA. She previously practiced both hematology and oncology at Associates in Oncology/Hematology in Rockville, Maryland.
From 2015 through present, Dr. Davidson has been named to the list of Best Doctors in America. In 2016, she served on the ABIM Standard-Setting Panel for the Hematology Traditional, 10-Year Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Exam. She has been a member of the American Society of Hematology since 2003.
Dr. Davidson received a biology degree summa cum laude from Georgetown University and her medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis. She completed internship and residency in internal medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and fellowship training in hematology and oncology at UVA.
As of August 2025, Dr. Davidson reported no ongoing external relationships.
Dr. Hexner is a physician scientist with an interest in education and two major research interests in malignant hematology: cellular therapies and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). Both have a translational focus and align with her clinical roles as Medical Director of the Center for Cellular Immunotherapies and as Director of the University of Pennsylvania MPN program. In MPN, she has designed and executed preclinical studies of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors and also used bioassays and correlative studies in MPN patients treated with JAK inhibitors focused on resistance.
Her work in MPN, cellular therapies, stem cell transplantation, primary cell systems and preclinical and clinical investigation allows her to intersect productively with basic science, transfusion medicine, regulatory and clinical colleagues. In another major area of focus. Dr. Hexner serves as the Associate Director of the National Institutes of Health Clinical and Translational Science Awards-funded Masters in Translational Research program at the University of Pennsylvania, serving on the education, selection and curriculum committees and overseeing a cohort of candidates as a programmatic mentor.
Dr. Hexner received her medical degree from Columbia University. She completed her residency at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center and her fellowship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
As of May 2026, Dr. Hexner reported the following external relationships:
Funding for clinical trial expenses and staff, paid to the University of Pennsylvania, from the following companies:
- Disc Medicine
- The National Cancer Institute
- Kartos Therapeutics
Service on data and safety monitoring boards for the following companies, with honoraria:
- Blueprint Medicines
Dr. Shafer is the Director for Malignant Hematology Clinical Research at Inova Schar Cancer Institute in Fairfax, Virginia. Previously, she was Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care at Virginia Commonwealth University. She also served on the former ABIM Hematology Exam Committee and joined the Hematology Traditional, 10-Year MOC Exam Approval Committee in 2023.
Dr. Shafer is ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology. Her clinical interest lies in the treatment of leukemia and lymphoma as well as in clinical trials. Her research interest has been focused on early therapeutics in acute myeloid leukemia.
Dr. Shafer received her medical degree from Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her fellowship at Fox Chase Cancer Center and her residency at Loyola University Medical Center.
As of October 2025, Dr. Shafer reported the no ongoing external relationships.