Morie Gertz, MD, Chair
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 board certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology, and is an active participant in the Maintenance of Certification program. 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 currently serves on the American Society of Hematology Training Program Committee and the American Board of Internal Medicine Hematology Board, to which he was appointed chair in 2023.
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 and where he was twice voted Resident of the Year.
As of July 2022, Dr. Gertz reported the following external relationships:
Funding for clinical trial expenses and staff, from the following companies:
- Alnylam, for a trial of imRNA for familial amyloidosis, providing funding for staff, paid to the Mayo Clinic
- Ionis, for a trial of iRNA for familial amyloidosis, providing funding for staff and expenses
- Pfizer, for a trial of tafamidis for cardiac amyloidosis, providing funding for staff, paid to the Mayo Clinic
- Protega Pharma, for a trial of serum TTR, paid to the Mayo Clinic
Attendance at investigators’ meetings, with compensation as listed from the following company:
- Akcea Therapeutics, to discuss a strategic planning model, receiving reimbursement for travel expenses and honoraria
Service on data and safety monitoring boards for the following companies, with honoraria:
- AbbVie
- Celgene, for a Phase III trial of venetoclax
Service on a research-related expert panel or advisory board for the following company, with compensation as listed:
- Celgene, to advise on medical content of lectures sponsored by the company, receiving reimbursement for travel expenses and honoraria
Research-related consulting for the following company, with honoraria:
- Sanofi
Industry-supported continuing medical education supported by the following, with compensation as listed:
- Alnylam, receiving honoraria
Teaching in industry-sponsored satellite symposia with funding from the following companies, with compensation as listed:
- Johnson & Johnson, receiving honoraria
- Research to Practice, receiving honoraria
Dr. Gertz serves in significant roles with the following organizations, receiving reimbursement or compensation as listed:
- The American Society of Hematology, Training Committee, receiving reimbursement for travel expenses
- The Amyloidosis Support Network, receiving reimbursement for travel and other expenses associated with providing lectures to patients
- The International Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia Foundation, receiving reimbursement for travel and other expenses associated with providing lectures to patients
Paul T. Adams, MD
Dr. Adams is in private practice at Genesee Hematology/Oncology PC. He is the Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Director and Director of Hematology/Oncology Services at Genesys Regional Medical Center. He is also Medical Director of Medical Oncology for Ascension Michigan. Dr. Adams serves as a faculty member at the University of Michigan and is a member of American Board of Internal Medicine Hematology Board.
Dr. Adams is a graduate of the Wayne State University School of Medicine. His internal medicine residency was performed at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, followed by a hematology/oncology fellowship at the University of Michigan.
As of April 2022, Dr. Adams reported no external relationships.
Samer Al Hadidi, MD, MS (CRDSA), FACP
Dr. Al Hadidi is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine—Division of Hematology and Oncology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. His research interests include plasma cell dyscrasias and multiple myeloma with a focus on drug development, cellular therapy, immunotherapy, health equity and medical education.
Dr. Al Hadidi earned his medical degree from the University of Jordan in Amman, and a Master of Science in Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Dr. Al Hadidi trained in internal medicine at Hurley Medical Center/Michigan State University and in hematology and oncology in Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Al Hadidi is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Hematology, the American Association for Cancer Research and the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy.
As of April 2023, Dr. Hadidi reported the following ongoing external relationships.
Service on a research-related advisory board for the following companies, with honoraria:
- Janssen
- Sanofi
Nick Burwick, MD
Dr. Burwick is a board certified hematologist, Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington and an attending hematologist at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System, where he cares for patients with classical and malignant hematology disorders. In addition, he serves as Medical Director for the VA Hematology-ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) program and as Block Director for the University of Washington School of Medicine first-year medical student hematology course.
Dr. Burwick serves on the Board of Directors for the Association of VA Hematology Oncology and is a member of the American Society of Hematology Committee on Educational Affairs and the American Board of Internal Medicine Hematology Board.
Dr. Burwick completed medical school at Duke University School of Medicine, his internal medicine residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and a fellowship in adult hematology-oncology at the University of Washington in Seattle.
As of April 2023, Dr. Burwick reported the following external relationships:
Dr. Burwick serves in significant roles with the following organizations, receiving reimbursement or compensation as listed:
- The American Society of Hematology, Educational Affairs Committee, Member, without compensation
- The Association of VA Hematology Oncology, Board of Directors and Program Committee, Member, without compensation
Meghan Gutierrez
Meghan Gutierrez is the Chief Executive Officer of the Lymphoma Research Foundation, the nation's largest nonprofit organization devoted to funding lymphoma research and education, advancing both the study of new cancer therapies and improved patient care.
A government relations and health care policy specialist, Ms. Gutierrez has pursued an array of public policy issues during her career, ranging from mental health parity and rare disease awareness to medical technology and the treatment of chronic disease. Following her work as a Congressional staff member for one of the U.S. House of Representatives' foremost leaders on health care policy, she served as a health policy and communications advisor for several national nonprofit and educational institutions, including Columbia University and the Partnership for a Drug-Free America.
Ms. Gutierrez was named Lymphoma Research Foundation Chief Executive Officer in 2014. In this role she represents the Foundation and the lymphoma community before numerous audiences, including the U.S. Congress, Food and Drug Administration, National Institutes of Health, pharmaceutical industry and health insurance payers. She has written and lectured extensively about the needs of cancer patients and served on committees and panels of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, Institute of Medicine, and National Cancer Institute, among others. She has received numerous national awards and recognition for her work to champion the needs of people with cancer and underserved patient populations. Additionally, Ms. Gutierrez was among 100 women listed in Crain's Notable Women in Health Care, recognizing her commitment to the healthcare industry and moving it toward gender equality. Similarly, Ms. Gutierrez was recognized by PR News as a Top Women in Healthcare for her national leadership in healthcare.
Ms. Gutierrez earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa.
As of May 2023, Dr. Gutierrez reported the following external relationship:
- Lymphoma Research Foundation, Chief Executive Officer.
Ishmael A. Jaiyesimi, DO
Dr. Jaiyesimi specializes in hematology-oncology and is the Director of the Hematology- Oncology Fellowship Program and Department Chair for the Hematology – Oncology Department at William Beaumont Hospital – Royal Oak and is on staff at Beaumont in Troy, Michigan. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and its sub-specialty boards in Medical Oncology and Hematology.
Dr. Jaiyesimi has been training internal medicine residents, medical students and fellows in hematology/oncology for almost three decades. Active in the clinical research of cancer and the Cancer Clinical Trials Office (CCTO), he is also a Professor of Medicine in Hematology/ Oncology at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine. Dr. Jaiyesimi is a fellow of the American College of Physicians; a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Medical Association, American Society of Hematology, American Osteopathic Association, and Oakland County Medical Society.
A graduate of the University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy in Minneapolis with a bachelor's of science degree in pharmacy and a master's degree in social and administrative pharmacy, Dr. Jaiyesimi attended medical school and graduated Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California where he received his doctor of osteopathic medicine degree. He continued in medicine by completing an internal medicine residency at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, and completed a fellowship in hematology and oncology at the University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. I am certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and its sub-specialty boards, medical oncology, and hematology.
As of May 2023, Dr. Jaiyesimi reported the following external relationships.
Dr. Jaiyesimi serves in significant roles with the following organization, receiving reimbursement or compensation as listed:
- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Michigan, Trustee Member, without compensation.
Dr. Jaiyesimi also reports that he gives didactic lectures in medical oncology and hematology to hematology and oncology fellows, residents, and medical students at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine.
Sandra E. Kurtin, PhD, ANP-C, AOCN
Sandra E. Kurtin, PhD, ANP-C, AOCN, maintains a busy clinical practice at the University of Arizona Cancer Center and holds appointments as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine and Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing at the University of Arizona. She is the Director of Advanced Practice and oversees the clinical integration of informatics and other clinical initiatives for the oncology service line. Dr. Kurtin has 37 years of oncology experience, 29 of those in advanced practice. Dr. Kurtin is a founding Board Member and current President of the Advanced Practitioner Society for Hematology and Oncology (APSHO) and maintains membership in ASH, ASCO, ACCC, AANP, ONS, and the Nightingale Honors Society. She is on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors for the International MDS Foundation and is aa associate member of the Commission on Cancer. She was awarded the 2019 ONS Excellence in Medical Oncology Award and the Arizona March of Dimes Advanced practitioner of the Year (2021) and Nurse of the Year Award for Mentoring (2010). She is an Associate Editor for The Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology and is an editorial board member for the ASH News, JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics, The Oncology Nurse, and the ASCO People Living with Cancer website. Dr. Kurtin has published patient and caregiver handbooks, book chapters, and numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals including the New England Journal of Medicine, Cancer Nursing, Clinical Leukemia, Blood, Leukemia Research, The Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology, and The Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing.
As of October 2022, Dr. Kurtin reported no external relationships.
Iberia Romina Sosa, MD, Ph.D.
Dr. Sosa is an Associate Professor at Fox Chase Cancer Center and Disease Site Chief for the Hematology Group. Her clinical interests include consultative hematology with a focus on myeloproliferative disorders, bleeding/thrombosis and anemia. She also has an interest in medical education and has participated extensively in programs and materials to improve and enhance the experience of trainees in the medical sciences.
Dr. Sosa graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Tulane University and a Master of Science in Zoology and Physiology from Louisiana State University. She holds a Doctor of Medicine/Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Dr. Sosa completed her postgraduate training in internal medicine and hematology/oncology at Vanderbilt University, where she trained under the mentorship of John Oates in clinical pharmacology.