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SearchThe United States is experiencing a shortage of hematologists. A CCLCM faculty member and a student want to fix that, one activity at a time.
When new medical students think of physicians, hematologists rarely come to mind.
“Hematology is unique in that it’s quite uncommon to learn about it as an undergraduate,” says Erin Brooks, a rising third-year student at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University. “It’s a brand-new field for many students, which can be very overwhelming.”
Brooks first encountered hematology while working in a lab at Stanford, where she studied gut microbiomes in patients undergoing stem cell transplants. She was instantly drawn to the translational, interdisciplinary nature of the field. That enthusiasm only grew as she began medical school.
Through her Hematology 2 course, Brooks met Dana Angelini, MD, a classical hematologist at Cleveland Clinic and Assistant Professor of Medicine at CCLCM. Dr. Angelini had started to notice a worrying trend within her field: While the demand for classical hematologists, who specialize in noncancerous blood diseases, is as strong as ever, the number of specialists within the discipline is dwindling.
“There’s a really concerning deficit in the field,” Dr. Angelini notes. “It’s hard for me to wrap my head around it since I love it so much. Why wouldn’t you want to go into it?”
According to a 2024 study published in Blood, less than 6% of hematology fellows pursue careers in classical hematology. Dr. Angelini wondered if creating more mentorship opportunities in the field might attract students. When she learned that the American Society of Hematology offers a grant program for establishing hematology interest groups at medical schools, she applied for and received funding. The next step was choosing the junior ambassador to co-lead the new group: Brooks.
Together, Dr. Angelini and Brooks went through the process of getting the group formally recognized by CCLCM. The school’s backing has given the pair the support they needed to organize events and create networking opportunities.
“Our goal is to have a different flavor of event each quarter,” says Dr. Angelini. “We want to consistently offer activities that allow students not only to learn more about hematology but also to connect with faculty and residents in a laidback, fun environment.”
The group has so far hosted two events. First came a panel presentation designed to introduce students to hematology as a career. Panelists included eight to ten faculty members from hematopathology, pediatric hematology, adult hematology and related disciplines. In addition to the presentation, students had the opportunity to eat dinner with peers and faculty members. Three months later, the group hosted a night of interactive learning that included a presentation on blood smears and hematology-inspired painting.
For their next event, Dr. Angelini and Brooks are planning to host students, residents and fellows at a local restaurant.
Responses to the interest group have been glowing. Each event attracts between 15 and 20 students, a strong turnout for a small program like CCLCM. Students say that the combination of educational presentations, networking opportunities and fun activities the group offers makes hematology feel much more approachable.
“People really enjoy the casual environment of our events,” says Brooks. “It’s heartwarming to hear attendees discussing not only medicine but also their day-to-day lives. We really feel like we are building a community.”
Dr. Angelini and Brooks look forward to further expanding the group and creating more mentorship opportunities for interested students.
“Without hematologists, we simply cannot care for the millions of Americans suffering from blood disorders,” explains Dr. Angelini. “We need to make sure we are keeping the field healthy. These students are the future of hematology, and I know they are going to make wonderful physician-researchers.”
