Diversity Advisory Group Member Perspectives

ASPHO's Diversity Advisory Group supports the Society's commitment to ensuring a welcoming and inclusive experience for members and promoting equitable healthcare access for all pediatric hematology/oncology patients. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are infused into the Society through its leadership development, Diversity Statement, the volunteer Diversity Advisory Group, Points of Diversity representation guidelines, and the member-managed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Special Interest Group. Read Diversity Advisory Group member reflections about their experiences with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the subspecialty.

Maa-Ohui Quarmyne, MBChhB MS, DAG Chair, Phoenix Children's Hospital

"I am a pediatric hematologist at Phoenix Children’s Hospital and clinical associate professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Phoenix. My life experiences and career path have taught me the importance of diversity and tolerance in our society. Diversity enriches our lives, spurs innovation, encourages engagement, improves tolerance, and reduces discrimination. I joined the Diversity Advisory Group in 2018, and through our group’s efforts and ASPHO as a larger organization, I hope to continue to engage our community in promoting effective strategies for a diverse, equitable workforce, which should hopefully lead to a better understanding of each other and greater satisfaction in our practice as a whole."

Nitya Bakshi, MBBS MS, Yale School of Medicine

"I am an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and a pediatric hematologist with a focus in sickle cell disease and chronic pain. I joined the Diversity Advisory Group in 2022 as diversity, equity and inclusion are important to be able to serve our patients, and we must address barriers to professional success and career advancement faced by trainees and junior faculty, particularly women and individuals who are under-represented in medicine and biomedical research. I am excited to contribute to the outstanding work done by this group to promote diversity at ASPHO through increased awareness, education, and engagement amongst pediatric hematologists-oncologists."

 

Lindsay Jo Blazin, MPH MD, Riley Children's Hospital, Indiana University School of Medicine

"I am a pediatric oncologist specializing in leukemia and lymphoma at Riley Children’s Hospital and an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, IN. I am new to ASPHO’s Diversity Advisory Group (DAG), joining in 2024. My clinical practice, scholarly work, and lived experiences have underscored the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in all facets of society. Through the DAG, I hope to partner with colleagues to provide support for trainees, faculty, and staff with racial and ethnic identities that are underrepresented in medicine, identify and address racial and ethnic disparities in clinical trial enrollment and outcomes, and develop resources to facilitate language equity for patients and families that use languages other than English."

 

Kenneth S. Chen, MD, UT Southwestern Medical Center

 "As a physician scientist, my goal is to improve the care of children with cancer using data. With regards to DEI, the data suggest that we still have room to improve before the demographics of our field reflect the demographics of our patients. I serve on the Diversity Advisory Group to encourage ASPHO to continue gathering data on and addressing the barriers to diversity within the field of pediatric hematology and oncology."

 

Sandeepkumar Kuril, MD, Medical University of South Carolina

"I am a pediatric neuro-oncologist at the Medical University of South Carolina. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is close to my heart since I am an immigrant physician, originally from India, practicing in the United States. I believe diversity supports an environment that fosters cultural understanding, competency, and opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds. DEI empowers an organization and its physicians to identify and overcome subconscious biases and build tolerance to provide equitable and excellent healthcare to all its patients, irrespective of their socio-demographic background. I became a member of the Diversity Advisory Group in 2023. Through this group, I hope to contribute to ASPHO's efforts in DEI by identifying and addressing any barriers within this field and working towards policies and programs that support the DEI mission."

 

Kalindi Yajnik Narine, MD, Texas Children's Hospital West Campus/Baylor College of Medicine

"Diversity, equity, and inclusion are important in society as well as in ASPHO. They give different perspectives and encourages original thinking, helping us to understand our colleagues and our patients better. Pediatric hematology and oncology have diverse patient populations. DEI discussions and education will help us to understand and give better care to all our patients."

 

Sharon Singh, MD, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital

"My career has been focused on caring for the vulnerable patients in my sickle clinic at University of Michigan and mentoring trainees of diverse backgrounds. Diversity in hematology/oncology is important as it leads to improved care for the patients in our community. Building a diverse and inclusive community of physicians, scientists and trainees that is free of discrimination and allows people of all backgrounds to flourish is a critical goal and important work that I would like to be involved in as a member of ASPHO's Diversity Advisory Group."