Naveen Pemmaraju, MD (Click image to enlarge)

I had the fortune of being nominated for, and accepted to attend the first ever ASH Advocacy Leadership Institute (ALI). I truly enjoyed the time I spent in Washington, DC with the ASH team for this program. Through the oustanding lectures, small group sessions, and meetings on Capitol Hill, I was able to get my first glimpse of the inner workings of the political process as it relates to physicians and medical issues, and why its so important that every physician try to develop at least a working level knowledge of the issues facing all of us in the field today. Because of my lifelong interest in healthcare policy, this program allowed me my first chance to particpate, explore, and begin to understand the complexities of the world of healthcare policy - and I am now hooked! This institute proved to be a fantastic opportunity for all of those who attended, especially in light of all the new and important policies being debated about healthcare reform, NIH research funding, and physician reimbursement. Through this first of its kind program, I was able to meet other hematologists with similar interests and network with other members of ASH from around the country. I thank ASH and the Advocacy Leadership Institute for this once in a lifetime experience and this positive experience has inspired me to stay active with ASH and healthcare policy for the rest of my career.

Drs. Krishna Komanduri, Naveen Pemmaraju, Martha Arellano, and Lindsay Peterson gather in front of the Longworth House Office Building prior to meeting with congressional staff. (Click image to enlarge)

Additional thoughts:

• One of the many things I learned at the ALI was to learn how to seek out and look for various resources in one's community and region available to help further healthcare policy awareness. Since completing the ALI, I have had the opportunity to reach out to leaders of my institution and find multiple venues for causes I am passionate about, such as adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancers. After being inspired by the ALI to look for different resources and networks in my community/region/state, I found and participated in an AYA conference focusing on cancer care issues, including hematologic maligancy patients, and am starting to get involved with this organization.
• In addition, I care deeply about trainee education, as I feel that training the medical students/residents/fellows of today will lead to the development of tomorrow's leaders. Through my participation, I have been invited by ASH to be a part of a national test item writing workshop to ensure we continue to offer high quality exam questions for our nation's medical trainees.
• Finally, I have been invited to particpate in ASH grassroots events, and in the ASH Scientific and Government Affairs Capitol Hill days, which I plan to attend in the coming year to build on my experience meeting with members of Capitol Hill from the first ALI. I also plan to reach out to local members of the House and Senate here at home to help connect political leaders to the "in the trenches" healthcare needs of patients, physicians, nurses, and other members of the healthcare team.

back to top