MIAMI, FLORIDA (Oct. 16, 2025) – In a significant development within the hematology community, Dr. Mikkael Sekeres, M.D., M.S., has been elected to the Executive Committee of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), an organization renowned globally for its dedication to conquering blood diseases. Dr. Sekeres, who leads the Division of Hematology and is a professor of medicine at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center affiliated with the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, will begin serving a four-year term as councillor following the 2025 ASH Annual Meeting scheduled for December 6–9 in Orlando, Florida.
This election marks a pivotal moment for Dr. Sekeres, recognizing his extensive contributions to hematology, particularly in the study and treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) among older adults. His role at Sylvester involves directing an internationally acclaimed program that integrates clinical expertise with cutting-edge research in hematologic malignancies, emphasizing therapeutic innovation tailored to geriatric patient populations.
The American Society of Hematology stands at the forefront of scientific rigor and clinical excellence, advocating vigorously for patients affected by blood disorders. Dr. Sekeres expressed profound honor at joining the executive leadership, highlighting the society’s commitment to advancing the field through robust scientific inquiry, development of clinical guidelines, and education. His impending responsibilities will involve steering ASH’s strategic initiatives during a critical juncture where blood disease research is rapidly evolving.
Since joining ASH in 2002, Dr. Sekeres has been deeply involved in various leadership roles, cultivating comprehensive treatment guidelines targeted at older adults with AML, a demographic often underserved in clinical research. His chairmanship of the Older Adults with AML Treatment Guidelines Panel epitomizes his dedication to integrating evidence-based medicine with compassionate clinical care, addressing the unique challenges posed by age-related physiological changes and comorbidities.
Moreover, his prior leadership includes serving as chair of the Committee on Communications and founding editor-in-chief of ASH Clinical News, a widely read publication that has played an instrumental role in disseminating hematology research and clinical advancements to a broad professional audience. Under his editorial guidance, the publication enhanced its impact, fostering dialogue among clinicians and researchers while promoting accessibility to emerging findings.
The 2025 Executive Committee election also brought in other distinguished leaders, including Alison Loren, M.D., M.S.C.E., chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania, who will serve as vice president, and Adam Cuker, M.D., M.S., a professor of medicine at the same institution, who will serve as councillor. These appointments underscore a trend of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and integrating diverse academic perspectives to propel hematology forward.
Dr. Belinda Avalos, the 2025 ASH President, emphasized the significance of this leadership team amid an era characterized by both remarkable scientific discoveries and challenges threatening the integrity of the biomedical research ecosystem. She acknowledged that Drs. Loren, Cuker, and Sekeres bring unparalleled expertise essential for navigating the complex landscape of basic science advancements and clinical translation, especially as precision medicine and immunotherapy continue reshaping cancer treatment paradigms.
The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, home to Dr. Sekeres’s research, is noted for its pioneering work in translational oncology and hematologic research. The center’s focus on integrating molecular genetics, epigenetics, and immunologic factors has contributed substantially to understanding the pathophysiology of AML and related disorders, facilitating the development of targeted agents and personalized therapeutic approaches.
Dr. Sekeres’s ascent to the ASH Executive Committee represents not only personal recognition but also an acknowledgment of the growing importance of geriatric hematology as a subspecialty. The complex interplay of aging biology, comorbid conditions, and hematopoietic dysfunction demands tailored treatment frameworks, an area where his leadership is poised to influence policy, research priorities, and clinical practice guidelines substantially.
As the field confronts emerging hematologic challenges—such as drug resistance mechanisms, clonal hematopoiesis, and the integration of novel immunotherapies—ASH’s governance, enriched by Dr. Sekeres’s expertise, is positioned to play a decisive role in guiding research funding, educational programs, and advocacy efforts that will ultimately improve patient outcomes worldwide.
For those interested in further developments from Sylvester’s research teams and Dr. Sekeres’s ongoing projects, updates and news are regularly posted on the InventUM blog and Sylvester’s official social media channel on platform X (@SylvesterCancer). These platforms provide insights into innovative therapies, clinical trials, and multidisciplinary collaborations aiming to advance hematologic oncology.
In summary, Dr. Mikkael Sekeres’s election to ASH’s Executive Committee is a testament to his exemplary leadership and scientific achievements in hematology. His tenure promises to strengthen the Society’s mission to improve the lives of patients with blood disorders through science-driven care, policy advocacy, and educational excellence during a transformative era in medical science.
Subject of Research: Hematology, focusing on myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia in older adults.
Article Title: Dr. Mikkael Sekeres Elected to Executive Committee of the American Society of Hematology
News Publication Date: October 16, 2025
Web References:
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine: https://umiamihealth.org/locations/sylvester-comprehensive-cancer-center
- ASH Annual Meeting 2025: https://www.hematology.org/meetings/annual-meeting
- InventUM blog: https://news.med.miami.edu/
- Sylvester on X: https://x.com/SylvesterCancer
Image Credits: Photo by Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Keywords: Hematology, Oncology, Myelodysplastic Syndromes, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Older Adults, American Society of Hematology, Clinical Guidelines, Blood Disorders, Translational Research, Cancer Therapy, Precision Medicine, Hematologic Malignancies
