The national research environment is under real strain. PHO already receives a relatively small share of overall research funding, and recent policy proposals and budget pressures have threatened grant support, institutional indirect costs, and the availability of training awards. Proposed cuts to federal agencies and new rules affecting how grants are reviewed and reimbursed risk destabilizing individual research programs as well as collaborative data resources. These threats have the potential to disrupt ongoing trials—the recent dismantling of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium is a glaring example—and result in losing early career investigators to other fields.

Recent training recommendations that deemphasize formal research expectations during fellowship also risk unintentionally weakening the scientific foundation of PHO. So many breakthroughs in our field originated from clinician-scientists who first engaged in research as trainees. Signaling that substantial protected time for investigation is optional rather than essential threatens the pipeline of future investigators and the culture that values inquiry. Over time, this will lead to fewer fellows pursuing research projects and less integration of translational questions into clinical care.

Early exposure to research can be formative for fellow trainees. It fosters the ability to ask good questions, interpret evidence, and understand the rationale behind current care approaches. Trainees who actively participate in research learn to think critically about experimental/trial design and analysis of outcomes. These skills make them stronger clinicians and clinical trialists. Exposure to research gives trainees perspective on the pace and complexity of discovery. Having the opportunity to see questions evolve from bedside observations to lab insights to clinical trials offers a unique perspective that emphasizes how research is ultimately about human outcomes. This exposure can reduce the intimidation associated with research and show trainees that meaningful contributions are possible at many levels. Because our specialty relies so heavily on collaboration, trainees who learn research skills early are well prepared to contribute to multi-institutional studies and cooperative group efforts.

For PHO, research is not an academic luxury. It is the foundation of better cures, fewer toxicities, and improved long-term outcomes. When certification standards no longer clearly affirm research as a core component of PHO subspecialty training, they risk reinforcing budgetary and operational decisions that divert time and resources away from discovery. It is critical that we work together to develop novel approaches to preserve and uphold the long-standing emphasis that our field has on inquiry, in spite of current prevailing pressures that are pushing us in the opposite direction.

The Education Committee is excited to announce the following topics will be featured in the 2026–2027 ASPHO Webinar Series:

• Monday, September 28: A Day in the Life of Peds Hematology/Oncology in a Small Program: A Panel Discussion (Small Program SIG)
• Harnessing Immunity Without Harm (Clinical Immunology SIG)
• Monday, October 26: Part 1: The Price of Suppression:
  Immunosuppressant Toxicities and Monitoring
• Monday, November 2: Part 2: Immune Storms and Checkpoint Pitfalls:
  Immune-Related Adverse Events of Novel Immunotherapies
• Monday, December 7: From Burnout to Well-Being: The Role of Communication (Well-Being SIG and Advanced Practice Provider SIG)
• Date TBA: Qualities and Benefits of Successful Hospital Based Programs (Hospitalist SIG and Advanced Practice Provider SIG)
• Date TBA: Gene Therapy for Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease: Chronic Pain and Other Complications
• Date TBA: Beyond the Period: Heavy Menstrual Bleeding in Adolescent and Young Adult Females (AYA SIG)

More information, including the schedule and registration details, will be announced soon. Previous webinars are available on-demand and can be accessed on the ASPHO website. Webinars are free for ASPHO members and $35 for nonmembers.

We look forward to providing a rich meeting and learning experience offering unique and expanded opportunities for attendees to learn, network, connect, review, and study for the upcoming American Board of Pediatrics pediatric hematology/oncology subspecialty certification exam, scheduled for April 1, 2027. Review Course registration will open in October.

Do you know a senior physician or other professional who’s made an impact on the subspecialty through some combination of research, education, patient care, and advocacy who would be a candidate for the Distinguished Career Award?

Do you know an accomplished educator, committed mentor, and effective speaker who would be a candidate for the George R. Buchanan Lectureship Award?

Do you know a mid-career childhood cancer survivorship investigator who has demonstrated their commitment to this segment of the population who would be a candidate for the Northwestern Mutual Award for Excellence in Childhood Cancer Survivorship?

Do you know an outstanding clinical or laboratory investigator with cutting-edge research who would be a candidate for the Frank A. Oski Memorial Research Lectureship Award? For the second year, through the generous support of Hyundai Hope on Wheels, the Oski Research Lectureship Award provides a $15,000 honorarium and travel expenses to the 2026 ASPHO Conference.

Submit your nomination—or for the Northwestern Mutual Award, your application—by Thursday, September 24, 2026, to be recognized in Montréal at the 2027 ASPHO Conference, May 11–14.

The KARE: Knowledge Assessment Resource features more than 500 interactive self-assessment questions with expert-developed rationales across 35 topic areas, while the PHO Review Course On Demand includes 35 recorded lectures from the 2025 ASPHO Review Course. Save 20% on KARE Toolkit resources as you strengthen your PHO expertise and stay current in the field. Purchase each resource individually or maximize learning and savings with the KARE Plus set, which combines both products and offers opportunities to earn CME and MOC Part 2 credit while supporting MOCA-Peds and ABP initial certification exam preparation.

Midcareer ASPHO members who completed PHO fellowship between 2011 and 2018 (8 to 15 years post PHO fellowship graduation) will be considered for the 2027–2028 class. To learn more about the program, visit ASPHO’s mentoring webpage. When the call for applications opens, a link to the application will be made available on the webpage. Members who are eligible for selection into the program will receive email communications noting the call opening as we get closer to the date.

Following application review, up to 10 mentees will be selected for the 2027–2028 program class, which will launch with an in-person meeting at the 2027 ASPHO Conference in Montréal. Mentee applicants will be notified of their selection status by early winter.

Hear what some of our previous program mentees had to say about their experience with the Individualized Career Development Program:

“The program has been one of the most impactful mentoring relationships of my career. The wisdom of a strong mentor from outside of my institution has made me a better leader, researcher, and clinician.”

“The program was so helpful—the structure and roadmap for the mentored relationship made the process seamless and so user friendly. Given how busy everyone is, having a pathway with a clear on-ramp for finding a new mentor that is external to my institution was so valuable and made the process so time efficient.”

Support your career path with the abundant networking, education, and professional development opportunities and resources available to ASPHO members, including

• a community of peers and thought leaders
• clinical advice through the online member community
• Early Career Mentoring Program
• opportunities to develop leadership skills
• special savings on programs and resources
• exclusive updates on health policy and advocacy, workforce, practice and quality, and other key developments in the field
• access to 16 SIGs for specialized knowledge and collaboration.

ASPHO is proud to be alongside you as you pursue your career goals and new endeavors. Learn more about your member benefits designed to support your journey and explore ways to get involved with the Society. Strengthen your institution’s care team with the group trainee membership application.

Members can join the Member Community, participate in Special Interest Groups, engage in the Clinical Forum, explore volunteer opportunities, access education and advocacy resources, and stay connected through ASPHO publications and social media. ASPHO also offers meaningful opportunities to support the next generation of pediatric hematology/oncology professionals by encouraging fellows, residents, and medical students to get involved, build connections, and discover resources that can help them grow within the subspecialty. Learn More.

Growing Leaders Through Engagement: Opportunities Within ASPHO

ASPHO’s Leadership Development and Professional Development Committees share a common goal: to strengthen the future of pediatric hematology/oncology by intentionally developing the next generation of leaders. Central to this effort is creating meaningful, accessible pathways for members to engage through volunteer service and expanding leadership development through multiple programs and channels across the Society.

Volunteer roles within ASPHO—on committees, task forces, and short-term projects—are more than service contributions; they are structured development opportunities. The committees are working in parallel to broaden leadership development offerings through workshops, conference programming, virtual sessions, and targeted initiatives that meet members at different career stages. Together, these experiences provide a continuum of leadership growth, from entry-level engagement to advanced leadership preparation.

These opportunities are grounded in a defined set of leadership competencies reinforced through active participation. Members develop effective communication by participating in discussions and translating complex issues for varied audiences and inclusivity by ensuring diverse perspectives are incorporated into decision-making. Accountability and follow-through are strengthened through active participation and meeting deliverables and timelines. Volunteers also cultivate adaptability in dynamic environments and influence and collaboration by building consensus and working across specialties and stakeholder groups.

Members interested in volunteering can explore opportunities through the ASPHO website. The online volunteer interest form, available year-round, enables individuals to share their expertise, interests, and prior experience, helping align placements with both Society needs and personal development goals.

Most ASPHO committee appointments are structured as 2-year terms, offering continuity and the opportunity to take on increasing responsibility over time. ASPHO is committed to cultivating an engaged, diverse leadership pipeline, and we intentionally look to active volunteers when identifying future chairs, board members, and other leaders.

Volunteer engagement remains one of the most meaningful ways to grow as a leader within ASPHO while contributing to the strength and sustainability of our community.

The Hospitalist Medicine SIG was formed in 2022 and continues to grow as a national community of clinicians dedicated to advancing hospital-based pediatric hematology/oncology care. The SIG provides a forum for clinicians interested in hospital-based PHO care to connect, exchange ideas, and learn from one another while strengthening a growing community committed to advancing hospital-based pediatric hematology/oncology care.

Our monthly meetings bring together members from diverse practice settings to discuss hospitalist programs across the country, share challenges and successes, and explore innovative approaches to inpatient care. Topics include inpatient coverage models, clinical operations, workforce development, quality improvement, medical education, and the many roles hospitalists play in delivering high-quality care. Beyond discussion, the SIG serves as a catalyst for multi-institutional collaboration, generating scholarly work, practical resources, and implementation approaches that help define best practices and advance the evolving role of hospitalists within pediatric hematology/oncology.

Recognizing that not all providers engaged in this work have the title of “hospitalist,” the SIG welcomes any ASPHO member interested in improving hospital-based pediatric hematology/oncology care. Whether you are launching a new hospitalist program, refining an established service, or looking to learn from colleagues across the country, the SIG offers opportunities to exchange ideas, contribute to collaborative initiatives, and help shape best practices in hospital-based pediatric hematology/oncology care.

Interested in joining the Hospitalist SIG? Join the Hospitalist and other SIGS by updating your member profile. mailto: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Integrative Pediatric Hematology Oncology (Integrative PHO) SIG is a dynamic community of over 180 members dedicated to advancing evidence-based integrative approaches that improve quality of life for children with cancer and blood disorders. Our members include clinicians, researchers, and allied health professionals who are passionate about incorporating therapies such as nutrition, physical activity, mind-body practices, and the arts into conventional care.

A recent focus of our SIG is optimizing approaches to diet and exercise as essential components of supportive care. We recently conducted a survey of ASPHO members on current practices regarding nutrition and physical activity in pediatric oncology, with results currently being prepared for publication. At the 2024 ASPHO Annual Meeting, we hosted a well-received workshop, “Physical Activity Guidelines for Children with Cancer—Time to Make a Move.” Looking ahead, we hope to launch a multicenter trial exploring mind-body interventions.

IWe also host educational events, including our recent ASPHO webinar, “Mediators and Moderators of Active Music Engagement to Reduce Traumatic Stress in Parents of Young Children with Cancer.” We are currently working to organize a workshop on how to build an integrative program for pediatric oncology patients.

The Integrative PHO SIG provides a welcoming space for collaboration, learning, and innovation. Whether you're new to integrative medicine or experienced in the field, we invite you to join us in transforming care for children and families.

August is National Wellness Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the well-being of ASPHO members and the broader pediatric hematology/oncology community. Taking 1 minute out of your day to identify a positive or “good thing” can increase feelings of happiness after only 1 week!

The ASPHO Well-Being SIG is committed to fostering ongoing conversations and action steps to help you achieve personal and professional wellness. Over the past year, we conducted a survey and discovered the following among ASPHO respondents:

• 67.2% experienced burnout in the past month
• 77.6% reported putting off their own health care because of time pressure

Proactively addressing these issues is essential to mitigate these risks, improve our well-being, and support our colleagues and patients. We are acting by collaborating with other SIGs to cohost the 2026–2027 ASPHO Webinar Series webinar “From Burnout to Well-Being: The Role of Communication.”

We invite you to check out our Resource Library and encourage all ASPHO members to

• join the Well-Being SIG
• participate in our Zoom meeting on August 24th (1 pm CT) to collaborate on webinars, workshops, and other initiatives.

Together, we can strengthen our support network and promote wellness across our field.

A 13-year-old female is seen in the pediatrician’s office for a routine health maintenance visit. She is overall healthy with no significant past medical history. During review of systems, she notes intermittent lightheadedness and shortness of breath with more intense physical activity over the past few weeks.

The exam is significant for mild conjunctival pallor. Her heart rate and blood pressure are normal. The remainder of the exam unremarkable.

Basic lab work is obtained. CBC results with WBC 6.9, Hgb 9.3,MCV 71, platelets 414, ANC 3.8, and absolute reticulocyte count (ARC) 42.5.

Based on the available history and physical exam, what would be the next best test to obtain?

Take the quiz.

Alison Konopka, MD, & Mahvish Rahim, MD
Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, & Cellular Therapy
The Children's Hospital at Montefiore
Bronx, NY

Join the pediatric hematology/oncology community in a city that offers an inspiring setting to learn, connect, and explore, whether you are gathering with colleagues, discovering Montréal’s neighborhoods, or enjoying everything this memorable city has to offer.

ASPHO is pleased to offer members two Virtual Career Fairs in 2026—Wednesday, August 12, and Wednesday, November 11, 10 am–2 pm CT. The Virtual Career Fairs are your gateway to new opportunities in pediatric hematology/oncology.

Take advantage of ASPHO's Career Center and find the latest openings and opportunities in pediatric hematology/oncology. Access resumé writing assistance, coaching, reference checks, search strategy videos, and more in the Resources section. View the Career Center job board, the go-to source for institutions to post jobs and recruitment opportunities in the field. Create a personal account to save job postings, and skim FAQs for tips on navigating the site so you don’t miss out on any helpful resources.