Message from the Board on the 2023 ASPHO Conference
ASPHO’s leadership has heard from concerned members regarding the impact of the recent Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson. We recognize this is a difficult and challenging time and we appreciate the input from all perspectives.
ASPHO recently issued a statement in response to the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson and we applaud the positions of our partner organizations including the Council of Medical Specialty Society’s letter opposing the interference into the practice of medicine and limiting the ability to recommend appropriate evidence-based treatment options for patients.
Another concern voiced by several members is the location of the 2023 ASPHO Conference, May 10-13, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. Some members have asked the Society to relocate or cancel the meeting to send a message in opposition to restrictive laws and bans. Leadership has considered many aspects and implications of this issue and how to evaluate future meeting locations.
After careful consideration, ASPHO does not plan to move our 2023 conference next May and we respect that everyone may not agree with this conclusion. We would like to share with you the reasoning behind this decision.
- Eliminating our annual conference at a time when it is especially crucial for us to come together combined with the devastating financial impact upon ASPHO of cancelling the meeting at this late date negatively affects our core mission “to support and empower the pediatric hematology and oncology medical and scientific community.”
- Unfortunately, as many as 26 states are anticipated to enforce laws restricting access to abortion, and additional states have in place laws limiting rights of LGBTQ communities, expanding access to guns, and limiting voting rights – all of which are contrary to ASPHO’s values – leaving us without an alternative venue for 2023. Our annual conference is scheduled a minimum of three years in advance.
- We are resolved to identify opportunities to advocate and provide a voice in all communities, especially those most affected by the recent legislation, to support our colleagues who live and work in Texas at Cook Children’s, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, Dell Children's Medical Center, Driscoll Children’s Hospital, Medical City Children’s Hospital, Methodist Healthcare, UT Health San Antonio, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, and Texas Tech University HSC, amongst other colleagues, all providing vital care to patients of childbearing age with cancers and blood disorders.
ASPHO is committed to educating and building a community that embraces compassion and health equity. For more on this commitment, you can review our Diversity Statement. Our organization will share opportunities to advocate for access to care and resources with members to be an #ASPHOAdvocate empowering you to contact your local representatives and senators, which has the greatest impact.
ASPHO’s leadership hopes you will join us May 2023 to continue this and other conversations to support the pediatric hematology and oncology community. If you are not comfortable traveling to Fort Worth or if your institution has travel restrictions, know that we are planning alternatives for virtual access to outstanding education.
We encourage you to reach out with questions or ideas to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Sincerely,
Douglas K. Graham, MD PhD
President
On behalf of the Board of Trustees