AAMDSIF Presents First Lifetime Achievement in Science Award to Dr. Mary Horowitz

BETHESDA, MARYLAND — The Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation (AAMDSIF), the world's leading non-profit health organization dedicated to serving patients afflicted with bone marrow failure disease, presented its first Lifetime Achievement in Science Award to Mary Horowitz, MD, MS at the Foundation’s 35th Anniversary Luncheon and Awards Program on May 18, 2019. Dr. Horowitz was honored for the significant impact her work has had on stem cell transplant and hematologic malignancy practice worldwide.

Dr. Horowitz is the Robert A. Uihlein, Jr. Chair in Hematologic Research and Professor of Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), where she is also an active blood and marrow transplant physician. She is also the Chief Scientific Director of the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR). The CIBMTR is a large outcomes registry that captures clinical data on donors and recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplants in 40 countries. It also operates, in collaboration with the National Marrow Donor Program/Be The Match, a large repository of donor-recipient biospecimens linked to its clinical data.

In addition, Dr. Horowitz is Research Director for the Stem Cell Therapeutic Outcomes Database of the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program, which collects and analyzes outcomes data on all allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants in the U.S. She received the Medical College of Wisconsin’s Distinguished Service Award in June 2006, MCW’s highest honor. In 2010, Dr. Horowitz received the American Society of Hematology Mentor Award, which recognizes scientists who have dedicated their life to the process of guiding, supporting and promoting the training and career development of their junior colleagues. In 2014, Dr. Horowitz received the American Society of Blood and Marrow Transplant’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her contributions to the advancement of trans-plantation as a therapy for life-threatening diseases.

On behalf of the AAMDSIF Board of Directors, Bart Fischer said, “It is my personal and professional honor to present this award to Dr. Horowitz. Her body of work in biostatistics and patient care definitely entitles her to this award.” He added that “Dr. Horowitz is a global presence in the field of outcomes research, which studies the results of medical treatment. I knew from the first time I met her in 1998 that she would make a difference in improving patients’ lives.”

In remarks accepting the award, Dr. Horowitz said, “I can’t think of any organization I would be more pleased to receive an award from. I started my career a couple years after the Foundation was established, and I can’t imagine how I would have taken care of my aplastic anemia patients without it.” She added that AAMDSIF and CIBMTR have many similarities — both are partnerships of patients, experts, clinicians, advocates, and families.

“AAMDSIF is proud to present our first Lifetime Achievement in Science Award to Dr. Horowitz. Her contribution to improved outcomes in stem cell transplantation and the development of the CIBMTR registry is invaluable and we are grateful for her life’s work” said Neil Horikoshi, CEO and Executive Director.

ABOUT AAMDSIF

The Aplastic and MDS International Foundation (www.aamds.org) supports, connects and educates patients, caregivers and health professionals on bone marrow failure diseases worldwide. It promotes and invests in collaborative clinical research to accelerate the discovery of better treatments and cures for aplastic anemia, MDS, PNH and related bone marrow failure diseases. A highly-respected patient-focused organization, AAMDSIF’s mission is to serve its community in every cycle of these diseases. That includes providing the vital information and resources need-ed to adjust to the initial life-altering phase of diagnosis and get through the potentially life-threatening treatment phase that follows. The Foundation then helps patients and families manage the life-long stage of having a chronic disease.

The Foundation also does substantive work with health professionals, including being administrator of the MDS Clinical Research Consortium — a unique collaboration of six major academic medical centers designed to maximize the results of MDS clinical trials, to the benefit of patients everywhere. AAMDSIF also organizes a two-day biennial event – The International Scientific Symposium for Bone Marrow Failure Disease which brings together clinical researchers and medical doctors who share and compare their knowledge of bone marrow failure. This scientific exchange helps to advance new theories and encourages collaboration in the search for the cures.

AAMDSIF was founded in 1983 by families who had nowhere to turn when their loved ones were afflicted with bone marrow failure disease. Its patient education, advocacy and research programs are supported through individual contributions from grateful patients, families and friends, as well as foundations and corporations. For 12 consecutive years, AAMDSIF has earned the coveted 4-star rating from leading independent charity evaluator Charity Navigator.