“Our success is the result of the dedication and vision of our members, faculty, and partners. Whether you are presenting at our meetings, mentoring the next generation, or bringing knowledge back to your local community, you are shaping the future of blood cancer care,” Janet M.Cesak, MBA, MS, executive direction of SOHO, writes in this letter.
Dear Colleagues,
In September 2012, the Society of Hematologic Oncology (SOHO) began with just 400 members and a vision to bring the knowledge of the leading minds from the University of Texas MD Anderson to unite the global blood cancer community.
By the following year, we hosted our first SOHO Annual Meeting, then held at the Hilton-Americas Houston. What began as a small meeting has since grown to include the full spectrum of hematologic malignancies. In 2023, we moved to the George R. Brown Convention Center, a reflection of how far we have come. Today, our membership exceeds 10,000, representing clinicians, researchers, and allied professionals from every region of the world.
Our progress has been driven by a commitment to providing access to the best education and resources free of charge to those who need them most. The Young Investigators Program supports early-career clinicians and scientists in building the skills, knowledge, and networks they need to succeed. The Ambassador Program ensures that the latest treatment advances reach clinicians and patients in every region, with ambassadors organizing local events and serving as trusted sources of information. This year we also launched the EAGLE Program, creating new opportunities for fellows and hematologic oncology trainees to receive focused training from leading experts.
Collaboration with other societies has been central to our growth. Joint sessions this past year with international organizations such as the Brazilian Association of Hematology, Hemotherapy, and Cell Therapy (ABHH) and Sociedad Española de Hematología y Hemoterapia (SEHH) allowed us to share expertise, reach new audiences, and raise awareness of SOHO’s resources. These partnerships ensure that clinicians everywhere can access the most advanced knowledge in the field, often delivered by those conducting the research or leading the clinical trials.
As we look to the future, we are preparing new initiatives to further support our members. Plans include expanding our newly launched “Ask the Expert” forum through our SOHO365 mobile app, where members can pose clinical questions directly to leading specialists. We are also exploring the creation of a worldwide blood cancer clinical trial database, focusing on active trials, so physicians can quickly identify opportunities for their patients anywhere in the world. These efforts will build on the foundation we have established and create lasting value for our community.
Our success is the result of the dedication and vision of our members, faculty, and partners. Whether you are presenting at our meetings, mentoring the next generation, or bringing knowledge back to your local community, you are shaping the future of blood cancer care. Thank you for being part of this extraordinary journey.
Sincerely,
Janet M. Cesak, MBA, BS
Executive Director
PS: Don’t forget to register for new SOHO Breakthrough in Blood Cancers (SBBC).
