About 10 years ago, the leaders of ASBMT wondered if there was a better way to have an open dialogue among industry and BMT leaders. Pharmaceutical and medical device companies played such an important part in cellular transplantation – so why shouldn’t they have a seat at the table when discussing BMT challenges?
“I remember that, when I chaired the Past Presidents Committee, we realized we needed a more focused purpose for the group,” said former ASBMT President Armand Keating, MD. “We realized we needed corporate help in providing funding support for training BMT fellows.”
From that grew ASBMT’s Corporate Council, a coalition of senior executives from member organizations who identify different challenges and topics affecting the cellular transplantation committee. Its ultimate goal is to pool together resources to create collaborative opportunities that advance the cause and culture of blood and marrow transplantation and cellular therapy.
Currently, there are 18 members on the council. They meet twice a year in person, but are in continual contact throughout the year. It’s mutually beneficial for both ASBMT and their corporate partners: both learn about the other’s challenges, network with one another, and try to create solutions to said problems.
Jazz Pharmaceuticals is one of the members on the council. Beth Hamilton, Director of Marketing for Hematology/Oncology, attended 2018’s corporate council meeting this fall. She’s been on the council for two years, and said she and her employer find it to be an invaluable resource.
“In addition to gaining a better understanding of ASBMT’s goals and priorities, I had a seat at the table in helping them brainstorm ideas and tactics for how the organization can achieve their goals,” she said. “The council recognizes the value that pharma companies bring to further research and increase access to education and life-saving medication. This is what sets ASBMT apart from other organizations.”
From this past meeting, she said she enjoyed having the hands-on learning, as well as connecting with so many different people from the corporate and research field. Being able to give input on varying issues and feel comfortable doing so can change perceptions, increase awareness and help people team up on issues important to them.
“At the live meeting, ASBMT posed us with two challenges they were experiencing,” she said. “They asked the room to divide into groups to brainstorm suggestions/tactics for how to solve these challenges. Not only was it impressive how they valued our experience and suggestions to help with their challenges, they followed up after the meeting about potential pull through of those ideas.”
Hamilton said being part of the Corporate Council has been a rewarding experience, and she looks forward to having more two-way conversations in the future.
To learn more information about ASBMT’s Corporate Council, visit its website. Interested in joining? Email Angie Dahl at angiedahl@asbmt.org.