GvHD Symposium Information & Sponsorship Opportunities

2022-2023 Meredith A. Cowden Foundation Annual Sponsor

Become a Sponsor

The following sponsorship opportunities are currently available.
Please contact Lyn Haselton, symposium manager by email at lynhaselton@cowdenfoundation.org with questions.
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GvHD Symposium

2022-2023 GvHD Sponsors

National GvHD Symposium Sponsors

National GvHD Keynote Sponsor

GvHD Symposium Sponsors

ABOUT THE GvHD NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM

This unique conference focuses on cutting-edge research and new treatments. Our symposia have two tracks: one designed for physicians and other health care professionals, and one for bone marrow transplant (BMT) survivors, their families, and their caregivers.

The Meredith A. Cowden Foundation in collaboration with the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, and Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute created the GvHD National Symposium in 2010 to raise awareness about Graft vs. Host Disease (GvHD), to promote research to further our understanding of its cause, and to review cutting edge approaches to prevention and treatment.

Over 1,700 people have attended our events, which have provided an opportunity for attendees to interact with some of the world’s leading authorities on GvHD, a complication that affects over 60% of bone marrow transplant patients. Our past symposiums have served as invaluable experiences to learn, network, and exchange ideas with each other.

A Unique Conference

Innovative And Life-Changing Research Presentations For Physicians, Health Care Professionals, And Survivors

Cowden Foundation

Our Partners

The Meredith A. Cowden Foundation is proud to have provided funding for research, primarily concerning Graft vs. Host Disease (GvHD). GvHD is the main contributor to mortality following bone marrow transplantations in patients with leukemia.

Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center

At Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, part of the NCCN and NCI-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, more than 450 highly skilled doctors, researchers, nurses and technicians care for thousands of patients each year. Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center unites clinicians and researchers in Taussig Cancer Institute and in Cleveland Clinic’s 26 other clinical and surgical institutes, as well as cancer specialists at our regional hospitals, health centers and at Cleveland Clinic Florida. Ranked No. 1 in Ohio and No. 7 in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report, our cancer center provides a range of services to patients including clinical trials and internationally-recognized cancer research efforts ensuring patients have access to the latest advances in cancer treatment, as well as a range of support programs helping patients navigate the challenges associated with a cancer diagnosis.

Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center
9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195
800.223.2273
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/cancer

University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center

University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, part of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, is dedicated to the innovative treatment and promising research in the fight against cancer through ongoing studies aimed at cancer treatment and prevention.

One of only 41 Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the country designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Seidman can offer cutting-edge treatments earlier than most other cancer centers. Our affiliation with Case Western Reserve University provides ongoing studies aimed at cancer treatment and prevention.

Patients receive skilled care through our multidisciplinary team approach. Experts in surgery, medical oncology, radiation therapy, pathology, nursing, social work, and psychology work together to create a personalized treatment plan that meets physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

Recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top hospitals for cancer care in the country, the mission of Seidman Cancer Center is simple: to cure cancer

University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center at UH Cleveland Medical Center
11100 Euclid Ave
Cleveland, OH 44106
216-844-3951
http://www.uhhospitals.org/seidman

Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (Case CCC) based at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) is a partnership organization supporting all cancer-related research efforts at CWRU, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, and the Cleveland Clinic.

Located in Cleveland, Ohio, the Case CCC is an NCI designated cancer center and serves the cancer research and clinical needs of an urban manufacturing and rural agricultural region containing 3.8 million people in Northern Ohio

Campus Location:
Wolstein Research Building, Suite 1422
2103 Cornell Road
Cleveland, OH 44106
https://case.edu/cancer/

UPMC Hillman Cancer Centerlogo a partner of the cowden foundation GvHD research

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

At UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, we’re committed to giving you the knowledge, inspiration, and specialty care you need to boldly face your cancer. Because no diagnosis should stop you from doing the things you love, or from living each day to the fullest.

We are the region’s only comprehensive cancer center designated by the National Cancer Institute. And with more than 60 UPMC Hillman Cancer Center locations, you won’t have to travel far to receive world-class treatments backed by best practices and leading-edge protocols.

Learn more about who we are and how we can help you.

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
5115 Centre Ave., Fourth Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
412-864-6600
http://hillman.upmc.com/

BMT Infonet

BMT InfoNet was the first patient advocacy organization in the U.S. devoted solely to serving transplant patients. Blood & Marrow Transplant Information Network (BMT InfoNet) is a leading advocacy organization for bone marrow, stem cell and cord blood transplant patients.
Founded in 1990, BMT InfoNet has pioneered a vast array of services to help transplant patients make critical decisions throughout their transplant journey.

BMT InfoNet
1548 Old Skokie Road, Suite 1
Highland Park, IL 60035
Toll Free: (888) 597-7674
www.bmtinfonet.org

nbmtLINK

Linking curing & caring from diagnosis through survivorship. The mission of the National Bone Marrow Transplant Link is to help patients, caregivers, and families cope with the social and emotional challenges of bone marrow/stem cell transplant from diagnosis through survivorship by providing vital information and personalized support services.

  • Survivorship Resources
  • Original Publications
  • Informative Webcasts
  • Emmy Award-winning Video
  • Online Resource Library
  • Peer Support on Call
  • Telephone Education/Support Groups

20411 West 12 Mile Rd., Suite 108
Southfield, MI 48076
(800) 546-5268 (1-800-LINK-BMT)
E-mail: info@nbmtlink.org
www.nbmtlink.org

GvHD Symposium

Planning Commitee

Steven Z. Pavletic, MD, MS

National Cancer Institute / NIH

Dr. Pavletic received his M.D. from the University of Zagreb School of Medicine in Croatia in 1979. In 1992, he completed a clinical fellowship in bone marrow transplantation at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and University of Washington Medical School in Seattle, WA. In 1995, he completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in Omaha, NE, and completed his hematology and oncology fellowship in June 1997. Until October 2002, Dr. Pavletic served as the director of the Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation Program at UNMC. In 2002, Dr. Pavletic received an appointment at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and an adjunct appointment at the National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases at NIH. Currently, he is the head of the Graft-versus-Host and Autoimmunity Unit in the Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch. In October 2006, Dr. Pavletic received the NCI Director’s award for his achievements in developing national and international consensus guidelines for clinical trials in chronic GVHD.

Matt Kalaycio, MD, FACP

Cleveland Clinic

Matt Kalaycio, MD, FACP, is Chairman of the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute. Dr. Kalaycio holds a joint appointment in Cleveland Clinic’s Transplant Center and is a Professor in the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University. Board-certified in hematology, Dr. Kalaycio’s clinical interests are in leukemia and stem cell transplantation.
Dr. Kalaycio has been published in numerous scientific publications including Bone Marrow Transplantation, Journal of Clinical Oncology, and Leukemia. He serves on the editorial board of Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation. He also is the editor of a book on leukemia and co-editor of a book on clinical malignant hematology. His research interests focus on testing new treatments for leukemia.
Dr. Kalaycio received his degree from West Virginia University School of Medicine in Morgantown. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh and fellowships in hematology and medical oncology and bone marrow transplantation at Cleveland Clinic.

Kenneth R. Cooke, MD

Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center

Dr. Cooke is Director of the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center’s Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation Program. Prior to his appointment at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Cooke headed the Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, and University Hospitals Case Medical Center, in Cleveland, Ohio. He also co-directed the Hematologic Disorders Program of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center at Case Western Reserve University.

A nationally recognized transplantation immunology expert, Dr. Cooke focuses primarily on new strategies to prevent and treat graft-vs-host disease and lung complications following blood and bone marrow transplantation. His research efforts have been recognized by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the American Society of Clinical Investigation. In addition to his younger patients, Dr. Cooke also cares for adolescents and young adults.

Marcos, de Lima, MD

The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Dr. Marcos de Lima is Professor of Medicine, Ohio State University, and Director of Blood and Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy programs at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute. He has extensive experience developing and conducting clinical trials in the context of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for myeloid malignancies. His research focus on strategies to prevent leukemia relapse after transplant, and the development of novel translational cellular therapy approaches to treating blood cancers.

Hien Liu, MD

Moffitt Cancer Center

Dr. Hien Liu is Medical Director of the Apheresis Unit and an Associate Member in the Moffitt Cancer Center Department of Blood and Marrow Transplant and Cellular Immunotherapy. Dr. Liu earned her MD from the University of Michigan Medical School. She completed an Internal Medicine Residency at Michigan State University/Grand Rapids Medical Education and Research Center. Dr. Liu completed a Hematology/Oncology Fellowship at Cleveland Clinic Foundation, where she also served as Chief Fellow. Prior to joining Moffitt, Dr. Liu was an Assistant Professor at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine and Associate Member at Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Liu is an experienced blood and marrow transplant physician, specializing in autologous and allogeneic transplant for lymphoid malignancies, as well as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. Her clinical and research interests include peripheral blood stem cell mobilization strategies, leukapheresis for CAR T, and therapeutic photopheresis. Dr. Liu leads the Moffitt Apheresis Unit, where peripheral blood stem cell collections for hematopoietic stem cell transplant donors and cellular therapy patients are performed. In addition, she is part of the team of lymphoma physicians that see and perform CAR T-cell therapy for lymphoid cancers.

Annie, Im, MD

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

Annie Im, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and a hematologist/medical oncologist specializing and conducting research in hematologic malignancies (such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma), drug development, stem cell transplantation, and graft-versus-host-disease. In addition, Dr. Im is responsible for the long term follow up of stem cell transplant recipients and the chronic graft-versus-host-disease clinic.
Dr. Im is board-certified in internal medicine, hematology, and medical oncology. She received her medical degree from SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine in Stony Brook, N.Y. Dr. Im completed both her residency in internal medicine and her hematology/oncology fellowship at UPMC.
Dr. Im is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Hematology, and the American Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation.

Betty Hamilton, MD

Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine

Betty Ky Hamilton is the Associate Director of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program and Assistant Professor of the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Hamilton received her medical degree from the University of Chicago and internal medicine residency training at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. She completed her hematology/oncology fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic and subsequently joined as a Staff Physician in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology. Dr. Hamilton’s clinical and research interests focus on the treatment of hematologic malignancies with allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation; and improving outcomes post-allogeneic hematopoietic cell treatment, specifically in graft-versus-host disease and long-term follow up and survivorship.