Celebrating Excellence: Department Leaders Honored with National Awards
Our department is proud to announce that three of our esteemed colleagues have been recognized with prestigious national awards for their significant contributions to medicine and administration.
AABB Honors Leaders in Transfusion Medicine
The Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB) has honored two of our faculty members for their profound impact on transfusion medicine and biotherapies with their 2025 Memorial Awards. These awards underscore Columbia's prominence in the field.
Dr. Steven L. Spitalnik, MD, has received the 2025 Tibor Greenwalt Memorial Award. This award recognizes individuals for major scientific or clinical contributions to hematology, transfusion medicine, or biotherapy. Dr. Spitalnik, Professor of Pathology and Cell Biology and Executive Vice Chair for Laboratory Medicine, was celebrated for “his singular career that has profoundly influenced the blood and biotherapies field.” His extensive research and clinical work have greatly impacted blood transfusion, stem cell transplantation, and therapeutic apheresis practices. He has authored over 250 peer-reviewed publications and served as principal investigator on numerous NIH-funded studies, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to scientific progress. His passionate focus on red blood cell biology and the glycobiology of blood group antigens reflects his deep commitment to improving patient care. Beyond his scientific achievements, Dr. Spitalnik has been a respected leader and mentor within the AABB community, serving diligently on the AABB Board of Directors and guiding the next generation of scientists and clinicians.
Dr. Yvette Tanhehco, MD, PhD, MS, is the recipient of the 2025 John Elliott Memorial Award. The award honors individuals who have shown exceptional service and leadership to the AABB through committee work, leadership roles, and sustained contributions to the association’s mission. Dr. Tanhehco is recognized for “her strong leadership, unwavering commitment, and critical contributions to the blood and biotherapies community.” As Associate Professor of Pathology and Cell Biology at CUMC, Assistant Director of Transfusion Medicine, and Director of the Cellular Therapy Laboratory, her work is extensive. Her dedicated involvement in AABB committees has been instrumental in advancing key research and educational initiatives, reinforcing the association's leadership in the field.
National Recognition for Administrative Excellence
Joann Li, Department Administrator, has received the 2025 Award for Distinguished Service in Pathology Department Administration. This national honor from the Academic Pathology Executives Section (APEX) of the Association of American Pathologists (AAPath) recognizes her exceptional leadership and decades of service. The award celebrates her significant contributions to both the department and the wider field of academic pathology administration. Joann was formally honored at the AAPath Annual Meeting in July 2025. More details about her award can be found in the latest department newsletter.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Spitalnik, Dr. Tanhehco, and Joann Li on their outstanding and well-deserved achievements!