Donation

Donate
Myeloma Minute

IMF Medical Student Scholar for Health Equity in Myeloma Semegne Hiruy Receives Prestigious 2024 ASH Abstract Achievement Award

Poster Abstracts 3769, 3771, 3776, and 3783 to be presented on December 8 at the San Diego Convention Center. 

 

STUDIO CITY, CA, December 5, 2024 — The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is proud to announce that Semegne Hiruy (Wake Forest University School of Medicine—Winston-Salem, NC), one of the IMF Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma, is among the recipients of the 2024 ASH Abstract Achievement Awards. 

“Each year, the American Society of Hematology (ASH) offers this merit-based award to support select trainees with high-achieving annual meeting abstracts who are chosen to present their work at the ASH annual meeting. Trainees include those who fall within one of the following categories: undergraduate student, medical student, graduate student, resident physician, and postdoctoral fellow (MD of PhD). The benefits vary by award,” states ASH about the nature and criteria of the ASH Abstract Achievement Awards.  

Additionally, ASH gives Abstract Achievement Awards to trainees with high-scoring annual meeting abstracts of which they are the first or senior author and presenter.  

Through the IMF Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma Mentoring Program, Hiruy was able to collaborate with Dr. Manisha Bhutani (Department of Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders, Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute—Charlotte, NC) in developing the award-winning  Poster Abstract 3769 — Primary Therapy Outcomes By Primary Cytogenetic Subtypes in a Large Cohort of Black Patients with Multiple Myeloma at a Single Center.

The objective of the study is “to examine the differences in initial treatment response and outcomes across initial therapy regimens based on cytogenetic (CG) groups.” 

“To our knowledge, this is the largest single institution report on CG in Black patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Our findings underscore the impact of CG subtypes on MM outcomes in Black patients, highlighting the need for tailored therapeutic approaches based on genetic risk stratification. We plan to abstract our data for the White cohort (n=1500) to compare the prevalence of CG subtypes between Black and White patients, as well as compare the primary therapy outcomes between Black and White patients with MM after adjusting for primary CG subtype,” states the study’s conclusion. 

“I am grateful to have been selected for the IMF Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma Program, as its mission resonates deeply with my passion for addressing healthcare disparities. Black individuals are disproportionately affected by multiple myeloma, yet there is a significant gap in research regarding how cytogenetic subtypes in myeloma contribute to these racial disparities. Under the incredible mentorship of Dr. Manisha Bhutani, I have had the privilege of working on a study that explores the relationship between cytogenetic groups and treatment responses in Black patients with myeloma. I have been actively involved in every aspect of this research, and I am excited to continue to share our results. I also look forward to continuing my collaboration with Dr. Bhutani on the next phases of this project,” said Hiruy on being able to work with Dr. Bhutani on this meaningful research project. 
 
As Hiruy’s mentor, Dr. Manisha Bhutani of Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute said: "It was a true pleasure working with Semegne. Over the course of just two months, we reviewed over 500 patient charts, and Semegne took full ownership of the task. Despite the challenges of her final-year clinical rotations, she consistently abstracted data from 8-10 charts daily, demonstrating not only a strong work ethic but also impressive time management skills.” 
 
“Winning the ASH Abstract Achievement Award for her research is a testament to Semegne’s potential to make a meaningful impact in addressing health disparities. This accomplishment marks a significant milestone in what is sure to be a successful and impactful career, no matter which field she chooses to pursue.” 
 
On working alongside Hiruy on Poster Abstract 3769, Dr. Bhutani shared that the abstract “covers a 10-year period involving 467 Black patients with multiple myeloma who had cytogenetic information from FISH testing at diagnosis. The study examined differences in treatment response and outcomes to first-line therapy based on cytogenetic groups.” 
  
“The results of our study showed that 19.5% of patients had trisomy, 43% had standard-risk cytogenetics, and 37% had high-risk cytogenetics. While responses and progression-free survival did not differ across these groups, the median overall survival was 9.3 years for the trisomy group, 7.3 years for the standard-risk group, and 5.8 years for the high-risk group (p=0.01).” 
 
“To our knowledge, this is the largest single-institution study on cytogenetics in Black patients with multiple myeloma. Our findings highlight how cytogenetic subtypes can impact outcomes for Black patients. We plan to compare these results with those from White patients and are currently working with a cohort of approximately 1,300 White patients who were seen at our institute during the same period,” Dr. Bhutani further stated. 
 
On being chosen as an awardee, Hiruy remarked: “I am so honored to have been selected for this year’s ASH Abstract Achievement Award. I would like to use this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the International Myeloma Foundation and the Cobb Institute for establishing the IMF Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma Mentoring Program and their support. Through this program, I have also had the privilege of working with my mentor, Dr. Bhutani, who has enabled me to engage in research with significant potential to address health disparities in multiple myeloma. As I continue to progress in my medical career, I remain committed to using research as a tool to identify and address health inequities and look forward to applying the knowledge and skills I have gained through this invaluable experience.” 

IMF Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Mikhael, who spearheads the IMF Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma Mentoring Program and the IMF M-Power Project, is truly elated at ASH’s recognition of Hiruy’s hard work—a testament of the mentoring program’s success in conducting research on health disparities in myeloma while working alongside myeloma experts who are dedicated to health equity.  
 
“It is immensely gratifying for me to see how the IMF Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma Program has continued to grow and thrive, as we seek to reduce dramatic disparities in myeloma. Earning an ASH Abstract Achievement Award is extremely difficult, as there is such a competitive process – this year ASH received over 8,500 abstract submissions. Congratulations to both Semegne and Dr. Bhutani for this wonderful accomplishment and indeed, for their critical work in cytogenetic outcomes in myeloma by race and ethnicity. It speaks of their skill and dedication in research, writing, and mentorship,” said Dr. Mikhael. 
 
“At the International Myeloma Foundation, we are deeply committed to addressing health disparities in myeloma through innovative programs like the IMF Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma Mentoring Program. Seeing Semegne Hiruy receive the prestigious 2024 ASH Abstract Achievement Award is a testament to the program’s impact and the incredible dedication of both Semegne and her mentor, Dr. Bhutani,” said IMF President & CEO and 28-year myeloma patient Yelak Biru.
 
“This recognition underscores the importance of fostering diversity in medical research and equipping future physicians with the tools to advance equity in healthcare. Semegne’s work highlights the critical role of cytogenetics in improving outcomes for Black patients with myeloma and exemplifies how mentorship can drive meaningful change. We look forward to building on these successes, as we continue to empower the next generation of leaders in health equity,” he stated further. 
 
In addition, three other poster abstracts by the following IMF student-mentor pairings also made it to this year’s ASH annual meeting: 

All four poster abstracts will be presented in Session: 907. Outcomes Research: Plasma Cell Disorders: Poster II on Sunday, December 8, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Halls G-H (San Diego Convention Center). 

IMF Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma  

 

Launched on April 20, 2023, the IMF Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma Mentoring Program was created by the IMF, in partnership with the W. Montague Cobb/NMA Health Institute’s Cobb Scholars Program, as a novel mentorship initiative for African American medical students.  

The mentoring program is a joint effort by the IMF, the National Medical Association, and the W. Montague Cobb Institute, where medical students of minority backgrounds are paired with myeloma experts to conduct research on health disparities for six months, then are brought together at the National Medical Association Annual Meeting to share their work and form a community of physicians dedicated to health equity in myeloma.   

The IMF, the National Medical Association, and the W. Montague Cobb Institute look forward to the next batch of medical students of minority backgrounds who will be participating in the 2025 IMF Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma Mentoring Program.   

To learn more about the IMF Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma Mentoring Program, visit mpower.myeloma.org.  
 
 
 

Give Where Most Needed

Learn More