Poster Abstracts 4570, 4578, and 6347 to be presented on December 7–8 at the 67th ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition in Orlando, FL.
STUDIO CITY, CA, Dec. 7, 2025 — The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is proud to announce that Abena Prempeh (Meharry Medical College — Nashville, TN), one of the IMF Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma, is among the recipients of the 2025 ASH Abstract Achievement Awards.
“Each year, the American Society of Hematology (ASH) offers merit-based Abstract Achievement Awards (formerly Travel Awards) to select individuals to acknowledge the accomplishments of hematologists-in-training,” states ASH about the ASH Abstract Achievement Awards.
Through the IMF Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma Mentoring Program, Prempeh was able to collaborate with Dr. Manisha Bhutani (Advocate Health Levine Cancer Institute—Charlotte, NC) in developing the award-winning Poster Abstract 6347 — T-cell redirecting therapies in multiple myeloma: Barriers and knowledge gap among patients, community physicians, and caregivers.
The objective of the study is “to assess awareness, perceived barriers, and practical challenges surrounding T-cell redirecting therapies (TCRT) among patients with myeloma, their caregivers, and community physicians.”
“Patients, caregivers, and community physicians face distinct yet overlapping barriers to TCRT access and understanding. Awareness gaps are more pronounced among Black patients and those with lower educational attainment. Despite comprising nearly 30% of our MM population, Black patients were underrepresented among survey respondents, highlighting potential participation bias. Caregivers report high stress due to emotional and logistical burdens. Physicians cite structural barriers, especially geography and transportation, as key obstacles. Targeted strategies are needed to enhance TCRT education, improve care coordination, and strengthen support systems across all stakeholders,” states the study’s conclusion.
On receiving the prestigious ASH Abstract Achievement Award, and on being mentored by Dr. Bhutani, Prempeh said: “I am so privileged to work with Dr. Bhutani, an expert in multiple myeloma, whose breadth of knowledge has deeply inspired me. Collaborating with her strengthened my interest in hematology and oncology and allowed me to grow as both a learner and an investigator. Her guidance sharpened my research skills, expanded the way I think about scientific inquiry, and helped me understand how meaningful and rigorous research can directly improve patient care. Working with Dr. Bhutani has shaped my development as an aspiring physician-researcher in hematology and oncology, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from someone who embodies excellence in both science and mentorship.”
On mentoring Prempeh, Dr. Bhutani had this to say: "Working with Abena was an absolute privilege. She brought forward a thoughtful survey-based approach that allowed us to address critical gaps in T-cell therapy awareness. Despite the challenges of IRB approval and tight timelines, her persistence and commitment never wavered. Seeing her work recognized by ASH is incredibly rewarding, and I am proud of what we accomplished together through this program."
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 Prempeh’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.
" I am truly proud and honored, seeing our IMF Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity grow and thrive in their efforts to reduce disparities in myeloma. Receiving an ASH Abstract Achievement Award is truly a remarkable feat — with over 9,000 abstracts submitted this year. My warmest congratulations to Abena and Dr. Bhutani for their noteworthy and outstanding research work in assessing the barriers and practical challenges surrounding T-cell redirecting therapies among myeloma patients, their caregivers, and community physicians," said Dr. Mikhael.
"We send our heartfelt congratulations to both Abena and Dr. Bhutani for being recognized for their exemplary work. Their outstanding and important research on the perceived barriers and challenges on TCRTs faced by myeloma patients, caregivers, and community physicians is truly deserving of the prestigious ASH Abstract Achievement Award. The Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma program provides aspiring doctors and scientists with the opportunity to connect with some of our community's brightest minds. Together, our mentors and students explore topics critical to improving equitable access for all people to diagnosis, treatment, and care and have the opportunity to experience a major scientific conference. We hope that Medical Student Scholars like Abena will become the future myeloma research leaders of tomorrow," said IMF President and CEO Heather Cooper Ortner.
In addition, two other poster abstracts by the following IMF student-mentor pairings also made it to this year’s ASH annual meeting:
• Poster 4570: Understanding access and treatment challenges in multiple myeloma care — Caidon Iwuagwu (Medical College of Wisconsin — Milwaukee, WI) and Joselle Cook, MBBS (Mayo Clinic — Rochester, MN); Sunday, December 7, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., OCCC- West Halls B3-B4
• Poster 4587: National cross-sectional Study to explore current state of patient awareness of multiple myeloma (MM) disease basics and its management: Identifying gaps and associations — Kenyot'a Russell (Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine South Georgia — Moultrie, GA) and Sikander Ailawadhi, MD (Mayo Clinic — Jacksonville, FL); Sunday, December 7, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., OCCC - West Halls B3-B4
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 2026 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.