- The initiative, launched by MD Anderson Cancer Center Madrid – Hospiten, seeks to encourage and recognize young professionals working in the field of hematology, in addition to helping them access training for the best development of their professional career.
- The winners, who will receive a scholarship of 3,000 € for continued education, obtained the best score in a test on the content of talks at the 9th Annual Congress on Acute Leukemia.
Madrid, December 10, 2020 - Dr. Karla Vallejo, from Hospital del Mar, in Barcelona; Dr. Alejandro Avendaño, from the Hospital Universitario Clinico of Salamanca, and Dr. Diego Conde, from the Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias in Alcala de Henares, Madrid, are the winners of the first edition of “El Reto” (‘The Challenge’), an initiative launched by MD Anderson Cancer Center Madrid – Hospiten on the occasion of the 9th Annual Meeting on Acute Leukemia, held this year online. The winners will receive a scholarship of 3,000 € for their participation in and excellent use of the congress, coordinated by Dr. Adolfo de la Fuente, head of the center's Hematology Service, and Dr. Miguel Angel Sanz, of La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital in Valencia.
The 9th Annual Congress on Acute Leukemia brings together the top leukemia specialists in the world every year to debate and exchange experiences about the most important advances of the year in the pathology. This year, with the aim of testing the knowledge of the almost 500 attendees, Dr. de la Fuente and Dr. Sanz, together with a coordination team including Dr. Maria Teresa Olave, of the Hospital Clinico Universitario Lozano Blesa, in Zaragoza, and Dr. Mar Tormo, of the Hospital Clinico Universitario in Valencia, posted a test on participants’ knowledge of the presentations and topics discussed at the meeting on the congress website. Each participant had 15 days, and one attempt to start and complete the test; once started, they had one hour to complete all the questions.
After the deadline, the tests submitted were analyzed and Dr. Vallejo, Dr. Avendaño and Dr. Conde gave the most accurate answers. Now, they will each be able to decide on which continued education activity (enrollment in courses, participation in congresses, master's degrees, etc.) they wish to spend the 3,000 € of their scholarship. In previous editions, the scholarships have consisted of accommodation, travel to and registration in the European Congress of Hematology and Hemotherapy.
This year, the program has been adapted to the current situation, but the line of encouraging and recognizing young professionals who work in the field of hematology is maintained, as is the facilitating of access to continued education and professional development. "We are truly satisfied with the reception "El Reto” (“The Challenge”) has had among the participants in the event and, furthermore, we believe the challenge has encouraged greater involvement and more active listening among the attendees and as a result, we think it turned out to be a very enriching experience”, stated Dr. De la Fuente.