By taking pride in their work, the haematology community can continue to inspire medical students and health professionals in the field. With their mentorship, the next generation will continue to transform haematology as they advance in their careers.

In the words of our Past Presidents

‘I have had a number of people who I have looked up to who've been great mentors. Not always necessarily haematologists, but I think that having people that you can discuss things with who have your best interest at heart is important.’
Finbarr Cotter, BSH President 2010 - 2011

‘Well, I was lucky enough to work as a houseman for a guy, a really remarkable man called David Weatherall, who was not only a brilliant scientist, a real innovator in genomics, it was really walking around the wards with Sir David, that made me realise how important the human contact and how important it is for patients to feel that you're really prepared to do anything for them, go the extra yard and nobody could have expressed that better than Sir David. So he really was the inspiration, not just for me, but for many, many people.’
Charles Craddock, BSH President 2017 - 2018

‘In this great morass of science and clinical care, you need a mentor, or more than one.’
Anthony Goldstone, BSH President 2000 – 2001

Highlights from the haematology timeline

Our timeline includes many examples of inspiring others, including:

  • 2010s Increased awareness of genetic haemochromatosis
  • 1980s Advances in bone marrow transplantation for many indications
  • 1974 Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Registry established
  • 1969 Founding of the MRC Leukaemia Unit

Browse the full timeline for more examples using the link below or in the right-hand menu.

Reflections from the haematology community

In preparation for our 60th anniversary, we invited members of the haematology community to share with us their thoughts and reflections. 

Find out more about our anniversary video contributors.

It is not too late to participate – please send your story to [email protected].

Anne Lennard: How would you encourage a student to take up your sub-specialty?
Anne Lennard: How would you encourage a student to take up your sub-specialty?
Anne Lennard: Who has been influential in your career and how?
Anne Lennard: Who has been influential in your career and how?
Shivir Moosai: How can we raise the profile of haematology to inspire future students?
Shivir Moosai: How can we raise the profile of haematology to inspire future students?
Shivir Moosai: Which individuals have made the greatest impact on haematology?
Shivir Moosai: Which individuals have made the greatest impact on haematology?
Shivir Moosai: What sparked your interest in haematology and inspired your career choice?
Shivir Moosai: What sparked your interest in haematology and inspired your career choice?
Jamie Saunders: How can we raise the profile of haematology to inspire future students?
Jamie Saunders: How can we raise the profile of haematology to inspire future students?
Jamie Saunders: What advice would you give to people considering starting a career in haematology?
Jamie Saunders: What advice would you give to people considering starting a career in haematology?
Jamie Saunders: What is a Physician Associate?
Jamie Saunders: What is a Physician Associate?
Jamie Saunders: What sparked your interest in haematology and inspired your career choice?
Jamie Saunders: What sparked your interest in haematology and inspired your career choice?
Jackie Green: How can we further raise the profile of haematology to inspire future students?
Jackie Green: How can we further raise the profile of haematology to inspire future students?
Jackie Green: What advice would you give to people considering a career in haematology?
Jackie Green: What advice would you give to people considering a career in haematology?
Jackie Green: What sparked your interest in haematology and inspired your career choice?
Jackie Green: What sparked your interest in haematology and inspired your career choice?
Jim Murray: Individuals that have made the greatest impact on haematology over the past 60 years
Jim Murray: Individuals that have made the greatest impact on haematology over the past 60 years
Jim Murray: Who or what inspired your career choice?
Jim Murray: Who or what inspired your career choice?
Jim Murray: How to inspire future students to specialise in haematology?
Jim Murray: How to inspire future students to specialise in haematology?
Cathy Burton: Which individuals have made the greatest impact on immunohistochemistry and molecular diagnostics over the past 60 years?
Cathy Burton: Which individuals have made the greatest impact on immunohistochemistry and molecular diagnostics over the past 60 years?
Cathy Burton: What sparked your interest in haematology and inspired your career choice?
Cathy Burton: What sparked your interest in haematology and inspired your career choice?
Cathy Burton: What would you say to inspire future students to specialise in diagnostics?
Cathy Burton: What would you say to inspire future students to specialise in diagnostics?
Cathy Burton: Why should students consider starting a career in immunohistochemistry and molecular diagnostics?
Cathy Burton: Why should students consider starting a career in immunohistochemistry and molecular diagnostics?
Cathy Burton: What advice would you give to people considering starting a career in immunohistochemistry and molecular diagnostics?
Cathy Burton: What advice would you give to people considering starting a career in immunohistochemistry and molecular diagnostics?
Lorna Williamson: Is having a mentor important?
Lorna Williamson: Is having a mentor important?
Lorna Williamson: Advice to students thinking of specialising in transfusion medicine
Lorna Williamson: Advice to students thinking of specialising in transfusion medicine
Imelda Bates: What advice would you give to inspire people to get involved in supporting haematology in developing countries?
Imelda Bates: What advice would you give to inspire people to get involved in supporting haematology in developing countries?
Ted Tuddenham: How can we further raise the profile of haematology in the next 60 years to inspire future students to specialise?
Ted Tuddenham: How can we further raise the profile of haematology in the next 60 years to inspire future students to specialise?
Ted Tuddenham: What advice would you give someone considering a career in haematology?
Ted Tuddenham: What advice would you give someone considering a career in haematology?
Ted Tuddenham: Individuals that made the greatest impact on haemostasis over the past 60 years
Ted Tuddenham: Individuals that made the greatest impact on haemostasis over the past 60 years
Heidi Doughty: How would you motivate students to take up your sub-specialty?
Heidi Doughty: How would you motivate students to take up your sub-specialty?
Heidi Doughty: What advice would you give to people considering starting a career in haematology?
Heidi Doughty: What advice would you give to people considering starting a career in haematology?
Heidi Doughty: What sparked your interest in military transfusion medicine and inspired your career choice?
Heidi Doughty: What sparked your interest in military transfusion medicine and inspired your career choice?
Barbara Bain: How can we further raise the profile of haematology in the next 60 years to inspire future students to specialise?
Barbara Bain: How can we further raise the profile of haematology in the next 60 years to inspire future students to specialise?
Barbara Bain: What advice would you give to people considering starting a career in haematology?
Barbara Bain: What advice would you give to people considering starting a career in haematology?
Barbara Bain: What do you consider to have been the greatest moment within your career to date?
Barbara Bain: What do you consider to have been the greatest moment within your career to date?
Barbara Bain: What would you say to encourage people to specialise in haematology?
Barbara Bain: What would you say to encourage people to specialise in haematology?
Barbara Bain: Which individuals have made the greatest impact on haematology over the past 60 years?
Barbara Bain: Which individuals have made the greatest impact on haematology over the past 60 years?
Barbara Bain: Who or what sparked your interest in haematology and inspired your career choice?
Barbara Bain: Who or what sparked your interest in haematology and inspired your career choice?
Sue Pavord: What are you most proud of in your career?
Sue Pavord: What are you most proud of in your career?
Sue Pavord: What would you say to recommend your subspecialty to students?
Sue Pavord: What would you say to recommend your subspecialty to students?
Keith Hyde: What advice would you give to people considering starting a career in haematology?
Keith Hyde: What advice would you give to people considering starting a career in haematology?
Keith Hyde: Which individuals have made the greatest impact on haematology over the past 60 years?
Keith Hyde: Which individuals have made the greatest impact on haematology over the past 60 years?
Keith Hyde: Who or what sparked your interest in haematology and inspired your career choice?
Keith Hyde: Who or what sparked your interest in haematology and inspired your career choice?

Click on the buttons below:

The views expressed in the material filmed for the anniversary are those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent the views of the British Society for Haematology.

Filming took place during the second half of 2019 and the start of 2020, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.