Hoxworth Blood Center Director Named ACCA President-Elect

Ronald Sacher, MD, director of Hoxworth Blood Center, has been named the 2018 president-elect of the American Clinical and Climatological Association (ACCA). Founded in 1884, the ACCA is the oldest medical society in the United States. ‘Climatological’ refers to the fact that climate was a key factor in the treatment of tuberculosis, a major health problem when the society was formed. 

"The ACCA is a multidisciplinary organization of people who have leadership in American medicine,” says Sacher. "We have members who are presidents of universities, as well as leaders and deans of medical schools and department chairs. It’s a very prestigious organization. This is really one of the highlights of my career.”

Sacher is only the fourth director in the 78-year history of Hoxworth Blood Center. He joined Hoxworth in 2000, with a commitment to establishing a primary mission of community service. Sacher continues to lead Hoxworth as an internationally-recognized leader in the field of hematology and in guiding the blood center in cutting-edge research areas involving transfusion and regenerative medicine. 

"I think this is the most exciting time in medicine ever, because of the explosion of informatics and the ability to analyze big data,” Sacher says. "Also, there are new and novel therapies emerging in the mining of the human genome, particularly in cancer. I think that’s an area that is really exploding day by day.”

Hoxworth continues to serve as a leader in transfusion medicine, developing strength in areas uncommon to many blood centers. The blood center boasts expertise in research, cellular therapies, transplantation immunohematology and teaching transfusion medicine to future blood bank leaders.