St. Petersburg, Fla. – August 8, 2023 – Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute Director Cassandra Josephson, M.D., was appointed to a three-year-term as a member of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Advisory Committee on Blood and Tissue Safety and Availability (ACBTSA). The committee advises and makes recommendations to the HHS Secretary and the Assistant Secretary for Health on safety issues related to the use of blood, blood products, organs and tissues in transfusion medicine and transplantation.

Dr. Josephson is one of 14 public appointees to the committee, whose members are experts from academic medical centers, blood and tissue banks, and research organizations. She was sworn into service at the committee’s July 6 meeting in Washington, D.C.

As an internationally respected expert in pediatric transfusion medicine, Dr. Josephson contributes to advancements in patient care, clinical knowledge, medical education and clinical/translational research. Her service on the HHS advisory committee is another opportunity to continue to advocate for safety in transfusion medicine.

“This committee’s work is incredibly important to the American people as we bring our collective blood banking, tissue, and organ transplantation expertise to the table to aid the president, Congress, and the nation to improve not only safety, but help assure availability of these vital national resources,” Dr. Josephson reflects. “I’m proud and honored to bring my pediatric transfusion and tissue banking expertise to the ACBTSA.”

About Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg is a leader in children’s health care, combining a legacy of compassionate care focused solely on children since 1926 with the innovation and experience of one of the world’s leading health care systems. The 259-bed teaching hospital, stands at the forefront of discovery, leading innovative research to cure and prevent childhood diseases while training the next generation of pediatric experts. With a network of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Outpatient Care centers and collaborative care provided by All Children’s Specialty Physicians at regional hospitals, Johns Hopkins All Children’s brings care closer to home. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital consistently keeps the patient and family at the center of care while continuing to expand its mission in treatment, research, education and advocacy. For more information, visit HopkinsAllChildrens.org.