I was fortunate to have an outstanding teacher who had been in the field for over three decades and shared with me her continued excitement about practicing in this field and the challenges faced during attempts to improve the diagnosis and therapy of blood disorders.[...]Half way through my residency I was "hooked" on hematology and have never regretted it for a moment. Having played a very small role in improving the lives of children with sickle cell anemia and leukemia - as well as many other conditions - has been a source of great satisfaction and joy