Message From President Dr. Margy MacMillan: Implementing ASTCT’s New Mission and Vision

Stepping into the role of ASTCT president over the past two months represents a meaningful culmination of my time serving and growing within our Society. From my first volunteer role in 2011 as faculty for the Clinical Research Training Course, to my more recent service as an associate editor for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, ASTCT has played a central role in shaping my professional journey. I am now honored to support our members as they continue to strengthen their expertise, expand their networks, and advance our field together.

A key focus of my presidential term will be leading ASTCT forward through the Strategic Plan developed by the Board under the leadership of Immediate Past President David Porter, MD. As part of this work, ASTCT has updated our mission to reflect the continued evolution of hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapy, our Society’s expanding role, and the changing needs of the profession we serve. Our refreshed mission brings clarity and alignment to ASTCT’s core purpose and strategic priorities today. Complementing this, our new vision articulates a bold and aspirational future — one that unites our community around the impact we strive to achieve together. I’m pleased to share them with you:

• ASTCT Mission: The American Society of Transplantation and Cellular Therapy advances hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapies through groundbreaking research, high-quality education, impactful advocacy, and clinical excellence.
• ASTCT Vision: Provide safe and curative hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapies to all patients in need.

I encourage each of you to reflect on this mission and vision and consider how you can help bring them to life. For me, these statements resonate deeply, and in this first message as president, I would like to share how I plan to put them into action through several key priorities. I look forward to sharing updates on our progress throughout the year.

• Prioritizing Pediatric Advocacy: As a pediatrician, I remain steadfast in my commitment to “never forget the children.” ASTCT will continue to integrate pediatric perspectives into the core of our research, education, clinical, and advocacy efforts, ensuring these needs are foundational, not peripheral. In my ASTCT Spotlight, I shared a story that still resonates with me — a young boy with leukemia whose presence reminded me of the responsibility we carry as clinicians. I think of him often, and I believe ASTCT’s mission and vision will help our profession continue to grow so that survival rates can too.
• Optimizing the Tandem Meetings: We will ensure that the Tandem Meetings remain the preeminent venue for education in hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapy. By evolving alongside rapid scientific advancement and proactively engaging early‑career investigators, we will continue to meet the needs of our diverse and global membership with excellence and innovation.
• Expanding and Diversifying ASTCT: I am committed to aligning ASTCT with the dynamic and rapidly expanding landscape of cellular therapy and HCT. Strengthening the Society’s role as a catalyst for scientific discovery and clinical advancement is essential to driving progress across every facet of our field.
• Championing Equitable Access: In collaboration with the Government Relations Committee, ASTCT will proactively address legislative and systemic barriers at both the state and federal levels. Our goal is to achieve true geographic and financial equity so that every patient has timely access to the highest standard of care.

Accomplishing these priorities will require collaboration across the Board, committees, SIGs, and our broader membership. I look forward to continuing this work together and  engaging in conversations about how we can advance these efforts collectively.

Before closing, I want to encourage you to attend the upcoming Joint ASTCT + EBMT Basic and Translational Scientific Meeting, taking place May 28-29 in Philadelphia. Fulfilling our mission and vision depends on bringing experts together to collaborate, challenge one another, and share new discoveries. This meeting will convene immunologists, stem cell biologists, and clinicians to advance the science underpinning hematopoietic cell transplantation, as well as cellular and gene therapies. If you have not yet registered, I hope you will consider joining us.

I look forward to what the year ahead will bring.

Sincerely,
Margaret MacMillan, MD, MSc, FRCPC