Resources - Results from #60

Dr. James Bussel is Professor of Pediatrics, Medicine, and Obstetrics at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York City. His training was initiated at Yale, continued at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, then he completed a Pediatric Residency at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, and a Fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at the combined Cornell/Memorial Sloan Kettering program. The great majority of Dr. Bussel's publications are centered around diagnosis and especially management of patients with ITP, including children with ITP, adults with ITP, pregnant women with ITP, HIV infected patients with thrombocytopenia, and fetuses affected by autoimmune and alloimmune thrombocytopenia. He has worked with IVIg, IV anti-D, rituximab, and most recently the thrombopoietic agents. Dr. Bussel also serves on the PDSA Board of Medical Advisors.

Aproteem Choudhury

Aproteem Choudhury is dedicated to applying mind-body medicine to enhance health outcomes for individuals facing illness, chronic diseases, behavioral health challenges, and communities experiencing collective trauma. As Director of the Greater Houston Healing Collaborative (GHHC) at the Institute for Spirituality and Health, Aproteem utilizes his clinical expertise to support innovative public health initiatives targeting health ministries, veterans, caregivers, and the bereaved.

With a decade of experience in biomedical and clinical research, Aproteem emphasizes evidence-based mind-body skills to unlock our innate healing potential. Notably, he pioneered the first Mind-Body Interventionist role at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, TX, providing holistic care to patients, families, and clinicians. He actively participates in interdisciplinary projects promoting clinician wellness and combating burnout across the Texas Medical Center and Greater Houston community.

Aproteem's dedication extends to training and mentoring emerging practitioners of mind-body medicine, particularly those from traumatized communities such as Ukraine and Uvalde, TX. He played a key role in developing a two-year program supporting frontline healthcare providers and community leaders following the Robb Elementary School Shooting tragedy.

Aproteem also finds deep fulfillment by nurturing his regenerative micro farm, biking along Houston's Bayous, and cherishing time with his family and dogs. He holds a BS in Neuroscience from the University of Texas, Dallas, and is completing his Master’s of Social Work at the University of Houston.

Nichola Cooper, MD

Nichola Cooper is a Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant Haematologist and at Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College, London, UK. She completed her undergraduate degrees at Cambridge University and Barts and the London Hospital Medical College, University of London, UK. During her haematology training, Dr Cooper undertook a research fellowship at Cornell Medical School, New York Presbyterian Hospital, USA with Jim Bussel, investigating the clinical and laboratory impact of treatments such as rituximab and anti-D immunoglobulin in patients with ITP. She also studied at Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital, London, where she gained further experience in both paediatric and adult immunodeficiency disorders. Dr. Cooper runs a clinical and laboratory research programme investigating the causes of haematological autoimmunity. She has authored many papers published in international, peer-reviewed journals including Nature Immunology, Blood and the British Journal of Haematology.

Annemarie Fogerty, MD

Dr. Annemarie Fogerty is a Hematology Specialist in Boston, MA with over 18 years of experience. She graduated from New York University School of Medicine in 2003, then went on to internal medicine residency at Massachusetts General Hospital. She completed her fellowship training at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. She currently serves as the Clinical Director for Hematology and Director of Reproductive Hematology at both Massachusetts General Hospital and NewtonWellesley Hospital. Her particular areas of clinical expertise and research focus on thrombocytopenia and thrombosis in the pregnant patient.

Terry Gernsheimer, MD

Dr. Terry Gernsheimer is Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine, Medical Director of the Platelet Antibody Laboratory at the Puget Sound Blood Center, and Director of Transfusion Services for the University of Washington Medical Center and the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Dr. Gernsheimer's research focuses on the pathophysiology and treatment of immune platelet disorders and pathologic immune responses associated with transfusion. She has clinical research interest in transfusion management of the hematopoietic stem cell transplant patient and surgical bleeding in patients undergoing solid organ transplant and cardiovascular procedures. She has made significant contributions toward understanding the pathophysiology and management of auto-immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Dr. Gernsheimer serves on the PDSA Board of Medical Advisors.

Rachael Grace, MD, MMSc

Dr. Rachael Grace is a Pediatric Hematologist at the Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. She is the Medical Director of the Hematology Clinical Research Program at Boston Children’s Hospital and is recipient of the Blanche P. Alter Investigatorship in Hematology. Dr. Grace received her MD from Brown University and received her Masters in Medical Science from Harvard Medical School. She completed her pediatrics residency at Boston Children’s Hospital and pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship at the Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. She is the director of the pediatric ITP Consortium of North America (ICON), a collaboration of more than 50 sites in North America focused on improving ITP care for children. She is a leading investigator for multiple observational and interventional research studies for children with ITP and is involved in national ITP guideline initiatives. Dr. Grace’s clinical and research interests are focused on improving outcomes of children with immune cytopenias and rare congenital hemolytic anemias.

Craig Kessler, MD

Dr. Craig Kessler is professor of Medicine and Pathology and Section Chief of Hematology. He is also Director of the Coagulation Laboratory at Georgetown. A graduate of Tulane School of Medicine, Dr. Kessler received his specialty training in hematology and oncology at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. An international expert in the area of disorders of coagulation, Dr. Kessler has a particular interest in hemophilia. He also has expertise in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Dr. Kessler also serves on the PDSA Board of Medical Advisors.

David J. Kuter, MD, DPhil

Dr. David Kuter is Chief of Hematology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. He earned a research doctorate (DPhil) at Magdalen College of Oxford University and a medical degree at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Kuter is Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Chief of Hematology at the Massachusetts General Hospital. In addition, Dr. Kuter sits on numerous national and international ITP committees and is board certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology, and Medical Oncology. He has dedicated years of effort to researching coagulopathies, anticoagulation, and platelet disorders. In recent years, Dr. Kuter has conducted groundbreaking research into the development of effective thrombopoietic agents. Dr. Kuter also serves on the PDSA Board of Medical Advisors.

Howard A. Liebman, MD

Dr. Howard Liebman is Professor of Medicine and Pathology at the University of Southern California (USC) Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA. He serves as Medical Director of the Special Hemostasis Laboratory at the USC NorrisComprehensiveCancerCenter and is Director of the fellowship program in hematology. Dr. Liebman received his medical degree from USC and completed his postgraduate training including a residency in internal medicine and fellowships in medical oncology and hematology at Los AngelesCounty - University of Southern California Medical Center. Dr. Liebman completed a research fellowship at TuftsUniversity - New EnglandMedicalCenter, Boston, MA, and held faculty positions at TuftsUniversity and BostonUniversity, before returning to USC. Dr. Liebman's research interests include clinical management and characterization of haemostatic and thrombotic disorders, management of autoimmune blood disorders, and clinical therapy of HIV and AIDS. He has authored or co-authored 85 peer-reviewed publications and 26 reviews and chapters. Dr. Liebman also serves on the PDSA Board of Medical Advisors.

Diane J. Nugent, MD

Dr. Diane Nugent is a Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. She currently serves as Chair, Hematology, CHOC Children's Hospital of North Orange County, Orange, CA; Medical Director, Hematology and Blood and Donor Services CHOC Children's; and Division Chief, Hematology, CHOC Children's Specialists. Dr. Nugent is a nationally-recognized expert in pediatric hematology who specializes in blood disorders, bone marrow failure, bleeding and clotting disorders, anemias, and immune deficiencies. She is involved in clinical trials for rare blood disorders and is a principal investigator for regional hemophilia programs. Dr. Nugent has coauthored more than 100 journal articles and book chapters. She chairs review subcommittees at the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLB) at NIH in hematology. Dr. Nugent also participates in the Pediatric ITP Consortium of North America (ICON), a group of pediatric hematologists dedicated to improving the understanding, treatment, and quality of life (QOL) of pediatric ITP patients.

John W. Semple, PhD

Dr. John Semple received his PhD in Immunology from Queen's University in 1986 and trained as a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Banting and Best Department of Medical Research of the C.H. Best Institute, University of Toronto from 1986-1990. He joined St. Michael’s Hospital in 1990 and was a Senior Staff Scientist and Head of the Toronto Platelet Immunobiology Group at the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Sciences. He was also a Professor in the Departments of Pharmacology, Medicine and Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto and an Adjunct Scientist with Canadian Blood Services. He joined Lund University in 2016 as a Professor of Transfusion Medicine of St. Michael’s Hospital. Dr. Semple has published over 120 papers on platelet immunology. His research activities include several areas including anti-platelet T cell responses in patients with acute and chronic ITP, the analysis of how platelet antigens are recognized by the immune system, and how platelets may act as immune-like cells that are responsible for initiating and perpetuating their own autoimmune demise. Dr. Semple also serves on the PDSA Board of Medical Advisors.

Michael Tarantino, MD

Dr. Michael Tarantino is a Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine-Peoria and Medical Director of the Bleeding & Clotting Disorders Institute. He received a doctoral degree in medicine from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine in 1987. He completed an internship and residency at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center and a Fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine. Dr. Tarantino first became interested in ITP during his residency in 1988. Since that time he has designed and/or participated in numerous clinical investigations related to ITP and other platelet disorders. He has authored numerous publications relevant to the diagnosis and management of ITP, especially as it occurs in children. He is also active in hemophilia and other bleeding disorders research, and founded The Bleeding and Clotting Disorders Institute in 2010. Dr. Tarantino serves on the PDSA Board of Medical Advisors.

ITP Conference 2025 - Photo Gallery 📸

Save The Date!

PDSA’s next annual ITP Conference will take place in Salt Lake City, Utah, on July 24–26, 2026. Stay tuned for more details!

Discover Philadelphia’s History on a Double-Decker Bus Tour!

Join us on the evening of July 26th for this year’s Saturday Fun Event with Philadelphia Sightseeing Tours. Hop aboard an open-top, double-decker bus for a 90-minute guided journey through America’s rich history. See nearly 30 iconic landmarks, including Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and Ben Franklin’s Grave.

Preregistration required — Space is limited!
Cost is $10 for adults (18+); children under 18 are complimentary
Tour starts at 8:00pm and lasts approximately 90 minutes
Pick-up and drop-off will be at The Logan Hotel

Liberty Bell Center
526 Market Street, Philadelphia

Independence Hall
520 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia

Independence National Historic Park
101 S. Independence Mall West, Philadelphia

Congress Hall
Chestnut Street at 6th Street, Philadelphia

Old City Hall
Chestnut Street at 5th Street, Philadelphia

Rocky Statue and Rocky Steps
2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia

LOVE Sculpture
15th & Arch Streets, Philadelphia

Valley Forge National Historical Park
1400 N. Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia

Betsy Ross House (including Once Upon a Nation Storytelling Benches)
239 Arch Street, Philadelphia

The President’s House
600 Market Street, Philadelphia

Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
101 S. Independence Mall East, Philadelphia

Fireman’s Hall Museum
147 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia

Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site
532 N. 7th Street, Philadelphia

United States Mint
151 N. Independence Mall East, Philadelphia

Science History Institute
315 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia

Ryerss Museum and Library
7370 Central Avenue, Philadelphia

Founder’s Hall Museum at Girard College
2101 South College Avenue, Philadelphia

Wagner Free Institute of Science
1700 W. Montgomery Avenue, Philadelphia

Institute of Contemporary Art
118 S. 36th Street, Philadelphia

Franklin Square
200 N. 6th Street, Philadelphia

Bartram’s Garden
5400 Lindbergh Blvd, Philadelphia

Please Touch Museum
4321 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia

The Franklin Institute
222 N. 20th Street, Philadelphia

Philadelphia Zoo
3400 W. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia

Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia

Morris Arboretum & Gardens
100 E. Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia

The African American Museum of Philadelphia
701 Arch Street, Philadelphia

Independence Seaport Museum
211 S. Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia

Museum of the American Revolution
101 S. 3rd Street, Philadelphia

National Constitution Center
525 Arch Street, Philadelphia

Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia

Eastern State Penitentiary
2027 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia

Rodin Museum
2151 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia

Penn Museum
3260 South Street, Philadelphia

National Liberty Museum
321 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia

Sesame Place
100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, PA

LEGOLAND Discovery Center
500 W. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA

The Bucks County Children’s Museum
500 Union Square Drive, New Hope, PA

Adventure Aquarium
1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ

Reading Terminal Market
1136 Arch Street, #400, Philadelphia, PA

South 9th Street Italian Market
9th Street between Fitzwater and Wharton Streets

Applying for a partial scholarship

If you are interested in applying for a partial conference scholarship which is applied toward conference registration for two and your hotel room for three nights (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday), please follow these instructions:

Fill out the conference registration form (do NOT send payment)
Check the box in the form that says "I would like to apply for a partial conference scholarship to be applied toward conference registration for two (2) and hotel accommodations for three (3) nights"
Include a letter that includes information describing your diagnosis, your specific financial need, and the benefit you hope to derive from attending the conference.
Email your application and letter to DeLee Cooper at dcooper@pdsa.org or mail to PDSA, Attn: DeLee Cooper, 8751 Brecksville Road, Suite 150, Cleveland, OH 44141.

The deadline for scholarship applications is June 7, 2025.

Registration Form

Please note: Travel costs are NOT included in the partial scholarship. Due to the limited number of scholarships available, they will be awarded on a first come, first served basis and preference will be given to first-time attendees.

You MUST be a paid PDSA member to be eligible for a conference scholarship.

Become a Member

If you are not a patient or caregiver of a patient, please use this link to register:

Medical Professionals & Industry Registration

FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2025

1:00 — 5:00 PM	Registration/Exhibits Open
3:00 — 3:10 PM	Welcome
3:10 — 4:15 PM	Concurrent Sessions: • The Phases of ITP (overview to include 1st, 2nd, 3rd line treatments) • Navigating the Patient Journey: From newly diagnosed to chronic ITP • ITP in Teens: a medical overview (for teens and their parents)
4:15 — 5:00 PM	Break
5:00 — 6:00 PM	Sobi-sponsored Educational Dinner Program and PDSA Trivia
6:00 — 6:15 PM	Break
6:15 — 7:30 PM	Concurrent Sessions: Inquire & Inspire: patients ask the experts and share personal journeys (small group sessions) • Canadian Patients & Caregivers • For Teens Only • Other groups based on geographic location

SATURDAY, JULY 26, 2025

8:00 — 9:00 AM	Registration/Exhibits Open Continental Breakfast
9:00 — 10:15 AM	• The Pathophysiology of ITP: What we have learned these past 25 years • When to Involve an Immunologist in Your ITP Journey: A professional and patient perspective • When It’s Not ITP: Testing and genetics
10:15 — 10:30 AM	Break
10:30 — 11:30 AM	Concurrent Sessions: Inquire & Inspire: patients ask the experts and share personal journeys (small group sessions) • General ITP Questions • ITP in Children • For Women and Girls Only: Rare bleeding disorders during adolescence and pregnancy • ITP and Aging: Addressing the unique challenges
11:30 — 11:45 AM	Break
11:45 AM — 1:00 PM	Quality of Life in ITP: Fatigue, bleeding, oral health, cognitive impairment
1:00 — 2:00 PM	Lunch Break with PDSA Medical Advisors
2:00 — 3:00 PM	ITP: New targets, new agents, and new possibilities
3:00 — 3:15 PM	Break
3:15 — 4:15 PM	Concurrent Sessions: • ITP in Adults Q&A • ITP in Children Q&A • Challenges for Women with ITP Later in Life
4:15 — 4:30 PM	Break
4:30 — 5:15 PM	Access to Care: Navigating the maze of ITP treatments
5:15 — 5:30 PM	Announcements
5:30 — 6:30 PM	Break
6:30 — 7:30 PM	Sanofi-sponsored Educational Dinner Program “Know What Counts: An Open Conversation about ITP”
8:00 — 10:00 PM	Saturday Evening Fun Event

SUNDAY, JULY 27, 2025

9:00 — 10:30 AM	Continental Breakfast Support Group Facilitators’ Breakfast (pre-registration requested)
10:30 — 11:30 AM	Keynote Presentation: Meeting the Challenge of Rare Disease in the Family: 25 Years of Lessons Learned
11:30 AM — 12:45 PM	Living with ITP: Patients share their stories
12:45 — 1:00 PM	Closing Remarks

*Agenda and speakers subject to change
** A separate track for teens and young adults will run Friday and Saturday
***Breakout group session assignments will be listed on the back of name badges

Meeting room details will be provided in-person at Registration.

Subcategories

ITP Conference 2013

ITP Conference 2015

ITP Conference 2016

ITP Conference 2017

ITP Conference 2018

ITP Conference 2022

ITP Conference 2019

ITP Conference 2020

ITP Conference 2021

ITP Conference 2023

ITP Conference 2024

ITP Conference 2025

ITP Conference 2026

Page 7 of 9

PDSA Advocacy Programs

Healthcare Access

Blood Safety

Autoimmune Awareness

Rare Disease Awareness

US Government Agency Connections

You’re not alone. We have answers!
Contact PDSA to connect with life altering information, resources and referrals. 440.746.9003 (877.528.3538 toll-free) or pdsa@pdsa.org.

Platelet Disorder Support Association
8751 Brecksville Road Suite 150
Cleveland, OH 44141
440.746.9003 | pdsa@pdsa.org
The Platelet Disorder Support Association is a 501(c)3 organization and donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

IMPORTANT!

The Platelet Disorder Support Association does not provide medical advice or endorse any medication, vitamins or herbs. The information contained herein is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice and is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment, discontinuing an existing treatment and to discuss any questions you may have regarding your unique medical condition.

Membership Matters

Make a Donation

Things to do in San Antonio

ITP Conference 2024 - Speakers

James Bussel, MD

Aproteem Choudhury

Nichola Cooper, MD

Annemarie Fogerty, MD

Terry Gernsheimer, MD

Rachael Grace, MD, MMSc

Craig Kessler, MD

David J. Kuter, MD, DPhil

Howard A. Liebman, MD

Diane J. Nugent, MD

John W. Semple, PhD

Michael Tarantino, MD

ITP Conference 2025 - Photo Gallery

Save The Date!

ITP Conference 2025 - Saturday Evening Fun Event

Discover Philadelphia’s History on a Double-Decker Bus Tour!

ITP Conference 2025 - Things to do

ITP Conference 2025 - Scholarship

Applying for a partial scholarship

Registration - Medical Professionals and Industry

Registration - Patients and Caregivers

Registration - Sponsors (complimentary)

ITP Conference 2025 - Agenda

FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2025

SATURDAY, JULY 26, 2025

SUNDAY, JULY 27, 2025

Subcategories

You’re not alone. We have answers! Contact PDSA to connect with life altering information, resources and referrals. 440.746.9003 (877.528.3538 toll-free) or pdsa@pdsa.org.

You’re not alone. We have answers!
Contact PDSA to connect with life altering information, resources and referrals. 440.746.9003 (877.528.3538 toll-free) or pdsa@pdsa.org.