The LSLF Foundation believes that competent care is comprised of two parts: competence and compassion.

Our 2018 award recipient, Dr. Martin S. Tallman, Chief of Leukemia Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, is a master of both. His specialties are oncology, hematology and internal medicine.

As a highly competent oncologist, he is highly knowledgeable in the diverse types of blood-related diseases and able to recommend from varied types of treatment the ones best suited to the needs of his patients and the stage of the ailment being faced. He manages and explores treatment options and monitors the condition of the patient. As a hematologist, he is well versed in all aspects of blood diseases believes that not all types of leukemias are alike. His research develops novel treatments using drugs that target specific molecular genetic abnormalities in leukemia cells. He is particularly sensitive to the importance of developing new treatments that are more specific to the leukemia cell and, therefore less toxic to normal cells, resulting in fewer side effects.

In addition, and so important, his relationship with his patients is extraordinary. He thinks of them as members of his own family. His kindness and gentle bedside manner are effortless and make an enormous difference in the wellbeing of his patients.

For that alone – we honor him.

As a mentor, he is able to transmit both aspects of medical care, competence, and compassion, and those receiving his counsel are indeed fortunate.