Sickle Cell Update

Kathryn Hassell, MD Director & Professor

Dr. Hassell has been the Director of the Center since 2003, after serving as its Associate Director since 1992. She has been with the University since 1989. Dr. Hassell provides inpatient and outpatient care to adults with sickle cell disease at the University of Colorado Hospital. She is a site principal investigator for multi-center clinical trials for adults with sickle cell disease and has provided national leadership on study steering and executive committees.

Dr. Hassell has led several regional projects through the Mountain States Genetics Regional Collaborative Center and serves on the Newborn Screening Advisory Committee for the Colorado State Department of Health. She also sits on the steering committees of a number of national projects including the Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Demonstration Project for HRSA, the American Society of Hematology’s Public Health Taskforce, and the Registries and Surveillance for Hemoglobinopathies (RuSH) Project for the CDC and NIH. Dr. Hassell recently completed a four-year, part-time, IPA assignment with the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

Recognition & Awards

• Top Doctor in Denver, 5280 Magazine (2011)

Voted a 5280 best doctor by my peers in response to the question, "Which physician would you trust to treat you and your family?"

• Top Doctor, 5280 Magazine (2008)

• Clinical Excellence Award, Vascular Disease Foundation (2007)

• Community Service Award, Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved (2005)

• Faculty Community Service Award, Bank One Colorado (2003)

In memoriam: Nancy J. Fielder, past president Ella Mae Bransom Sickle Cell Association

Sunrise July 7, 1932

Sunset October 9, 2015

Nancy Jane Fielder, was born July 1,1932 in Fitzgerald, Georgia to Willie B. and Ozzie (Hudson) Burkes

Nancy became a nurse in 1970 where she worked as a dietitian for the U.S. Army. She dedicated her time to the government for 20 plus years. While working, she met her soulmate Johnny Mack Fielder. They were united in holy matrimony January 13,1970 and celebrated 37 wonderful years together before he preceded her in death in 2007.

Nancy kept a busy schedule, working and volunteering her time with her community, being president of the Ella Mae Branson Sickle Cell Association for 35 years. She held a lifetime membership with the NAACP, volunteered for the Red Cross and was honored by local organizations such as Alpha Kappa Alpha and Omega Psi Phi for her outstanding work in community service.

Nancy was a faithful to member of New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church

She lived her life to the fullest, loving her family and friends and enjoying life.