Sherrill Slichter, MD, a world-renowned hematologist who had a profound influence on the field of transfusion medicine and biotherapies, died in August at age 88.
Slichter earned her medical degree at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and completed her residency at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas. She went on to complete her fellowship in hematology and oncology at the University of Washington in 1968 and performed her extensive platelet research at Bloodworks Northwest (formerly Puget Sound Blood Center). She joined the staff at Bloodworks Northwest in 1970 and worked there for the remainder of her career, where she led monumental research, including projects advancing techniques to prolong platelet viability, reduce donor dependency and enhance transfusion safety. Throughout her career, Slichter authored more than 150 scientific articles, expanding the field’s understanding about platelet transfusions and advancing platelet transfusion therapy. Her platelet and blood cell clotting research is credited with making bone marrow transplantation possible, extending the lives of cancer patients globally.
Transfusion is AABB’s scholarly, peer-reviewed monthly journal, publishing the latest on technological advances, clinical research and controversial issues related to transfusion medicine, blood banking, biotherapies and tissue transplantation. Access of Transfusion is free to all AABB members.
Learn More About Transfusion Journal
Keep abreast of what's happening in the field of biotherapies with CellSource - AABB's monthly update on the latest biotherapies news.
To submit news about the blood and biotherapies field to AABB, please email news@aabb.org.
President
Meghan Delaney, DO, MPH
Chief Executive Officer
Debra Ben Avram, FASAE, CAE
Chief Communications and Engagement Officer
Julia Zimmerman
Director of Marketing and Communications
Jay Lewis, MPH
Managing Editor
Kendra Y. Mims, MFA
Senior Communications Manager
Drew Case
AABB News
(ISSN 1523939X) is published monthly, except for the combined November/December issue for the members of AABB; 4550 Montgomery Avenue; Suite 700 North Tower; Bethesda, MD 20814.
AABB is an international, not-for-profit association representing individuals and institutions involved in transfusion medicine, cellular therapies and patient blood management. The association is committed to improving health by developing and delivering standards, accreditation and educational programs that focus on optimizing patient and donor care and safety.
+1.301.907.6977
Email: news@aabb.org
Website: www.aabb.org
Copyright 2025 by AABB.
Views and opinions expressed in AABB News are not necessarily endorsed by AABB unless expressly stated.
Notice to Copiers: Reproduction in whole or part is strictly prohibited unless written permission has been granted by the publisher. AABB members need not obtain prior permission if proper credit is given.
4550 Montgomery Avenue
Suite 700, North Tower
Bethesda, MD 20814
301.907.6977
