Voices That Transform: Dr. Jori May

Jori May, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She specializes in caring for patients with thrombosis and coagulation disorders, and serves as Physician Advisor for Hemostatic and Antithrombotic Stewardship for UAB Medicine. She is triple-certified by ABIM, currently maintaining certificates in Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology and Hematology. Dr. May joined the ABIM Hematology Board as its newest member in January 2024.

What interested you in hematology?

I went into medical school intending to become an oncologist, but fell in love with hematology during fellowship. I loved the diagnostic challenges, the direct connection between science and clinical care, and the longitudinal relationships with patients.

What issues in hematology are most important to you as a doctor?

As a hematologist focused on thrombosis and anticoagulation, my biggest focus and interest is access to expertise in hematology (which lately has many names-benign, nonmalignant, classical). There is a shortage of people trained in our specialty and lower interest at the fellowship training level. Therefore, I am motivated to think about ways we can make hematologic expertise accessible to all patients who need it which includes 1) ways to recruit people to the field and 2) ways to make sure those people providing hematologic care have the knowledge base they need to care for patients.

What does your work in systems-based hematology entail? Why is that important to you?

The term "systems-based hematology" came out of work with the American Society of Hematology in 2015. They identified a need for hematologists to be involved in creating systems that supported evidence-based, cost-effective hematologic care delivery. In systems-based hematology, we think about questions like: how do we prevent thrombosis in hospitalized patients, how do we safely and effectively use high-risk anticoagulants, and how do we build systems delivering care to patients with complex hematologic disorders. For me, this work is extremely rewarding, as it allows me to contribute to the care of patients even beyond the one-on-one patient-provider relationship. It is another way to ensure that, in this shortage of hematologists, excellent care is provided to everyone who needs it.

As someone maintaining three board certifications, you've made a significant commitment to your profession and a national standard of excellence. Why is that important to you? How does it impact your practice?

As a hematologist, a strong foundation in internal medicine is essential. I am an internist first and always, and a hematologist on top of that. I have had some oncologic responsibilities in my practice, but if I see my clinical work shifting over the coming years, that may be less important to me to maintain. Staying knowledgeable and up to date on all aspects of hematology is central to my clinical practice.

Why made you interested in joining the Hematology Board? What do you hope to contribute as a member of Governance?

I am passionate about education; I enjoy teaching at all levels of medical training, which has contributed to my interest in what ABIM does. I've become more interested recently, at a time when there is important debate about ABIM's role in subspecialty certification and what that means for the future of hematology. From the perspective of a hematologist with a nonmalignant practice, I'm interested in how board certification can help promote knowledge of nonmalignant conditions.

As I mentioned before, with a shortage of dedicated hematologists with a nonmalignant focus, subspecialists that are more oncology-focused are providing the majority of care for nonmalignant conditions. I'm interested in how ABIM can support the knowledge and clinical skills of these providers, in addition to those that identify first and foremost as hematologists. At this time of debate and change, I decided I wanted to be a part of the conversation, and I am looking forward to contributing my perspective.

What do you wish you'd known 10 years ago about being a doctor? What do you tell your students to prepare them for their role?

There's a lot of uncertainty that physicians face in training, from getting into medical school to matching into residency and fellowship-we don't always stop to appreciate the steps along the way. I'm fortunate now to be in a position where I love my job: I get to work in education, take care of patients, work at a health system level, doing all these things I want to do. I wish I could tell myself as a medical student to enjoy the ride because everything will work out in the end.

I try to share that perspective with my students. In medical training, we are so focused on getting to the next step: medical school, then residency, then fellowship, then getting a job. I encourage my students to enjoy and focus on the phase they're in. There is opportunity for joy in every step of training, and I encourage them to be present in that as much as possible

What is important for diplomates to know about you, professionally or personally?

I would like them to know that I'm a passionate and committed hematologist. I'm really fortunate to get to work in a field I really love, and I want people to know that I'm coming from a perspective of trying to advocate for the advancement, success and longevity of the discipline. I'm coming into this position thinking about the future of hematology and how I can contribute to its success.

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