Markey’s Dr. Reshma Ramlal in the Running for LLS Woman of the Year

By Katie Grace LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 27, 2020) – The University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center’s Dr. Reshma Ramlal is a candidate for the 2020 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Woman of the Year campaign. The LLS Man & Woman of the Year campaign is a 10-week philanthropic fundraising competition for leaders in local communities across the United States. The title "Man or Woman of the Year" is awarded to the candidate whose team raises the most funds during the competition. The top man and woman candidate in the country are awarded with the national title. Ramlal is an attending physician in the Hematology and BMT Division of Markey, where she specializes in the care of patients with acute leukemia and allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. “This field encompasses all the things I love about medicine: the patient, family interaction, igniting hope in patients who are given a potentially fatal diagnosis, cancer biology and being able to take care of critically ill patients,” Ramlal said. “With bone marrow transplantation, I can potentially offer a cure to patients who are given a life-threatening leukemia diagnosis. I find this line of work very rewarding.” Ramlal’s fundraising team comprises a group of her colleagues at Markey, including Elizabeth Travers, Jessica Cupac, Dr. Chaitanya Iragavarapu, Dr. Reinhold Munker, Katelyn Perkins, Jill Sewell, Lauren Curry, Cinnamon Morris, Amanda Little, Amy Meikel, Susan Harvey, Amy Gaines, Christie Conley and Cathi Curren. During the 10-week campaign, which began on April 9, Dr. Ramlal and her team hope to raise $25,000. “My team's participation in this event can highlight the care and services provided at the UK Markey Cancer Center,” Ramlal said. “It also highlights the dedication and commitment of our staff members in caring for patients with cancer.” Ramlal was asked to compete in the fundraising competition by the Lymphoma Leukemia Society Lexington Chapter on the recommendation from one of her former Markey colleagues, Dr. Hayder Saeed. “I believe it was based on my dedication to care for my leukemic patients and because I always try to do more for patients even when I have run out of treatment options,” said Ramlal. The LLS has supported UK HealthCare through grants funding cancer research and by providing valuable resources such as educational resources and social resources for patients. Ramlal says it would be a great honor to contribute to an organization that does so much to help support patients through one of the most difficult times in their lives. “Especially at this time with the COVID-19 pandemic, where everyone is facing so much uncertainty, our blood cancer patients are extremely vulnerable to not only the effects of COVID -19 but to uncertainties in how their treatment regimen will proceed,” Ramlal said. “For me, participating in this event at this time is particularly meaningful since I know that our blood cancer patients need me now more than ever before.” Due to the current guidance to maintain social distancing, most of Ramlal’s fundraising will be done virtually through social media. Additionally, she and her team plan on hosting an online trivia night and asking local businesses for auction items. “We know these are financially trying times for everyone,” Ramlal said. “We’re asking our friends and colleagues to contribute whatever they might be able to afford.” Ramlal and the other regional candidates will find out the results of their efforts in a local Grand Finale event later this year. To donate to Ramlal’s campaign, please visit her fundraising page. The University of Kentucky is increasingly the first choice for students, faculty and staff to pursue their passions and their professional goals. In the last two years, Forbes has named UK among the best employers for diversity, and INSIGHT into Diversity recognized us as a Diversity Champion three years running. UK is ranked among the top 30 campuses in the nation for LGBTQ* inclusion and safety. UK has been judged a “Great College to Work for" two years in a row, and UK is among only 22 universities in the country on Forbes' list of "America's Best Employers." We are ranked among the top 10 percent of public institutions for research expenditures — a tangible symbol of our breadth and depth as a university focused on discovery that changes lives and communities. And our patients know and appreciate the fact that UK HealthCare has been named the state’s top hospital for four straight years. Accolades and honors are great. But they are more important for what they represent: the idea that creating a community of belonging and commitment to excellence is how we honor our mission to be not simply the University of Kentucky, but the University for Kentucky.