Kathryn Hassell, MD
Professor, Medicine-Hematology

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)
  Awarded since 2003
• 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)
  

Research Interests

Publications

• Lisk C, Cendali F, Setua S, Thangaraju K, Pak DI, Swindle D, Dzieciatkowska M, Gamboni F, Hassell K, Nuss R, George G, Davizon-Castillo P, Buehler PW, D'Alessandro A, Irwin DC. Metabolic and Proteomic Divergence Is Present in Circulating Monocytes and Tissue-Resident Macrophages from Berkeley Sickle Cell Anemia and ß-Thalassemia Mice. J Proteome Res. 2023 Sep 1;22(9):2925-2935. PubMed PMID: 37606205
• Lisk C, Cendali F, Pak DI, Swindle D, Hassell K, Nuss R, George G, Davizon-Castillo P, Buehler PW, D'Alessandro A, Irwin DC. Moderate hypoxia induces metabolic divergence in circulating monocytes and tissue resident macrophages from Berkeley sickle cell anemia mice. Front Med (Lausanne). 2023;10:1149005. PubMed PMID: 37502360
• Thangaraju K, Setua S, Lisk C, Swindle D, Stephenson D, Dzieciatkowska M, Lamb DR, Moitra P, Pak D, Hassell K, George G, Nuss R, Davizon-Castillo P, Stenmark KR, D'Alessandro A, Irwin DC, Buehler PW. Extracellular Vesicle Size Reveals Cargo Specific to Coagulation and Inflammation in Pediatric and Adult Sickle Cell Disease. Clin Appl Thromb Hemost. 2023 Jan-Dec;29:10760296231186144. PubMed PMID: 37469147
• Singh A, Sontag MK, Zhou M, Dasgupta M, Crume T, McLemore M, Galadanci N, Randall E, Steiner N, Brandow AM, Koch K, Field JJ, Hassell K, Snyder AB, Kanter J. Evaluating the Discriminatory Ability of the Sickle Cell Data Collection Program's Administrative Claims Case Definition in Identifying Adults With Sickle Cell Disease: Validation Study. JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2023 Jun 28;9:e42816. PubMed PMID: 37379070
• Schofield JR, Hassell KL. What you need to know about migraine in Hughes syndrome patients. Lupus. 2023 Mar;32(3):319-324. PubMed PMID: 36708185
• Dampier CD, Telen MJ, Wun T, Brown RC, Desai P, El Rassi F, Fuh B, Kanter J, Pastore Y, Rothman J, Taylor JG, Readett D, Sivamurthy KM, Tammara B, Tseng LJ, Lozier JN, Thackray H, Magnani JL, Hassell KL. A randomized clinical trial of the efficacy and safety of rivipansel for sickle cell vaso-occlusive crisis. Blood. 2023 Jan 12;141(2):168-179. PubMed PMID: 35981565
• Dampier CD, Telen MJ, Wun T, Brown C, Desai PC, El Rassi F, Fuh B, Kanter J, Pastore YD, Rothman J, Taylor JG, Readett D, Sivamurthy KM, Tammara B, Tseng LJ, Lozier JN, Thackray HM, Magnani JL, Hassell K. A Randomized Clinical Trial of the Efficacy and Safety of Rivipansel for Sickle Cell Vaso-occlusive Crisis (VOC). Blood. 2022 Aug 18. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 35981565
• Farrar JE, Trujillo TC, Mueller SW, Beltran L, Nguyen C, Hassell K, Kiser TH. Evaluation of a patient specific, targeted-intensity pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis protocol in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2022 Feb;53(2):446-453. PubMed PMID: 34410561
• Cabana MD, Marsh A, Treadwell MJ, Stemmler P, Rowland M, Bender MA, Bhasin N, Chung JH, Hassell K, Abdul Rashid NFN, Wong TE, Bardach NS. Improving Preventive Care for Children With Sickle Cell Anemia: A Quality Improvement Initiative. Pediatr Qual Saf. 2021 Jan-Feb;6(1):e379. PubMed PMID: 33409431
• Schofield JR, Hughes HN, Birlea M, Hassell KL. A trial of antithrombotic therapy in patients with refractory migraine and antiphospholipid antibodies: A retrospective study of 75 patients. Lupus. 2021 Jan 5;:961203320983913. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 33402037
• Karoor V, Swindle D, Pak DI, Strassheim D, Fini MA, Dempsey E, Stenmark KR, Hassell K, Nuss R, Buehler PW, Irwin DC. Evidence supporting a role for circulating macrophages in the regression of vascular remodeling following sub-chronic exposure to hemoglobin plus hypoxia. Pulm Circ. 2021 Oct-Dec;11(4):20458940211056806. PubMed PMID: 34777787
• Buehler PW, Swindle D, Pak DI, Fini MA, Hassell K, Nuss R, Wilkerson RB, D'Alessandro A, Irwin DC. Murine models of sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia demonstrate pulmonary hypertension with distinctive features. Pulm Circ. 2021 Oct-Dec;11(4):20458940211055996. PubMed PMID: 34777785
• Liles DK, Shah NR, Scullin B, Gordeuk VR, Smith WR, Kanter J, Achebe MM, Boccia R, Crary SE, Kraft WK, Archer N, Cataldo V, Hardesty BM, Idowu M, Desai PC, Ikeda A, Puthenveetil G, Hassell KL, Sarnaik S, Kutlar A. Long-term biological effects in sickle cell disease: insights from a post-crizanlizumab study. Br J Haematol. 2021 Nov;195(4):e150-e153. PubMed PMID: 34611900
• Buehler PW, Swindle D, Pak DI, Ferguson SK, Majka SM, Karoor V, Moldovan R, Sintas C, Black J, Gentinetta T, Buzzi RM, Vallelian F, Wassmer A, Edler M, Bain J, Schu D, Hassell K, Nuss R, Schaer DJ, Irwin DC. Hemopexin dosing improves cardiopulmonary dysfunction in murine sickle cell disease. Free Radic Biol Med. 2021 Nov 1;175:95-107. PubMed PMID: 34478834
• Farrar JE, Trujillo TC, Mueller SW, Beltran L, Nguyen C, Hassell K, Kiser TH. Evaluation of a patient specific, targeted-intensity pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis protocol in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2021 Aug 19. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 34410561
• Rushing JS, Appiah L, Polotsky AJ, Murray S, Foust E, Hassell K, Roeca C. Ovarian stimulation for fertility preservation in an oncology patient with etonogestrel implant in place. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2021 Feb;38(2):513-516. PubMed PMID: 33409752
• Cabana MD, Marsh A, Treadwell MJ, Stemmler P, Rowland M, Bender MA, Bhasin N, Chung JH, Hassell K, Abdul Rashid NFN, Wong TE, Bardach NS. Improving Preventive Care for Children With Sickle Cell Anemia: A Quality Improvement Initiative. Pediatr Qual Saf. 2021 Jan-Feb;6(1):e379. PubMed PMID: 33409431
• Schofield JR, Hughes HN, Birlea M, Hassell KL. A trial of antithrombotic therapy in patients with refractory migraine and antiphospholipid antibodies: A retrospective study of 75 patients. Lupus. 2021 Apr;30(4):568-577. PubMed PMID: 33402037
• Bender MA, Yusuf C, Davis T, Dorley MC, Del Pilar Aguinaga M, Ingram A, Chan MS, Ubaike JC, Hassell K, Ojodu J, Hulihan M. Newborn Screening Practices and Alpha-Thalassemia Detection - United States, 2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2020 Sep 11;69(36):1269-1272. PubMed PMID: 32915167
• Krishnamurti L, Neuberg DS, Sullivan KM, Kamani NR, Abraham A, Campigotto F, Zhang W, Dahdoul T, De Castro L, Parikh S, Bakshi N, Haight A, Hassell KL, Loving R, Rosenthal J, Smith SL, Smith W, Spearman M, Stevenson K, Wu CJ, Wiedl C, Waller EK, Walters MC. Bone Marrow Transplantation for Adolescents and Young Adults with Sickle Cell Disease: Results of a Prospective Multicenter Pilot Study. Am J Hematol. 2019 Jan 13. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 30637784
• Farrell AT, Panepinto J, Desai AA, Kassim AA, Lebensburger J, Walters MC, Bauer DE, Blaylark RM, DiMichele DM, Gladwin MT, Green NS, Hassell K, Kato GJ, Klings ES, Kohn DB, Krishnamurti L, Little J, Makani J, Malik P, McGann PT, Minniti C, Morris CR, Odame I, Oneal PA, Setse R, Sharma P, Shenoy S. End points for sickle cell disease clinical trials: renal and cardiopulmonary, cure, and low-resource settings. Blood Adv. 2019 Dec 10;3(23):4002-4020. PubMed PMID: 31809537
• Redinus K, Baek JH, Yalamanoglu A, Shin HKH, Moldova R, Harral JW, Swindle D, Pak D, Ferguson SK, Nuss R, Hassell K, Nozik-Grayck E, Palmer AF, Fini MA, Karoor V, Stenmark KR, Buehler PW, Irwin DC. An Hb-mediated circulating macrophage contributing to pulmonary vascular remodeling in sickle cell disease. JCI Insight. 2019 Aug 8;4(15). PubMed PMID: 31391342
• Krishnamurti L, Neuberg DS, Sullivan KM, Kamani NR, Abraham A, Campigotto F, Zhang W, Dahdoul T, De Castro L, Parikh S, Bakshi N, Haight A, Hassell KL, Loving R, Rosenthal J, Smith SL, Smith W, Spearman M, Stevenson K, Wu CJ, Wiedl C, Waller EK, Walters MC. Bone marrow transplantation for adolescents and young adults with sickle cell disease: Results of a prospective multicenter pilot study. Am J Hematol. 2019 Apr;94(4):446-454. PubMed PMID: 30637784
• Ferguson SK, Redinius K, Yalamanoglu A, Harral JW, Hyen Baek J, Pak D, Loomis Z, Hassell D, Eigenberger P, Nozik-Grayck E, Nuss R, Hassell K, Stenmark KR, Buehler PW, Irwin DC. Effects of living at moderate altitude on pulmonary vascular function and exercise capacity in mice with sickle cell anaemia. J Physiol. 2019 Feb;597(4):1073-1085. PubMed PMID: 29931797
• Schofield JR, Hassell K. Dosing considerations in the use of the direct oral anticoagulants in the antiphospholipid syndrome. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2018 Feb;43(1):104-106. PubMed PMID: 28656623
• Naik RP, Smith-Whitley K, Hassell KL, Umeh NI, de Montalembert M, Sahota P, Haywood C Jr, Jenkins J, Lloyd-Puryear MA, Joiner CH, Bonham VL, Kato GJ. Clinical Outcomes Associated With Sickle Cell Trait: A Systematic Review. Ann Intern Med. 2018 Nov 6;169(9):619-627. PubMed PMID: 30383109
• Yalamanoglu A, Deuel JW, Hunt RC, Baek JH, Hassell K, Redinius K, Irwin DC, Schär DJ, Buehler PW. Depletion of haptoglobin and hemopexin promote hemoglobin-mediated lipoprotein oxidation in sickle cell disease. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2018 Jul 26. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 30047285
• Ferguson SK, Redinius K, Yalamanoglu A, Harral JW, Hyen Baek J, Pak D, Loomis Z, Hassell D, Eigenberger P, Nozik-Grayck E, Nuss R, Hassell K, Stenmark KR, Buehler PW, Irwin DC. Effects of living at moderate altitude on pulmonary vascular function and exercise capacity in mice with sickle cell anaemia. J Physiol. 2018 Jun 21. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 29931797
• Schofield JR, Hassell K. Dosing considerations in the use of the direct oral anticoagulants in the antiphospholipid syndrome. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2018 Feb;43(1):104-106. PubMed PMID: 28656623
• Eckman JR, Hassell KL, Huggins W, Werner EM, Klings ES, Adams RJ, Panepinto JA, Hamilton CM. Standard measures for sickle cell disease research: the PhenX Toolkit sickle cell disease collections. Blood Adv. 2017 Dec 26;1(27):2703-2711. PubMed PMID: 29296922
• Hulihan M, Hassell KL, Raphael JL, Smith-Whitley K, Thorpe P. CDC Grand Rounds: Improving the Lives of Persons with Sickle Cell Disease. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2017 Nov 24;66(46):1269-1271. PubMed PMID: 29166365
• Keller S, Yang M, Treadwell MJ, Hassell KL. Sensitivity of alternative measures of functioning and wellbeing for adults with sickle cell disease: comparison of PROMIS® to ASCQ-Me?. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2017 Jun 2;15(1):117. PubMed PMID: 28577358
• Loomis Z, Eigenberger P, Redinius K, Lisk C, Karoor V, Nozik-Grayck E, Ferguson SK, Hassell K, Nuss R, Stenmark KR, Buehler PW, Irwin DC. Correction: Hemoglobin induced cell trauma indirectly influences endothelial TLR9 activity resulting in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cell activation. PLoS One. 2017;12(3):e0173652. PubMed PMID: 28264019
• Loomis Z, Eigenberger P, Redinius K, Lisk C, Karoor V, Nozik-Grayck E, Ferguson SK, Hassell K, Nuss R, Stenmark K, Buehler P, Irwin DC. Hemoglobin induced cell trauma indirectly influences endothelial TLR9 activity resulting in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cell activation. PLoS One. 2017;12(2):e0171219. PubMed PMID: 28152051
• Dampier C, Palermo TM, Darbari DS, Hassell K, Smith W, Zempsky W. AAPT Diagnostic Criteria for Chronic Sickle Cell Disease Pain. J Pain. 2017 May;18(5):490-498. PubMed PMID: 28065813
• Evensen CT, Treadwell MJ, Keller S, Levine R, Hassell KL, Werner EM, Smith WR. Quality of care in sickle cell disease: Cross-sectional study and development of a measure for adults reporting on ambulatory and emergency department care. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016 Aug;95(35):e4528. PubMed PMID: 27583862
• Hassell KL. Sickle Cell Disease: A Continued Call to Action. Am J Prev Med. 2016 Jul;51(1 Suppl 1):S1-2. PubMed PMID: 27320458
• Hinton CF, Homer CJ, Thompson AA, Williams A, Hassell KL, Feuchtbaum L, Berry SA, Comeau AM, Therrell BL, Brower A, Harris KB, Brown C, Monaco J, Ostrander RJ, Zuckerman AE, Kaye C, Dougherty D, Greene C, Green NS. A framework for assessing outcomes from newborn screening: on the road to measuring its promise. Mol Genet Metab. 2016 Aug;118(4):221-9. PubMed PMID: 27268406
• Luchtman-Jones L, Pressel S, Hilliard L, Brown RC, Smith MG, Thompson AA, Lee MT, Rothman J, Rogers ZR, Owen W, Imran H, Thornburg C, Kwiatkowski JL, Aygun B, Nelson S, Roberts C, Gauger C, Piccone C, Kalfa T, Alvarez O, Hassell K, Davis BR, Ware RE. Effects of hydroxyurea treatment for patients with hemoglobin SC disease. Am J Hematol. 2016 Feb;91(2):238-42. PubMed PMID: 26615793
• Walters MC, De Castro LM, Sullivan KM, Krishnamurti L, Kamani N, Bredeson C, Neuberg D, Hassell KL, Farnia S, Campbell A, Petersdorf E. Indications and Results of HLA-Identical Sibling Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Sickle Cell Disease. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2016 Feb;22(2):207-11. PubMed PMID: 26500093
• Irwin DC, Hyen Baek J, Hassell K, Nuss R, Eigenberger P, Lisk C, Loomis Z, Maltzahn J, Stenmark KR, Nozik-Grayck E, Buehler PW. Hemoglobin-induced lung vascular oxidation, inflammation, and remodeling contribute to the progression of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension and is attenuated in rats with repeated-dose haptoglobin administration. Free Radic Biol Med. 2015 Feb 2;82:50-62. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 25656991
• Savage WJ, Buchanan GR, Yawn BP, Afenyi-Annan AN, Ballas SK, Goldsmith JC, Hassell KL, James AH, John-Sowah J, Jordan L, Lottenberg R, Murad MH, Ortiz E, Tanabe PJ, Ware RE, Lanzkron SM. Evidence gaps in the management of sickle cell disease: A summary of needed research. Am J Hematol. 2015 Jan 12. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 25639238
• Yawn BP, Buchanan G, Hassell K. Management of patients with sickle cell disease--reply. JAMA. 2015 Jan 6;313(1):91-2. PubMed PMID: 25562275
• Morris CR, Kim HY, Klings ES, Wood J, Porter JB, Trachtenberg F, Sweeters N, Olivieri NF, Kwiatkowski JL, Virzi L, Hassell K, Taher A, Neufeld EJ, Thompson AA, Larkin S, Suh JH, Vichinsky EP, Kuypers FA. Dysregulated arginine metabolism and cardiopulmonary dysfunction in patients with thalassaemia. Br J Haematol. 2015 Jun;169(6):887-98. PubMed PMID: 25907665
• Irwin DC, Baek JH, Hassell K, Nuss R, Eigenberger P, Lisk C, Loomis Z, Maltzahn J, Stenmark KR, Nozik-Grayck E, Buehler PW. Hemoglobin-induced lung vascular oxidation, inflammation, and remodeling contribute to the progression of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension and is attenuated in rats with repeated-dose haptoglobin administration. Free Radic Biol Med. 2015 May;82:50-62. PubMed PMID: 25656991
• Savage WJ, Buchanan GR, Yawn BP, Afenyi-Annan AN, Ballas SK, Goldsmith JC, Hassell KL, James AH, John-Sowah J, Jordan L, Lottenberg R, Murad MH, Ortiz E, Tanabe PJ, Ware RE, Lanzkron SM. Evidence gaps in the management of sickle cell disease: A summary of needed research. Am J Hematol. 2015 Apr;90(4):273-5. PubMed PMID: 25639238
• Quirolo K, Bertolone S, Hassell K, Howard T, King KE, Rhodes DK, Bill J. The evaluation of a new apheresis device for automated red blood cell exchange procedures in patients with sickle cell disease. Transfusion. 2015 Apr;55(4):775-81. PubMed PMID: 25330984
• Goodman J, Hassell K, Irwin D, Witkowski EH, Nuss R. The splenic syndrome in individuals with sickle cell trait. High Alt Med Biol. 2014 Dec;15(4):468-71. PubMed PMID: 25361178
• Quirolo K, Bertolone S, Hassell K, Howard T, King KE, Rhodes DK, Bill J. The evaluation of a new apheresis device for automated red blood cell exchange procedures in patients with sickle cell disease. Transfusion. 2014 Oct 21. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 25330984
• Anderson M, Hassell KL, Trujillo TC, Wolfe B. When patients on target-specific oral anticoagulants need surgery. Cleve Clin J Med. 2014 Oct;81(10):629-39. PubMed PMID: 25274657
• Yawn BP, Buchanan GR, Afenyi-Annan AN, Ballas SK, Hassell KL, James AH, Jordan L, Lanzkron SM, Lottenberg R, Savage WJ, Tanabe PJ, Ware RE, Murad MH, Goldsmith JC, Ortiz E, Fulwood R, Horton A, John-Sowah J. Management of sickle cell disease: summary of the 2014 evidence-based report by expert panel members. JAMA. 2014 Sep 10;312(10):1033-48. PubMed PMID: 25203083
• Keller SD, Yang M, Treadwell MJ, Werner EM, Hassell KL. Patient reports of health outcome for adults living with sickle cell disease: development and testing of the ASCQ-Me item banks. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2014 Aug 22;12:125. PubMed PMID: 25146160
• Hassell KL, Afenyi-Annan A, Ballas SK, Buchanan GR, Eckman JR, Jordan L, Lanzkron S, Lottenberg R, Ware R. Practice guideline for pulmonary hypertension in sickle cell: direct evidence needed before universal adoption. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2014 Jul 15;190(2):237-8. PubMed PMID: 25025359
• Babilonia KM, Golightly LK, Gutman JA, Hassell KL, Kaiser JN, Kiser TH, Klem PM, Trujillo TC. Antithrombotic therapy in patients with thrombocytopenic cancer: outcomes associated with reduced-dose, low-molecular-weight heparin during hospitalization. Clin Appl Thromb Hemost. 2014 Nov;20(8):799-806. PubMed PMID: 25022565
• Gladwin MT, Barst RJ, Gibbs JS, Hildesheim M, Sachdev V, Nouraie M, Hassell KL, Little JA, Schraufnagel DE, Krishnamurti L, Novelli E, Girgis RE, Morris CR, Berman Rosenzweig E, Badesch DB, Lanzkron S, Castro OL, Taylor JG 6th, Goldsmith JC, Kato GJ, Gordeuk VR, Machado RF, walk-PHaSST Investigators and Patients. Risk factors for death in 632 patients with sickle cell disease in the United States and United Kingdom. PLoS One. 2014;9(7):e99489. PubMed PMID: 24988120
• Treadwell MJ, Hassell K, Levine R, Keller S. Adult sickle cell quality-of-life measurement information system (ASCQ-Me): conceptual model based on review of the literature and formative research. Clin J Pain. 2014 Oct;30(10):902-14. PubMed PMID: 24300219
• Treadwell MJ, Hassell K, Levine R, Keller S. Adult Sickle Cell Quality of Life Measurement Information System (ASCQ-Me): Conceptual Model Based on Review of the Literature and Formative Research. Clin J Pain. 2013 Nov 28. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 24300219
• Lisk C, Kominsky D, Ehrentraut S, Bonaventura J, Nuss R, Hassell K, Nozik-Grayck E, Irwin DC. Hemoglobin-induced endothelial cell permeability is controlled, in part, via a myeloid differentiation primary response gene-88-dependent signaling mechanism. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2013 Oct;49(4):619-26. PubMed PMID: 23713977
• Delaney KM, Axelrod KC, Buscetta A, Hassell KL, Adams-Graves PE, Seamon C, Kato GJ, Minniti CP. Leg ulcers in sickle cell disease: current patterns and practices. Hemoglobin. 2013;37(4):325-32. PubMed PMID: 23600469
• Nouraie M, Lee JS, Zhang Y, Kanias T, Zhao X, Xiong Z, Oriss TB, Zeng Q, Kato GJ, Gibbs JS, Hildesheim ME, Sachdev V, Barst RJ, Machado RF, Hassell KL, Little JA, Schraufnagel DE, Krishnamurti L, Novelli E, Girgis RE, Morris CR, Rosenzweig EB, Badesch DB, Lanzkron S, Castro OL, Goldsmith JC, Gordeuk VR, Gladwin MT, Walk-PHASST Investigators and Patients. The relationship between the severity of hemolysis, clinical manifestations and risk of death in 415 patients with sickle cell anemia in the US and Europe. Haematologica. 2013 Mar;98(3):464-72. PubMed PMID: 22983573

Professional Memberships

• American Heart Association (AHA), Council on Thrombosis Member
• American Society of Hematology, Member
• International Society of Thrombosis & Haemostasis, Member
• University of Colorado Cancer Center, Member
• American Society of Clinical Pathologists, Member
• Mountain States Regional Genetics Collaborative, Member
• American Pain Society, Member