Jack E. Ansell, MD, MACP
Founder, Past President
How did you become interested in the field of anticoagulation?
I was drawn to hematology by mentors in medical school and residency, especially mentors focusing on bleeding and clotting. I gravitated toward that area as a special research sub-interest within hematology although most of my clinical work focused on leukemia and lymphoma. I established an anticoagulation clinic at the Boston VA in 1976 (yikes!!) and thereafter focused my clinical investigation into the management and monitoring of warfarin and the development of ACCs.
Do you have an ultimate career goal? (i.e., dream job, program/facility updates, etc.)
I’d like to think that I’ve achieved my career goals at this point, but one is never satisfied; you can always do more and do better; at some point, time runs out.
Do you have any hobbies? If not, how do you like to spend your free time?
Hobbies? What are they? I’ve been a workaholic all of my life. The concept of having a balanced career when I started out was not something people spoke of. I am about 80% retired at this time; every day is a weekend; I don’t know what to do with myself, but I am enjoying it very much.
What is an interesting fact about yourself?
Really nothing. I am pretty average.
Do you have any pets?
Not now, but I had dogs growing up, and as an adult we had a pet cat for 19 years. I am highly allergic but had to live on antihistamines because my kids loved the cat. I had a bad reaction one day and had trouble breathing. When I told my kids that I almost stopped breathing, their response was “so what, my friend stops breathing all the time.” So much for supportive children.
What is your favorite family tradition?
I guess if you asked my kids, they’d say “going on vacations that I pay for.”
If you could meet any celebrity, who would it be and what would you do?
Andrea Van Beek...ever since she gave me that credit in her ACF spotlight interview. Her growth within the AC Forum has been fantastic and she is a superstar.
Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without?
It’s a tossup – either coffee or vodka.
Is there anything you wish would come back in fashion?
Gee, has fashion changed? I never knew that my clothes were out of fashion. I still wear the same things I wore in college.
What is the most daring thing you’ve done? (I.e., your craziest adventure)
You’ve got me there.
Anything else you’d like to share?
As someone with a lot of experience in this field, it is so gratifying to see young, up and coming health care professionals grow and mature into the spotlight and achieve recognition, especially within the Anticoagulation Forum.
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