Cindy Neunert

Biography and Expertise of Cindy Neunert

Dr. Cindy Neunert is a distinguished academic and clinician in the field of pediatric hematology. As a Professor of Pediatrics at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York, she dedicates her work to advancing the care of children with blood disorders. Her professional focus involves a deep commitment to assessing patient-related outcomes, ensuring that treatment effectiveness is measured not only by clinical markers but also by the quality of life and well-being of the patient.

Her work directly aligns with several key thematic axes of the congress. Dr. Neunert’s initiative to establish clinical care inclusive of integrative therapies for hematologic conditions is a clear example of the “Integration of TCIM into Health Systems.” Furthermore, her leadership in developing evidence-based guidelines and her research background contribute significantly to the axis on “Contributions of TCIM to Global Public Health (Evidence-Based).”

As a pediatric specialist, the work of Cindy Neunert also embodies the principles of “TCIM Across the Lifespan,” addressing the unique needs of a younger population. Her efforts to understand the use of integrative therapies for patients with Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) through a dedicated consortium working group reflect the scientific rigor called for by the Gujarat Declaration, which champions evidence-informed health solutions.

Professional Career of Cindy Neunert

Dr. Cindy Neunert‘s professional career demonstrates a focused progression in academic medicine and clinical research within pediatric hematology. Her journey began with specialized fellowship training, which provided the foundation for her subsequent leadership roles and research initiatives. This path has consistently centered on improving care for children with complex blood disorders.

Throughout her career, she has taken on significant responsibilities that shape clinical practice on a national level. Therefore, her work with professional consortiums and guideline committees underscores her commitment to advancing evidence-based medicine and fostering collaborative research to address challenging clinical questions in her field.

• Professor of Pediatrics: Currently serves at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York, where she is involved in clinical care, teaching, and research.
• Integrative Therapy Advocate: Has established clinical care protocols that incorporate integrative therapies for a wide spectrum of hematologic conditions, bridging conventional and complementary approaches.
• Guideline Committee Chair: Chaired the 2019 American Society of Hematology (ASH) guidelines on the diagnosis and management of Immune Thrombocytopenia, a role that influences standard of care across the United States and beyond.
• Consortium Leadership: Served as the former chair of the Pediatric ITP Consortium of North America, a collaborative group of investigators dedicated to pediatric ITP research.
• Working Group Member: Actively participates in a working group within the ITP Consortium to specifically understand the application and outcomes of integrative therapies for patients with ITP.

Academic Qualifications

The academic background of Dr. Cindy Neunert combines rigorous medical training with specialized education in clinical research methodology. This dual foundation provides her with the necessary tools to not only provide expert clinical care but also to design and interpret studies that generate high-quality evidence. Her qualifications are a testament to a career dedicated to an evidence-based approach to medicine.

Her master’s degree, in particular, equipped her with advanced skills in clinical trial design, biostatistics, and epidemiology. Consequently, this training is central to her work in assessing patient-related outcomes and her leadership in developing clinical practice guidelines based on systematic reviews of scientific literature.

• Master of Science in Clinical Research (MSCS): Obtained from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas, this degree provides her with formal expertise in the principles and practices of clinical investigation.
• Fellowship in Pediatric Hematology-Oncology: Completed at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas, this intensive, specialized training prepared her for a career focused on childhood blood disorders and cancer.
• Doctor of Medicine (MD): Her foundational medical degree provided the comprehensive knowledge of medicine upon which she built her subspecialty expertise.

Research by Cindy Neunert in Hematology

Dr. Cindy Neunert’s research is centered on improving the lives of patients with classical hematology disorders by focusing on patient-related outcomes. This approach moves beyond traditional laboratory markers to evaluate the real-world impact of treatments on a patient’s health, daily functioning, and overall well-being. Her work is particularly concentrated on Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP), a condition characterized by low platelet counts.

A significant part of her research activity is conducted through collaborative networks. She is currently active with the ITP Consortium, and specifically within a working group that aims to understand the use of integrative therapies for ITP patients. This initiative is crucial for building an evidence base for complementary treatments within a conventional medical framework. Therefore, this work is vital for patients and clinicians seeking safe and effective integrative options.

Her most impactful contribution to translating research into practice was her role as chair of the 2019 American Society of Hematology guidelines for ITP. Developing these guidelines involves a meticulous review of existing scientific literature to provide clinicians with evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis and management. This work led by Cindy Neunert directly influences clinical decision-making and standardizes high-quality care across institutions.

Leadership and Committee Activities

Dr. Cindy Neunert has held several key leadership positions within major professional organizations dedicated to hematology. Her active involvement in these groups demonstrates a commitment to advancing her field through collaboration, standard-setting, and mentorship. These roles have provided her with a platform to influence clinical practice and research priorities on a broad scale.

Her leadership activities are characterized by a focus on evidence synthesis and collaborative research. By chairing guideline panels and professional consortiums, she has played a direct role in shaping how clinicians approach complex hematologic disorders. Consequently, her contributions help ensure that patient care is informed by the best available scientific evidence.

• Chair, American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2019 ITP Guidelines: In this capacity, she led a panel of experts in a comprehensive review of the evidence to develop and publish official recommendations for the diagnosis and management of Immune Thrombocytopenia.
• Former Chair, Pediatric ITP Consortium of North America: She previously led this multi-institutional network of researchers and clinicians focused on conducting studies to improve the understanding and treatment of pediatric ITP.
• Member, ITP Consortium Working Group on Integrative Therapies: She is currently part of a dedicated group within the consortium tasked with investigating the role and efficacy of integrative therapies in the management of ITP.

Professional Affiliation

Dr. Cindy Neunert is a Professor of Pediatrics at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Her work and professional activities are primarily based at this institution.

For more information on her academic and clinical roles, please refer to the official directories of Columbia University Irving Medical Center and its Department of Pediatrics.