The International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis

The international society on thrombosis and haemostasis (isth) is a global not-for-profit membership organization advancing the understanding, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of thrombotic and bleeding disorders. The Society is dedicated to transformative scientific discoveries and clinical practices, the development of young professionals and the education of physicians, scientists and allied health professionals wherever they may live. At the isth, we initiate and promote education and outreach initiatives, research activities, scientific meetings, peer-reviewed publications, expert committees and the development of standards allowing a common language and approach to basic and clinical science all over the world. In 1954, a small group of investigators used seed money from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to form the international society on thrombosis and haemostasis (isth).  The members were well-known for their contributions to the fields of blood coagulation and haemorrhagic disorders, so news about their group spread quickly within the scientific community.  Interest grew, and the isth began to consider expanding the scope of its mission. The number of scientists who wanted to attend its meetings increased each year, but because of its small size, the Committee could only accommodate a few attendees. For the better part of the 1960s, members of the isth clarified and planned the mission, structure, function and leadership of a larger organization. They envisioned a society that would be open to all researchers, clinicians, educators and students working in the many interrelated fields of thrombosis, haemostasis and vascular biology. The isth had focused primarily on blood coagulation and hemorrhagic disorders; the new organization would expand that focus to include the emerging areas of platelet function and regulation, the mechanisms of thrombosis, fibrinolysis and thrombolysis, and the urgent problems of thromboembolic disorders. The Executive Committee is a subset of the isth Council. It provides executive direction to the activities of the Society in between Council meetings. The Society’s Bylaws empower the Council to establish committees that recommend to the Council policies, programs and actions related to their areas of expertise and responsibility. The committees also implement recommendations that the Council approves. Council committees comprise Council members as well as non-Council isth members.