National Diagnostic Leader
National Award Highlights Texas Tech Health El Paso Doctor’s Blood Disorder Diagnosis Skills
For El Paso patients with suspected blood cancers and other complex blood disorders, Dr. Attilio Orazi and his team provide nationally recognized diagnostic expertise close to home
When local doctors need answers about a suspected blood cancer or bone marrow disorder, they can turn to expert help close to home: Attilio Orazi, M.D., FRCPath (Engl.), chair of pathology at Texas Tech Health El Paso, has received the Society for Hematopathology’s 2026 Berard-Dorfman Founders Award in Senior Leadership.
Dr. Orazi received the award March 22 during the society’s business meeting at the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology Annual Meeting in San Antonio. He serves as chair of pathology at Texas Tech Health El Paso and medical director of University Medical Center of El Paso Laboratories.
For El Paso patients with suspected leukemia, lymphoma and other complex blood disorders, Dr. Orazi and his team help local physicians interpret biopsies and lab tests so treatment decisions can happen close to home. Hematopathology is the specialty focused on diagnosing diseases of the blood, bone marrow and lymph nodes.
The Berard-Dorfman Founders Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated excellence in all areas of hematopathology, including teaching, humanitarian contributions, and leadership.
“I am deeply honored to be selected for the Society for Hematopathology's Berard-Dorfman Senior Leadership Award,” said Dr. Orazi. “This honor reflects not only my own work, but also the many collaborators, trainees, and institutional partners who have contributed to advancing hematopathology, education, and patient care here in El Paso.”
For El Paso, the recognition confirms that the faculty leading the region's academic medicine and laboratory efforts are producing scholarship that attracts national attention, similar to pathologists at prominent institutions across North America.
Dr. Orazi has authored or co-authored 285 peer-reviewed journal articles and contributed to 76 book chapters over a career that has influenced how hematologic diseases are classified worldwide. He has served as lead editor or co-editor of three textbooks and as an author or co-author of three others, bringing his total published works to 360.
“Dr. Orazi's recognition by the Society for Hematopathology is a national affirmation of the scholarly excellence and specialty leadership present at Texas Tech Health El Paso,” said Eric Rohren, M.D., Ph.D., FACR, dean of the Foster School of Medicine. “His work has helped shape how hematologic diseases are classified, studied and diagnosed, and that level of impact brings distinction not only to our school, but also to the border region we serve.”
To learn more about pathology and laboratory medicine at Texas Tech Health El Paso, visit ttuhscep.edu/som/pathology. For information about the Society for Hematopathology and the Berard-Dorfman Founders Award, visit society-for-hematopathology.org.
About Texas Tech Health El Paso
Texas Tech Health El Paso serves 108 counties in West Texas and is dedicated to preparing the next generation of health care heroes. Established as an independent university in 2013, Texas Tech Health El Paso is a uniquely innovative destination for medical, nursing, biomedical sciences and dental education.
Focusing on excellence in health care education, research, and clinical service, Texas Tech Health El Paso has graduated over 2,600 professionals over the past decade. For more information, visit ttuhscepimpact.org.