Dr. Luisanna Sánchez is a pediatric hematologist at Innovative Hematology and the Indiana Hemophilia & Thrombosis Center in Indianapolis, where she cares for children and adolescents with inherited blood disorders. She is board certified in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and is deeply committed to advancing clinical research that improves care and long-term outcomes for patients and families affected by blood disorders. Dr. Sánchez’s clinical and research work focuses on sickle cell disease, iron deficiency anemia, and expanding access to evidence-based care for young people with blood disorders. She has led national and international research collaborations, contributed to clinical guidelines and education initiatives, and is dedicated to developing patient-centered research that translates scientific discoveries into better everyday care.
Dr. Sánchez’s NBDF-supported research studies why some children with sickle cell disease respond better than others to hydroxyurea, a medication that helps prevent pain, organ damage, and other serious complications. Her project examines clinical and blood cell patterns to better understand how this treatment works and why responses differ between patients. The goal is to help doctors predict which patients will benefit most and how treatment can be optimized earlier in life. By supporting more personalized treatment approaches, this work aims to reduce complications, improve quality of life, and help families feel more confident that treatments are working, advancing NBDF’s mission to prevent complications and improve outcomes across the bleeding and blood disorders community.