Travis Cleaves

Biography

Travis Cleaves is the Deputy Director of Research Informatics and Data Science at the ASH Research Collaborative (ASH RC), the research arm of the American Society of Hematology — the world’s leading professional organization dedicated to the study and treatment of blood disorders. In this role, he leads initiatives in EHR data collection, quality assurance, and system optimization, driving the seamless integration of EHR and real-world data into ASH RC’s Data Hub to power hematologic disease research. His work is central to advancing clinical studies focused on Sickle Cell Disease and Multiple Myeloma. With deep expertise in health information management and informatics, Travis has implemented EHR systems at scale, conducted interface testing and architecture reviews, and optimized clinical data workflows across platforms, including Cerner Millennium and Epic. He brings advanced technical fluency in HL7 v2, FHIR/JSON, and SQL, enabling robust EHR integration, interoperability, and regulatory compliance. Prior to joining ASH RC, he served as a Health Informatics Subject Matter Expert at Booz Allen Hamilton and as an Interface Architect and EHRM Ambulatory Portfolio Lead at MicroHealth, LLC, where he led cross-functional teams in EHR integration and Meaningful Use attestations. Travis holds a BS in Biology from Prairie View A&M University and an AAS in Practical Nursing from Lone Star College. He is a Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM®) and holds an Information Privacy and Security (IPS) certification. His rare combination of clinical nursing background, systems architecture expertise, and research informatics leadership gives him a uniquely grounded perspective on the human stakes of the data decisions the health tech industry makes every day.

Sessions

1. Blood, Bytes & Bias: Clinical Trials and AI-Driven Research

   Thu, Nov 5, 11:00 AM – 11:40 AM CT

   Track Data & Clinical AI

   Medical AI is being trained on data that too often leaves Black patients out. Clinical trial participation, representative datasets, and accountable research infrastructure are not optional equity measures. They are the foundation for AI that can accurately diagnose, treat, and save Black lives. With Sickle Cell Disease and Multiple Myeloma as anchors to his argument, Travis Cleaves breaks down how EHR systems and trial pipelines feed medical AI, where Black patients go missing, and what the gap costs.