Upton-Hemphill Award

This award is presented to commemorate the names of the Founders of CBBS.

John R. Upton, M.D. gave birth to the idea of a statewide system of blood banks by suggesting it as early as 1943. He was chairman of the California Medical Association Commission on Blood Banks from 1948 – 1958; he was the first President of CBBS from 1953 – 1958; he was instrumental in the formation of several of the blood banks that became Institutional Members.

Bernice Hemphill, a licensed Bio-Analyst, acted as the Administrative Assistant to the California Medical Association Commission of Blood Banks at its inception in 1948. Mrs. Hemphill was Secretary of the CBBS from 1953 – 1956 and promoted the Clearinghouse Program of CBBS, which was transferred to the Pacific District of the American Association of Blood Banks in 1956. She devoted her life to blood banking in the administration of the Irwin Memorial Blood Centers and in service to CBBS, to the National Clearinghouse System and to the American Association of Blood Banks.