Giving | Penn Medicine

Abramson Cancer Center News in Brief

2011-10-17T13:40:00.000-07:00

The 2nd Annual Fox’s Fight Basketball Tournament and Family Fun Day took place on Saturday, June 18th. Andrew Fox’s memory was honored through an incredible turnout, an amazing athletic competition, and cards made by kids for cancer patients. From left: Leslie Richards, Senator Bob Casey, Nancy Astor Fox, and granddaughter, Robb Fox, Giorgos Karakousis, M.D., the late Andrew Fox’s wife, Bonnie Fox, and Representative Josh Shapiro.

The 2nd Annual Running Through Walls Gala supported Penn’s LIVESTRONG™ Survivorship Center of Excellence. Gala founders Tara and Raymond Wallace and Lauren Lorenzetti were joined by U.S. Navy Seal and cancer survivor Justin Legg (pictured center) and his family.

A wonderful legacy gift made in honor of father and husband Thomas A. Cook. From left: Suzanne McGettigan, MSN CRNP AOCN®, son, Brian Cook, wife, Louise Cook, son, Kevin Cook, Lynn Schuchter, M.D., Chef, Division of Hematology/Oncology and son, Randy Cook.

I-SPY 2 Trial: Accelerating Personalized Breast Cancer Therapies

2011-10-17T13:21:00.000-07:00

Dr. DeMichele with I-SPY 2 study participant Lisa Babb and
research nurse, Diane Frazee, R.N., B.S.N.

One of the nation’s most innovative breast cancer trials promises to offer safer, more effective personalized therapies – and deliver them at a faster rate than has yet been seen. Angela DeMichele, M.D., MSCE, Co-Leader of the Breast Cancer Research Program at the Abramson Cancer Center, is a Primary Investigator for the nationwide I-SPY 2 trial: a large-scale clinical trial that involves a unique collaboration between scientists from the Foundation of the National Institutes of Health, the FDA, and nearly 20 major cancer research centers across the country. The Safeway Foundation who has raised nearly $60 million for breast cancer causes including research, education and mobile mammography units has been the major funder of the I-SPY 2 Trial nationally.

Commonly, when a patient is diagnosed, surgery to remove a tumor is the first step, followed by chemotherapy and investigational drugs. The I-SPY 2 trial modifies this method. In this trial, breast cancer patients begin with chemotherapy to reduce their tumor size. Most participants will receive investigational drugs, given one at a time, and researchers will use imaging technology to determine which drugs are most effective, and in which patient groups. This method eliminates the “guessing game” that usually occurs as treatment progresses after an initial surgery.

This trial’s innovative, adaptive design will then allow researchers to apply early data gathered from one set of patients to treatment decisions for patients later in the trial, ruling out ineffective treatments more quickly. This approach significantly reduces the cost and hastens the process of drug development. Currently, it takes over $1 billion, 12 to 15 years, and thousands of patient volunteers to get a single drug to market. The goal is to shave many years and hundreds of millions of dollars off this process.

“This study is incredibly exciting because it’s really going to change the way we treat breast cancer for every woman who gets the disease,” says Dr. DeMichele. “We can get these drugs out to patients sooner. We can find the ones that will work, and the ones that won’t work, in a much more efficient way.”

To support the efforts of Dr. DeMichele and the I-SPY 2 trial, contact Laura Ferraiolo at (215) 746-2948 or lferr@upenn.edu.

Patient Profile: One Woman’s Battle Inspires an Entire Community

2011-10-17T13:20:00.001-07:00

Cancer survivors Robert and Gillian Cohen

Gillian Cohen knows all too well how it feels to be touched by cancer: both she and her husband are cancer survivors.

In August 2008, Gillian was diagnosed with late stage breast cancer. Unfortunately, hearing the words “you have cancer” wasn’t anything new to the Cohen family. Five years prior, Gillian’s husband, Robert, had been diagnosed with head and neck cancer. The mother of two beautiful girls, Gillian handled her own diagnosis with bravery and a sense of realism. “My heart stopped, the tears came, but essentially life still went on. Doctor appointments, surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation treatments were interspersed with the day-to-day demands of work and family life,” she recalls.

A Voorhees, NJ, resident, Gillian knew where to turn for her care: the same place that saved her husband’s life, Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center (ACC). She felt comfort in knowing that she was in the best hands possible. She was not only being treated by world-renowned physicians, but she also had access to one of the premier breast cancer research programs in the country.

Not only did Gillian win her battle, but her journey served as inspiration for the creation of Walk 4 Family and Friends with Cancer. A few months prior to her diagnosis, Gillian and a group of friends decided to participate in The Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure®. But, Gillian’s cancer treatments interfered with her training, and she became too weak to continue. Friends and Walk 4 co-chairs Lisa Forman and Rochelle Senges felt just how intimately cancer was affecting those close to them and recognized there was a lack of cancer awareness and fundraising events in their South Jersey community.

Together, these active volunteers have raised over $100,000 for cancer and increased the level of cancer awareness in their community. These vital funds support cancer research at the ACC, as well as financial support for people in their community who have cancer.

The vision and dedication of this inspiring group has also brought a new hope to all those affected by cancer. At last year’s walk, Gillian shared her story with the over 600 participants in attendance. With gratitude and determination in her voice, she said, “Keep those walkers and donations coming – until, together, we find a cure for all cancers!”

For more information on Walk 4 Family and Friends with Cancer or to support their efforts, visit www.walk4family-friendswithcancer.org.

Philanthropy in Action: Bequest Brings Advancement in Breast Cancer Imaging

2011-10-17T13:20:00.000-07:00

A decade ago, mammography took a leap forward when traditional film x-rays gave way to digital formats – which can be adjusted to change magnification, contrast, and other visual characteristics. Today, more than 70% of U.S. mammography centers are digital. Both mammography and MRI screening have become more technologically advanced, providing more accurate pictures to detect breast cancer. But, there are limitations to these methods. Digital mammography cannot always “see” deep inside a breast when searching for tumors. To compensate, radiologists err on the side of caution and patients may be called back for more screening, often creating anxiety. Because MRI exams are three dimensional, they prove to have better pictures, however, this type of screening becomes costly.

Emily F. Conant, M.D.

This past February, the FDA approved the first breast “tomosynthesis” system, a new breast imaging technique. “Tomosynthesis is just reconstruction of multiple, low-dose digital mammographic images so we can see the breast tissue in a three-dimensional format. It allows us to see things that we couldn’t see before,” says Emily F. Conant, M.D., Chief, Breast Imaging at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Conant leads a study of this new technology, here at Penn. Studies elsewhere have shown that tomosynthesis is a more accurate test than mammography, providing fewer false positives than conventional mammograms.

The next challenge was to change all of the mammography machines at the Yetta Deitch Novotny Breast Imaging Center in the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, from digital mammography to tomosynthesis – a costly endeavor. Philanthropy and faculty collaboration became the solution.

Kevin R. Fox, M.D.

Kevin R. Fox, M.D., Director, Rena Rowan Breast Center, received an extraordinary estate gift from a long-time breast cancer patient, Allison Smith. After living with breast cancer for nearly two decades, Allison passed away at the age of 90. Allison’s bequest has translated into helping thousands of patients benefit from this next generation of breast imaging technology, saving countless lives.

As a result of Allison’s generosity and the Abramson Cancer Center’s collaborative team approach to cancer care, a lasting legacy has been created to ensure patients have access to this state-of-the-art technology.

To learn more about planned giving opportunities, please contact Christine Ewan at cewan@upenn.edu or 215-898-5341.

Philadelphia Couple Raises Money for Thyroid Cancer Research

2011-08-25T08:25:00.000-07:00

“When I heard Dr. Mandel talk about her team’s research and the way it could improve care for thyroid cancer patients like me, I knew I had to get involved,” said Ellen Fishman, a thyroid cancer survivor.

Ms. Fishman was already working to make a difference for thyroid cancer survivors through the help of Joan Shey, founder of the Light of Life Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to thyroid cancer research and patients. Together, Ms. Fishman and Ms. Shey organized a gala in the spring to raise money for thyroid cancer research.

Ms. Fishman had met Dr. Susan Mandel, MD, MPH, a professor at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, at an Abramson Cancer Center conference, where patients, families, and survivors learned about thyroid cancer from experts on the Penn Medicine faculty. In addition to becoming an advocate, Ms. Fishman decided to switch her care to HUP and direct the proceeds from the gala to support Dr. Mandel’s research.

Because of the gala’s success, Ellen and her husband, Harris, were able to join the Light of Life Foundation to present a check for $25,000 to Penn Medicine for Dr. Mandel’s research on July 13. Dr. Mandel has been researching new approaches to thyroid cancer follow up in patients at both low and high risk for thyroid cancer recurrence.

Funding for fellows as well as faculty is essential. Dr. Gabe Smolarz, MD, MSB, CCD, a fellow in Dr. Mandel’s group, recently conducted a promising clinical research project funded by donors like the Fishman family and Light of Life Foundation. He studied recurrence rates for patients with low-risk thyroid cancer and concluded that long-term invasive testing is not required for these patients, saving time and money for both patients and physicians.

Said Ms. Fishman, “We plan to hold the gala every year. Investing in this research is investing in a better future for so many local families.”

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Penn Medicine is one of the world's leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. Penn Medicine consists of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which together form a $4 billion enterprise.

Penn's Perelman School of Medicine is currently ranked #2 in U.S. News & World Report's survey of research-oriented medical schools and among the top 10 schools for primary care. The School is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $507.6 million awarded in the 2010 fiscal year.

Joining the Fight Against Alzheimer's Disease

2011-08-03T12:29:00.000-07:00

Orien Reid-Nix is a familiar face to many in the Philadelphia region, having graced the local airwaves for more than a quarter-century as a popular broadcast news and consumer reporter. Currently, she is an independent public relations consultant and advocate for Alzheimer’s disease-related issues. Over the years, Ms. Reid-Nix has served in leadership roles for both the National Alzheimer’s Association and Alzheimer’s Disease International. She is the chair of the External Advisory Board of Penn Medicine’s Institute on Aging (IOA).

Your family’s experience with Alzheimer’s disease inspired you to become an advocate. What brought you to Penn Medicine?

Well, first of all, I have such great respect for the University of Pennsylvania. As an academic enterprise, it’s unsurpassed. When I was a reporter, I would often call upon experts at Wharton and throughout the university. The faculty here, in all areas, are an invaluable resource.

I met Drs. John Trojanowski and Virginia Lee at the Alzheimer’s Association’s first Memory Walk. I have never encountered two more dedicated people in my life! They are not only brilliantly talented; they are also positively tenacious in their innovative approach to Alzheimer’s research. I am so impressed with their work. They encouraged me to become involved with the IOA, and I am so glad they did.

In addition, I am a big fan of Dr. Jason Karlawish – I love everything about him! His compassion for the elderly and his tireless advocacy, for example, to ensure voting rights for the aged, are so commendable.

It’s also especially terrific to have the benefit of the Center for Bioethics and Art Caplan’s guidance. In matters dealing with dementia, there are always ethical questions to wrestle with.

What do you hope your work with Penn Medicine will accomplish?

Research is the key to finding better treatments and, eventually, cures for neurodegenerative diseases. But Congress has not allocated nearly enough funding to make the kind of progress we need to achieve. With the baby boomer generation aging every day, dementia-related disorders will soon run rampant and the costs of care, both financial and social, will be enormous.

What do you feel is the greatest benefit you derive from being a Penn Medicine volunteer?

I just love to learn, and I couldn’t ask for better teachers than the Penn faculty. I thrive on getting the real story, and my relationship with Penn Medicine gives me access to the latest facts from actual researchers. This is information I can’t get from newspapers, magazines or other sources and, as a reporter, I’m used to knowing where to look. I love being in a position to know the big picture as well as the details, and my Penn Medicine connection is essential to keeping me informed. It’s also fun! The people here are marvelous and I’ve made some wonderful friends.

The Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine: Shaping the Future of American Health Care

2011-06-28T14:00:00.000-07:00

What’s in a name? Throughout the world, for well over a century, Wharton has meant the finest in business education. The Annenberg School is synonymous with excellence in communications. And now, the Perelman name will forever be associated with world-class medicine.

Raymond and Ruth Perelman have given $225 million to the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine — the largest single gift ever made in the University’s history and the largest naming gift for a school of medicine in the U.S. In gratitude, the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania formally resolved that the School would now be known as the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

This transformational gift is a gamechanger for the University, providing resources that will allow the Perelman School of Medicine to move from national prominence to international preeminence. With these endowed funds, the Perelman School of Medicine will be able to:

• Increase financial aid for students by 20%
• Recruit more world-class medical faculty and clinician educators
• Invest more resources in innovative research programs

Well known for their philanthropy throughout the Philadelphia region, the Perelmans are committed members of the Penn family and have been extraordinary benefactors of Penn Medicine and the University. Mr. and Mrs. Perelman have supported many efforts at Penn — from scholarships to Wharton to programs at the Institute of Contemporary Art, as well as the first Donor Advised Fund in Penn’s history. The Perelmans’ children and grandchildren attended Penn, and son Ronald Perelman’s generous support of the University is evidenced by the naming of Claudia Cohen Hall and the Perelman Quadrangle.

Mr. and Mrs. Perelman turned their attention to making an impact in medicine as the issue of health care began taking the national stage: they endowed a professorship in internal medicine at Penn and also donated the lead gift of $25 million toward construction of the Ruth and Raymond Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine.

Many are already recognizing the impact this most recent and extraordinary act of generosity will have on our nation. The Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden, called Penn President Amy Gutmann to offer his congratulations to the University and express his own sincere appreciation for the Perelmans’ generosity.

Raymond and Ruth Perelman's Gift to Penn

2011-06-28T13:59:00.000-07:00

"Health Care is clearly going to change in America. Ruth and I wanted our gift to allow Penn Medicine, the best health system in the country, to bring in the best and brightest new minds into the field and train them to be the best doctors in the world."

- Raymond Perelman
Attending Commencement Exercises
for the Perelman School of Medicine

Dean Arthur Rubenstein and Amy Gutmann Remark on the Perelman Gift

2011-06-28T13:58:00.000-07:00

"We are thrilled that Raymond and Ruth were so farsighted in creating an unrestricted endowment for the Perelman School of Medicine. This will allow us to offer the highest level of medical research, education, and patient care in the nation. It’s not only the greatest gift our University has ever received, it’s also the greatest gift the people of Philadelphia have ever received.”

- Amy Gutmann, Ph.D.

President, University of Pennsylvania

“Ray and Ruth’s incredible gift will enable us to become an even greater global force for the improvement of human health. They have placed their trust in us to use the gift to do good in the world, and we gladly accept the responsibility it brings.”

- Arthur H. Rubenstein, MBBCh

Executive Vice President of

the University of Pennsylvania

for the Health System and

Dean of the Perelman School of Medicine

Campaign Gift Creates Chair for One of Penn’s Finest Clinicians

2011-06-27T14:00:00.000-07:00

One of Penn Medicine’s most highly respected clinicians was honored with an endowed professorship on May 31. Dr. Jack Ende, Chief of Medicine at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, became the inaugural Adele and Harold Schaeffer Professor of Medicine at a ceremony in Penn’s Biomedical Research Building.

For over 30 years, Harold G. and Adele K. Schaeffer have supported general internal medicine at Penn, with a particular interest in helping care for the most underserved communities and patients. They have frequently supported programs run by Dr. Ende, which provide free medication and medical supplies to needy patients upon their release from the hospital.

“Their support has already made a world of difference for hundreds of these patients,” Dr. Ende said. “I don’t just think they’ve helped people. They’ve saved lives.”

“Dr. Ende is a world-class physician,” said Harold Schaeffer. “And Penn Medicine is a world-class institution. We’re thrilled to be able to help them help others.”

Since 1997, when Dr. Jack Ende became Chief of Medicine, he has developed a reputation as a service-oriented clinician and educator, creating programs to facilitate access to care for low-income patients, immigrant communities, HIV/AIDS patients, and other at-risk populations. The Schaeffer chair will allow him to build on all those programs, as well as devote more time to his other passion: education.

“Being the Schaeffer Professor,” Dr. Ende added, “gives me the opportunity to demonstrate for residents and students how medicine can — and should — be practiced.”

Dr. Thorne Sparkman, Jr. Named Penn Medicine at Radnor Clinical Excellence Endowed Professor

2011-06-27T13:59:00.000-07:00

Another community-oriented Penn Medicine facility - and another Penn clinician - were recognized when Dr. Thorne Sparkman, Jr. was named the Penn Medicine at Radnor Clinical Excellence Endowed Professor on June 7.

Inaugurating a New Era of Innovative Medical Research

2011-06-22T14:00:00.000-07:00

On an historic anniversary, friends, faculty, alumni, and leadership of the Perelman School of Medicine looked ahead to a new era of scientific achievement.

Penn President Amy Gutmann, Ph.D., noted that the celebration fell exactly 246 years from the day that the School of Medicine was established.

Focusing on recent developments in medicine, NIH Director Francis Collins M.D., Ph.D., the keynote speaker, said, “It is a joy to be here to celebrate what you have done in the past 10 years. I veritably drooled when I got a look at the labs and the offices — this space will encourage conversations between students and postdocs and faculty. I am delighted NIH had the chance to make some contribution.”

In a wide-ranging overview of NIH initiatives, Director Collins praised Penn’s work in general under Dean Rubenstein’s guidance. He noted two Penn projects that show the promise of translational medicine: the breakthrough gene therapy for Leber congenital amaurosis, which causes blindness, and promising new immunotherapy for AIDS.

With entire floors of the building dedicated to research on specific disease areas such as cardiovascular disease; diabetes, obesity, and metabolism; and cancer therapeutics, it is hoped that the opening is only the first of many medical advances to be celebrated at TRC.

Collaboration Is Built In

2011-06-22T13:59:00.000-07:00

Every component of TRC was planned to support interdisciplinary research and collaboration. Key Penn Medicine leaders Dr. Glen Gaulton and UPHS Senior Vice President Kevin Mahoney partnered with Architect Rafael Viñoly to create this innovative, responsive, and spacious new facility. TRC features design elements — from the juxtaposition of wet and dry research, to the arrangement of conference rooms, offices, and lab space — that make it among the most open, flexible, and collaborative facilities in the world.

From TRC it is only an elevator ride and a few paces to the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, the state-of-the-art UPHS outpatient care facility. There, patients in the care of UPHS physicians will benefit from TRC’s exploration of new therapies and clinical trials.

Two of the Nation’s Leaders in Translational Medicine

2011-06-22T13:58:00.001-07:00

NIH Director Francis S. Collins spoke at the invitation of his long-time friend and collaborator Dean Arthur Rubenstein.

Creating the vision and infrastructure to support interdisciplinary, disease-focused medical research at Penn has been a key priority for the dean. During his tenure, Penn has reached the forefront of translational medicine with innovations such as TRC, and centers and institutes dedicated to both research and patient care, including: Penn CardioVascular Institute; Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism; Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics; and Comprehensive Neuroscience Center.

At the event President Gutmann announced that the auditorium in TRC, where it is hoped that many research breakthroughs will be reported, is to be named in honor of Dean Rubenstein.

Translational Research Center Joins Research and Clinical Space

2011-06-22T13:57:00.000-07:00

Fourteen stories high and occupying more than one half million square feet, TRC is one of the largest and most prominent buildings on Penn’s campus. It significantly increases research space for the Perelman School of Medicine, and when completed will be home to 100 principal researchers and 900 staff.

The opening was accelerated by a $13 million ARRA construction grant from NIH. Penn President Amy Gutmann pointed out that construction and operation of TRC are expected to create more than 400 jobs. In addition, she noted the TRC design “proves a medical research building can be great and also green.” Currently two research floors are open. Three more are scheduled to come on line as funding becomes available.

Progress Towards a Cure for AIDS

2011-06-22T13:56:00.000-07:00

“My favorite story to tell congressmen” according to keynote speaker and NIH Director Francis Collins, is about Carl June, who will be based in TRC, and his colleagues’ promising work towards a cure for AIDS. Dr. June directs translational research programs at the Abramson Cancer Center. His work follows up on a concept proved by “the Berlin patient.” This patient had both AIDS and leukemia, and received a bone marrow transplant from a donor who had natural genetic resistance to HIV infection. Physicians have concluded that this patient appears to have been cured of AIDS. Dr. June and his collaborators are using “zinc fingers,” nucleases with a molecular structure that resembles fingers, to reproduce the effect of the genetic resistance present in the transplant donor. Clinical trials for the therapy are underway.

Mariann MacDonald Attends the Opening of the TRC

2011-06-22T13:55:00.000-07:00

“All I can say is that it is truly an amazing facility that will transform patient care by integrating research and disease management.”

-- Mariann MacDonald

The first donors to name a space in TRC, Mariann MacDonald, one of the founders of Endo Pharmaceuticals, and her husband Robert. The MacDonalds’ space will be dedicated to women’s cancer risk evaluation.

Medical Alumni Weekend 2011 - Preparing Leaders and Celebrating the Penn Tradition of Achievement

2011-06-20T14:00:00.000-07:00

Each year, Medical Alumni Weekend is an opportunity to welcome alumni back to campus to reunite with classmates and share career achievements through a variety of lively and engaging activities. Events throughout the weekend included reunion dinners, the picnic, scholarship celebrations, panel discussions, and more, concluding with the Perelman School of Medicine Commencement.

50th Reunion Class Celebrates in Style!

2011-06-20T13:59:00.000-07:00

50th reunion class member and parade marshal Robert Daroff, C’57, M’61, carries the flag as the Class of 1961 leads the 2011 parade. Six medical leaders from this distinguished class earlier presented a panel on their experiences: H. Franklin Bunn, M’61, developer of the groundbreaking A1C hemoglobin test for diabetes; Robert Daroff, C’57, M’61, a renowned neurologist; Stanley Dudrick, M’61, RES’67, pioneer of total parenteral nutrition, a landmark surgical advance; Sidney Pestka, M’61, the “father of interferon”; Thomas Rohner, Jr., M’61, INT’62, RES’64, RES’67; a noted urologic surgeon; and Lawrence Wood, M.D., M’61, INT’65 a well-known thyroid expert. The class is also among the most generous to the Perelman School. Their support of the Jordan Challenge in honor of their 50th reunion has made a significant difference for student financial aid.

2011 Celebrates the 15th Anniversary of the First Graduating Class of Gamble Scholars

2011-06-20T13:58:00.000-07:00

On the 15th anniversary of the first graduating class of Gamble scholars, Walter Gamble, M’57, congratulates David Chacko, WG’11, M’11, one of the 164 Gamble Scholars whose medical educations were paid for by the scholarship program begun by Walter and his wife Anne Gamble. In this anniversary year, nearly 100% of all past Gamble Scholars made their own gifts to the Gamble Scholarships, while Walter and Anne pledged an additional $2 million.

Jordan Challenge Scholarship Fund

2011-06-20T13:57:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the leadership of the late Henry A. Jordan, M’62, RES’67, and his wife Barrie – pictured here with students Ernest Gomez, M’13, and Elliot Rabinowitz, M’12 – the Jordan Challenge has helped raise more than $2.5 million for scholarships.

Richard Besser, M'86 Gives Keynote Address at Medical Alumni Weekend

2011-06-20T13:56:00.000-07:00

Richard E. Besser, M’86, Chief Health and Medical Editor for ABC News and third generation Penn Medicine graduate, with Rosemary Mazanet, GR’81, M’86, Chair of the Penn Medicine Campaign and Co-Chair of Penn’s Making History Campaign. Besser’s keynote presentation centered on his experiences as Acting Director of the CDC during the flu pandemic in 2009 and his recent work in Haiti with ABC News.

Perelman School of Medicine Prize Fund Recipients

2011-06-20T13:55:00.000-07:00

Marjorie G. Ernest, CW’56 celebrates her remarkable legacy of philanthropy with new graduate Lawrence Thomas Bish, C’02, GR’08, M’11, (left) and Peter Hutchinson, M’06, and Becca Hutchinson, M’06. Dr. Bish was the inaugural recipient of a prize fund created by Miss Ernest and named for the Drs. Hutchinson. Two other new prize funds were awarded this year: Kevin Pradip Shah, WG’11, M’11, was awarded the James B. Couch, M’81 Prize for achievement in medicine and business, and Sundeep K. Kasi, C’07, M’11, was awarded the Gary M. Phillips, M.D., C’87, WG’91, M’92, RES’97, and Helen Apostolou Phillips, C’87, Prize for a University alumnus who has demonstrated academic excellence.

Medical Class of 1966 Names New Space in the Medical Education Center

2011-06-20T13:54:00.000-07:00

The Class of 1966 was one of the first to start a scholarship fund — now a tradition at the Perelman School of Medicine. The class fund currently supports two medical students. In addition, this year class members made substantial gifts to name a room in the Medical Education Center, as a way of honoring their past and celebrating the future of medical education at Penn. They join the Class of 1975 and the Class of 1981 in naming spaces in the upcoming

Center.

Heart Attack Survivor and Nurse Who Helped Bring Her Back to Life Create Compelling Case for Hypothermia Training

2011-06-07T07:04:00.006-07:00

While driving on I-195 Memorial Day weekend one year ago, Virginia Wallace – customer service representative and mother of two – went into cardiac arrest, lost control of her car, and crashed into a guardrail.

Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the U.S. – Ms. Wallace had less than a 10% chance of survival and a still lower chance of avoiding brain injury.

She beat the odds, in part because of her proximity to forward-thinking RN, Elizabeth Whetzel, and the Hypothermia and Resuscitation Training Institute at Penn. The Institute is the only program of its kind in the nation educating doctors and nurses from across the U.S. about this revolutionary, life-saving technique.

During therapeutic hypothermia (demonstrated by David F. Gaiseski, M.D., right), the patient is cooled to approximately 92°F, and this lowered body temperature is maintained for at least 24 hours to limit cell death and prevent injury to the brain and other vital organs. In part due to research pioneered at Penn's Center for Resuscitation Science, the American Heart Association has recommended therapeutic cooling for many cardiac arrest patients since 2003.

“Last year, I was sitting right where you are,” Ms. Whetzel told participants in the Institute’s training session this past March. At that time, she had only recently begun to explore bringing the cooling protocol to Robert Wood Johnson University Hamilton Hospital, the community hospital where she is a Nurse Educator and Emergency Medicine Nurse.

Ms. Wallace was the first patient to receive therapeutic hypothermia at RWJU Hamilton. Cold intravenous saline and cooling blankets were used to lower her body temperature to 91.4°F. Soon after, she was transferred to The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and recovered with no brain damage.

“We usually try not to look at the faces of the patients, because it makes things more emotional and difficult,” Ms. Whetzel continued. “But for some reason, on that day I looked at Virginia. I realized that this woman could be my neighbor. Our kids could be on the same soccer team. It really hit close to home.”

Both women were presented with awards for sharing their experiences and acting as advocates for this novel cooling therapy.

“I hope that stories like these will encourage people to take a closer look at supporting this branch of science,” commented Dr. Lance Becker, one of the pioneers of the therapy. Dr. Becker is the Director of Penn’s Center for Resuscitation Science and a Professor of Emergency Medicine. He was recently highlighted in CNN medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta’s book Cheating Death.

“I want people to become motivated to help us expand knowledge, to extend our outreach into the community, and everything in between,” said Dr. Becker. Because this is cutting-edge research, it is still only modestly NIH funded, and forward progress relies heavily on individual philanthropy.

Said Benjamin Abella, M.D., M.Phil., “Over the past few years, hypothermia utilization has grown across the country, and we now estimate that about a third of hospitals offer this therapy.” Along with Dr. Becker and Dr. David Gaieski, Dr. Abella is a leader in Penn’s work on therapeutic hypothermia.

If you would like to learn more about supporting therapeutic hypothermia programs at Penn, please contact Katie Sedam at ksedam@upenn.edu or 215-898-0832.

Raymond and Ruth Perelman Make Historic $225 Million Gift to the School of Medicine

2011-05-11T13:29:00.000-07:00

We are very excited to announce that Ruth and Raymond Perelman have given $225 million to the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. This is the largest single gift ever made in the University’s history and the largest naming gift for a school of medicine in the U.S. With this gift, the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania will be able to offer greater financial aid, support its renowned faculty, and advance ground-breaking new research and education projects—ensuring that the great tradition of a Penn education continues for generations to come.

“Raymond and Ruth Perelman’s historic investment in the University of Pennsylvania’s esteemed School of Medicine is both transformational and inspiring,” said Penn President Dr. Amy Gutmann. “Their gift propels us to make Penn a global model of a comprehensive, collaborative academic medical center.”

“Ruth and I believe the future of medicine depends on the ability to produce world-class researchers and clinicians, which are the hallmarks of Penn and a Penn education,” said Raymond Perelman. “We are proud and extremely grateful to have this eminent School of Medicine carry our names.”

• Coverage from The New York Times

• Coverage from The Philadelphia Inquirer

• You can find a copy of our news release here

• You can comment and see what everyone else is saying on the Penn Medicine Facebook page

Latest Advances Panel Enlightens Friends on the Future of Diabetes and Heart Disease

2011-05-02T13:10:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to the nearly 200 friends of Penn Medicine who attended this month’s Penn Medicine Advances panel, Diabetes and Heart Disease – A World-Wide Epidemic. Audience questions such as “When will there be a cure?” challenged and drew interesting responses from the panel of Penn Medicine’s top doctors and researchers.

Families concerned with these diseases were offered new insights, both during the panel discussion and in one-on-one conversations at the reception afterwards.

Panelists included:

• Mitchell Lazar, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism

• Michael Parmacek, M.D., Director, Penn Cardiovascular Institute

• Muredach Reilly, MBCCh, MSCE, Associate Professor of Medicine

• Mark Schutta, M.D., Medical Director, Penn Rodebaugh Diabetes Center

• Richard Shannon, M.D., Chair, Department of Medicine (Moderator)

Nearly two-thirds of people born after the year 2000 have a high risk for Type-I diabetes. When asked about prospects for a cure, Dr. Lazar said that there will be some “truly significant breakthroughs” in medical research in the next ten years, bringing us closer to a cure.

A link between patients with high average levels of blood glucose (a symptom of diabetes) and heart disease has been proven, but the exact nature of this connection is complex and still under study. The panel discussed many of Penn Medicine’s current research projects and innovative approaches to diagnosing and treating these diseases, including identifying new pharmaceutical targets and Penn’s strong islet transplant program.

For cardiovascular disease, one significant topic was the minimally invasive aortic valve repair surgery that Penn Medicine is currently one of only five institutions in the country to offer. Available through a clinical trial, this procedure is much more safe than traditional open-heart surgery, especially for older patients, who currently may have no viable surgical option.

The Penn Cardiovascular Institute, which oversees all clinical trials in cardiovascular medicine, and the Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, have recently moved their research efforts into the newly-completed Translational Research Center. In the new center, they will be in close proximity, occupying the top two floors.

“Penn Medicine leadership realized that it was important that these two research departments be placed together to promote cooperative research and learn more about the connection between heart disease and diabetes. We believe that this arrangement is unique among medical research centers,” said Dr. Lazar.

Advances panels are offered to friends of Penn Medicine as a gesture of appreciation. Past topics have included, “Living Longer and Looking Better,” and “Solving the Longevity Puzzle: Reversing the Epidemic of Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders.” Next fall’s Advances program will focus on joint health, including insights from sports medicine. Please watch the Penn Medicine Facebook or contact Leah Hartlander (leahhart@upenn.edu) for more information.

Raising Funds and Hope for a Cure

2011-04-05T12:05:00.000-07:00

On March 28, three very hopeful families presented a check for $70,000 to Jean Bennett, M.D., Ph.D., F.M. Kirby Professor of Ophthalmology and Cell and Developmental Biology and colleagues at Penn with the goal of helping to fund a new trial by Dr. Bennett to study the RDH12 mutation of Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA).

LCA is a rare genetic disorder that results in the progressive loss of vision. Those with LCA eventually go blind, typically in their late teens to early twenties. Fourteen genes have been found to cause LCA when they are mutated. One of these genes is Retinal Dehydrogenase 12 or RDH12.

The generous donation will support work in Dr. Bennett’s lab and build off of her previous work on a different LCA gene - RPE65. In 2008 in a major scientific breakthrough, Dr. Bennett, Penn’s Albert Maguire, M.D., associate professor of Ophthalmology, and colleagues at CHOP were able to successfully use gene therapy to safely improve the vision of five children and seven adults with the RPE65 mutation.

The families, from all over the U.S., first met less than a year ago in the summer of 2010 at an LCA conference here in Philadelphia. They immediately bonded over two things they all had in common –love for their children and the desire to help find a way to save their vision. They were encouraged by the previous success with the RPE65 gene and knew they needed to work together to get the wheels turning for research on the RHD12 gene. They formed the RDH12 Fund for Sight and set about raising money to help fund critical research for their children’s specific LCA mutation.

“The efforts that these families are making to prevent their children from going blind are truly inspirational,” said Dr. Bennett. “The funds that they have so generously provided will be critical for developing the data in the laboratory showing that reversal of this condition is possible.”

They raise funds through projects big and small - donations from family and friends, church bazaars, bakes sales, golf outings, and dinner dances.

“We’re just regular moms and dads with regular jobs trying to help our kids the best way we can,” said RDH 12 Fund for Sight founding member Mike Fiore, father to LCA patient Isabella Fiore.

The families say they hope to double their initial donation in the next year and already have a host of fundraising events planned for the upcoming months. They continue to reach out to other families with children who have the RDH12 mutation to offer support and get them involved in helping to find a cure.

After the check presentation, Dr. Bennett took the families on a tour of her lab. The children got first hand experience of the wonders of science as Dr. Bennett and her team showed them how dry ice works and let them examine cells under a microscope.

Alumni and Friends Take Advantage of Extended Jordan Family Challenge

2011-03-11T15:00:00.001-08:00

Matching Gifts Now Available to Many More Donors

“With our 50th reunion coming up, it was an easy decision to give to this scholarship challenge,” said Dr. Ray Miller, M’61. “It is an extraordinary opportunity — a great way to celebrate a memorable occasion and also provide nearly immediate help to today’s students.”

Now donors of between $25,000 and $100,000 can receive dollar-for-dollar matching funds that will significantly increase the size of their gifts — along with the level of assistance they can provide to students. Contributions will be recognized at the dollar level that is reached with the matching gift, and may be used to name a fund. Donations are still pooled to support the John Morgan Scholarship Program. This unconventional approach allows aid to reach students as rapidly as possible.

Henry A. Jordan, M’62, RES’67 and his wife Barrie originally created the Challenge to encourage others to join in. “We quickly realized that helping these students to the fullest extent was a goal we could not accomplish alone,” said Mrs. Jordan. “We believed that members of the Penn Medicine family would want to experience the wonderful feeling of making a lasting impact on medicine while providing Penn students the financial support they need.”

Said Dean Rubenstein, “Scholarship giving is one of our most important priorities. Penn Medicine attracts the best student applicants, but more assistance is needed to remain competitive in the recruitment process. I am delighted that the Jordan family is making this opportunity available to so many donors and thankful to those of you who are taking on the Challenge.”

To learn about supporting the Jordan challenge, please contact Bill Bole at 215-898-9175 or wbole@upenn.edu.

Classes of ’75 and ’80 Name Study Areas in the Medical Education Center

2011-03-11T15:00:00.000-08:00

For Class of ’75, 35th Reunion Becomes a Time -- and Place -- to Remember

“Naming the study area was a great way to commemorate our 35th reunion — as well as all the time we spent together in the classroom,” said past Reunion Committee member and current MAAC Co-chair Lou Matis, M’75. “The idea resonated with our classmates, and having a tangible, meaningful focus for our fundraising made it a highly gratifying process.”

The class’s Reunion Committee made fundraising for the space integral to all their reunion efforts. They found that, almost universally, the people they called were glad to hear from former classmates, and to reminisce and catch up as part of discussing the upcoming reunion.

By contributing to the Class of 1975 Study Space, class members expressed gratitude for what a Penn education has meant for their careers. It also enabled them to play a vital role in further enhancing the high-quality education taking place at the School today.

“We knew that the new Medical Education Center is the top priority for the School of Medicine infrastructure,” said Dr. Matis. “We want to see the School incorporating all the advanced technologies now available — and that didn’t exist when we were getting our education.”

The result: at their 35th reunion, the class had the largest turn out ever, and celebrated the announcement of the Class of 1975 Study Area.

Class of ’80: See What One Class Can Do

A tour of the medical campus was among the first steps Reunion Co-chairs Drs. Marcelle Shapiro and Cathy Hart took together to create the Class of 1980 Study Area.

A member of the Medical Alumni Advisory Council for more than 25 years, Dr. Shapiro was already committed to making the Medical Education Center a priority for the class’s 30th reunion. She invited Dr. Hart to join her as Reunion Committee Co-chair — and fellow tourist — and gained an enthusiastic partner in leading the reunion project.

“Dr. Morrison’s identification of a ‘new face’ for the school as a key priority really rang true to us.” said Dr. Shapiro. “We wanted to create a medical school facility that would fully support the way our incredible students learn today.”

The two pulled together a committee, and each member spoke to ten classmates to get as many people on board as possible.

By combining their resources and setting up a five-year payment schedule, class members were able to give more than they had expected. In addition to the 50-person capacity study area, a scholarship component was also funded.

Drs. Shapiro and Hart were delighted and inspired by their class’s participation, and are proud of their hard work. “Even if it’s simply naming a study area, we wanted to show what one class is capable of doing and spur other classes in the same direction,” she said.

“We are so grateful that these classes were each able to join together to support the future of Penn Medicine,” said Dean Rubenstein. “It is a remarkable statement of the generosity, vision, and hard work that make our alumni so outstanding.”

For more information on supporting the Medical Education Center, contact Bill Bole at 215-898-9175 or wbole@upenn.edu.

Penn Medicine Campaign Makes its Mark on Campus

2011-03-11T13:07:00.000-08:00

by Arthur H. Rubenstein, MBBCh, Executive Vice President, University of Pennsylvania for the Health System; Dean of the School of Medicine

2011 promises to be an exciting time, as our campaign is helping to bring many extraordinary new facilities, programs, and capabilities to Penn Medicine. While these additions unmistakably belong to the 21st century, they very much support the traditions of excellence, collegiality, and compassion that have made us a leader in medicine.

This winter, the Translational Research Center (TRC) will become the latest of our new state-of-the-art facilities to open. The TRC will be home to five eminent laboratories, dedicated to collaborative research that seeks to end formidable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

The TRC is an historic advance in translational medicine and adjoins our innovative patient care centers the Ruth and Raymond Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine and the Roberts Proton Therapy Center — all made possible by the generosity of our friends and alumni in this Campaign.

Last fall, we celebrated three more important donor-driven landmarks in our history of philanthropy at the Abramson Cancer Center: the new Mariann T. and Robert J. MacDonald Women’s Cancer Risk Evaluation Center and special anniversaries of the Rena Rowan Breast Center and Jordan Center for Gynecologic Cancer. Each of these Centers is a leader in care and research — and brings new hope to the fight against cancer.

We are also making important strides in fundraising for our most essential capital project for the School of Medicine moving forward, the Medical Education Center. More than a dozen spaces have been named, representing the deep commitment of many donors to keeping our School at the forefront of medical education.

In addition, I am very pleased that we recently inaugurated three new professorships thanks to the generosity of Margarita Louis-Dreyfus, John and Dr. Janet Haas, and the Bradway family.

For our students, the Jordan family recently opened their scholarship challenge to even more donors, which is already making an impact on giving to financial aid.

Supporting the outstanding people of Penn Medicine — the remarkable professors and students who make this such an exceptional institution — is a wonderful and lasting gift. I hope you will take advantage of this truly extraordinary opportunity to match your scholarship gift in your philanthropic planning.

I thank you all for your generosity to Penn Medicine, and I look forward to working with you to move our TRC, Medical Education Center, and other important projects toward completion.

Celebrating a Tradition of Women Leaders in Philanthropy and Medicine at the Abramson Cancer Center

2011-03-04T15:15:00.003-08:00

This fall, more than 200 friends, faculty, and alumni of Penn Medicine gathered to celebrate the contributions of the visionary women leaders who are working to improve the lives of women with cancer. The event commemorated significant milestones for three leading cancer research and care centers:

The Rena Rowan Breast Center
The Jordan Center for Gynecologic Cancer
The Mariann T. and Robert J. MacDonald Women’s Cancer Risk Evaluation Center

“I hope you enjoy the fun and festive atmosphere tonight, including the colorful cocktails, silent auction, and fashion show that the host committee has arranged,” said Ralph Muller, Chief Executive Officer of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, in his welcoming remarks. “Of course, tonight is most importantly about the serious subject of improving women’s health — here in our city, our state, and beyond.

“Rena, Barrie, and Mariann are all visionary women who have invested in our research.” Mr. Muller continued. “They have joined a great tradition begun by Madlyn Abramson and her husband Leonard more than a decade ago. Because of our leading philanthropists, today we offer better therapies and greater hope to our patients with breast, ovarian, uterine, cervical and other gynecologic cancers.”

The Rena Rowan Breast Center: 10 Years of Compassionate and Leading-Edge Care

2011-03-04T15:15:00.002-08:00

“The past 10 years have seen an explosion of new therapies in breast cancer, and now we have new targeted drugs and surgical options to individualize a woman’s care. Penn has led the way in this area due to Rena Rowan Damone’s vision and the philanthropic support of Rena, her husband Vic Damone, and many others.”

With these words, Caryn Lerman, PhD, Interim Director of the Abramson Cancer Center summarized the dramatic impact that philanthropy has made on breast cancer research and care.

Rena Rowan Damone, one of the most dedicated philanthropic women in Philadelphia, was born in Poland, and exiled to Siberia with her mother and sister during World War II. She came to the United States in 1945, and found her love for fashion. She is an internationally renowned fashion designer having founded Jones of New York (now Jones Apparel Group), and served as Executive Vice President until 2000.

Dr. John Glick spoke of his collaboration with Mrs. Damone: “The incredible care she experienced at Penn made her want to start her philanthropic work fighting women’s cancers here. She wanted to make more humane care for women possible. Without her contributions and those of her friends in Philadelphia, we could not have founded a breast center. Not only that, but Rena contributed to the design of the center, bringing her renowned sense of fashion and warmth to the decor.”

Though Mrs. Damone could not attend, Dr. Glick read from her letter on the occasion: “Vic and I consider the Center to be one of our most gratifying accomplishments. The great work performed by Dr. Glick, Dr. Fox and their colleagues as well as all of the staff deserve the greatest degree of credit for the wonderfully growing success of the breast center’s endeavors, and to all of you we express our deep, abiding and heartfelt appreciation. Without the support of so many, we would not have achieved this great success.”

The 5th Anniversary of the Jordan Center for Gynecological Cancer: Visionary Leadership for Holistic Patient Care

2011-03-04T15:15:00.001-08:00

"The Jordan Center is about working together to provide holistic patient-centric care — to reach out to women when they are most vulnerable, to diagnose, to treat, to educate, to prevent, to support our patients and their families by providing comprehensive care," said Dr. Deborah A. Driscoll, Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

She let a patient speak to the Center’s success, reading from a recent letter, "We’ve never experienced anything quite like the expertise, the compassion, the caring and the commitment — nothing compares to the treatment we received at Penn."

Dr. Driscoll credited Barbara "Barrie" McNeil Jordan as the driving force behind the naming gift to the Jordan Center. "She and her husband, the late Dr. Henry A. Jordan, one of Penn Medicine’s most dedicated alumni, have been great friends to Penn Medicine and to me," said Dr. Driscoll. "Both of their families have strong traditions of supporting Penn, and Barrie and Henry continued this admirable legacy of philanthropy."

Barrie Jordan is a longtime supporter of scholarships for Penn Medicine among other philanthropic efforts. She is the founder and honorary chair of the Chester County Fund for Women and Girls, a member of the Philadelphia Antiques Show Advisory Committee, and a former trustee of the Chester County Historical Society.

"I am here today thanks to early detection and the treatment I received at Penn," said Mrs. Jordan. "I have no doubt that funding for research and early detection are paramount. We are all here to celebrate the gift of life, and I continue to be committed to banishing gynecologic cancers from the lives of our daughters, friends, colleagues, and women who have not yet been born."

The Grand Opening of the Mariann T. and Robert J. MacDonald Women’s Cancer Risk Evaluation Center

2011-03-04T15:15:00.000-08:00

Prevention and Treatment through Innovative Risk Management

“I made this gift because I wanted to help Penn seize this moment of incredible promise,” said Mariann MacDonald. “It is our hope that the establishment of the Mariann T. and Robert J. MacDonald Women’s Cancer Risk Evaluation Center will help accelerate the ability of physicians and researchers at Penn Medicine to predict breast and ovarian cancer risk and find better ways to prevent and treat these devastating women’s cancers. I believe this Center’s work with genetics is the next wave in finding a cure for breast cancer and could open the door to finding cures for many other cancers.”

Dr. Lynn Schuchter, Chief of Hematology Oncology, described the achievements of the program: “This is one of the first breast cancer risk evaluation programs in the country and the first established in the United States specifically to explore cancer genetics. The Director, Dr. Susan M. Domchek, leads a research team that has identified ways to reduce cancer risk for women who carry specific gene mutations. They are currently developing a vaccine that targets a protein found in nearly all breast cancers.

“As chief of the division of Hematology Oncology, I am passionate about bringing our patients the latest therapies and prevention and diagnostic techniques in order to save more lives, which is exactly what the MacDonald Women’s Cancer Risk Evaluation Center will do.”

Mrs. MacDonald, a 16-year breast cancer survivor, is a founder and former EVP of Operations for Endo Pharmaceuticals. Her husband Robert is the owner of Pieces, Inc., an art and accessories company.

“He never let me feel sick,” Mrs. MacDonald said of her experience as a patient of Dr. Kevin Fox, Director of the Rena Rowan Breast Center. “He made me feel like a person, not my illness.” The family chose to create the Mariann T. and Robert J. MacDonald Professorship in Breast Cancer Care Excellence, currently held by Dr. Fox, and this year, to name the Center out of gratitude for her care.

Mrs. MacDonald concluded, “We wish to eliminate the need to worry about breast cancer for my daughter, Meagan, my granddaughter, and women everywhere.”

How Penn Medicine Shapes the Future of Patient Care

2011-03-01T10:46:00.000-08:00

by Ralph W. Muller, CEO, University of Pennsylvania Health System

Penn Medicine, the combination of the University of Pennsylvania Health System and the School of Medicine, is one of about 125 academic medical centers (AMCs) in the nation.

These centers are made up of medical schools along with their affiliated hospitals and other patient care facilities. They include some of the world’s leading health care institutions, among them Johns Hopkins, Stanford, and Duke.

Academic Medical Centers (AMCs) such as Penn Medicine occupy a unique place in the world of medicine. Each day, AMCs advance three core missions: providing the best possible patient care, conducting biomedical research, and educating the physicians of tomorrow. As a result, AMCs are where the future of medicine emerges— where innovative therapies are first offered, where new leaders are trained, and where breakthrough discoveries are made.

For patients, the distinctive feature of Penn Medicine is that we are a more fully integrated health system than almost anyone else in the nation. Here, patient care and research are connected so that our patients receive the benefit of leading-edge research and innovative practices, under the guidance of the experts in medicine.

We are dedicated to serving others. At Penn Medicine we carry out numerous programs that benefit our community, ranging from school-based health programs to nutritional counseling for pregnant teens and special initiatives for the homeless. In the last fiscal year we dedicated more than $200 million in charitable benefits to our community, including care for patients with little or no health insurance.

The Campaign directly supports Penn Medicine’s ability to advance patient care, medical education, and medical research. The world-class resources enabled by the Campaign, such as the new Translational Research Center and the adjacent Ruth and Raymond Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, perpetuate the ability of our talented physicians to create more effective and humane approaches to disease. Those innovations in patient care ultimately influence the practice of medicine throughout the world.

Philanthropy has been, and will continue to be, vital to Penn Medicine’s ability to forge new paths.

In our third century as one of America’s leading medical centers, we are very grateful for all you do to support us, and we look forward to our continued partnership.

Penn's New Translational Research Center

2011-02-24T17:20:00.000-08:00

“When you see this huge, supercool research building that’s actually at the hospital, you understand how integral research is to Penn Medicine,” said David Kovalcik, after a recent hard-hat tour of the Translational Research Center. Mr. Kovalcik, a member of the Cardiovascular Research Institute Leadership Council, commented, “At Penn, research creates the knowledge that saves lives. This building is where it’s going to happen.”

To see for yourself, or learn more, please contact Jessica L. Ramsey at ramseyj@upenn.edu or 215-898-7537.

Ovarian Cancer Facility To Support Advanced Therapy For Women Throughout Region

2011-02-24T09:29:00.000-08:00

Two new Penn Medicine initiatives seek to help extend the lives of women fighting ovarian cancer throughout the Delaware Valley. Penn’s Ovarian Cancer Research Center (OCRC) will establish the Regional Ovarian Cancer Network and the Ovarian Tumor Processing Facility, with plans to collect and store tumor tissue that is typically disposed of during cancer surgeries.

The rescued tissue will then be available for study and as a form of advanced therapy for returning patients, in order to dramatically improve survival and quality of life for women with ovarian cancer. Penn plans to extend this therapy currently only available at Penn Medicine to other practices and medical centers throughout the Delaware Valley.

The Regional Ovarian Cancer Network will connect gynecologic oncology practices and medical centers throughout the Delaware Valley with Penn’s center. The Network will facilitate the transport and storage of tumor tissue between the practices and the Processing Facility.

Research Promises Hope for Patients

Dr. George Coukos, Director of the Penn OCRC, is a pioneering leader in ovarian cancer treatment and research. He recently received the NIH Young Innovators award to develop a personalized immunotherapy treatment that attacks and destroys blood vessels of targeted tumors.

Penn is a leader in immunotherapy research, with many cancer vaccine trials currently open in such diseases as non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, and ovarian, breast, lung, and pancreatic cancers. Many of these trials were begun with donor support. Next year proceeds from longtime supporter the Philadelphia Antiques Show will benefit the OCRC.

Translational Research Center — New Home to Immunotherapy Research Program

Penn’s new Translational Research Center is set to support and enhance this innovative program. To be located on the eighth floor, the Core Laboratory for Cancer Therapeutics and Radiation Oncology will be home to cutting-edge research and therapies.

To learn more about supporting the OCRC, please contact Tricia Bruning at tbruning@upenn.edu or 215-898-1033.

News of Alzheimer’s Discovery Goes Global

2011-02-24T09:22:00.000-08:00

Alzheimer’s disease knows no boundaries, afflicting 35 million people, wreaking havoc on families, and consuming 1% of the world’s gross domestic product, according to World Alzheimer Report 2010.

So when Penn Medicine researchers announced a major breakthrough in Alzheimer’s diagnosis this year with the potential to advance drug research through earlier detection, the news quickly became the biomedical equivalent of the shot heard round the world.

The South China Morning Post declared, "Alzheimer’s move brings new hope.”

Radio Free Europe told listeners, "Researchers Claim Breakthrough in Diagnosing Alzheimer’s."

The Hindustan Times got a bit more technical, telling readers, "Now, 3 biomarkers in spinal fluid could classify patients with Alzheimer’s."

Research at Penn Medicine Is Basis for Breakthrough

They were all describing a breakthrough based on research from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) Biomarker Core group, based at Penn Medicine and co-directed by John Q. Trojanowski, MD, PhD, Director, Institute on Aging, and Co-director, Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research and Leslie M. Shaw, PhD, professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.

Results showed that a test of spinal fluid can reliably confirm or rule out Alzheimer’s disease well before any symptoms appear. Previously the only way to be sure a person had Alzheimer’s was through autopsy.

What is now possible, as CBS News put it, is, "Testing for Alzheimer’s — Before It’s Too Late."

The study was conducted with Geert De Meyer, PhD, of Ghent University in Belgium, and first reported in the Archives of Neurology.

The excitement even transcended the language barrier: "Durchbruch bei der Alzheimer-Diagnose," said the German 20 Minuten Online. A breakthrough.

FierceBiotech.com, New York Times Agree: Rare Sharing of Data was Key

The lowering of traditional barriers in the research process contributed greatly to the discovery. In 2003, a large group of scientists, government officials, industry, educational, and nonprofit groups made an unprecedented decision to collaborate on Alzheimer’s biomarker research on a vast scale, and with total transparency.

As Dr. Trojanowski told the New York Times, "It was unbelievable…It’s not science the way most of us have practiced it in our careers. But we all realized that we would never get biomarkers unless all of us parked our egos and intellectual-property noses outside the door and agreed that all of our data would be public immediately."

In the words of FierceBiotech.com, "Datasharing Breeds Alzheimer’s Progress."

The discovery also sparked debate about who would avail themselves of the new diagnostic tool.

The CBS News Health Blog asked, "100 Percent Accurate Alzheimer’s Test. Would You Want to Know?"

Researchers hope at least some people will answer yes, because they believe the information it unlocks will accelerate the pace of clinical trials and propel them closer to a cure for Alzheimer’s.

To learn more about support for Alzheimer’s research at Penn, please contact Irene Lukoff at ilukoff@upenn.edu or 215-573-0187.

Campaign Gifts Endow Chairs in Three Key Areas

2011-02-23T08:38:00.000-08:00

Three distinguished faculty members have recently been awarded new professorships created by Campaign gifts. These chairs will reinforce Penn Medicine’s prominence in critical areas of medicine — clinical care, diabetes, and biologic therapies for cancer, in this case chronic lymphocytic leukemia and lymphoma (CLL).

A Historic StrengthTo recognize the quality of care provided by Penn Medicine physicians, longtime Penn friends John and Dr. Janet Haas created the Penn Medicine Radnor Clinical Excellence Chair. Dr.Thorne Sparkman, Jr., Medical Director of the Division of General Medicine at Penn Medicine Radnor and a much admired clinician and educator, is the inaugural holder. UniversityTrustee Janet Haas is a physician as well as a published medical ethicist, chair of the Advisory Board for the Penn Center for Bioethics, and a member of Penn Medicine’s Campaign Cabinet.

A Current Area of Excellence

The first G. Clayton Kyle Associate Professorship in Diabetes is Dr. Mark Schutta, Medical Director of Penn’s Rodebaugh Diabetes Center, which is widely regarded as the best in the region and a model for care of this complex chronic disease. Dr. Schutta has overseen the development of its inpatient diabetes management program at HUP and fostered an infrastructure for patient-oriented diabetes research. The Kyle chair, donated by the late Ruby Bradway, honors Dr. G. Clayton Kyle, a beloved physician who was among the first to treat diabetes patients with constant glucose monitoring.

An Area of Great Promise

With Penn Medicine taking a leadership role in the development of biological therapies — the program will be one of the anchors in the new Translational Research Center — the appointment of the inaugural Robert and Margarita Louis-Dreyfus Associate Professorship in CLL Clinical Care is especially timely. The chair was given by Mrs. Louis-Dreyfus to honor her late husband. Dr. Stephen Schuster, the first to hold the Louis-Dreyfus chair, is Director of the Abramson Cancer Center Lymphoma Translational Research Center, where his work with therapeutic vaccines has been groundbreaking and nationally recognized. For Dean Arthur Rubenstein, these three new professorships are an affirmation of Campaign goals and a recognition that “the future of medicine” is here and now. “There are few occasions so pleasurable for me,” he notes, “as when an endowed chair comes to life. When we are able to join with friends and colleagues to strengthen our faculty — this is when we reaffirm our commitment to leadership in the world of medicine.”

Supporters of Dr. Stephen Schuster’s revolutionary work with therapeutic vaccines join him at the celebration of his appointment. Jim and Frannie Maguire, who have supported his research, Margarita Louis-Dreyfus, who endowed the chair he now holds, and Dr. Schuster.

School of Medicine Celebrates 12 New Scholarships - Thanks to Walter and Anne Gamble

2010-07-09T12:15:00.000-07:00

Walter J.Gamble,M’57, and his wife, Anne C. Gamble, recently pledged to create 12 full scholarships — enabling the School of Medicine to provide critical new financial aid. The number of Gamble scholarships awarded each year now rises to more than 50.

“I am very proud that so many Gamble Scholars have chosen careers in public health, family medicine, and research because debt was no longer a factor,” said Dr. Gamble. “It is our hope that these new scholarships will continue that great trend, as well as inspire others to give to scholarship support.”

During the 20 years they have contributed to student financial aid at Penn Medicine, the Gambles have developed close relationships with many Gamble Scholars. The scholarships have even acted as "matchmaker," with some graduates marrying and starting families of their own.

"We've gotten lots of letters, e-mails, invitations to weddings, baby pictures," said Mrs. Gamble. "We feel so blessed, it's enriched our lives. It's overwhelming."

During Medical Alumni Weekend, the Gambles were honored for their extraordinary philanthropy, and celebrated with the many Gamble Scholars who came to Philadelphia to join them. Presenting the couple with a token of Penn Medicine's appreciation — a commemorative print of the John Morgan Building — Dean Rubenstein remarked, "It is thanks to the Gambles, and the donors they have inspired, that Penn Medicine is well positioned to continue attracting the most promising young minds.

"Walter and Anne have given our talented students the freedom to make a true impact on medicine, and beyond that, they have made them feel like a special part of the Penn Medicine family."

Remembering Dr. Henry A. Jordan, 1936-2010

2010-07-09T12:14:00.000-07:00

Devoted alumnus, committed leader, generous mentor, and friend: together with his wife, Barbara "Barrie" McNeil Jordan, the late Henry A. Jordan, M’62, GME’67, was a steadfast champion of Penn Medicine and our students. In addition to his remarkable philanthropy, Dr. Jordan served in numerous capacities, most notably as Chair of Penn Medicine’s campaign, Co-Chair of the University's Making History campaign, and inaugural member of Penn Medicine’s Board of Trustees.

Remembrances from a few members of the Penn Medicine community follow:

"I received the Jordan scholarship all four years of medical school," said Inbal Braunstein, C’04, M’09. "I am also lucky to have been able to meet the Jordans on many occasions — Barrie and Henry were always so warm and welcoming. I hope to one day be able to show my appreciation for his immense generosity by following his example."

"Henry and Barrie have been incredible partners in our fight against cancer," said Craig B. Thompson, M’77, Director, Abramson Cancer Center and the John H. Glick, MD Abramson Cancer Center Director’s Professor. “The Jordan Center for Gynecologic Cancer represents their confidence in Penn Medicine’s ability to transform medicine, as well as their deep compassion for our patients.”

"Whatever we asked of Henry, whether it was for additional scholarship support or deeper involvement, he never turned us down," recalled Dean Rubenstein. "The entire Penn Medicine family feels a deep appreciation for all he and Barrie have done for our institution. His influence will continue far into the future."

Please visit the Henry A. Jordan Endowed Scholarship Fund or call (215)898-0578 to make a memorial gift.

Alumni Leader Rosemary Mazanet Becomes New Campaign Chair

2010-07-09T12:13:00.000-07:00

With her many Penn connections and experience as Penn Medicine Campaign Vice Chair, Rosemary Mazanet, GR’81, M’86, is eager to lead the final phase of the Penn Medicine campaign.

In June, this experienced biotech executive, active alumna, and Penn parent succeeded her friend and mentor the late Dr. Henry A. Jordan as Chair of the Penn Medicine Campaign and Co-Chair of Penn’s Making History campaign.

“I am proud to represent Penn Medicine,” said Dr. Mazanet, “I look forward to continuing the momentum that the inspiring leadership here has created. We have a long tradition of innovation at our school, and I want to do my part to carry it forward.”

“We have already greatly benefited from Rosemary’s volunteer involvement and philanthropic leadership,” said Dean Rubenstein. “We now look to her expertise in medicine and business acumen to help us realize our ambitious goals.”

As a Penn Medicine alumna, Dr. Mazanet serves on the Penn Medicine Board of Trustees, Campaign Cabinet, and the Medical Alumni Advisory Council. She was the recipient of the Alumni Service Award in 2006.

Professionally, Dr. Mazanet trained as a hematologist/oncologist. For the past 12 years she has led initiatives to invest in and develop health care companies. Currently, she is a general partner of Apelles Investment Management in New York and the CEO of DiabetesAmerica.

Said Ralph Muller, CEO of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, “It will be a great advantage to have such a dynamic leader at the helm of our campaign.”

Penn Revolutionizes Head and Neck Surgery

2010-07-09T12:12:00.000-07:00

Patients return to celebrate FDA approval of TORS

When Cynthia Miller learned that a tumor had been growing along her left jaw and down to the base of her brain for many years, she was devastated. A specialist told her that she required heavily invasive surgery that would leave her without teeth, the ability to swallow, or speak. Using classic surgical methods, her anticipated recovery time would have been upwards of one year with a 7-10 day hospital stay. A permanent feeding tube might have been necessary.

Turning to the Internet for a better solution, she found Drs. Bert W. O’Malley, the Gabriel Tucker Professor and Chair, Department of Otorhinolaryngology– Head and Neck Surgery, and Gregory S. Weinstein, Professor and Vice Chair of the Department and Director, Division of Head and Neck Surgery. The two are the inventors of the revolutionary TransOral Robotic Surgery Program (TORS).

Under Penn’s care, Ms. Miller’s operation was scheduled for a Friday. Remarkably, she was back home on Monday. Today, Ms. Miller is continuing her career as a motivational speaker and corporate trainer because of the advanced care she received at Penn. Ms. Miller’s story is one among many told by Penn patients, who have avoided splitting of the jaw, total laryngectomy, and other invasive procedures because of the exceptional surgical care they received.

Approximately 150 patients, faculty, and staff came to Penn on April 20 to celebrate FDA approval of TORS. The approval makes TORS the world’s first group of minimally-invasive robotic surgery techniques cleared to remove benign and select malignant tumors of the mouth and throat.

Ms. Miller shared her story to promote the life-changing surgical possibilities that TORS provides. Also featured at the event was the da Vinci robot, which is used to perform the TORS surgery. Attendees were given the opportunity to use the robot themselves and manipulate objects within an obstacle course intended to mimic movements used during surgery.

Approximately 45,000 Americans and 500,000 people worldwide suffer from head and neck cancers. To reach these patients, the TORS program now faces the challenge of expansion through physician education both nationally and internationally. In addition, TORS is being studied as a therapy for a variety of conditions including sleep apnea, the removal of skull base tumors, and repair of cervical spine disease.

For more information about the Penn TORS Program or to support our efforts,
please contact Heather Mason via e-mail or by calling (215)746-3005.

New Effort to Support Care for Underserved Women and Children Kicked Off at G Lounge

2010-07-09T12:11:00.000-07:00

This spring the Women’s Health Leadership Council introduced friends and corporate leaders to Latina Community Health Services. Through this program, pregnant women and their children across Philadelphia receive care from Penn Medicine faculty, staff, and student volunteers. The small grant that covers program expenses for routine prenatal lab work will run out later this year. The Council seeks contributions to meet these costs.

The fundraising got off to a healthy start at an event hosted by the Council. Ashley Coffone and Danny Govberg, owner of G Lounge, donated the facility and underwrote many of the event’s expenses. Endo Pharmaceuticals made a generous gift of $10,000 before the event, and additional funds from friends are starting to come in. The event owes its success to the hosts, to Council Chair Keith Morgan and the event planning committee, and to the caterers who generously donated their services: Restaurant Associates and Villanova University.

In his remarks, UPHS CEO Ralph W. Muller pointed out that with more maternity programs in the city closing, Penn Medicine now delivers nearly half the babies born in Philadelphia each year. The Women’s Health Leadership Council has made supporting care for underserved women and children its first priority. Gifts to the Council’s fund will immediately aid an area of critical need.

For more information, please contact Pam Keon at (215)573-4040 or pamkeon@upenn.edu.

Madlyn & Leonard Abramson: Visionary Philanthropy That Touches Lives

2010-07-09T12:10:00.000-07:00

This May, the entire Penn community celebrated the compassionate philanthropy of Madlyn and Leonard Abramson: the remarkable visionaries who have transformed cancer research and care at Penn. Over 10 years ago they created the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute to support cancer research. Their transformative philanthropy was later recognized by the naming of the Abramson Cancer Center.

At the Abramson Cancer Center’s annual event on May 10, Penn President Amy Gutmann announced that the Abramson family has continued their support of cancer research at Penn with an extraordinary $25.5 million gift. This gift is one of the five largest gifts made to a college or university in the U.S. this year. The family's total philanthropic support to Penn Medicine is now more than $140 million, making them the largest donors to the institution.

"The advances in cancer research developed at the Abramson Cancer Center are awe-inspiring. Madlyn and Leonard Abramson have enabled the most talented minds in the country to engage in groundbreaking basic and translational research right here in Philadelphia." Arthur H. Rubenstein, MBBCh, Executive Vice President Of The University Of Pennsylvania For The Health System and Dean, School of Medicine

The Abramsons have also played an influential role in the development of the Abramson Cancer Center and Penn Medicine. With Penn board participation beginning in 1987, Mrs. Abramson, ED'57, GED'60, is currently Trustee Emerita of the University, and a member of both the Penn Medicine Board of Trustees, and the Abramson Cancer Center Director’s Leadership Council. The Abramsons were the first among the Cancer Center’s dedicated benefactors, who now include the Perelmans, the Roberts, Rena Rowan, and the Jordans. Their generosity has led to the recruitment of 20 of the world's best scientists to Penn Medicine’s faculty, the establishment of new research programs, and the enrollment of hundreds of patients in trials testing therapeutic vaccines and new targeted drug therapies.

The new gift will continue to provide essential resources to the most talented minds in medicine at the Abramson Cancer Center. It will also support the Center’s innovative research and care initiatives.

"We were truly inspired by the exemplary medical care I received from Dr. John Glick when I first came to Penn 25 years ago. We wanted Penn research to rival scientific peer institutions such as Dana Farber and Memorial Sloan-Kettering." Madlyn Abramson

For their exemplary service, the Abramsons were awarded with the inaugural Penn Medicine Dean's Medal, which was established to honor individuals who have shown unparalleled support for Penn Medicine through both leadership and philanthropy.

"This is a wonderful honor," said Madlyn Abramson. "We have such high esteem for Arthur and Amy's revolutionary leadership. We are grateful that we could establish the Abramson Cancer Center with physicians of the caliber of John Glick and Craig Thompson. We are grateful to have contributed."

Dr. Rex Ahima – New Light on Obesity and Its Dangers

2010-07-09T12:09:00.001-07:00

Rexford S. Ahima, M.D., Ph.D., is Director of the Obesity Unit at IDOM, and has devoted his career to studying the physiological mechanisms of obesity and the connections between obesity and diabetes. Specifically, the Ahima Lab does comparative analysis of obese and thin mice fed identical diets, and translates findings to the human population.

The research of Dr. Ahima and his team has yielded extraordinary results. They have discovered that a protein, aniponectin, can affect insulin sensitivity when infused into the brain in small amounts. “There’s reason to believe that aniponectin holds the key to understanding how obesity is linked to diabetes,” explains Dr. Ahima. He also believes that aniponectin could possibly serve as a biomarker for heart disease, kidney disease, and peripheral vascular disease in obese patients. He is hopeful that his work will lead to better diagnoses, and secondary disease management and avoidance.

To support the work of the Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, please contact Dawn Epstein at edawn@upenn.edu or (215)898-3037.

Dr. Peter Nowell Honored on 50th Anniversary of the Discovery that Transformed Cancer Treatment

2010-07-09T12:09:00.000-07:00

This year’s Abramson Cancer Center annual event celebrated more than the Abramsons’ incredible $25.5 million gift. It honored a groundbreaking discovery and demonstrated how researchers today are following Peter Nowell’s lead in fighting cancer.

"Penn Medicine had a very special role in my work. Here you can advance basic research and train future scientists and care for patients. At Penn, the physician-researcher can make an enduring impact on medicine." Dr. Peter Nowell

In 1960, Dr. Peter C. Nowell, M’52, RES’56, HON’10 with his then lab assistant Dr. David A. Hungerford made a discovery that would shake the foundations of cancer research. Dr. Nowell observed that a single mutated chromosome was present in the cells of all patients with a particular kind of leukemia. That anomaly, named the Philadelphia chromosome, provided for the first time strong evidence of a link between cancer and genetics.

"The researchers at the Abramson Cancer Center have made an incredible impact on cancer survival thanks to the vision of the Abramsons and the heritage of innovation at Penn Medicine.” Dr. Craig B. Thompson, Former Student Of Peter Nowell, Current Abramson Cancer Center Director, The John H. Glick, M.D. Abramson Cancer Center Director’s Professor

This year Dr. Peter Nowell was awarded the Franklin Institute’s prestigious Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science for his 1960 discovery. At the time, the median survival rate for patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia was less than 3 years. Today, thanks to Gleevec — the wonder drug developed from Dr. Nowell’s foundational work — over 89% of patients with CML are still alive after 5 years.

$13 Million ARRA Grant Accelerates Translational Research Center Schedule

2010-07-09T12:08:00.000-07:00

A new ARRA construction grant has moved forward plans to complete the Translational Research Center to the spring of 2012. The first research programs are scheduled to move to the center in spring 2011. When complete, the 400,000-square-foot center will house 100 lead research scientists and 900 related staff.

They will collaborate to explore such promising and interconnecting areas as cancer therapeutics, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, obesity, and metabolism. Raising funds to fit out lab space and to support research programs is a key focus of the final phase of the Penn Medicine campaign.

To find out more about the new Translational Research Center, please contact Donna Piarulli at piarulli@upenn.edu or (215)898-3537.

Understanding the Physiology of Obesity: Penn's Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism Leads Exciting New Research

2010-07-09T12:07:00.000-07:00

Obesity, defined as an excessive amount of body fat, affects more than one-third of the American population and represents one of the leading causes of disability and health care costs in this country. The condition has been linked to an increased incidence of dangerous health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and kidney failure. Obese individuals carry an overall reduced life expectancy.

Penn’s Interdisciplinary Approach Makes Progress Possible
Penn’s Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism (IDOM) is uniting doctors and researchers from a variety of backgrounds to better understand and treat obesity-related conditions. The Institute, founded in 2005, is unique among diabetes centers in the United States because of its multidisciplinary approach.

Members of the Institute represent a host of academic departments at Penn including Psychiatry, Surgery, and Sociology, to name a few. These talented minds collaborate to fulfill IDOM’s stated mission: to understand the genetic, biochemical, molecular, environmental, and behavioral origins of diabetes, obesity, and other metabolic diseases, and to reduce their incidence and severity. Opportunities for collaboration will be increased when the research program moves to the twelfth floor of Penn’s state-of-the-art translational research center, opening next spring.

Inspired by Compassion, Fighting for a Cure

2010-07-09T12:00:00.000-07:00

"How often do you get a chance to thank someone for saving your life?" That's the question that has inspired the generosity of Mariann MacDonald, a 16-year breast cancer survivor, and her husband, Robert.

The MacDonalds have shown their deep gratitude by generously supporting breast cancer research at Penn — including establishing an endowed professorship that is now held by Dr. Kevin Fox, the oncologist who saved Mrs. MacDonald’s life. Their most recent contribution to the fight against cancer is a $5 million gift to name the Mariann T. and Robert J. MacDonald Women’s Cancer Risk Evaluation Center at the Abramson Cancer Center.

The gift will fund research, community outreach and the construction of dedicated facilities in the new translational research center. An endowment for the directorship of the center, currently held by Dr. Susan M. Domchek, is also included.

Work that Will Benefit Generations
"I am so pleased and proud to support this program and Dr. Domchek’s work," said Mrs. MacDonald. “I believe her research into genetics is the next wave in finding a cure for breast cancer — and her work could open the door to finding cures for other cancers."

"Dr. Domchek is a wife and mother, just like me. And I have a daughter and granddaughter," Mrs. MacDonald concluded. "I hope that, thanks to her work and the other fine researchers on her team at Penn Medicine, my girls and millions of others won’t have to worry about getting cancer."

Unlocking the Mysteries of Women’s Cancers
This Center was the first in the U.S. established specifically to explore cancer genetics, and has been a trailblazer in the field. Led by Dr. Domchek, researchers have identified ways to reduce cancer risk for women who carry BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations. They are currently developing a vaccine that targets a protein found in nearly all breast cancers.

"The generosity of the MacDonald family has simply been invaluable to our work," explained Dr. Domchek. "To be able to bring all these resources to the care of the patient, from basic research to epidemiology and health outcomes to medical oncology, and collaborate together towards such a worthy goal — there’s nothing that feels better.”

Offering Comfort and Guidance During Difficult Times
The MacDonalds were impressed not just by Penn’s research strength. They were deeply touched by the patient-focused, compassionate care that Mrs. MacDonald received from Dr. Fox, the Director of the Rena Rowan Breast Center.

"Dr. Fox never made me feel that I was ‘sick,’ and didn’t approach my cancer treatment by rattling off a bunch of statistics," recalled Mrs. MacDonald. "There’s a kind of family warmth about Penn Medicine, and Dr. Fox told me, 'We’re going to work through this together.'"

"He was a very comforting presence," Mr. MacDonald concurred. "He's a real healer – but it's more than just a good bedside manner. When we would come to Penn for an appointment, Dr. Fox treated you as though you were his only concern."

That same spirit is carried through to the MacDonald Center. In addition to its leading-edge genetic research, the Center includes genetic counseling and outreach. Thanks to the MacDonalds' support, the Center will also be able to engage more women's organizations in the Philadelphia region through information sessions, increasing overall awareness for those at high risk — all at no cost to the patient.

Hall-Mercer Where Advanced Psychiatric Research Serves the Community

2010-07-09T10:22:00.000-07:00

Today Hall-Mercer Community Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center straddles two worlds. Located within Pennsylvania Hospital at 245 South 8th Street, the center is right on the front line of community-based mental health care. Organizationally, Hall-Mercer is based fully within Penn Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry, a research leader consistently at the top of U.S. rankings.

As a result, Hall-Mercer is one of very few community mental health centers in the U.S. to be tightly linked to a leading medical research university.

At this unique facility, researchers can see if treatments developed in controlled academic settings actually work “in the real world.” At the same time, the most vulnerable and seriously mentally ill patients benefit directly from care guided by leading psychiatric researchers.

Founded in 1965, Hall-Mercer offers outpatient psychiatry, therapy, and targeted case management to patients living in Center City, South Philadelphia, or anyone with Medicaid. The center houses one of only four city-contracted psychiatric crisis response centers. Hall-Mercer also reaches out to the homeless, AIDS-afflicted patients, the elderly, children born to drug-addicted mothers, and the Asian community.

The Penn Difference
In 1997 Pennsylvania Hospital became part of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, revitalizing Hall-Mercer’s research program. Today Dr. Matthew Hurford, medical director since 2008, seeks to fully unite research with the mission of care. A few examples of current research projects and goals follow.

Schizophrenia Research
Currently, Hall-Mercer is beginning a partnership with Penn’s Schizophrenia Research Center, directed by Raquel E. Gur, MD, PhD. Research will study first-episode schizophrenia and brain function in patients with psychotic disorders to better understand the disease and develop new therapies.

Beyond Relieving Symptoms to Restoring Lives
Historically, mental health treatment addresses symptom remission. Dr. Hurford and the Hall-Mercer team believe patients will be healthier when they lead more satisfying lives. Sessions of the Social Rehabilitation program help patients along the path toward gaining employment, sustaining relationships, and better caring for themselves.

Transforming Care for the Mentally Ill by Closing the Life Expectancy Gap
“Even when you control for all other factors including age, gender, and socioeconomic status, simply having a serious mental illness puts you at risk of dying 25 years earlier,” said Dr. Hurford. He believes that bringing primary care and mental health care together is the single most important transformation that can happen for psychiatric patients.

“Patients with mental illness face enormous challenges attempting to navigate the fragmented physical and mental health systems,” he said. “Integrating primary and mental health care is a promising way of improving access and quality in this vulnerable population.”

If you are interested in supporting Hall-Mercer, please contact Michael Balaban at balabanm@upenn.edu or (215)573-4028.