Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

Featured in the Media
9-11 Health Effects Long Lasting By Anita Brikman
(Published 9-11-06, 6ABC) No matter where you were 5 years ago, chances are your health and well-being have been affected in some way by the 9/11 tragedy. The prime impact, of course, has been on grieving families and on the rescuers and recovery workers.

At Jefferson University Hospital, emergency preparedness chief Ed Jasper, M.D., 11, and other attacks go into the planning for the "what if..."

Dr. Edward Jasper/Jefferson University Hospital: "London, Madrid, India, the train attacks. We're always looking at the responses - what worked, what kind of didn't."
Medical students and staffers are learning more on how to recognize anthrax, and other potential bioterror agents.

Media Coverage:
6ABC

Featured in the Media
Officials Turn to Israel for a Security Primer
(Published 4-20-06, Jewish Exponent) How do you administer a vaccine if you're wearing a chemical suit?

That's the kind of question heard in Israel as its citizens grapple with constant terror. To understand such issues, a group of security, medical, government and law-enforcement professionals from Pennsylvania recently went to Israel to learn about the country's security methods, and see how its officials prepare for, handle and prevent attacks.

"The challenges Israel faces are more than I first realized," said participant Dr. Edward Jasper, director of the Center for Bio-Terrorism and Disaster Preparedness at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. "Here, we're supposed to get the scene declared safe before we go in. But in Israel, they get people to hospitals immediately rather than wait for the bomb squad."

Media Coverage:
Jewish Exponent

Featured in the Media
When Disaster Strikes
(Published 3-14-06, Nursing Spectrum) At 3 p.m. on Nov. 9, 2005, three “dirty” bombs were detonated in downtown Philadelphia. Terrorists claiming to be infected with the AIDS virus were behind the attacks, which targeted two train stations and a bus depot with explosives containing radioactive materials.

More than 400 patients poured into 11 hospitals (see box) around the region with injuries sustained in the bombings. They created challenging situations for hospital staff. Some had emotional outbursts, and others didn’t speak English and could not communicate with those caring for them.

Although this disaster scene was fabricated and the patients were actors, hospital employees were kept busy throughout the hourlong disaster drill organized by the Center for Bioterrorism and Disaster Preparedness at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

Media Coverage:
Nursing Spectrum

Featured in the Media
London Experts Speak at Jefferson's Anti-Terrorism Conference
(Published 11-16-05, CBS3 TV) Two top London police officials have shared their thoughts on combatting terrorism -- such as occurred during the summer attacks on the London Underground -- at a Thomas Jefferson University Hospital conference on terrorism.

Media Coverage:
CBS3 TV
KYW Newsradio 1060AM

First-Hand Accounts of Response to Spain, London and Oklahoma City Bombings, Florida and Louisiana Hurricanes, Columbine School Shooting and D.C. Anthrax Attacks to be Heard at Jefferson’s International Conference on Terrorism

(Published 11-15-05) Terrorism, security and medical specialists who dealt first-with highly publicized terrorist attacks and major disasters, such as the Madrid train and London subway bombings, will share notes with more than 600 of their U.S. counterparts on how to best respond to such incidents at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital’s seventh annual International Conference on Terrorism and Disaster Preparedness. Featured in the Media

Attack Simulation Tests Philadelphia Hospitals
(Published 11-10-05, CBS3(Ch.3)) Philadelphia Hospitals underwent a massive training exercise Wednesday to see how the city would react in the event of a major terrorist attack.

It is one of the largest drills in the region, spanning 11 hospitals and 452 simulated casualties.

The drill had been kept almost a total secret from hospital workers until around 3 p.m. when victims began arriving.

"The hospitals and the command centers for the city seemed much better prepared now than they have been in the past," said Dr. Ed Jasper of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

Officials say the drill proved that city hospitals are prepared to handle a major catastrophe.

Media Coverage:
CBS3(Ch.3)

(Published 11-01-05) Terrorism, security and medical specialists who have dealt first-hand with highly publicized terrorist attacks and major disasters such as the Madrid train and London subway bombings will share notes with their U.S. counterparts on how to best respond to such incidents at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital’s seventh annual International Conference on Terrorism and Disaster Preparedness. National Preparedness Month Seminar
September 28, 2005 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m.

News Archive

Jefferson's Terrorism Conference Draws Israeli Experts
(11/16/04, KYW1060AM) Thomas Jefferson University Hospital hosted an international conference on terrorism that was standing-room only. Five Israeli experts, including a general and two doctors, addressed various aspects of dealing with the day-to-day reality of terrorism. Dr. Edward Jasper, director of the Center for Bioterrorism and Disaster Preparedness at Jefferson said of the event, "What we fortunately don't have is a lot of personal experience with these disasters. But it's great to have people who have actually seen this and can share the lessons that they have learned."

Israeli Terrorism and Medical Experts to Address More than 600 Health-care and Emergency Response Professionals at Jefferson’s International Conference on Terrorism
(Published 11-15-2004)

Phila. Hospitals Take Part in Terrorism Drill
(Aired 11-11-04, KYW Newsradio 1060AM) Hospitals and first responders in the Philadelphia area took part in a major disaster drill on Wednesday, Nov. 10. Ed Jasper, M.D., director of the Center for Bioterrorism and Disaster Preparedness at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, said that the exercise has two major goals: "One is communication. And also the hospitals are going to get a fairly large number of fully moulaged, or made-up, victims who will go there and the hospitals will see if they can manage them."

Jefferson Offers Unprecedented Behind-the-Scenes Look at 400-Victim Disaster Drill to Gauge Area Hospitals’ Terrorism Preparedness
(Published 11-10-2004)

The International Conference on Terrorism
Featuring Israeli and U.S. speakers
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
Pennsylvania Convention Center
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Israeli Terrorism and Medical Experts to Offer Insight on Medical Response in Mideast at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital’s International Conference on Terrorism
(Published 10-28-2004) A group of Israeli terrorism, security and medical specialists will share notes with their U.S. counterparts about terrorism and how to best respond medically to such acts at Jefferson’s upcoming International Conference on Terrorism.

Flu Scouts
(Published 11-01-2004, Philadelphia Inquirer) Developing strategies to combat the virus - from handling its first onslaught to formulating future vaccines - depends on intelligence gathered by a global network. Dr. Edward Jasper, a 20-year veteran of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, tells the Philadelphia Inquirer he believes it's a good idea to have a local-to-global flu-watching network to monitor viral infections.