Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

RED ALERT: Study Finds Chinese Food Good for Your Heart
(Published 6-9-2008) A clinical study on patients who have suffered a heart attack found that a partially purified extract of Chinese red yeast rice, Xuezhikang (XZK), reduced the risk of repeat heart attacks by 45%, revascularization (bypass surgery/angioplasty), cardiovascular mortality and total mortality by one-third and cancer mortality by two-thirds. The multicenter, randomized, double-blind study, was conducted on almost 5,000 patients, ranging in age from 18-70 over a five-year period at over 60 hospitals in the People's Republic of China. Corresponding author David M. Capuzzi, M.D., Ph.D, director of the Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Program at Jefferson's Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine and Zonliang Lu, M.D., Ph.D, from the Fuwai Hospital at the Chinese Academy of Medical Science report their findings in the June 15th edition of the American Journal of Cardiology.

Philadelphia Magazine Rates Jefferson a Center of Excellence in Alternative Medicine
(May 2008) Philadelphia Magazine rated Thomas Jefferson University Hospital as one of the best places to go, in the Philadelphia area, for treatment of 24 out of 44 diseases, including alternative medicine.

Holistic Medicine Pioneer, Rachel Remen, M.D., to Present ‘Becoming a Blessing: Living as if Your Life Makes a Difference
(Published 4-6-2007) Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D., nationally-recognized pioneer in the mind/body holistic health movement and one of the first to recognize the role of the spirit in health and the recovery from illness, will present a benefit lecture for the Jefferson-Myrna-Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital on Friday, April 20.

Jefferson’s Mindfulness Meditation Course Works to Reduce Anxiety and Increase Energy Levels
Program teaches techniques that empower individuals to lead healthier lives
(Published 8-30-06) Mindfulness Meditation, the popular course that helps participants learn to relieve pain, reduce stress and enhance wellness, is once again being offered by the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

Featured in the Media

Can Integrative Medicine Transform the U.S. Health-Care System?
(Published August/September 2006, Massage) Daniel Monti, M.D., director of the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital has been widely published in scientific journals on the topics of mind-body medicine, complementary-healing approaches for cancer patients, and integrated management of chronic pain. Dr. Monti has believed in an integrative approach to medicine since the early days of his career.

Sometimes in the integration, we use complementary modalities. For example, for chronic pain, our acupuncturist, or both massage therapist and acupuncturist, can make all the difference in the world, explains Dr. Monti.

Media Coverage:
Massage

Bettina Herbert, M.D., Joins Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
(Published 8-9-06) Bettina Herbert, M.D., a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation, has joined the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

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Artificial light increases breast cancer risk
(Published 6-20-06, The Daily Mail) Women who sleep with the light on or stay up late at night could be at a greater risk of breast cancer, according to scientists. Researchers have long suggested that being exposed to too much light at night disrupts crucial hormones and raises the chance of developing breast tumours.

If the link between tumour growth and light is confirmed by more studies, it could result in a change in working patterns. Professor George Brainard, of the Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, aded: "Humans evolved on a planet without electric light over thousands of thousands of generations. "The body is designed to be alert and awake during the daytime hours and to sleep at night. "Now we have a 24-7 society that isn't in harmony with our biological design."

Media Coverage:
The Daily Mail

The Energy Healer Will See You Now
(Published Summer 2006, Better Health & Living) Daniel A. Monti, M.D., director of the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital discusses using the “revolutionary concept” of combining alternative and traditional medicines. “In our practice, we assess the whole person - body, mind, and spirit - and offer a broad range of healing approaches tailored to his or her needs.” Dr. Monti feels that people with chronic medical problems can improve their overall wellness by using this integrative approach. “The patient’s conditions can improve using an integrative approach that includes lifestyle assessment, stress management, and complementary ways to manage symptoms and support immunity and overall wellness.”

Media Coverage:
Better Health & Living

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The Fine Art of Healing the Sick
(Published 6-5-06) In this article that looks at the benefits of writing, music and art, Daniel Monti, M.D., medical director of the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, is featured. Dr. Monti was the lead investigator of a study that looked at 111 women with various types of cancer. These women participated in a support group called Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy. The group combined meditation training with art tasks, from sketching self-portraits to sculpting with clay.

Women in the group experienced significant drops in their stress levels and improvement in their health-related quality of life, including less pain, better sleep, and fewer general physical complaints.
Department of Emergency Medicine
Center for Integrative Medicine

Media Coverage:
US News & World Report

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Cancer Support Group
(Published 5-23-06, WDEL 1150AM) Kathryn Kash, Ph.D., associate professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Thomas Jefferson University, recently discussed the two types of support programs being offered at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital for all women over the age of 21 who have experienced any type of cancer.

"One is a very traditional support group for women, and the other is a non-traditional program. There will be about 10 women in each group," explained Dr. Kash.

Media Coverage:
WDEL 1150AM

Learning to Live Better with the Stress of Cancer

(Published 5-9-06) A series of support group programs, geared toward helping women who have cancer learn the skills to live better with the stress of the disease, are beginning at Thomas Jefferson University. 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

National Cancer Institute Funds Jefferson Study to Compare Support Group Programs for Women with Cancer

(Published 4-19-06) The National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Cancer Institute Office of Cancer Survivorship has awarded Thomas Jefferson University a $2 million grant to study how two different types of support group programs improve health-related quality of life and decrease stress in women with cancer. Jefferson’s Mindfulness Meditation Course Works to Reduce Anxiety and Increase Energy Levels
Program teaches techniques that empower individuals to lead healthier lives
(Published 4-6-06) Mindfulness Meditation, the popular course that helps participants learn to relieve pain, reduce stress and enhance wellness, is once again being offered by the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

The next eight-week course schedule is as follows:

Wednesday mornings from 9:30 a.m. - Noon, from May 3 - June 21. Classes will be held at the Edison Building of Thomas Jefferson University, Room 1103, located on 9 th and Sansom Streets, Philadelphia.
Thursday evenings from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m., from May 4 - June 22. Classes will be held at the Annenberg Conference Center of Lankenau Hospital, Room 101, at 100 Lancaster Ave, Wynnewood.

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The Healing Canvas
(Published 3-20-06, Los Angeles Times) By harnessing creative processes of the mind, art therapy has been used for more than 50 years to treat mental and physical health problems. But, only now are studies being conducted to show its effectiveness.

Daniel Monti, M.D., director of the Center of Integrative Medicine of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, led a NIH-funded study addressing the influence of mindfulness-based art therapy on cancer patients. Participants received group treatment sessions of mindfulness-based art therapy for eight weeks. The study found that these cancer patients experienced a significant decrease in distress, anxiety, and depression, as well as an improved quality of life and vitality.

The study did not determine whether the art therapy or meditation component was beneficial, but "one informs the other," said Dr. Monti, "The two sort of work together."

Dr. Monti speculates that meditation and art making engages more of the brain than merely talking. "It provides a means of conceptualizing and expressing the illness experience and ways to cope," he said.

Media Coverage:
Los Angeles Times

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30 Days To A Better You: Reducing Stress
(Published 1-6-06, KYW-TV(CBS)) “In through the nose, out through the mouth,” said Diane Reibel, Ph.D., a stress reduction specialist with the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University.

Dr. Reibel was describing the method taught in her Mindful Meditation classes. She said meditation is one of the best ways to lessen day-in, day-out stress.

As part of her eight-week stress reduction program, Dr. Reibel asks patients to follow their breathing, and to be mindful of what is happening in the present moment.

Another way to relieve stress is working out, she suggests.

“The types of exercise that would be most helpful are those that would really engage your mind and body at the same time,” Dr. Reibel said. “So for example, yoga, where the mind is really resting on the stretches as you’re doing it.”

Media Coverage:
KYW-TV(CBS)

Jefferson’s Mindfulness Meditation Course Works to Reduce Anxiety and Increase Energy Levels

(Published 12-29-05) Mindfulness Meditation, the popular course that helps participants learn to relieve pain, reduce stress and enhance wellness, is once again being offered by the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Featured in the Media

Doctor Has All-Natural Cold Buster
(Published 11-30-05, NBC10) Here's a special brew for you, concocted by Dr. Brigit Rakel of the Center for Integrative Medicine of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, to help you feel better faster when battling the common cold. Dr. Rakel integrates alternative and traditional medicine.

Start with black tea, rich in B vitamins and folic acid, which boost your immune system.

Grate fresh ginger root into the water before you boil it for your tea. "Ginger is fantastic," says Rakel. "It is an anti inflammatory. It reduces mucous and inflammation."

She recommends straining the tea to get out chunks of ginger, then add soothing honey and a squirt of lemon which contains vitamin C and is an anti-viral.

"I think cinammon could also be added to a tea because it's something that is sweat inducing, which helps the body get rid of some of the germs quicker," Dr. Rakel adds.

Then throw in a few cloves. They actually work on the pain receptors. So if you add cloves to your tea you probably don't feel your sore throat as much.

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30 Ways to Cancer-Proof Your Life
(Published 11-14-05, NBC10) Joel Edman D.Sc., FACN, Director of Integrative Nutrition, Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, spoke with NBC 10 to discuss the best foods to help cancer-proof your life.

Eat foods containing Omega 3 fatty acids, he says. "They are found in certain types of fish, flaxseeds and flaxseed oil soy products, nuts and seeds."

Also, think red if you want to prevent prostate cancer. Red fruits like watermelon, tomatoes and pink grapefruit are loaded with lycopene, which is a proven and potent cancer fighter. "There was a study recently that organic tomato products had three times the amount of lycopene than non-organic," Dr. Edman said.

Lose weight. Experts say that being overweight accounts for 20 percent of all cancer deaths among women and for 14 percent of all cancers in men.

Media Coverage:
NBC10

Jefferson Study to Evaluate Impact of Carbohydrates for People with Type 2 Diabetes

(Published 8-18-05) Physicians and nutritionists at the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital are conducting a study to learn if a diet low in carbohydrates is an effective approach to improving blood sugar levels and glycemic control for people who have type 2 diabetes.

Jefferson’s Mindfulness Meditation Course Works to Reduce Anxiety and Increase Energy Levels
Program teaches techniques that empower individuals to lead healthier lives
(Published 7-26-05) Mindfulness Meditation, the popular course that helps participants learn to relieve pain, reduce stress and enhance wellness, is once again being offered by the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

Featured in the Media
Health: Soy Supplements
(Published 7-12-05, KYW-TV) According to new research, tens of thousands of women are getting a second bout of menopause after they stopped taking hormones because of safety concerns.

For some women, soy can help to reduce menopausal symptoms. Birgit Rakel, M.D., a physician at the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, says that "adding soy into a menopausal woman's diet is extremely important. There can be up to a 56 percent reduction in hot flashes." Natural forms like tofu and soy milk are most helpful.

Media Coverage:
KYW-TV

Jefferson’s Mindfulness Meditation Course Works to Reduce Anxiety and Increase Energy Levels

(Published 5-24-05) Mindfulness Meditation, the popular course that helps participants learn to relieve pain, reduce stress and enhance wellness, is once again being offered by the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. F eatured in the Media:

Mindful of their breathing
(Published 5-11-05, Philadelphia Inquirer) Mindfulness Meditation, the stress reduction course offered by the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital was developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., whose life work has been to “bring meditation into the mainstream of Western medicine and health care.” Dr. Kabat-Zinn will present a benefit lecture for the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital on Thursday evening, May 12. Diane Reibel, Ph.D., director of Stress Reduction at the Center, discusses the participants in the Jefferson program. Like them, as a result of the program, “I became much more stable and I stopped worrying so much,” she says.

Media Coverage :
Philadelphia Inquirer

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For Jeff med students, the alternative is a requirement

(Published 3-11 to 3-17-05, Philadelphia Business Journal) Medical students at Thomas Jefferson University receive extensive exposure to complementary and alternative medicine before graduating. Steven Rosenzweig, M.D., medical director of the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and associate professor of Emergency Medicine at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, discusses the current medical school curriculum and how it has been revamped over the years. "In 2005, we are teaching integrative medicine. We are giving students a coherent framework in which there is a good rationale for integrating complementary and alternative therapy within a mainstream setting," he says. Jefferson’s Mindfulness Meditation Course Works to Reduce Anxiety and Increase Energy Levels
(Published 3-10-05) Mindfulness Meditation, the popular course that helps participants learn to relieve pain, reduce stress and enhance wellness, is once again being offered by the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

News Archive:

Jefferson Doctor Tells How to Best Protect Yourself from Winter Ailments
(Published 10-29-2004) Tip: Boost your immune system

Marathon Runner Jen Rhines Will Talk about 2004 Olympics in Athens at Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run Health Expo
(Published 8-25-2004) Marathon runner Jen Rhines will talk about her recent experiences in Athens at the 2004 Olympic Games Saturday, September 18, at the 2004 Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run Health Expo, being held at the Philadelphia Downtown Marriott, 1201 Market St.

Jefferson’s Mindfulness Meditation Course Works to Reduce Anxiety and Increase Energy Levels
(Published 8-19-2004) Program teaches techniques that empower individuals to lead healthier lives.

Olympic-Bound Marathon Runner Jen Rhines to Be Special Guest at 2004 Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run
(Published 8-12-2004) World-class marathon runner and previous Distance Run winner Khalid Khannouchi will compete again this year. There will also be a two-day health expo race weekend at the Philadelphia Downtown Marriott Hotel on Friday, Sept. 17, and Saturday, Sept. 18, 2004.

Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine Offers Saturday Patient Hours
(Published 7-22-2004)

HEAL Program Teaches Healthy Eating and Lifestyle Habits
(Published 7-15-2004) Do you struggle to eat well and keep to a healthy lifestyle? Would you like help in integrating nutrition, exercise and stress management?

Facing Breast Cancer Program Offered by Jefferson’s Kimmel Cancer Center, May & June
(Published 4-26-2004)

Integrative Medicine expert Marc S. Micozzi, M.D., Ph.D., joins Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
(Published 1-21-2004) Marc S. Micozzi, M.D., Ph.D., a recognized leader in bringing medical scientific standards to issues relating to complementary and integrative medicine, has been named executive director of Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia.

Jefferson Study to Look at Whether Meditation Training Lessens Symptoms of Type II Diabetes
(Published 1-8-2004) Patients with type II diabetes may be eligible to participate in an eight-week study to determine whether meditation training can help to improve blood sugar control and overall quality of life.