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Gala Event to Feature Awards of Achievement and Merit

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital will celebrate 126 years of service to the greater Philadelphia community with an Anniversary Gala on Monday evening, Nov. 8, at the Philadelphia Marriott Hotel.

To mark the occasion, orthopaedic surgeon Richard Rothman, M.D., Ph.D., will receive the hospital’s Achievement Award in Medicine and Vickie and Jack Farber will receive the hospital’s Award of Merit.

One hundred twenty-sixth anniversary dinner honorary chair is Mrs. Walter H. Annenberg. The dinner co-chairs are: Ira Brind, Barbara and Dr. Todd Albert and Suzanne and James Ksansnak.

“This is an opportunity to recognize these individuals for their contributions in helping to make Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and the Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience centers of excellence in the region and nation,” said Dr. and Mrs. Albert.

Pictured from left, honorees Jack and Vickie Farber acknowledge the applause of  guests at the gala for Thomas Jefferson University Hospital’s 126th anniversary celebration at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Hotel. The Farbers, in recognition of their service to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and the greater Philadelphia community, received the hospital’s Award of Merit at the event.

The Achievement Award in Medicine, being presented to Dr. Rothman, was created to honor an individual who has attained excellence in their profession and who has actively contributed to the growth and development of their field.

“For more than a quarter of a century, Dr. Rothman has dedicated his career toward research, teaching and surgery. He has redefined the quality of orthopaedics in the Delaware Valley,” said Dr. Albert.

The Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital provides world-class expertise in virtually every orthopaedic procedure. The staff of the Rothman Institute includes some of the world’s finest orthopaedic specialists.

Regularly performed procedures include total hip replacement; total knee replacement; revision hip and knee replacement; cartilage repair and transplantation; knee, shoulder, elbow and ankle arthroscopy; anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction; disc surgery; spinal fusion surgery; cervical spine surgery; scoliosis surgery; shoulder rotator cuff repair; shoulder reconstruction; elbow reconstruction and epicondylitis surgery; foot and ankle fusion; bunion surgery; and ankle ligament reconstruction.

The Award of Merit, being presented to Vickie and Jack Farber, recognizes accomplished Philadelphians who have enhanced the medical experience through leadership, contribution and innovation.

"We are indebted to Mr. and Mrs. Farber for their continuing support of advances in medicine,” said Mrs. Albert.

Mr. and Mrs. Farber have given generously to Jefferson in the past. He established both the Farber Health Professions Scholars Program in the Jefferson College of Health Professions, the Farber Fellowship awarded annually since 1989 to a student in the Master of Science degree program in rehabilitative nursing, and created a Geriatric Fellowship in the Department of Family Medicine. Mrs. Farber is an active member of the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Women’s Board as well as the Board of Overseers of the ALS Chapter of Greater Philadelphia and a member of the Education Board of the National Liberty Museum.

The Farber Institute for Neurosciences is a multidisciplinary center focusing its efforts on basic and clinical research in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative disorders.

In December 2001, the Farber Family Foundation, Inc., announced a gift of $10 million to Thomas Jefferson University to establish this new neurosciences research institute, one of the largest gifts the university has ever received. Mr. Farber, president of the Farber Family Foundation, Inc., and Chairman of the Board of CSS Industries Inc., of Philadelphia, and his wife have been touched personally by neurodegenerative diseases. Mrs. Farber's father died from ALS; her mother died with Alzheimer's disease.

Although Jefferson physicians were treating patients as early as 1825, it wasn’t until September 17, 1877, that Jefferson Medical College Hospital opened as a stand-alone facility.

Jefferson University Hospital is one of only a few hospitals in the United States that is both a Level I Trauma Center and a federally designated regional spinal cord injury center. The Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson is designated as a clinical cancer center by the National Cancer Institute.

Over the years, U.S.News and World Report has consistently ranked many of Jefferson's services as among the best in the nation. These include cardiology/cardiac surgery, orthopaedics, rehabilitation, cancer, digestive disorders (gastroenterology), geriatrics, gynecology, neurology and neurosurgery, which are both based at the Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience, otolaryngology - head and neck surgery, and urology.

In addition, Jefferson physicians have been named among the best doctors by Philadelphia Magazine and by Best Doctors in America.

Jefferson has been ranked among “The Top Hospitals In America” by Modern Maturity, AARP’s magazine for people over 50.

This year, for the eighth year in a row, Jefferson University Hospital has been awarded the Consumer Choice Award by the National Research Corporation (NRC), for being an innovator and leader in health care in Philadelphia.

In addition, Jefferson University Hospital was the recipient of the HealthGrades 2004 Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence. ™

For information about reservations for the Jefferson University Hospital 126th Anniversary Celebration, call 215-955-9100.