Jefferson Researchers Show Antibody to Breast Cancer-Secreted Protein Blocks Metastasis
(Published 7-8-2008) Scientists at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia have made a key discovery about the mechanism of breast cancer metastasis, the process by which cancer spreads. Focusing on a gene dubbed "Dachshund," or DACH1, they are beginning to pinpoint new therapeutic targets to halt the spread of cancer.

Jefferson the First Hospital in Philadelphia to Use Next Generation Drug Eluting Stent since FDA Approval
(Published 7-15-2008) Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is the first hospital in Philadelphia to offer the next generation of drug eluting stents for the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD). Recently approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration, the XIENCE V Everolimus-Eluting Coronary Stent System, has proven to be more effective in reducing adverse cardiac events in recent clinical trials of patients with previous cases of CAD.

Jefferson Neurosurgery Department Passes Major Milestone
(Published 7-15-2008) The Neurosurgery team of the Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience has passed a major milestone in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Since 1994, Robert H. Rosenwasser, M.D., professor and chair, Department of Neurological Surgery at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University and his associates including Erol Veznedaroglu, M.D., associate professor and director, Division of Neurovascular Surgery and Endovascular Surgery; and Kenneth Liebman, M.D., assistant professor, Department of Neurological Surgery, have treated more than 4,100 of this type of aneurysm.

Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals Ranked Best in Philadelphia for Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation in 2008 Survey by U.S. News & World Report
(Published 7-18-2008) Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals has again been ranked as the top hospital in Philadelphia for orthopaedics and rehabilitation medicine by U.S. News & World Report in their 2008 Best Hospitals survey. This ranking translates into the 15th best hospital in the nation for orthopaedic surgery and the 12th best in the U.S. for rehabilitation medicine.

Jefferson Study Evaluates “Triple Rule-Out” CT Scan for Acute Coronary Syndrome
(Published 7-18-2008) Chest pain is the second most common complaint when patients go to the emergency room, accounting for six million visits annually. Determining the cause of patients’ symptoms whether it be a heart attack or some other life-threatening entity like a blood clot in the lungs is challenging since the symptoms often overlap. Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is at the forefront of institutions evaluating a “triple rule-out” protocol with coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) for low-to-moderate risk patients presenting with symptoms suspicious for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The “triple rule-out” CCTA provides a non-invasive, rapid and accurate approach for the proper diagnosis or exclusion of ACS.

Jefferson Names First Endowed Chair in Radiology Department’s History
(Published 7-21-2008) Vijay M. Rao, M.D., F.A.C.R., professor and chair of the Department of Radiology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, has been named to the first endowed chair in the department’s history. This endowment honors the former chair of the department, David C. Levin, M.D., who led the department for 16 years. New York businessman, Arthur S. Penn, bestowed a generous gift to Jefferson to create the chair honoring Dr. Levin.

Jefferson’s Chair of Emergency Medicine Elected 147th President of the Philadelphia County Medical Society
(Published 7-22-2008) Theodore A. Christopher, M.D., F.A.C.E.P., Professor and Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, has been elected President of the Philadelphia County Medical Society. He has served the society in many different capacities since 2002, including on the Board of Directors, membership on the Caucus Resolution and Membership Committees, and liaison to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. Dr. Christopher will serve a one-year term.

Jefferson Professor Receives Award for Lifetime of Innovative Research in Nuclear Medicine
(Published 7-23-2008) Mathew Thakur, Ph.D., professor of radiology and radiation oncology/nuclear medicine at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, has been awarded the 2008 Cassen Prize in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the science and practice of Nuclear Medicine. The award, given by the Society of Nuclear Medicine’s Education and Research Foundation, was recently presented to Dr. Thakur at the Society’s annual meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he presented the Cassen Lecture to a ballroom full of his colleagues on “Genomic Biomarkers for Molecular Imaging: Predicting the Future.” At Jefferson, Dr. Thakur is also the director of laboratories of Radiopharmaceutical Research Molecular Imaging, Nuclear Medicine Research, and is a member of the Kimmel Cancer Center.