Trauma Surgeon Pankaj H. Patel M.D., Joins Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
(Published 10-1-2007) Surgeon Pankaj H. Patel, M.D., FACS, who specializes in trauma and general surgery, has joined the Department of Surgery of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. He has also been named assistant professor of Surgery, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University.

Jefferson to Re-Broadcast Breast Reconstruction Surgical Webcast for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
(Published 10-2-2007) As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is re-airing its webcast on one of the most often performed breast reconstruction surgical procedures, using muscle tissue from a patient's back. The webcast, featuring Jefferson breast cancer surgeons performing immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy, can be seen at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 18, at www.jeffersonhospital.org/webcast

Jefferson Urologists Studying Regenerated Neo-Bladder to Help Spinal Cord Injury Patients
(Published 10-3-2007) Jefferson Urologists Studying Regenerated Neo-Bladder to Help Spinal Cord Injury Patients Urologists at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital are studying whether a neo-bladder construct grown from a patient's own cells can improve bladder function for adult spinal cord injury patients. Jefferson is only one of six sites in the U.S. enrolling participants in this clinical trial for the lab-grown neo-bladder construct that will involve a total of 10 patients.

Jefferson Surgery Chair Co-Authors Pancreatic Cancer Guide for Patients and Caregivers
(Published 10-4-2007) A new guide on pancreatic cancer, co-authored by the chair of Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, offers a better understanding to patients and caregivers of the unique challenges associated with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer

Jefferson Scientists Find Protein May Play a Key Role in Development of Deadly Form of Pancreatic Cancer
(Published 10-11-2007) A tumor-blocking protein previously implicated in prostate and breast cancer development may also be behind the most aggressive type of pancreatic cancer. Researchers at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson in Philadelphia have discovered that the protein pp32 – which normally applies the brakes on a cancer-causing gene – is missing in an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer. Though the work is preliminary, the scientists say, the absent protein could eventually become a marker for the disease and a potential drug target.

Jefferson Unveils Dorrance H. Hamilton Building
(Published 10-15-2007) Jefferson Unveils Dorrance H. Hamilton Building The only medical school facility in Philadelphia to offer interdisciplinary learning and an integrated curriculum to students Thomas Jefferson University will unveil its newly transformed urban campus to the community during a dedication ceremony on Friday, October 19, 2007, at 11 a.m., just two years after university officials broke ground on the new “heart of the campus.” The Dorrance H. Hamilton Building is one of the nation’s first centers for interdisciplinary health instruction and the first medical school facility in Philadelphia to offer interdisciplinary learning and an integrated curriculum to medical, nursing, physical and occupational therapy students.

Jefferson Director of Master of Public Health Program named President of Society for Public Health Education
(Published 10-22-2007) Jefferson Director of Master of Public Health Program named President of Society for Public Health Education Rob Simmons, DrPH, MPH, CHES, program director of the Master of Public Health program in the Jefferson College of Graduate Studies at Thomas Jefferson University has been elected president of the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE).

Jefferson Establishes Vaccine Center
(Published 10-26-2007) After decades of pioneering research in fields ranging from melanoma and colon cancer to HIV and rabies, vaccine researchers at Thomas Jefferson University finally have a “home” to call their own. Jefferson has established the Jefferson Vaccine Center to create an infrastructure for all of the university’s research and clinical efforts, while hoping to spur new collaboration and innovation.

Jefferson Oncologists Show Focused Radiation Just as Effective As Surgery in Fighting Rare Nerve Tumor
(Published 10-30-2007) Specifically aimed, “stereotactic” radiation may be as good as surgery – and in some cases, even better – in treating a benign but potentially devastating brain tumors called non-acoustic schwannomas, according to a study by radiation oncologists at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

Landenberger Professorship Established at Jefferson
(Published 10-30-2007) The Margaret Q. Landenberger Research Foundation of Palm Beach, FL, and Philadelphia, has established the Margaret Q. Landenberger Professorship in Breast Cancer Research at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson’s Kimmel Cancer Center in Philadelphia. Cell biologist Michael P. Lisanti, M.D., Ph.D., has been named the first Landenberger Professor.