Four Jefferson Students Awarded Albert Schweitzer Fellowships
(Published 8-4-2008) Four Thomas Jefferson University students have recently been awarded Albert Schweitzer Fellowships, allowing each of them to dedicate more than 200 hours of community service to enhance access to adequate health services for low-income communities where the need is greatest.

Howard H. Weitz, M.D., Named New Director of Cardiology at Jefferson Medical College
(Published 8-5-2008) Cardiologist Howard H. Weitz, M.D., has been named the new director, Division of Cardiology in the Department of Medicine at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University. He was also named the director of the Jefferson Heart Institute. Dr. Weitz replaces Bernard L. Segal, M.D., who after 10 years as the director of the division, will become director emeritus of the Division of Cardiology, while continuing his active practice in cardiovascular medicine.

Benny Weksler, M.D., Joins the Department of Surgery at Jefferson
(Published 8-13-2008) Benny Weksler, M.D., an accomplished thoracic surgeon, recently joined the Department of Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and was also named an assistant professor at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Weksler specializes in thoracic surgical oncology, especially procedures for lung and esophageal cancer, as well as several different types of minimally invasive chest procedures.

Molecule Found To “Turn On” Genes That Lead To Heart Failure, Jefferson Scientists Show
(Published 8-19-2008) Researchers at the Center for Translational Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University have found a second signaling molecule they believe plays an important role in heart failure, and this one works in a way not seen before. In the August 18, 2008 online issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the scientists describe how, in experimental mice, an enzyme known as GRK5 normally present in cardiac cell membranes, enters the cell’s nucleus. There it turns on genes that push a stressed heart to grow larger, leading to failure of the organ to adequately pump blood.

Jay S. Jenoff, M.D., Joins the Department of Surgery at Jefferson
(Published 8-21-2008) Jay S. Jenoff, M.D., recently joined the Department of Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and was also named an assistant professor of Surgery at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University. He specializes in trauma surgery, general surgery, and surgical critical care.

Kristin Brill, M.D., Joins the Department of Surgery at Jefferson
(Published 8-21-2008) Kristin Brill, M.D., F.A.C.S., recently joined the Department of Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and was also named an instructor of Surgery at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Brill specializes in the surgical treatment of benign and malignant breast conditions.