Michael J. Vergare named interim dean at Jeff
(Published 9-26-07) Michael J. Vergare has been named interim dean of Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University.
He is currently chairman of the department of psychiatry and human behavior. Vergare will succeed Thomas Nasca, who is leaving
to become chief executive officer and executive director of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education in Chicago.
An expert in geriatric and administrative psychiatry, Vergare will also temporarily be senior vice president for academic
affairs at Thomas Jefferson University.
Jefferson Medical College
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior
Media Coverage:
Philadelphia Inquirer
New Vitality for Ailing Hips
(Published: 09-07-07) Doctors in the Delaware Valley are offering a new alternative to hip replacement, one aimed at younger,
athletic Baby Boomers who have worn their joints out too soon. The process is called hip resurfacing. Late last year, the
surgery was introduced in the United States and today the results are extremely positive. William Hozack, M.D., Director of
Joint Services at the Rothman Institute at Jefferson, and professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University,
has performed hip resurfacing on over 25 patients. Like many of them, 45 year old Chuck Foley's activities were severely limited
before surgery. But after the bone preserving procedure, Mr. Foley regained the ability to practice tae-kwon-doe, even kicking
his foot through wooden boards.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Media Coverage:
WPVI-TV (6-ABC)
Researchers: Hot Spices May Soothe Pain
(Published: 10-29-2007, Associated Press) Devil's Revenge. Spontaneous Combustion. Hot sauces have names like that for a
reason. Now scientists are testing if the stuff that makes the sauces so savage can tame the pain of surgery. Doctors are
dripping the chemical that gives chili peppers their fire directly into open wounds during knee replacement and a few other
highly painful operations. Enter Anesiva's specially purified capsaicin, called Adlea. Experiments are under way involving
several hundred patients undergoing various surgeries, including knee and hip replacements. There's a huge need for better
surgical pain relief," says Dr. Eugene Viscusi, director of acute pain management at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.
Department of Anesthesiology
Media Coverage
Associated Press
Jefferson Doctor Preserving Hips
(Published: 10-24-2007, NBC 10 News) A Philadelphia doctor is one of just a few in the country preserving hips instead of
replacing them. Doctors say hip replacement is a good procedure, but for young people who don't yet have full-blown arthritis
preserving the joint may be a better option. Javad Parvizi, M.D., is the only specialist in the region performing two new
types of surgeries that treat hip pain and loss of mobility, while preserving the patient's native joint.
Orthopaedic Surgery
Media Coverage
NBC-10 (WCAU-TV)
CBS-3 (KYW-TV)
Expanding - and Unifying Jefferson's New Medical Building is designed to train many Disciplines
(Published: 10-19-2007, Philadelphia Inquirer) Thomas Jefferson University unveiled a new $60 million medical classroom building
and grassy plaza yesterday that it says will form the heart of its campus, foster interdisciplinary learning, and invigorate
a key city neighborhood. The new building, named after Dorrance H. Hamilton, a longtime board member who donated $25 million
for the project, is loaded with simulation settings designed to train teams of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and occupational
and physical therapists.
Thomas Jefferson University
Jefferson Medical College
Jefferson College of Health Professions
Media Coverage
Philadelphia Inquirer
philly.com
Fox Philadelphia (Ch. 29)
Philadelphia Business Journal
A “Smart Bra” to Find Breast Cancer
(Published: 10-12-2007, ABC.com) Researchers in the United Kingdom say they are moving closer to a prototype for a “smart
bra” that can detect breast cancer. The device incorporates a series of microwave antennae to detect temperature changes in
the breast that point to early stage breast cancer.
The concept is known as thermography, the detection of subtle temperature changes within the breast. Spot elevations in temperature
could denote an increase in blood flow to a developing tumor. But while thermography has been studied as a possible way to
detect cancer, its accuracy is questionable.
“First of all, there are benign growths and nonmalignant inflammatory changes, which also increase blood flow,” said Anne
Rosenberg M.D., clinical professor of Surgery at Jefferson Medical College.
“Thermography has been around for 20 years, but has not yet been sensitive or specific enough to replace traditional imaging,
such as mammography,” Rosenberg said. “This technique of using microwave antennae to pick up and record temperature changes
in the breast, with an alarm if the threshold is exceeded, would need to be validated in a clinical trial to determine whether
it is sensitive or specific with regard to identifying cancers and since not all of these temperature changes will be due
to a cancer.”
Department of Surgery
Media Coverage
ABC NEWS
ABC New York
ABC Houston
New study raises doubts. Annual physicals worth it?
(Published 10-02-07) As a young physician, Mary Ann Forciea was taught to give patients an annual physical exam that included
a chest X-ray. Now 58, the internist shudders to think how many healthy patients were exposed to yearly chest radiation before
doctors concluded that it was pointless and possibly harmful.
These days, doctors are questioning whether the annual physical exam itself is an outdated ritual that wastes time and money.
In the Annals of Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University researchers said routine physicals were justified because they
increased the chance that patients would get Pap smears, cholesterol tests, and colon-cancer screening. The exams also reduce
patients' worry about their health.
Some physicians are looking at completely different approaches. At Thomas Jefferson University, researchers increased colon-cancer
screening rates simply by sending information and reminders to appropriate patients. The doctors didn't require patients to
come in for a visit first.
"Does all preventive care have to be delivered in a practice setting?" asked Ron Myers, Ph.D., professor of medical oncology
at Jefferson Medical College and an epidemiologist and colon cancer researcher who led the Jefferson study. "Maybe the role
of the physician could be to link patients to the services they need."
Medical Oncology
Media Coverage
Philadelphia Inquirer
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
HealthDay
Ivanhoe Newswire
Medscape
New Procedure Could Improve Bladders in Spinal Cord Patients
(Published 10-1-07) Urologists at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital are studying a procedure that could improve the bladder
control of adults with spinal cord injuries.
Department of Urology
Media Coverage
KYW Newsradio 1060AM
Trauma Surgeon Pankaj H. Patel M.D., Joins Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
(Published 10/01/2007) 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.
Department of Surgery
Division of Acute Care Surgery
