Alzheimer's Awareness Month
(11-26-04, WHYY 90.9FM) Alzheimer's Awareness Month in November brings up discussion of the disease that affects millions
of people. WHYY Morning Edition's Brenda Jorett talked with Dr. Sam Gandy, Director of the Farber Institute for Neurosciences
at Thomas Jefferson University.
Menacing Heavyweight(11-29-04, Philadelphia Inquirer) Bonita Falkner, M.D., professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at Jefferson Medical College,
Thomas Jefferson University, and Barry Goldstein, M.D., Ph.D., professor of Medicine and director of the Division of Endocrinology,
Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, discuss the importance of diagnosing
the metabolic syndrome which is an unrecognized condition that puts people at risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
"You have all these risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes operating in an individual at the same time, and
they may not have any symptoms at all," Dr. Falkner says.
Paralyzed Cheerleader Has Something to Cheer About
(11/16/04, NBC10 (Ch. 10)) Dr. Alexander Vaccaro, Co-Director of the Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center of the Delaware Valley
and Co-Director, Reconstructive Spine Services, Rothman Institute, both at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, talks about
the miraculous case of a teen-age cheerleader paralyzed during a cheerleading practice who was not expected to walk again.
But the young lady was able to walk out of the hospital and go home due to spinal surgery performed by Dr. Vaccaro and the
rest of the team at the Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center.
Give A Cheer! Cheerleader Regains Ability To Walk
(11-26-04, MSNBC) A young New Jersey woman paralyzed in a cheerleading accident fought to get back on her feet and NBC 10
News medical reporter Cherie Bank has her story of determination and hope.
Celiac Disease: Ed Snider’s Battle
(11-23-04, WPVI, channel 6)) Anthony DiMarino, M.D., chair, division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Thomas Jefferson
University Hospital, and Emily Rubin, registered dietitian, division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Thomas Jefferson
University Hospital, discuss how to identify and treat celiac disease, often called the great masquerader because it mimics
many other diseases. Flyers Chairman Ed Snider talks about how he suffered from the disease until it was diagnosed.
Preparing for bioterror, and natural disasters, too
(11-22-04, Philadelphia Inquirer) Dr. Ed Jasper discusses his role as director of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital's Center
for Bioterrorism and Disaster Preparedness. Dr. Jasper said that in the event of a bioterrorism attack, "the thing that concerns
me mostly is large numbers of victims, much larger than what we practice for." He said he was originally inspired to create
a bioterrorism unit after the attack on the Tokyo subway system in 1995 with the nerve-gas sarin.
"It made me feel we needed to have more readiness for something like that in this country," he said.
Consent a factor in Alzheimer's trial(11-22-04, Philadelphia Inquirer) Dr. Barry Rovner, director of Clinical Alzheimer's Disease Research at the Farber Institute
for Neurosciences, Thomas Jefferson University, discusses a new drug trial underway. Jefferson is testing Alzhemed, a drug
that targets amyloid, a protein that builds up in clumps, or plaques, in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. These
plaques are a hallmark of the memory-robbing disease, and many researchers believe that getting rid of them may preserve memory.
Current Alzheimer's drugs work on symptoms. But Alzhemed, Dr. Rovner said, "is a very exciting drug because unlike the existing
medications it really works on what's thought to be the core problem in Alzheimer's disease."
District puts Edison on notice after rape
(Published 11-19-2004, Philadelphia Inquirer) Referring to a case in which an 11-year-old male was reported to have raped
a sixth-grade boy at a Philadelphia middle school, Dr. Gail Edelsohn, M.D., director of child and adolescent psychiatry at
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, commented that many youngsters who commit violent sexual acts have been abused themselves.
"But it's not the only factor. They could be in a family environment where there's a lot of family conflict, where they have
been exposed to a lot of violence," she said. And, she said, the incident might not be "totally sexual." "They may kind of
wish to have power over someone. It's kind of like being a bully, but this is the avenue that it took," Edelsohn noted.
Risk for heart disease linked to Alzheimer's
(Published 11-09-2004, USA Today) A recent report shows that older men and women with heart disease risk factors have a
greater chance of suffering from subtle thinking and memory problems that could put them at risk for Alzheimer's disease.
About 47 million Americans have metabolic syndrome, harmful heart risk factors. The syndrome is partly genetic, but it can
also be made worse by inactivity and obesity. But the findings also hold out the hope that lifestyle changes, like holding
the line on weight, might reduce that risk, said Samuel Gandy III, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Farber Institute for Neurosciences
at Thomas Jefferson University.
Jefferson's Terrorism Conference Draws Israeli Experts
(11/16/04, KYW1060AM) Thomas Jefferson University Hospital hosted an international conference on terrorism that was standing-room only. Five Israeli
experts, including a general and two doctors, addressed various aspects of dealing with the day-to-day reality of terrorism.
Dr. Edward Jasper, director of the Center for Bioterrorism and Disaster Preparedness at Jefferson said of the event, "What
we fortunately don't have is a lot of personal experience with these disasters. But it's great to have people who have actually
seen this and can share the lessons that they have learned."
Asthma Education at Jefferson
(Aired 11-13-2004, KYW 1060 AM) Children and their families learned about asthma at Asthma Education Day at Jefferson Children's Health Center. Kid-friendly
asthma facts, free pizza, flu shots and coloring contests were offered. David Anmuth, M.D., gave information about common
symptoms. "A big sign that people don't realize is coughing at night. Coughing at night is a huge symptom of asthma. Kids
who wake up in the middle of night coughing for no reason, it's a sign of asthma or can be a sign of asthma."
Phila. Hospitals Take Part in Terrorism Drill
(Aired 11-11-04, KYW Newsradio 1060AM) Hospitals and first responders in the Philadelphia area took part in a major disaster drill on Wednesday, Nov. 10. Ed
Jasper, M.D., director of the Center for Bioterrorism and Disaster Preparedness at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, said
that the exercise has two major goals: "One is communication. And also the hospitals are going to get a fairly large number
of fully moulaged, or made-up, victims who will go there and the hospitals will see if they can manage them."
Planned pandemonium (Article removed from Philly.com database)
(Published 11-11-04, Philadelphia Daily News) A stream of casualties staggered into the emergency room on the afternoon of Nov 10th. This was part of a terrorism drill
to test Philadelphia-area hospitals' ability to respond to "dirty-bomb" attacks. Edward Jasper, M.D., director of Jefferson's
Center for Bioterrorism and Disaster Preparedness, explained that Jefferson began terrorism drills three years before the
9/11 attacks and tried its first nerve-agent drill in 1999.
In terrorism drill, fear was real
(Published 11-11-04, Philadelphia Inquirer) A one-hour disaster drill involving Philadelphia-area hospitals tested the region's preparedness. Edward Jasper, M.D.,
director of Jefferson's Center for Bioterrorism and Disaster Preparedness, stated that the hospitals communicated well and
seemed to have the resources to handle patients needing decontamination. But they still struggled with the surge in patients
to their already crowded emergency rooms. "The challenge is to find the space for all the people," he said.
New Back Treatment May Offer Sweet Relief But Some Doctors Criticize Treatments(11-8-04,
NBC10
) Dr. John McShane of the Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, tells NBC10 news he doubts the effectiveness
of prolotherapy injections- glucose mixed with lidocaine-- for treating back pain. "The biggest risk is people won't get
the care or treatment that they might otherwise benefit from," says Dr. McShane. "(It's) a lot of money on something that
may not even work."
Jefferson Hospital Shows Off Its Newest Tools
(Published 11-04-2004, KYW Newsradio 1060AM) The Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience displayed its wide array of new technology,
including the newly commissioned Novalis shaped-beam surgery suite. Walter J. Curran Jr., M.D., clinical director of the Kimmel
Cancer Center at Jefferson, said that it is the most advanced radiation technology available, using highly precise beams to
treat patients with benign or malignant tumors. "It allows us to give image-guided radiation for many problems, for which
open surgery was the only option in the past," he explained.
CancerCAREKimmel Cancer Center
Flu Scouts
(Published 11-01-2004, Philadelphia Inquirer) Developing strategies to combat the virus - from handling its first onslaught to formulating future vaccines - depends on
intelligence gathered by a global network. Dr. Edward Jasper, a 20-year veteran of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, tells
the Philadelphia Inquirer he believes it's a good idea to have a local-to-global flu-watching network to monitor viral infections.
Got Headaches?
(Published 11-2004, Glamour) In an article addressing women’s questions regarding menstruation, a study by neurologists at Thomas Jefferson University
Hospital was used to illustrate that steps can be taken to prevent period-related migraines. The study found that women can
prevent menstrual migraines by taking the prescription drug frovatriptan two days prior to the usual start of the headache
According to Stephen Silberstein, M.D., lead author of the study, “Half the women had no migraine at all, and the pain was
greatly reduced in the others.”
New Thomas Jefferson University President Hails from Penn Valley
(Published 10-28-2004, Main Line Times) Robert L. Barchi, M.D., Ph.D., the new president of Thomas Jefferson University, tells the Main Line Times that medicine
in the U.S. is at a crisis point and that medical schools like Jefferson have the ability to avert the crisis. "Like academic
medical institutions everywhere, Thomas Jefferson University faces challenges both as educator and as innovator in this rapidly
evolving healthcare landscape," Dr. Barchi said. "But I derive extraordinary confidence from the fact that, over its nine
score years, Jefferson has met similar challenges through the quality and creativity of its people and its programs."
Vioxx loss may hinder cancer fight
(Published 10-28-2004, Philadelphia Inquirer) COX-2 inhibitor drugs, such as Vioxx and Celebrex, might have the potential to prevent or suppress a variety of cancers.
Scientists are now concerned about the harm to cancer research that the withdrawal of Vioxx may have. Though common painkillers
like aspirin can inhibit COX-2 and may help prevent cancer, Vioxx and Celebrex have gained more research interest because
“they are more potent by 2,000- or 3,000-fold and have less toxicity,” explained radiation oncologist Adam Dicker, M.D., Ph.D,
of Thomas Jefferson University.
Medical school rounds
(Published 10-27-2004, United Press International) Dr. Katherine Worzala, co-director of the Clinical Skills Center at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University,
talks to United Press International news service and The Washington Times, about medical schools around the country using
online and robotic medical simulations to help students learn to practice medicine on patients. "The future is bright for
simulations in medical school," Dr. Worzala said.. "We are moving more toward being able to prove competencies with simulations.
Medical students can show us that they are capable of doing certain procedures."
Early lead exposure can delay healing later
(Published 10-26-2004, Naples (Fla.) Daily News) Jay Schneider, Ph.D., professor of pathology, anatomy and cell biology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson
University discussed the findings of a new study that showed evidence of lead exposure affecting recovery from brain injury.
“The lead-poisoned animals take longer to improve and improve much less," Schneider said. "These results potentially add one
more item to the long list of reasons why preventing lead exposure early in life is so important," he added.
JeffSTAT's medical rescue team now includes helicopter
(Published 10-22-2004, Philadelphia Business Journal) JeffSTAT's medical rescue team now includes helicopter The latest issue of the Philadelphia Business Journal (Oct. 22) reports
on Thomas Jefferson University Hospital's new air transport service, making it the region's only "all-inclusive" provider
of ground and air medical transportation. Jefferson, though the Jeffstat medical transport service, annually transports about
400 patients by air. In the past, it relied on outside helicopter services.
The addition of a helicopter to JeffSTAT's fleet of vehicles will reduce our dependence on other helicopter services that
were not always available when we needed them," said Brian Sweeney, director of JeffSTAT.
Patch May Improve Sex Lives of Post-Menopausal Women
Dr. Marianne Ruby, a reproductive endocrinologist at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, talks with KYW Newsradio (1060AM)
about a new research study presented at Tuesday's meeting of The American Society of Reproductive Medicine in Philadelphia.
The study involves an experimental testosterone patch that has shown promising results for increasing sex drive in post menopausal
women who have decreased libido.
Tiny lifelines
(Published 10-18-2004, Philadelphia Inquirer) Stents are no longer used only for clogged heart arteries. Stents of assorted sizes and designs are now used to open clogged
vessels throughout the body and to repair aneurysms. Robert Rosenwasser, M.D., a neurosurgeon at Thomas Jefferson University
Hospital, was noted for his use of stents to repair aneurysms and occasionally blocked vessels inside the brain.
Reeve's death steals community's strongest voice
(Published 10-12-2004, Bucks County Courier Times) Anthony Burns, M.D., assistant professor of Rehabilitation Medicine, JMC of TJU, and assistant director of the Regional
Spinal Cord Injury Center of the Delaware Valley, reflected on the impact Christopher Reeve has had on his research by giving
injured people a "human face." He noted that researchers benefited by Reeve 's lobbying politicians and raising funds, and
he pointed out concerns about what Reeve's loss might mean to advocates of stem cell research and spinal cord injuries. "I
don't think it is possible to really replace him," he said, but added, "His legacy is going to live on."
Musical Message of Hope
Emmy award-winning composer and pianist Misha Segal was a guest on Your Morning on CN8, the live talk show on Comcast, talking
about the special concert he is giving to benefit the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson during the center's third annual educational
conference: "Life After a Cancer Diagnosis." The concert and the conference were held Oct. 12 at the Loew's Philadelphia Hotel
located at 1200 Market Street in Philadelphia. Misha Segal's concert, "Beauty Found in Unlikely Places," has been performed
across the country to raise spirits, funds and awareness in the fight against cancer. His concert series was inspired by his
mother's six-year battle with lung cancer. He will perform selections from his latest piano release, Female.
Medical Simulators
Ch. 6's Prime Time Weekend aired a report on Jefferson Medical College's use of simulated patients, both artificial and live
actors pretending to be ill, in teaching future doctors how to look and listen for those vital clues that can save a patient's
life.
Jefferson, Monell, Obtain grant to study damage to senses
(Published 10-12-2004, Philadelphia Inquirer) The National Institutes of Health has awarded a $7.7 million, five-year grant to Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson
University and Philadelphia's Monell Chemical Senses Center and to study how inflammation can damage the senses of smell and
taste.The role inflammation plays in basic biological processes is of increasing importance to medical research. The new grant
will enable a multidisciplinary team of basic scientists and clinicians from the Monell-Jefferson Chemosensory Clinical Research
Center (CCRC) to investigate how inflammation contributes to clinical changes in smell and taste. Jefferson otolaryngologist
Edmund Pribitkin, M.D., Associate Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Jefferson, is the project's medical director.
Flu-shot supplies are cut in half
(Published 10-06-2004, Philadelphia Inquirer) Roger Pomerantz, M.D., professor of medicine, biochemistry and molecular pharmacology and director of the Division of Infectious
Diseases and Environmental Medicine at Jefferson Medical College, discusses the nation’s flu vaccine shortage. He notes that
the shortage “is a problem that happens over and over again,” and he calls for a national effort to create a vaccine that
lasts many years and will be effective against all strains.
Modern Healthcare, Oct. 4, 2004, Jefferson's David Nash, M.D., ranks in the Top 100 Most Powerful in Healthcare
(Published 10-2004, Modern Healthcare)
