Michael J. Marmura, M.D., Joins the Department of Neurology at Jefferson
(Published 1-6-2009) Michael J. Marmura, M.D., recently joined the Department of Neurology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (TJUH), and was also named an assistant professor of Neurology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Marmura specializes in the treatment of headache and facial pain.

Howard H. Weitz, M.D., Awarded Prestigious Laureate by the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American College of Physicians
(Published 12-29-2008) Cardiologist Howard H. Weitz, M.D., director, Division of Cardiology in the Department of Medicine at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, director, of the Jefferson Heart Institute, has been presented with the Laureate Award by the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American College of Physicians (ACP). The award recognizes Dr. Weitz’s exceptional service to his patients, community and his profession.

Gene Therapy Reversed Heart Damage in Heart Failure
(Published 12-29-2008) Long-term gene therapy resulted in improved cardiac function and reversed deterioration of the heart in rats with heart failure, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at Thomas Jefferson University’s Center for Translational Medicine. The study was published online in Circulation.

Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience Receives National Award From Department of Health and Human Services
(Published 12-23-2008) The Department of Health and Human Services recently awarded Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience (JHN) the Medal of Honor for achieving a lifesaving organ donation conversion rate of 75 percent or greater for a sustained 12-month period. The award was given during the fourth National Learning Congress held in Nashville, Tennessee in October.

Lower-dose Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Acoustic Neuromas Results in Better Hearing Preservation
(Published 12-17-2008) Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have found that a lower dose of fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for acoustic neuromas results in better hearing preservation and has the same tumor local control rate as a higher dose of therapy. The study appeared online in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics.

Brian G. Swift, Pharm.D., Named New Chief of Pharmacy at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
(Published 12-15-2008) Brian G. Swift, Pharm.D., MBA, has been named the chief of Pharmacy at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. He was also named associate dean of the Jefferson School of Pharmacy. In this newly created dual role Dr. Swift will oversee the pharmacy services at Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals and plan, develop, organize and evaluate the pharmacy programs of the institution.

Jefferson Researcher Awarded Junior Investigator Grant from National Institutes of Health
(Published 12-11-2008) Scott Mintzer, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Neurology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, and director of the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit at the Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Center of Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience was recently awarded a Junior Investigator grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study the adverse metabolic effects of antiepileptic seizure medications. The K23 grant, also known as the Mentored Patient-oriented Research Career Development Award, totals $843,000 and will be dispersed over a five-year period.

Angled Gantry Technique Reduced Breast Radiation Exposure by 50%
(Published 12-3-2008) A novel angled gantry approach to coronary CT angiography reduced radiation exposure to the breast by more than 50%, according to Thomas Jefferson University researchers.

IDO2 an Active Enzyme to Target in Pancreatic Cancer
(Published 12-3-2008) An enzyme that is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer cells may hold the key to successfully treating the disease with targeted immunotherapy, researchers from Thomas Jefferson University reported at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the Southern Surgical Association.

Jefferson Researchers Receives Award for Paper on CT Imaging
(Published 12-3-2008) ) Jefferson researchers Kevin Takakuwa, M.D. and Ethan Halpern, M.D., received the 2008 Philips CT NetForum Publication of the Year award. The award is given by Philips Medical Systems, who announced the winner at the 94th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America.

David S. Tichansky, M.D., Joins the Department of Surgery at Jefferson
(Published 11-25-2008) David S. Tichansky, M.D., F.A.C.S., recently joined the Department of Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (TJUH), and will serve as the director of the Bariatric Surgical Program. He has also been named an associate professor of Surgery at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Tichansky has performed extensive research in the fields of Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery to improve patient safety and care.

Pinckney J. Maxwell IV, M.D., Joins the Department of Surgery at Jefferson
(Published 11-25-2008) Pinckney J. Maxwell IV, M.D., recently joined the Department of Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (TJUH), and was also named an assistant professor of Surgery at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Maxwell specializes in Colon and Rectal Surgery.

Akhil K. Das, M.D., Joins the Department of Urology at Jefferson
(Published 11-25-2008) Akhil K. Das, M.D., recently joined the Department of Urology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (TJUH), and was also named assistant professor of Urology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Das specializes in female urology and laser treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlargement of the prostate).

Kimmel Cancer Center named “Center of Excellence” by Fertile Hope Organization
(Published 11-21-2008) The Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson has been designated a Center of Excellence by the Fertile Hope organization.

Jefferson Researchers Define Ideal Time for Stem Cell Collection for Parkinson’s Disease Therapy
(Published 11-20-2008) Researchers have identified a stage during dopamine neuron differentiation that may be an ideal time to collect human embryonic stem cells for transplantation to treat Parkinson’s disease, according to data presented at Neuroscience 2008, the 38th annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience (Program # 720.15).

Jefferson Kimmel Cancer Center Network Appoints New Clinical Director
(Published 11-17-2008) The Jefferson Kimmel Cancer Center Network has appointed Leonard Gomella, M.D., F.A.C.S., clinical director of the network after serving as interim clinical director for nine months. Three other physicians also took on new leadership roles as associate clinical directors: Scot Fisher, D.O.; Ernest “Gary” Rosato, M.D., F.A.C.S.; and William Tester, M.D., F.A.C.P.

Mark L. Tykocinski, M.D., Named Dean of Jefferson Medical College
(Published 11-10-2008) After an extensive national search, Mark L. Tykocinski, M.D., has been named dean of Jefferson Medical College and senior vice president of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. Dr. Tykocinski will also serve as president of Jefferson University Physicians, the faculty practice plan. The University Board of Trustees’ appointment takes effect December 1, 2008.

Stephen C. Peiper, M.D., appointed Chairman of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology at Jefferson
(Published 11-4-2008) Stephen C. Peiper, M.D., has been appointed chairman of the Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University. He is also the Peter A. Herbut Professor of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology.

Jefferson Physician Awarded Title of American College of Rheumatology Master
(Published 11-3-2008) Sergio A. Jimenez, M.D., co-director, Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine, director, Division of Connective Tissue Diseases in the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, has been awarded the prestigious title of Master of the American College of Rheumatology for his outstanding contributions to the field of rheumatology through scholarly achievement and/or service to patients, students and profession. The title of Master is one of the highest honors that the college bestows, given to no more than 15 members every year. Dr. Jimenez formally received the award at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in San Francisco on October 25, 2008.

Jefferson Department of Surgery Announces New Pancreas Tumor Registry
(Published 10-29-2008) Charles J. Yeo, M.D., Samuel D. Gross Professor and Chair, Department of Surgery at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, announces the establishment of the new Jefferson Pancreas Tumor Registry (JPTR).

Newly Formed Institute to Transform How Research Becomes Patient-Relevant Practice
(Published 10-28-2008) Four notable medical and educational institutions have formed a landmark consortium that is expected to streamline the way bench science is translated into bedside practice that could benefit millions of people. Christiana Care Health System, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Thomas Jefferson University and the University of Delaware will pool their talents and expertise as the Delaware Valley Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (DVICTS).

Jefferson Professor Receives ‘Tree of Life’ Award
(Published 10-27-2008) Edith P. Mitchell, M.D., clinical professor, Department of Medical Oncology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University and associate director of Diversity Programs for the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson, was recently honored with a ‘Tree of Life’ award from The Wellness of You, a local nonprofit health education and resource organization.

Jefferson Doctor Named Transplant Surgeon of the Year
(Published 10-22-2008) The Delaware Valley Chapter of the American Liver Foundation (ALF) recently named Cataldo Doria, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of Surgery at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University and director of the Division of Transplantation at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, “Transplant Surgeon of the Year” for his outstanding service to the medical community and to patients with liver disease.

David M. Cognetti, M.D., Joins the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Jefferson
(Published 10-13-2008) David M. Cognetti, M. D., recently joined the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (TJUH), and was named an assistant professor at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Cognetti specializes in head and neck oncologic surgery as well as thyroid and parathyroid disorders. His training includes endoscopic and open organ preservation surgery for laryngeal cancer and minimally invasive thyroid and parathyroid surgery.

Gregory J. Artz, M.D., Joins the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Jefferson
(Published 10-10-2008) Gregory J. Artz, M.D., recently joined the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and was named an assistant professor at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Artz specializes in hearing, balance and facial nerve disorders. He is also specialty trained in skull base surgery and the treatment of acoustic neuromas, meningiomas and glomus tumors.

Harish Lavu, M.D., Joins the Department of Surgery at Jefferson
(Published 10-10-2008) Harish Lavu, M.D., recently joined the Department of Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and was named an assistant professor at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University. He specializes in Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery.