Current Releases
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 Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery division. 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).
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.
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.
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.
Jefferson Awarded Multi-Million Dollar Grant from National Eye Institute for New Clinical Trial
(Published 10-1-2008) Researchers at the Farber Institute for Neurosciences at Thomas Jefferson University and the Department
of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University were recently awarded a $3.7
million grant from The National Eye Institute to study depression in patients diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration
(AMD). The single site study of 200 AMD patients, who will be followed for 12 months, will determine the effectiveness of
a treatment program designed to prevent depression and disability in these patients.
Jefferson One of the First Hospitals in U.S. to Implant Next Generation Wireless Defibrillator
(Published 9-24-2008) Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is the first hospital in Pennsylvania, and one of the first in
the U.S., to use the latest implantable cardiac device technology to treat patients who suffer from irregular heart beats
and heart failure. The recently FDA approved implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) allows physicians more sophisticated
remote monitoring over the internet, cutting out needless trips to the hospital for those patients who suffer from arrhythmias,
heart failure and those at risk for sudden cardiac arrest.
Jefferson Scientists Deliver Toxic Genes to Effectively Kill Pancreatic Cancer Cells
(Published 9-23-2008) A research team, led by investigators at the Department of Surgery at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas
Jefferson University and the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson, has achieved a substantial “kill” of pancreatic cancer cells
by using nanoparticles to successfully deliver a deadly diphtheria toxin gene. The findings – set to be published in the
October issue of Cancer Biology & Therapy – reflect the first time this unique strategy has been tested in pancreatic cancer
cells, and the success seen offers promise for future pre-clinical animal studies, and possibly, a new clinical approach.
Jefferson to Establish New School of Health Policy and Population Health
(Published 9-22-2008) Robert L. Barchi, M.D., Ph.D., President of Thomas Jefferson University announced today the establishment
of the Jefferson School of Health Policy and Population Health (JSHPPH), which will begin enrolling students for September
2009. David B. Nash, M.D., M.B.A., chair of the Department of Health Policy at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson
University, and a recognized national leader in this field, will serve as the School's founding dean. The interdisciplinary
curriculum design of the new School allows medical, nursing and allied health students to take classes together to help them
better prepare for and understand areas of health policy, population health and healthcare quality and safety. Recent college
graduates and working professionals will also benefit from the innovative curriculum. Classes will be offered both online
and in a traditional classroom format.
