Current Releases
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.
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.
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).
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.
