Digital Edition of Presby Bulletin 5/1/2015 by Penn Medicine

Volume 10

Issue 9

May 1, 2015

PRESBYbulletin Penn Presbyterian Medical Center

LIMITED-EDITION BOOK COMMEMORATES THE PERELMAN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE’S

250TH BIRTHDAY

Celebrate the 250th birthday of the nation’s first medical school – the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania – with a limited-edition book filled with nearly 200 pages of history. Illustrated with many archival documents, paintings and photographs never previously compiled, the book traces the bright path of Penn’s role as a pioneer in medical education, biomedical research and clinical care. To Spread the Light of Knowledge chronicles the fascinating history of the Perelman School of Medicine, from its beginning as a few lectures given in borrowed space to the extensive curriculum, research, and multidisciplinary clinical practice within Penn Medicine today. Bulk ordering options are also available to Penn departments. Contact the Communications Department at 215.662.2560 for more details.

FREE SKIN CANCER SCREENING May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month Saturday, May 30, 2015 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Penn Dermatology Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine 3400 Civic Center Boulevard South Pavilion, 1st Floor Philadelphia, PA 19104

Cutting-Edge Concepts in the Management of Complex Hypercholesterolemia

This free program is offered to help spread the lifesaving message of early skin cancer detection and prevention.

A CME-Certified Symposium

Appointments are encouraged. Call 215.662.2737 to make your reservation.

Thursday, May 14, 2015 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM Registration and Dinner Penn Presbyterian Medical Center 51 North 39th Street For more information, visit the Presby Bulletin online. To register, please visit: www.penncmeonline.com

More stories inside!

Drs. Bennett and Maguire Named 2015 Hospital Heroes By Rebecca Salowe

Even adults who were severely visually impaired for decades showed clinically meaningful improvements in vision and greatly gained independence.

On Friday, March 20, 2015, Dr. Jean Bennett and Dr. Albert Maguire were celebrated at the 14th Annual Penn Presbyterian Medical Center (PPMC) Fundraising Gala as PPMC’s Hospital Heroes of 2015. Every year, PPMC selects a Hospital Hero – someone who embodies the spirit of the University and whose incredible work deserves special recognition. Last year, PPMC posthumously honored Dr. John P. Pryor, a gifted trauma surgeon who was killed in action in Iraq. Drs. Bennett and Maguire are the first co-Hospital Heroes to be honored. Drs. Bennett and Maguire’s work on gene therapy is revolutionary and far-reaching. Just a decade ago, gene therapy was a field with few promising research results. Despite all obstacles, Drs. Bennett and Maguire began to pursue genetic approaches to restore vision in blinding conditions. First, they showed that vision could be restored in dogs blind from Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) with mutations in the RPE65 gene. Clinical trials in patients for LCA due to RPE65 mutations followed, with similarly astounding results. Efficacy was reported in all twelve subjects, including five children. As a result, children who were once blind could ride their bicycles, read books, play sports, and lead more normal lives.

In 2014, Drs. Bennett and Maguire became the co-Directors of the newly created CAROT Center. This $30 million institute seeks to facilitate and expedite the development of novel therapies for retinal and ocular disorders. “Because of Jean and Al, blind people can see,” said J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD, Dean of the Perelman School of Medicine. “It’s truly a biblical story. And yet it is coming to reality through their persistence and their creativity over many decades.” In addition to their extraordinary scientific and clinical accomplishments, Drs. Bennett and Maguire are incredibly humble, hardworking, and unfailingly kind. Their deep care about the betterment of patients’ lives truly embodies the mission of the University.

everyone returned to the party. The evening ended with a surprise, when 20 mummers came out playing music, dancing, and handing out umbrellas. The event raised over $180,000, which will benefit Molecular Ophthalmology research at the CAROT Center.

“They are admirable people, remarkable scientists, and tremendous caregivers and physicians,” said Joan O’Brien, MD, Chairman of the Ophthalmology Department. All of these accomplishments contributed to their selection as 2015 Hospital Heroes. The March 20th event honoring Drs. Bennett and Maguire was an enormous success, with more than 250 people attending. This event, organized by Maggie McIntosh Event Design, took place at Vie in Philadelphia and

“Eyes are such an important organ,” expressed Manzar Ashtari, Director of CNS Imaging at CAROT. “With eyes, we feel so many things. Happiness and sadness… seeing your mother’s face…seeing the stars for the first time. It’s all just so much that anyone could give.”

PLANS UNDERWAY FOR LANCASTER GENERAL HEALTH TO JOIN UPHS Building on a longstanding clinical relationship between the two organizations, the University of Pennsylvania Health System has reached a final agreement for Lancaster General Health (LG Health) to join UPHS. A three-hospital health system located in South Central Pennsylvania, LG Health has been recognized regionally and nationally for its patient-centered services, clinical excellence, patient safety, and thrice designated a Magnet hospital for nursing excellence.

featured the theme “I Love Philly.” The reception hall was filled with statues of Rocky, a replica of the Love Statue and Liberty Bell, and even a Ben Franklin impersonator. Programming for the event included welcome remarks from Michele Volpe, executive director at PPMC, and a beautiful tribute video featuring Penn Medicine leadership. The tribute video was lively and touching, highlighting not only the high-impact research of Drs. Bennett and Maguire, but also their unique personalities, kindness, and funny memories. Drs. Bennett and Maguire also made a few remarks before

Joining the two of the state’s top health systems will build on the strengths of both, allowing them to provide better health-care services to more people. The detailed agreement is subject to various state and federal agency reviews before moving ahead. Stay tuned to the Presby Bulletin for future updates.

Teams from the Pulmonary practice at the Harron Lung Center and Pharmacy department (below) won pizza parties for showing their support for organ donation on National Blue and Green Day!

Each day, 21 people in the United States die while waiting for an organ transplant. Thousands more await a life-enhancing tissue transplant. Still, only 46 percent of Pennsylvanians have registered to become organ and tissue donors. In honor of National Donate Life Month, Penn Medicine is once again joining forces with the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) and Gift of Life Donor Program throughout April to help promote this critical need to increase the number of registered donors. By encouraging hospital staff and their friends and families to register to become organ, tissue and cornea donors, Penn Medicine aims to inspire hope, advocacy and passion among those waiting for a transplant. Throughout the month of April - and throughout the year - Penn Medicine encourages staff to learn the facts and talk with their family members and friends about becoming advocates for organ donation. To register to become an organ donor or for more information on ways generate hope, advocacy and passion for National Donate Life Month, visit Gift of Life’s website at www.donors1.org.

NATIONAL DOCTORS’ DAY

Help Change Someone’s Story

March 30th celebrated National Doctors’ Day, a day set aside in which members of our hospital community recognize the contribution and dedication of our 1,051 physicians. It is a day we acknowledge the years of hard work, sacrifice and training our physicians must undergo in preparation for their chosen career. It is also a day we appreciate the demands made on physicians as they balance work and family life, often enduring long and unpredictable hours in service to their patients and their families. An important component of a great hospital is its physicians. And we are truly indebted to you for all the dedication, commitment and compassion you bring to your profession and our hospital each and every day.

As has been the PPMC tradition for the last several years, on April 6, doctors were welcomed to a breakfast reception held in their honor.

International Food Tasting and Culinary Competition Sharpen your cooking knives for some friendly competition between co-workers! Next week, PPMC’s Cultural Diversity Committee will host the annual International Food Tasting featuring an all new Culinary Competition. Staff who contribute a dish are automatically entered for the chance to win a gift card to Williams & Sonoma, knife set, and chef’s jacket. Other prizes include a gift card to Penzey Spices, two food baskets, and a subscription to a popular food magazine. This annual spring event is open to all PPMC staff. It is a great way to sample a variety of ethnic cuisines while getting to know committee members and learning about our programs and activities. It also provides an opportunity to socialize with colleagues. Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2015 Time: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (judging will take place between 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) Location: Medical Conference Room (1 Wright Saunders) Please RSVP to Crystal.Mitchell@uphs.upenn.edu. Please include the dish you are bringing in your e-mail. When you drop off your dish on the day of the event, please include an information card briefly describing your dish, its origin, and its ingredients. Participants should bring dishes to the Medical Conference Room by 11:00 a.m. on May 5.