SPRING 2011 / VOLUME XXII NUMBER 4
24
VACCINES IN THE VANGUARD By Jessica Stein Diamond
At Penn Medicine, physician-scientists are creating new DNA vaccines that hold great promise for fighting disease more effectively, with fewer side effects. Less like a drug in a bottle or a vaccine in a vial, they are “more like a next-generation blood transfusion.” But the new vaccines are expensive, and funding can be hard to find.
2
A 'MOMENTOUS' GIFT -AND A NEW NAME
4
11
12
Raymond and Ruth Perelman have made a $225 million gift to rename the School of Medicine. It is the largest single gift ever given to the University of Pennsylvania and creates a permanent endowment for the school.
A NOVEL IMMUNE THERAPY FOR PANCREATIC CANCER By Holly Auer and Rabiya Tuma
Departments Inside Front Cover
EDITOR’S NOTE Gaps and Transformations
3 VITAL SIGNS From Students to Doctors New Chair of Path & Lab 30 DEVELOPMENT MATTERS Thank You, Dean Rubenstein 34 ALUMNI NEWS Progress Notes and Obituaries Inside Back Cover
THE LAST WORD Forward Thinking
Staff
Penn researchers have discovered a novel way to treat pancreatic cancer – by activating the immune system to destroy the “scaffolding” of the cancer. The investigators believe their findings could lead to quicker, less expensive development of cancer drugs.
19
TRAILBLAZERS, INVENTORS, AND TEACHERS By John Shea
Britton Chance and Christian Lambertsen, both alumni of the medical school and longtime members of its faculty, died in recent months. They were among Penn’s most honored and admired professors, and their achievements had an impact on the world outside academe.
A DECADE OF SUCCESS By John Shea
After 10 years as dean of the School of Medicine and executive vice president of the University of Pennsylvania for the Health System, Arthur H. Rubenstein steps down from what he once called a “job made in heaven.” His faculty, colleagues, and professional organizations agree: he filled the role with distinction.
A QUIET LITTLE REVOLUTION By Jennifer Baldino Bonett
Bridging the Gaps, a unique communityhealth program with grass roots at Penn, has reached 20 years. And it shows no signs of slowing down. The program connects students from academic health centers in Pennsylvania and, more recently, in New Jersey with community agencies to provide health-related supports and education.
22
ISLET CELL TRANSPLANTATION: A PATIENT’S PERSPECTIVE By Andy Gordon
Andy Gordon, living with diabetes, entered a clinical trial at the University of Pennsylvania. Islet cells taken from a donor pancreas would be transplanted into his liver. If the procedure was successful, the new islets would begin to produce the insulin his own body did not produce.
JOHN R. SHEA, Ph.D. Editor GRAHAM PERRY, NCS Studios Design / Art Direction ADMINISTRATION SUSAN E. PHILLIPS Senior Vice President for Public Affairs MARC S. KAPLAN Director of Communications
Penn Medicine is published for the alumni and friends of Penn Medicine by the Office of Public Affairs. © 2011 by the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania. All rights reserved. Address all correspondence to John Shea, Penn Medicine, 3535 Market Street, Suite 60 Mezzanine, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3309, or call (215) 662-4802, or e-mail john.shea@uphs.upenn.edu. Visit Penn Medicine’s web site: http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/news/publications/PENNMedicine/