VGLLJOQC
He. 33
Onrcns. KE
"
»6Sivan,S761
June 8.'2001
SPECIAL FATHER'S BAY ISSUE AND GIFT GUIDE
Despite Continuing Controversy Local Researcher Garners First a Fulbright Now a Javits Award by CAROL KATZMAN, Editor It's not every day that one doctor is the recipient of both Fulbright and Javits Awards in a single year, yet Dr. Howard Gendleman has managed to achieve both. An eight-year researcher at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Gendleman's ground-breaking investigations have brought him to the attention of the leaders of the medical world. "He is a superb investigator," Dr. A.P. KerzaKwiatecki, Director of the Neuroimmunity Cluster of the National Institutes of Neurobiological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) in Washington, D.G., said of Gendleman and his entire research program. In a nutshell, Gendleman's research revolves around how the brain degenerates. For example, he and his staff of 50+ have investigated such diverse diseases as Parkinson's, HIV dementia, Huntington's and Alzheimer's to try to understand how the progression of these diseases lead to neurodegeneration. Gendleman studies how the nervous system gets injured—from disease, in this case, or in conjunction with Dr. Michal Schwartz at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel—from physical injury.
research for a seven-year Gendleman spent several months last fall working period. with Dr. Schwartz and her team as part of his Fulbright Award, the first granted to a Nebraska According to the researcher in neurobiology {and only the second NINDS criteria, ever given to an individual in this state). "awardees must have demonstrated exceptionThe Javits Award, announced May 22, is another al scientific.excellence highly sought-after award. The Javits Award is and productivity in one initiated not by applicants, but by others in MINDS of fee areas of neurologifamiliar with the body of work of the individual cal research supported researcher. Award-winners are then selected on by the HMDS, have prostrict criteria which were established after the posals of the highest scideath of Sen. Jacob Javits (R-NY), a victim of ALS, Dr. Howard Geadeiman entific m e r J t &M fee amoyotrophic lateral sclerosis, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's disease. judged highly likely to be able to continue to do As a United States Senator, Javits was a strong research on the cutting edge of their science for the supporter of research on disorders of the brain and next seven years." nervous system. "He is highly respected in the community," con"Every dollar of the grants (which Dr. Gendleman tinued Dr. Kerza-Kwiatecki, "and I have confidence and UNMC receive) impacts four different dis- in Dr. Gendleman that his research will continue." eases," added Dr. Kerza-Kwiatecki. "Working on With ail these awards {which, by the way, are what is common in the mechanism of what desfroys numbers 13 and 14 in a list of other highly prestibrain cells gives his research wide application. gious awards garnered by Dr. Oendieman over the years) why is there so much, controversy surroundThat's what I call *bang for the buckl'" In fact, the Javits Award expresses stieh confi- ing bis research? (Continued on page 8) dence in its winners, the NINDS funds ongoing
imahan Named Top Doc in Boston
JSSandRBJH Honor Volunteers by JEWISH PRESS News Service
by GARY JAVITCH, Special to the Jewish Press Extraordinary! Thaf s the So, what advice does the word heart specialist Dr. good doctor suggest to Jim Kirshenbaum used reduce the incidence of three times during the heart problems? interview to characterize It is remarkably simple. the circumstances t h a t Dr. Kirshenbaum urges ail impacted his life. to "quit smoking, exercise, The Associate Professor of avoid excess fat and cholesMedicine at the Harvard terol, and take a baby Medical School first used aspirin a day. Despite Ms that term to describe the research involvement and major technological adthe impressive titles after vances in the 1990s. his name (Interventional Excitement was evident in Cardiologist in Ambulatory his voice as he told of new Care; Co-Director of Clinifields of medicine opening cal Cardiology and Director up, for example, "in regenof Acute Interventional erative cardiology which Cardiac Medicine at Brigwould "capitalize on gene ham and Women's* Hospittherapy to cure different al), he said, "That's the types of heart disease." routine advice I give." Being at the forefront of Ironically, it is advice a Dr. Jim Kirshenbaum advances in heart medicine nation growing more obese is one reason why Boston Magazine named annually seems unable to follow. Kirshenbaum as one of the "Top Docs for Women" A Career in Medicine in their February issue. The subtitled theme took From grade school, KLrshenbaum knew he wantthe accolade further; "Medical challenges-where to ed a career in medicine. Accordingly, after high get the best medical care in America (It's Right school, where he edited the newspaper and graduHere!)." ated number one in his class, he chose Harvard for The Central High School graduate's name was both his undergraduate and medical school educahighlighted prominently in the magazine's list of tion. During his training, he developed a passion the city's top cardiologists, in an issue where the for cardiology and eventually began teaching at bis entire content was devoted to women. prestigious alma mater. Heart Advice Receiving recognition for his work is not new to Nationally, heart disease is the leading cause of Kirshenbaum. Among many awards received over death among women (and men). Yet, according to the years, he also garnered the W. Harvey Proctor, physicians, up to 80% of heart attacks in men and MD, Young Teacher award in recognition of his women are preventable. Consequently, researchers dedication to the training of medical students, resiare currently focusing on two areas, according to dents and fellows. the magazine: diet and exercise and whether estrogen replacement reduces the risk of heart attack. (Continued on page 11)
More than 200 people gathered Sunday for the annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon sponsored by Jewish Senior Services and the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. National Council of Jewish Women, Omaha Section, was honored for donating more than $300,000 over the past 50 years for projects assisting seniors. In addition, the new boards of directors for L.Q.VJS. {League Offering Volunteers for the Elderly) and JSS were installed. Above, among the dozens of volunteers recognized was the youngest, Emily Katz, 8, with her mother, Amy.
INSIDE: Holy Zygotes! Bead It and Eat
page 9 page 11
Local Historian, to Publish Book—page 12 Father's Day Gift Guide
page 13