Robertwoodjohnsonsummer/FALL 2004 MEDICINE

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A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI & FRIENDS OF UMDNJ-ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON MEDICAL SCHOOL RobertWoodJohnsonSUMMER/FALL 2004 MEDICINE

Translational Research: TEAMEDfor RESULTS RWJMed_SS04.finWeb 9/13/04 8:01 AM Page A

“We believe our first responsibility“ is to the doctors, nurses and patients, to mothers and fathers and all others who use our products .”and services.” Our Credo RWJMed_SS04.finWeb 9/13/04 8:01 AM Page 1

letter from the dean

Dear Colleague,

Welcome to the Summer/Fall issue of Robert Wood Johnson Medicine. This issue will bring you a new appreciation of the people and endeavors that are transforming Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Our cover article, “Translational Research,” spotlights the special projects under way at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ). As a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, CINJ is ideally positioned to assemble physician-scientist teams drawn from different laboratories to pursue a single research goal. In “Translational Research” some of the CINJ faculty members using this form of collaboration explain their extraordinary work, connecting bench to bedside through basic and clinical research. A trio of our leading scientists is involved in another type of collaborative research, which brings different points of view to bear on a single group of diseases. “Neurological Research: Parallel Paths to Discovery” describes the cross-fertilization of ideas between Dr. Ira B. Black, Dr. Deborah A. Cory- Slechta, and Dr. M. Maral Mouradian, all of whom study the complex diseases of the basic nervous system. By considering the many possible causes for these diseases and their progression, these scientists have expanded the likelihood of finding novel solutions and effective treatments. In the past year, our campus has been transformed by the completion of the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Research Building. This state-of-the art, 90,000-square-foot structure houses 27 laboratories in an environment designed to facilitate collaborative science. Please visit the building and enjoy the excitement surrounding its dedication in our special report, “Building for Tomorrow.” RWJMS graduates who serve on our faculty are the focus of a third fea- ture, “Go to the Head of the Class.” As an entity, these faculty members represent the finest qualities of those who come here to learn and to teach. A fondly painted portrait emerges from their reflections, which also show deep pride in their role in the growth of the medical school. In the Last Page, one of these alumni-faculty, Alfred F. Tallia, MD ’78,

writes compellingly of changing directions in his career — from student to JOHN EMERSON clinician-educator — a challenging and satisfying journey that has paral- leled the evolution of RWJMS. We thank you, our readers, for your interest and gratefully acknowledge the work of the people you will read about in these pages. Their intelligence, curiosity, and dedication are the essence of this school, and they take us to new levels of excellence every day.

Sincerely,

Harold L. Paz, MD Dean

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Michael Ramos Monroe, NJ Bariatric Surgery Patient University Medical Center at Princeton

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www.princetonhcs.org Robert Wood Johnson ■ MEDICINE 2 A University Hospital Affiliate of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. RWJMed_SS04.finWeb 9/13/04 8:02 AM Page 3

Summer/Fall 2004Contents FEATURES 2 Neurological Research: 8 Parallel Paths to Discovery 28 Patience and perseverance lead to milestones in research targeting neurological disorders. By Rita M. Rooney

Translational Research: Teamed for Results 34 Bench-to-bedside studies benefit from a collaborative culture in which independent thinking and interdependent activity thrive. By Rita M. Rooney

3 Go to the 4 Head of the Class: Alumni-Faculty Reflect on RWJMS 42 Alumni who serve on the faculty offer their valuable — and enthusiastic — perspective on growth and change at RWJMS. 42 By Kate O’Neill 2003 Alumni Reunion Weekend 55 During Reunion Weekend, alumni saw an evolving RobertWo odJohnson campus. They learned, reminisced, socialized, dined, danced, and, above all, celebrated the medical MEDICINE school that brought them together. A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI & FRIENDS OF By Kate O’Neill UMDNJ-ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON MEDICAL SCHOOL

Summer/Fall 2004 • Volume 8, Number 1 DEPARTMENTS

Dean Alumni Association Harold L. Paz, MD Officers: Letter from the Dean 1 Letter from the Alumni Association Editor President RWJMS News 4 Roberta Ribner Euton M. Laing, MD ’90 President 49 Vice President/ Research News 9 Writers RWJMS Alumni News 50 Kate O’Neill President-Elect Steven H. Krawet, MD ’89 On the Circuit 16 Rita M. Rooney Class Notes 62 Secretary-Treasurer Contributing Writers New Faculty 22 Geza Kiss, MD ’95 Last Page 64 Christine Cardellino Staff Spotlight Amy Vames Chair, Development 23 Committee Copy Editor Ernest Biczak, MD ’77 Richard Slovak Chair, Membership Art Director Committee Editorial and Advertising Office Barbara Walsh Nancy Sierra, MD ’89 UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Cover Illustration Co-Chairs, Reunion Roberta Ribner, Editor, Robert Wood Johnson Medicine Roy Scott Committee 125 Paterson Street • Suite 1400 • New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Geza Kiss, MD ’95 Telephone: 732-235-6310 • Fax: 732-235-9570 • Email: [email protected] Francine E. Sinofsky, MD ’81 Robert Wood Johnson ■ MEDICINE 3 RWJMed_SS04.finWeb 9/13/04 8:02 AM Page 4 r wjmsNEWS “BUILDING FOR TOMORROW” A Celebration of Excellence in Research and Education

JAY ROSENBLATT RWJMS; Squibb Professor in Molecular Biology at Princeton University; and Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute. In the auditorium of the Research Tower in Piscataway, a capacity crowd heard Dr. Wieschaus speak about Wnt genes, a large family of glycoproteins that are involved in critical aspects of early embryonic development. In his talk, “Rethinking Wnt Signaling,” Dr. Wieschaus not only explained his discoveries about cell signaling pathways, he also drew a wider lesson about the scientific process. Initially, he uilding for faculty. said, molecular “ Tomorrow” The next models did not Bcelebrated excellence day, during support his in research and education Reunion assumptions with several events in Weekend, a about cell signal- October 2003, highlighted by panel of promi- ing. Yet, subse- the dedication of the RWJMS nent alumni quently, he was able to use Research Building. The pro- discussed their work at a these results to form a second gram opened with the Fifth Continuing Medical Educa- set of hypotheses, which ulti- Annual UMDNJ-Robert tion program (see page 55). mately led to his understand- Wood Johnson Medical ing of the role of Wnt in cell School Research Day, which Research Day: signaling. set a high mark for scientific Nobel Laureate Serves as Dr. Wieschaus’s talk was discussion over the ensuing Keynoter moderated by Aaron J. days. The ribbon-cutting cer- Shatkin, PhD, professor of

emony for the Research erving as Research Day molecular genetics, microbiol- PHOTOS BY NAT CLYMER Building went far beyond a Skeynote speaker was ogy, and immunology and dedication of bricks and mor- Nobel laureate Eric F. director, Center for Advanced tar, to reflect the RWJMS Wieschaus, PhD, adjunct pro- Biotechnology and Medicine. commitment to its research fessor of biochemistry, “Dr. Wieschaus is at the fore-

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180 Present Scientific Posters

front of his field,” said Dr. n the adjacent Great Hall, Shatkin afterward. “But his I television reporters and talk was not limited to his visitors viewed two sessions own basic science research. of scientific posters, presented - It was about the challenging by researchers ranging from r questions a scientist must ask medical students to faculty. when a model doesn’t work. As she gave Research Day The implications of that kind Awards to the top presenters, and acting senior associate of thinking were exciting for Judith A. Neubauer, PhD, dean for research, said, everyone in the room.” professor of medicine “The posters and the presen- tations were outstanding. Research Day has set a high standard for this celebration of research excellence.”

Dean’s Awards were Guests at the 2003 Research Day review presented to: some of the 180 scientific posters presented by students, graduate • Kristina Sutphen students, and faculty in the Great Hall (Basic Sciences); mentor: of the Research Tower. Gary A. Brewer, PhD, associate professor of mentor: Jay A. Tischfield, molecular genetics, PhD, MPH, professor of microbiology, and pediatrics, RWJMS, and immunology professor of genetics, • Jill Schak ’06 (Clinical Rutgers, The State - Sciences); mentor: Nazeeh University of New Jersey N. Hanna, MD, assistant • Clinical resident/clinical professor of pediatrics fellow: Murali Manne, MD; mentor: Randell S. Awards of Excellence in the Burd, MD, PhD, assistant following categories were professor of surgery presented to: • Post-doctoral fellow: • Medical student: Hilary Ling Qin, PhD; mentor: Vernon, MD, PhD ’04; Nicola C. Partridge, PhD, professor and chair, Nobel laureate Eric F. Wieschaus, PhD, Department of Physiology adjunct professor of biochemistry, - PHOTOS BY NAT CLYMER and Biophysics RWJMS; Squibb Professor in Molecular • Graduate student: Biology at Princeton University; and Sandra Chesoni; mentor: Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, delivers the Research Day Dr. Brewer keynote speech. — Continued on page 6

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r wjms NEWS “BUILDING FOR TOMORROW” A Celebration of Excellence in Research and Education — Continued from page 5

welcomed a panel of speak- what it was just five years ago. ers, including representatives Our space and resource from the UMDNJ leadership requirements continue to in- along with local and state crease at an equally phenom- officials. enal rate.” Dr. Paz lauded those who Among the morning’s speak- had recognized the fast- ers was Clifton R. Lacy, MD growing need for state-of-the- ’79, commissioner, New Jersey art basic science research Department of Health and

PHOTOS BY NAT CLYMER facilities at RWJMS. He and Senior Services, who brought several other speakers praised greetings and congratulations the building’s potential not from Governor James E. only for education and but McGreevey. Dr. Lacy declared also for regional economic himself “a proud RWJMS Above: Judith A. Neubauer, PhD, The Building Dedication development. graduate, who had served 20 professor of medicine and acting senior “The new Research Building years on the faculty before associate dean for research (second ignitaries, faculty, houses some of the medical from left), congratulates winners of the school’s most innovative and 2003 Research Day Poster Competition: Dfriends, reporters, cam- Ling Qin, PhD, Hilary Vernon, MD, PhD eras, and microphones — all exciting scientists, conducting ’04, Sandra Chesoni, Kristina Sutphen, were part of the dedication of research in areas such as Murali Manne, MD, and Jill Schak ’06. a new structure housing the molecular therapeutics, pro- RWJMS Research Building teomics, genomics, and bioin- and UMDNJ-School of Public formatics,” said the dean. Health (SPH). Prior to the “Last year, the school’s facul- ribbon-cutting ceremony, ty received over $110 million Harold L. Paz, MD, dean, in research dollars, double

Ribbon-cutting for the new RWJMS Research Building: Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula; Brian Wahler, mayor, Piscataway; Clifton R. Lacy, MD '79, commissioner, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services; Audrey Gotsch, DrPH, dean, UMDNJ-School of Public Health; John Petillo, PhD, then chair, UMDNJ Board of Trustees; Harold L. Paz, MD, dean, RWJMS; Lawrence Feldman, PhD, vice president, UMDNJ; and State Senator Robert Smith.

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accepting his current appointment in state government.” The Research Building will attract national and international researchers to the medical school and bring “the greatest benefits of health to the community,” said Dr. Lacy.

Establishing a Collaborative Environment

n form and function, the I RWJMS Research Building reflects the goal of the National Institutes of Health to redirect grant support to three main the future, and re-engineering Dr. Paz leads guests on a tour Symposium Features areas: new path- clinical research. The build- of the new laboratories. Leading Scientists ways to discovery, ing’s collaborative environ- research teams of ment, including linked labo- played in the west atrium. uring the afternoon, a ratories and inviting common The $45 million, 120,000- Dcapacity crowd filled the areas, will hasten basic sci- square-foot building is part auditorium of the Waksman Before the ribbon-cutting, the audience enjoyed a ence discoveries from bench of UMDNJ’s statewide, five- Institute to hear six leading warm welcome from to bedside, says Dr. Paz. year, $535 million capital RWJMS faculty scientists the panel of speakers. The building’s soaring cen- campaign to support research, describe the groundbreaking tral atrium features sculptor education, and clinical care. research they will pursue in Ray King’s Double Helix, a The building houses 27 state- the new Research Building. dazzling 42-foot-high, 12- of the-art scientific laborato- — Continued on page 8 foot-wide glass sculpture ries for scientists from five composed of reflective steel RWJMS departments, which cables that suspend thou- occupy 90,000 square feet of sands of crystalline squares the building. The SPH wing and cubes. Along with this provides 30,000 square feet work, Mr. King created The of classrooms, laboratories, Pod, a second light-inspired and offices. Many laborato- glass sculpture, which is dis- ries are linked to promote collaborative research. A core Ray King’s Double Helix, a dazzling imaging suite, housing inter- 42-foot-high, 12-foot-wide glass departmental instruments and Sidney Pestka, MD, professor and chair, sculpture composed of reflective steel a state-of-the-art, core Department of Molecular Genetics, cables that suspend thousands Microbiology, and Immunology, welcomes nuclear magnetic resonance of crystalline squares and cubes, is guests to the Friday afternoon symposium, featured in the new research building’s facility, is also sited within “Building Molecular Pathways to the soaring central atrium. the RWJ Research Building. Future.”

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r wjms NEWS “BUILDING FOR TOMORROW” A Celebration of Excellence in Research and Education — Continued from page 7

Danny F. Reinberg, PhD, behind the scenes into the Distinguished University new building’s laboratories Professor of Biochemistry and and meeting spaces. Investigator, Howard Hughes Looking back over the first Medical Institute. two days of “Building for Tomorrow,” Dr. Paz noted The Reception: the seamless connections Making Connections: between the achievements of the Research Day partici- ollowing the symposium, pants, the Research Building F guests enjoyed a recep- designers and scientists, the tion in the central atrium of Scientific Symposium pan- the RWJMS Research elists, and the alumni who Building, where they joined would speak at the following alumni returning for Reunion day’s Continuing Medical Dr. Paz enjoys the Friday The symposium, “Building Weekend. The air hummed Education program. “The evening reception with Cathy and Molecular Pathways to the with excitement as the group events of this week highlight Ernest Biczak, MD ’77. Future,” was chaired by informally discussed the the important research Sidney Pestka, MD, professor countless ideas presented that programs on this campus,” and chair, Department of afternoon and the preceding said Dr. Paz. “This new Molecular Genetics, Micro- day. Dr. Lacy, who had spo- Research Building houses biology, and Immunology, ken at the ribbon-cutting cer- some of the medical school’s and recipient of the 2001 emony, was the evening’s most innovative and exciting National Medal of invited speaker. Throughout scientists.” He added his Technology. the reception, students served congratulations to “all who Presenters were: Ira B. Black, as tour guides, leading guests had worked patiently and MD, professor and chair, tirelessly to bring this enor- Department of Neuroscience Dr. Lacy and David Carver, MD, mous undertaking from and Cell Biology; Marc R. professor of pediatrics, discuss the day’s dream to reality.” Gartenberg, PhD, associate events with reception guests. — K.O’N. professor and graduate director, Department of Pharma- cology; Jun-Yan Hong, PhD, professor of environmental and occupational health at the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute and UMDNJ-School of Public Health; Jianjie Ma,

PhD, University Professor of PHOTOS BY NAT CLYMER Physiology and Biophysics; M. Maral Mouradian, MD, William Dow Lovett Professor of Neurology; and

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Research[news] By Kate O’Neill RWJMS Announces a Milestone NIH Funding: Affiliation in Pediatric Cardiac Care Jeffrey L. Carson, MD, Richard C. Reynolds Professor of Medicine, received $5.8 million from the National Heart, entral New Jersey Lung, and Blood Institute for will soon have its first pediatric car- a “Transfusion therapy trial for C diac surgery program, and it functional outcomes in cardio- will be in New Brunswick. vascular patients undergoing A four-way agreement, surgical hip fracture repair.” signed in April, develops an The National Institutes of outstanding regional pedi- Health (NIH) also awarded atric cardiology program from the medical school’s $1.2 million to Dr. Carson for existing partnership with “Functional outcomes for car- the Bristol-Myers Squibb diovascular patients undergo- Children’s Hospital at ing surgical repair (FOCUS): A Robert Wood Johnson

randomized trial comparing University Hospital. In col- NAT CLYMER transfusion thresholds in hip laboration with Children’s fracture patients.” The NIH Hospital of New York- Presbyterian Hospital, widely experienced in pedi- Joseph W. Gaffney, MD, associate awarded Kiron M. Das, MD, physicians based at atric cardiology and post- professor of pediatrics and chief, PhD, professor of medicine, UMDNJ-Robert Wood surgical care. They are division of pediatric cardiology (center), will lead a new affiliation in pediatric $58,600 as a supplement for Johnson Medical School establishing an extensive cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery. underrepresented minorities, and Columbia University educational program that Joining Dr. Gaffney in the program are for “Studies of esophageal College of Physicians and will introduce surgical and Donna M. Timchak, MD, clinical metaplasia using a novel anti- Surgeons will provide pedi- invasive pediatric cardiology assistant professor of pediatrics, and atric and surgical care to to New Brunswick in 2005. Robert A. Manduley, MD, clinical body.” The National Institute assistant professor of pediatrics. children at the Bristol In addition to congenital of Neurological Disorders and Myers-Squibb Children’s cardiac defects, the division Stroke (NINDS) awarded a Hospital. will evaluate and treat “Robert Wood Johnson five-year, $1.6 million grant Joseph W. Gaffney, MD, acquired cardiac pathology, Medical School and Robert to Emanuel M. DiCicco- associate professor of pedi- and it looks forward to col- Wood Johnson University Bloom, MD, professor of neu- atrics, recently was appoint- laborative efforts with other Hospital share more than roscience and cell biology, for ed chief of the division of divisions and departments. just a name,” observed pediatric cardiology and the “Partnering with one of Dr. Paz. “With an ever- “PACAP regulation of neuroge- new program’s first director. the nation’s largest and increasing number of new nesis and survival.” A $332,555 Dr. Gaffney, a pediatric car- most respected pediatric programs in cardiology, NIH collaborative grant was diologist, graduated from cardiology and cardiac sur- neurology, cancer care, and awarded to Michael Hampsey, New York Medical College gery programs advances the pediatrics, the campus we PhD, professor of biochemistry, and practiced at New York- exceptional specialty educa- share has become the pre- and Claire L. Moore, PhD, Presbyterian Hospital before tion already offered to our mier academic health center joining the full-time medical students, residents, in New Jersey.” professor of molecular biology RWJMS faculty in May. Dr. and fellows,” said Harold — K.O’N. and microbiology, Tufts Gaffney recruited two addi- L. Paz, MD, dean, in his — Continued on page 10 tional physicians to the pro- April 12 announcement of gram and a team that is the agreement.

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NIH Funding: Making Medical History: Governor McGreevey Creates Stem Cell Institute of Ne University School of Medicine, to study “The coupling of mRNA transcription and 3'-end forma- tion.” The National Institute of efore an enthu- General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) siastic crowd of patient and awarded $84,483 to Pedro Ortiz B family advocates, re- for a grant titled “Analysis of nowned researchers, translation elongation factor 2 and the New Jersey in yeast.” Mr. Ortiz is a pre- medical community, doctoral fellow in the laborato- Governor James E. ry of Terri Goss Kinzy, PhD, McGreevey signed a pivotal agreement professor of molecular genetics, with the University of microbiology, and immunology. Medicine and Den- The National Institute on Drug tistry of New Jersey Abuse awarded a three-year, and Rutgers, The $300,000 grant to Michael State University of

Lewis, PhD, Distinguished Pro- New Jersey, formally JENNIFER CARUSO fessor of Pediatrics and Psych- establishing the Stem Cell Institute of New iatry and director, the Institute Jersey. The signing for the Study of Child Develop- took place in the closing and developmental abnor- Governor James E. McGreevey shakes ment, for a project in collabo- moments of the Governor’s malities. Today’s research hands with Carl Riccio at Governor’s Forum on New Jersey’s Stem Cell ration with the Department of Forum on New Jersey’s Stem will lead to tomorrow’s treat- Research Initiative. Joining them from ments and cures, which will Radiology using functional Cell Research Initiative, held left, are Walli Mohammad, Bernice magnetic resonance imaging at Robert Wood Johnson Uni- directly affect the lives of Mohammad, Clifton R. Lacy, MD ’79, versity Hospital (RWJUH) in many and indirectly influence commissioner, New Jersey Department (fMRI) to study the relationship New Brunswick on May 12. the lives of all.” of Health and Senior Services, and between adolescent inhibitory “Stem cell research pos- New Jersey is the second Tricia Riccio. behavior and prenatal cocaine sesses the potential to lead to state in the country, follow- succeed — and to succeed exposure. The National Cancer new treatments and cures for ing California, to legalize well. We have a unique com- Institute awarded a $1.4 mil- the more than 150 million adult and embryonic stem bination of pharmaceutical lion competing renewal to people nationwide who suf- cell research. The Stem Cell infrastructure, biomedical Institute of New Jersey will Leroy F. Liu, PhD, professor fer from conditions such as research, university expertise, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, be funded by the state, and political will necessary to and chair, Department of Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, UMDNJ, and Rutgers, for a advance stem cell research to Pharmacology, for “Mechanisms and spinal cord injury,” noted total of $11.5 million. benefit patients and families of action in antitumor drugs.” Clifton R. Lacy, MD ’79, “This appropriation proud- throughout our state, the Through its National Center for commissioner, New Jersey ly makes New Jersey the first nation, and the world.” Research Resources, the NIH Department of Health and state in the nation to devote The state’s seed money will awarded $342,354 to Peter Senior Services, during his public funds to stem cell help recruit world-class opening remarks at the forum. research,” Governor researchers to the institute Lobel, PhD, professor of phar- “Recent research also sug- McGreevey said. “As I have and provide equipment for macology and resident member, gests stem cells may be used long contended, our state preliminary projects while the — Continued on Page 11 for understanding, treating, provides an optimum envi- permanent facility is under and preventing birth defects ronment for this enterprise to construction in New

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[news]Research — Continued from Page 10

Dr. Paz Honors CABM NIH Funding: of New Jersey Director At AAMC Meeting Center for Advanced Biotech- nology and Medicine (CABM), for the purchase of a nanospray Brunswick. Public and private he Association of ing, Harold L. Paz, MD, liquid chromatography tandem endowments will provide American Medical dean, hosted a reception, mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) additional funding to support Colleges (AAMC) pre- where Dr. Shatkin received T system. The NINDS awarded the institute’s initiatives. sented its 2003 Award for widespread congratulations. $238,270 to Matthew A. Menza, Ira B. Black, MD, profes- Distinguished Research in “I can think of no academic sor and chair, Department of Biomedical Sciences to Aaron scientist whose work is MD, professor and acting chair, Neuroscience and Cell J. Shatkin, PhD, professor of more noteworthy than Dr. Department of Psychiatry, as a Biology, RWJMS, and found- molecular genetics, microbiol- Shatkin’s,” said Dr. Paz. minority supplement to his ing director of the institute, ogy, and immunology and “Over the years, he has study, “Treatment of depression will work closely with Wise director, Center for Advanced approached his research in a in Parkinson’s disease.” The Young, PhD, MD, chair, Biotechnology and Medicine careful, critical, and imagi- supplement will support Department of Cell Biology (CABM). This prestigious native fashion and produced and Neuroscience at Rutgers award recognizes medical seminal information about Humberto Marin, MD, assis- University. school faculty members who how viruses spread within tant professor of psychiatry, for “Dr. Ira Black has made conduct outstanding clinical cells.” two years. Abel E. Moreyra,

JENNIFER CARUSO headlines by proving for the or laboratory research that Dr. Shatkin was a pioneer MD, professor of medicine, first time that mature stem has contributed to the sub- in bringing molecular biolo- received $71,632 from the NIH cells taken from adult bone stance of medicine. gy and biochemistry to the through Vicor Technologies for marrow can be field of animal virology. a study to analyze R-R intervals implanted in a develop- While at the National ing brain, eventually Institutes of Health in high-risk emergency room changing into healthy (NIH), he studied the patients. The National Eye brain cells,” the gover- genome of the reovirus Institute awarded Richard S.

nor said. “Dr. Black’s JOCELYN AUGUSTINO and gained insight into Nowakowski, PhD, associate work — undertaken fundamental life professor of neuroscience and right here in New processes and diseases cell biology, a five-year, $1.6 Jersey — may well such as AIDS and can- million grant to study “Neuron- lead to new, more effective ap- Aaron J. Shatkin, PhD, professor of cer. His findings about the proaches to birth defects, molecular genetics, microbiology, and interactions between viruses ogenesis in the non-pigmented challenging and addressing immunology and director, Center for and cells led him to refocus retina.” In addition, the NINDS Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine developmental disabilities on cellular metabolism and awarded Dr. Nowakowski a four- (left), received the Association of , within children. Clearly, American Medical Colleges’ 2003 gene expression, he says, year, $1.4 million grant for o recognizing this scope and “using viruses as the tools Award for Distinguished Research in “Phenomic analysis of the murine promise, we are poised on the Biomedical Sciences. Here, Dr. Shatkin to get into cells.” hippocampus.” The National edge of a new scientific era.” and his wife, Joan, are recognized by “Under Dr. Shatkin’s “Stem cell research is an Harold L. Paz, MD, dean. leadership,” said Dr. Paz, Institute of Allergy and Infec- overarching new approach to Thanking the AAMC “the CABM, an entirely tious Disease awarded $1.4 mil- l medicine,” added Dr. Black. leadership, Dr. Shatkin said new research institution, lion to Sidney Pestka, MD, “The mission of the institute that he shared the honor was created, and under his professor and chair, Department integrates basic stem cell biology with the many students and direction [it] has had a of Molecular Genetics, Micro- and implements it immediately colleagues with whom he major impact on academic biology, and Immunology, for a e into patient care. That philoso- has worked over the course scientific research and high- phy will guide our work.” of his career. er education nationwide.” study titled “Receptor-signaling — C.C. During the AAMC meet- — K. O’N. — Continued on Page 12

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Research[news] — Continued from Page 11 NEWS

NIH Funding: CHINJ Celebration protein interactions in real time.” Tops Off a New Building The NIGMS awarded $146,772 to Robert J. Sims, PhD, for a s the 1,600-pound nomic impact for each re- three-year fellowship to con- I beam swung up- search dollar spent.” Others duct a study titled “Molecular Award across a blue adding to the celebration in- basis of e-cadherin transcrip- November sky, it carried cluded John J. Petillo, PhD, tional regulation.” Dr. Sims hope for the future of New then chair, UMDNJ Board of works in the laboratory of Jersey’s children. A crowd of Trustees; and Stuart D. Cook, visitors and passersby watch- MD, then president, UMDNJ. Danny F. Reinberg, PhD, ed in awe as the beam settled Distinguished University in atop the Child Health Insti- The Child Health Institute of Professor of Biochemistry and tute of New Jersey (CHINJ) New Jersey takes shape in downtown Investigator, Howard Hughes of UMDNJ-Robert Wood New Brunswick. Medical Institute. Johnson Medical School. Then, with the new building OTHER neatly topped off, guests GOVERNMENT AND FOUNDATION spoke about the mission of FUNDING: CHINJ: to discover the causes of childhood diseases and Judith K. Amorosa, MD, clini- learn how disordered devel-

cal professor of radiology, is PHOTOS BY A.J. SUNDSTROM opment leads to illness that principal investigator on “Con- can continue into adulthood. temporary screening for the Roland Machold, vice detection of lung cancer,” a chair of the CHINJ Board of joint effort with The Cancer Directors, commented that the institute will be “a mag- Institute of New Jersey (CINJ). Celebrating the topping off are (front row): Roland Machold, vice chair, Board of net for the brightest minds of Directors, CHINJ; James Cahill, mayor, New Brunswick; Harvey Holzberg, president The trial is funded by a $3.9 science.” Daniel A. Notterman, and CEO, RWJUH; Daniel A. Notterman, MD, University Professor and chair, million grant from the American MD, University Professor Department of Pediatrics; (back row): David Crabiel, director, Middlesex County College of Radiology Imaging and chair, Department of Board of Freeholders; Robert Trelstad, MD, acting director, CHINJ; Harold L. Paz, MD, dean; Stuart Cook, MD, then president, UMDNJ, John Petillo, PhD, then chair, Network. The Department of Pediatrics, said the $72 mil- UMDNJ Board of Trustees. Pathology has received a lion, 150,000-square-foot $936,000 renewable grant from building will be the research The building’s exterior and research, as well as a pedi- linchpin of the growing chil- interior grew quickly through atric clinical research center the Division of AIDS Prevention dren’s health complex in the winter, and by late and outpatient, academic, in the New Jersey Department New Brunswick. spring, the brick facing was and clinical space for the of Health and Senior Services. “The Child Health Insti- complete. Inside, a laborato- Department of Pediatrics. Led by Evan M. Cadoff, MD, tute will bring economic op- ry mock-up was ready for Programmatically, and in associate professor of patholo- portunities as well as child installation, providing a life- some cases physically, CHINJ gy and laboratory medicine, health breakthroughs,” said size model of the cutting-edge will be linked with the clini- Harold L. Paz, MD, dean. technology that will be avail- and Eugene G. Martin, PhD, cal services at the Bristol- “When construction is done, able to CHINJ researchers. Myers Squibb Children’s associate professor of pathology the institute becomes a re- CHINJ will house a trans- Hospital of New Jersey at and laboratory medicine, the search engine that creates jobs. genic and gene-targeting Robert Wood Johnson Uni- study will monitor the efficacy Some estimates put the facility and two 25,000- versity Hospital (RWJUH), — Continued on Page 14 return at five dollars in eco- square-foot floors for basic the Cardiovascular Institute

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Motolinsky Foundation Honors Dr. Lavizzo-Mourey

ollowing its theme, able career in government, Child Health Institute of “A Quest for academia, and health care New Jersey at RWJMS. FChange,” the Melvyn administration. She graduat- In 1971, the family and H. Motolinsky Research ed from Harvard Medical friends of Melvyn H. Foundation honored Risa School and trained in inter- Motolinsky created the Lavizzo-Mourey, MD, MBA, nal medicine at Brigham Motolinsky Foundation as a president and CEO of the and Women’s Hospital. She living tribute to this promis- Robert Wood Johnson earned her master’s degree ing young attorney, who Foundation (RWJF), with its in business administration died from leukemia at age 30th Distinguished Service at the University of 25. The foundation’s pri- Award. In her remarks, Dr. Pennsylvania, where she mary goal is to conquer Lavizzo-Mourey commented later was a Robert Wood blood-borne diseases such on how well the theme fit Johnson Foundation Scholar as leukemia through with her foundation’s goal: of Pennsylvania, received research. Since Mr. of New Jersey, and The to boldly seek and support her geriatrics training, and Motolinsky was dedicated Cancer Institute of New improvement in the delivery was the Sylvan Eisman to improving life for the Jersey. In addition, scientists of health care. Professor of Medicine and people of New Brunswick, at CHINJ will develop col- A member of the Institute Health Care Systems. the foundation concentrates laborative projects with their of Medicine, Dr. Lavizzo- “We were very pleased to its support in the city he PHOTOS BY A.J. SUNDSTROM colleagues at the Center for Mourey has had a remark- present this award to the loved. Advanced Biotechnology and Since the Motolinsky Medicine and the Environ- Foundation’s first gift to mental and Occupational RWJMS nearly 30 years Health Sciences Institute. ago, it has developed a Collaborative work also will growing partnership with extend to RWJMS-affiliated the medical school’s hema- hospitals, other universities, tology research program. It schools, and biotechnology has endowed the firms. Motolinsky Fellowship “Extra synergies develop Program and, more recently, when pediatric clinical care is the Melvyn H. and Ab juxtaposed with research into Motolinsky Chair in the causes of childhood dis- Hematology. The chair is

eases,” says Robert L. Trelstad, A.J. SUNDSTROM held by Parvin Saidi, MD, MD, Harold L. Paz, MD, professor of medicine, chief, Professor of Developmental division of hematology, and Biology, professor of patholo- director of the Melvyn H. gy and laboratory medicine, Clifton R. Lacy, MD ’79, commissioner, new leader of the Robert Motolinsky Laboratory for and acting director, CHINJ. New Jersey Department of Health and Wood Johnson Foundation, Hematology Research. “Never is the need for bench- Senior Services, presents the 30th an organization that has — K.O’N. annual Distinguished Service Award to-bedside research clearer done so much for so many from the Melvyn H. Motolinsky than when, day by day, you Research Foundation to people,” says Jack Borrus, see the effect of illness on the Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, MD, MBA, treasurer of the Motolinsky lives of children.” president and CEO of the Foundation and a member — K.O’N. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. of the Board of Directors of

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Research[news] — Continued from Page 13 NEWS

OTHER Expansion Triples CINJ Space GOVERNMENT AND FOUNDATION FUNDING: of rapid testing for AIDS, seek- major expansion ing improvements in patient of The Cancer follow-up and treatment. The A Institute of New Robert Wood Johnson Found- Jersey (CINJ) at UMDNJ- ation awarded $600,000 to Robert Wood Johnson Benjamin F. Crabtree, PhD, Medical School — the professor and research director, state’s only National Cancer Department of Family Medicine, Institute–designated Comprehensive Cancer for a study titled “Prescription Center — is a vital step in for health: Promoting healthy the dream of making first- behaviors in primary care net- rate cancer care available to works.” The U.S. Department of anyone in the state who Defense awarded $1.5 million needs it. to Nancy L. Fiedler, PhD, At a ceremony May 11 that featured remarks by associate professor of environ- health care and govern- mental and occupational medi- ment officials, including The Cancer Institute of New Jersey’s attract the best and bright- cine, for a grant titled “The Governor James E. expanded facility will allow an est faculty members and effects of diesel exhaust and McGreevey, the institute’s additional 30,000 patient visits a year. students, who in turn will stress on the acute phase five-floor, 150,000-square- conduct cutting-edge response and symptoms in the foot addition was dedicated. ground up, from no patients research and clinical trials, chemically intolerant.” The U.S. The expansion triples in 1993 to nearly 70,000 Dr. Paz added. CINJ’s size, meaning more patient visits just ten years The $71 million project Army awarded $575,127 to space for research and later. The expanded facility was financed with about Ramsey A. Foty, PhD, assis- patient care. will allow an additional $50 million in state bonds tant professor of surgery, for “We all know someone 30,000 patient visits a year. and the rest in private dona- his study, “Quantifying tumor who’s been inside,” said “There is perhaps nothing tions. endothelial cell interaction in William N. Hait, MD, PhD, more important than what The new facility houses organotropic prostate cancer.” professor of medicine and we do here today,” the gov- six new treatments areas, pharmacology, associate ernor added. “With this The U.S. Environmental Pro- more than 30 additional dean for oncology pro- facility, we’re saying it’s not treatment bays and exam tection Agency (EPA) awarded grams, and director of necessary to travel out of rooms, and several large $731,000 to Michael A. Gallo, CINJ, at the ceremony. “We New Jersey to get world- reception and nursing areas. PhD, professor of environmental honor those it serves. The class treatment.” The expansion includes a and occupational medicine, for a torrent of new patients is “This expansion is an Resource and Learning study titled “Influence of envi- not a cause to celebrate,” he important component in Center, where patients and ronmental factors in cancer cau- added, but it is a powerful helping RWJMS reach the their families can find infor- motivator for the communi- top echelon of medical mation about diagnoses, sation.” The Arthritis Foundation ty of doctors, nurses, and schools,” said Harold L. treatment procedures, clini- awarded $35,000 to Afton researchers at CINJ. Paz, MD, dean. CINJ’s cal trials, and symptom Hassett, PsyD, assistant pro- Governor McGreevey growing capacity for management. fessor of medicine, for “A pilot praised Dr. Hait’s leadership research and treatment is Also new is a Good — Continued on Page 15 in building CINJ from the helping the medical school Manufacturing Practices

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[news]Research — Continued from Page 14

OTHER GOVERNMENT AND FOUNDATION FUNDING: study of respiratory sinus anti-cancer treatments, port of cancer research and arrhythmia biofeedback in which can then be adminis- awareness. patients with fibromyalgia syn- tered to patients in CINJ’s Additional renovations clinic. are being completed in the drome.” Arnold J. Levine, PhD, Even though the expan- original CINJ building, professor of pediatrics and bio- sion has vastly increased the which will house the Fannie chemistry and member, CINJ, institute’s size, great care E. Rippel Foundation received $249,998 from the has been taken to ensure Center for Women’s Breast Cancer Research Founda- that treatment areas are Reproductive Cancers, the tion to study “The role of auto- intimate and maintain a LIFE Center for Breast friendly feeling for patients Cancer Awareness, and the phagy and the beclin-1 gene in and their families. New Jersey Comprehensive the origin and development of The institute is now also Breast Cancer Program. breast cancers.” The EPA award- home to the Dean and Betty The Cancer Institute of ed a five-year, $2.5 million

ZAVE SMITH Gallo Prostate Cancer New Jersey is one of only renewal to Paul J. Lioy, PhD, Center. At the dedication 39 National Cancer professor of environmental and ceremony, Betty Gallo pre- Institute–designated occupational medicine, princi- (GMP) laboratory, a suite of sented the inaugural Betty Comprehensive Cancer six clean rooms that allows Gallo Advocacy Award to Centers in the nation. pal investigator, and Panos researchers to produce ster- Representative Rodney — A.V. Georgopoulos, PhD, professor ile, pharmaceutical-grade Frelinghuysen for his sup- of environmental and occupational medicine, co-principal investigator, for the Center for RWJMS Students Perform Exposure and Risk Modeling. Dr. Blood Pressure Screenings Lioy and Dr. Georgopoulos co- direct the center. The New Jersey Student National Commission on Spinal Cord Medical Research awarded $99,878 to Association students volunteered Sally A. Meiners, PhD, assis- to perform blood tant professor of pharmacology, pressure screenings to research “Potential applica- at the 16th Annual African-American tion of peptide nanofiber tech- Arts and Heritage nology for neuronal regeneration.”

Festival held at the COURTESY OF OFFICE THE MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS Beatrix Roemheld-Hamm, PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel in MD, PhD, associate professor September 2003. of family medicine, received Ezinma Achebe ’06 checks Senator $174,655 from the Centers for Jon Corzine’s Disease Control and Prevention blood pressure. for a grant titled “Understand- Akwasi Amponsah ’06 (right) awaits the ing disparities in influenza next patient. — Continued on Page 17

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On The r wjms CIRCUITBy Kate O’Neill NEWS

HHMI Investigator Leading Bioethicist Nobel Laureate mini medical school: Delivers Boxer Lecture Delivers Stahl Lecture Delivers First Ronald Excellence in the Sc Morris, MD, Lecture obert J. Lefkowitz, MD, n March 29, the annual James B. Duke Professor Mates David and Hinna onoring N. Ronald hanks to a $10,000 of Medicine, Duke Uni- Stahl Lecture in Morris, PhD, professor R O grant from Pfizer, versity Medical Center, and Investi- Bioethics was presented by of pharmacology H the UMDNJ-Robert gator, Howard Hughes Medical Insti- George J. Annas, JD, MPH, (retired), for 40 years of faculty T Wood Johnson Medical tute, delivered the 2003 George Edward R. service, his friends and colleagues School Mini Medical Boxer Memorial Lecture. Dr. Utley have endowed an RWJMS lecture School took on a new look Lefkowitz took as his topic “Seven Professor series in his name. The first lecture, this spring. Pfizer under- Membrane Spanning Receptors,” and chair, “Controlling the Cell Cycle,” was wrote “Achieving Excel- an area in Depart- delivered lence in the Sciences,” a which his ment of on April program designed for high research Health 27 by Sir school students contemplat- has been Law, Paul M. ing a career in clinical med- honored Bioethics, and Human Rights, of Nurse, icine. The program was “an with the Boston University School of Public PhD, outstanding example of Institut de Health. Dr. Annas also is a profes- president how seriously we take our France’s sor in the Boston University School of The community service mis- Scientific Grand Prize. The lecture of Medicine and School of Law. His Rockefeller University and a co- sion,” says Harold L. Paz, was hosted by the Department of topic was “Patient Safety, Quality recipient of the 2001 Nobel Prize in MD, dean. Physiology and Biophysics. Improvement, and Patient Rights.” physiology for his work on “Key Chosen from an applicant Regulators of the Cell Cycle.” Estenes Lecture CINJ Lecturer pool of more than 400, the program’s 165 participants Features Eminent Speaks on Genomic CHINJ Presents Physician/Scientist Tumor Analysis Prominent Psychiatrist/ came from 15 counties in Neuroscientist New Jersey. “We are encour- n February 6, the Regina n April 21, The Cancer aged that there is such a high Estenes MD ’76 Mem- Institute of New n April 29, Joseph T. level of interest among high Oorial Lecture was deliv- OJersey’s Distinguished Coyle, MD, Eben S. school students in learning ered by Andrew R. Marks, MD, Lecture Series presented Mark A. ODraper Professor of about science and medicine,” professor and chair, Department of Israel, Psychiatry and Neuroscience at says Carol A. Terregino, MD Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, MD, pro- Harvard ’86, clinical associate profes- at Columbia University College of fessor of Medical sor of medicine and assistant HOLLANDER PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICES Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Marks pediatrics School, dean for admissions. Dr. spoke on and gave the Terregino initiated and “Mo- genetics latest organized this year’s Mini PHOTOS COURTESY OF SPEAKERS lecular and direc- address in Medical School, recruiting Thera- tor, Norris the Dr. eight members of the peutics for Cotton Cancer Center at the Kenneth RWJMS faculty as lecturers, Heart Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical S. and Audrey S. Gould Lecture as well as a medical student Failure Center. Dr. Israel spoke on Series in Molecular and Cellular panel. Most lectures were and “Genomic Analysis of Brain Tumors: Medicine. Dr. Coyle’s topic was split into two parts, princi- Sudden Cardiac Death: One Pill Clinical Advances and Research “Glutamate, Glia & Psychosis.” This ples and applications. The Cures Both.” The Estenes Lecture is Opportunities.” annual series takes place under the first presenter would lecture presented by the Department of auspices of the Child Health on the working principles of Physiology and Biophysics. Institute of New Jersey. the subject, and the second

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[news]Research S — Continued from Page 18 OTHER ol: GOVERNMENT he Sciences AND FOUNDATION FUNDING: immunization.” The Emergency presenter would lecture on Medicine Foundation awarded a its clinical aspects (see box). one-year, $50,000 Career The faculty “authenticat- Development Grant to Stephen ed the sense of being in W. Trzeciak, MD, assistant pro- medical school,” says fessor of medicine and emer- Robert Ford, a junior at gency medicine, Camden campus, Montgomery High School, who gives top marks to the for his study “Investigation of program. In addition, he microcirculatory flow in early adds, small-group discus- goal-directed therapy of sepsis- sions “concentrated and induced hypoperfusion states in reinforced the learning humans.” The EPA awarded experience while allowing Clifford P. Weisel, PhD, profes- us to peer into the life of a sor of environmental and occu- real medical student.” pational medicine, $130,410 for NAT CLYMER an “Assessment of contribution Mini Medical School, Spring 2003: in personal exposures of air toxi- Topics and Presenters Jennifer Tan ’05 (left) cs from mobile sources.” serves as the patient, while • “Medical“Medical School: What It Is All About The Heart Murmur, Sudden Death” Elizabeth Koorie ’05 INDUSTRY and How Do We Get There?” Carol A. John B. Kostis, MD, professor and demonstrates pulmonary FUNDING: Terregino, MD ’86, clinical associate chair, Department of Medicine; Mark examination to a Mini Scios awarded $268,000 to professor of medicine and assistant W. Preminger, MD, associate profes- Medical School participant. dean for admissions, with a panel of sor of medicine, associate chair for In pairs, other Mini Medical Ronald S. Freudenberger, MD, RWJMS students clinical services, and director, School students practice associate professor of medicine, Cardiac Electrophysiology Laboratory the examination. •“• “TheThe Art and Science of Physical to study “Hemodynamic, neuro- Diagnosis” Dr. Terregino and student • “Diabetes“Diabetes Mellitus: Biochemistry, hormonal, and renal excretory panel Pathophysiology, and Clinical Care” the body works is • “The“The Upper Extremity — Anatomic and William A. Zehring, PhD, associate amazing,” says effects of human brain natiuret- professor of biochemistry and assis- Functional Wonder” David Seiden, professor of biochemistry and assis- Robert. “I can only ic peptide vs. furosemide in PhD, professor of neuroscience and tant dean for curriculum; Stephen H. imagine the fascina- patients with congestive heart cell biology and associate dean for Schneider, MD, professor of medicine tion that is derived admissions and student affairs; • “Ethical“Ethical Issues in Medicine” Ira B. failure.” The American Chemistry from learning every Robert R. Ford, MD ’83, clinical Black, MD, professor and chair, Council awarded $896,000 to instructor of radiology Department of Neuroscience and Cell detail. Mini Medical Panos Georgopoulos, PhD, • “Integrated“Integrated Learning in Cardiology: Biology; Russell L. McIntyre, ThD, School opened my Physiology and Electrophysiology: professor of environmental and eyes to the vast professor of environmental and occupational medicine occupational medicine knowledge that is occupational medicine, for required to pursue a “Diagnostic evaluation Both of Robert’s parents the Mini Medical School career as a medical doctor, and refinement of procedures are physicians and RWJMS faculty, and Barbara A. but it also showed how for modeling exposures to VOCs. alumni: Robert R. Ford, Marroccoli, MD ’82, clini- interesting the required ”Through the Foundation of MD ’83, clinical instructor cal associate professor of knowledge can be.” of radiology, who served on medicine. “Learning how — K.O’N. — Continued on Page 20

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THE CLASS OF 2004 CAREER CHOICES UMDNJ-ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON MEDICAL SCHOOL NEWS PISCATAWAY & CAMDEN CAMPUSES EMERGENCY INTERNAL MEDICINE MEDICINE Success Marks Sachin Parikh: University of 2004 Match Day Lasanta Horana: Johns Hopkins Michigan Hospitals-Ann Arbor, Hospital, MD MI Meghan Johnson: Temple Himati Patel: Yale-New Haven University Hospital, PA Hospital, CT s the Class of 2004 Miriam Kulkarni: UMDNJ-Robert Zeshaan Rasheed: Mt. Sinai went through the annu- Wood Johnson Medical School- Hospital, NY ANESTHESIOLOGY al rite of passage known Camden, NJ; Einstein/Jacobi INTERNAL MEDICINE Kelly Shea: Temple University A Hospital, PA Andrew Baudo: McGaw Medical Medical Center, NY as Match Day, the Clinical Frederick Balzer: St. Vincent’s Center-NW University, IL Adam Landman: Harbor-UCLA Sunita Singh: Temple University Academic Buildng Conference Catholic Medical Center, NY Kishor Gandhi: Albert Einstein Medical Center, CA; UCLA Hospital, PA Soumit Basu: Cleveland Clinic Room was afloat with balloons Medical Center, PA; Thomas Medical Center, CA Stacey Stein: Einstein/ Foundation, OH and optimism. Clutching the Jefferson University, PA Sundip Patel: UMDNJ-Robert Montefiore Medical Center, NY Kathleen Bickel: UPMC Medical envelopes that would announce Luke Lin: UMDNJ-Robert Wood Wood Johnson Medical School- Olufemi Sunmonu: St. Luke’s- Education Program, PA Johnson Medical School- Camden, NJ Roosevelt, NY where and how they would Anna Broder: Einstein/ Piscataway, NJ; NYP Hospital, Adam Rosh: NYU School of Behjath Taqui: UMDNJ-Robert spend the next years of their Montefiore Medical Center, NY Columbia Presbyterian, NY Medicine, NY Wood Johnson Medical School- lives, students waited anx- Melissa Lopes: UMDNJ-Robert Cynthia Delgado: Mt. Sinai Camden, NJ Hospital, NY iously as Euton M. Laing, MD Wood Johnson Medical School- Danya Wenzler: Brown ’90, president, Alumni Associ- Piscataway, NJ; NYP Hospital, Chinonyerem Enyinna: UMDNJ- University Internal Medicine Columbia Presbyterian, NY Robert Wood Johnson Medical Residency, RI ation, proposed a champagne Charles Neustadt: St. Vincent’s School-Camden, NJ toast to the class. Then, exactly Catholic Medical Center, NY; Katalin Frisch: NYU School of at noon, they ripped open their UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medicine, NY envelopes and broke out the Medical School-Piscataway, NJ Snehal Gandhi: UMDNJ-Robert Joseph Yeh: UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School- cheers, hugs, and high fives. Wood Johnson Medical School- FAMILY PRACTICE Camden, NJ Between the Piscataway and Piscataway, NJ Benjamin Green: Hospital of the Mary Georgy: Brown University Camden campuses, the students Mark Yoa: UMDNJ-Robert Wood University of Pennsylvania, PA Internal Medicine Residency, RI Johnson Medical School- achieved a 97 percent match Alia Malik: Christiana Care, DE Matthew Grossman: NYP Camden, NJ; Hospital of the Hospital, Columbia Presbyterian, rate, 4 percent higher than the Arnelle McNeal: Christiana Care, INTERNAL University of Pennsylvania, PA NY national average. Moreover, they DE MEDICINE- Michael Hoffman: McGaw Alisa Meny: Maine Medical PRELIMINARY matched with extremely compet- Medical Center-NW University, IL Center itive residencies at some of the Matthew Jacobson: Christiana Leslie Garay: UMDNJ-Robert Lisa Plunkett: Hunterdon Medical Care, DE Wood Johnson Medical School- nation’s most prestigious institu- Center, NJ Deka Jama: University of Piscataway, NJ tions. Some 40 percent will enter Jessica Ramos: Hospital of the Minnesota Medical School, MN George Kihiczak: Yale-New residencies at academic health University of Pennsylvania, PA Jehana James: Indiana Haven Hospital, CT Rebecca Schaefer: Exempla St. centers in New Jersey, with 15 University School of Medicine, IN Wendy Myers: UMDNJ-Robert Joseph Hospital, CO percent at RWJMS and other Danielle Jones: Emory University Wood Johnson Medical School- Jason Womack: Thomas UMDNJ schools. Internal medi- School of Medicine, GA Piscataway, NJ DERMATOLOGY Jefferson University, PA cine remains the favorite resi- Johnny Kim: Yale-New Haven Kristen Petersen: Jersey Shore Mobolaji Opeola: Christiana Hospital, CT University Medical Center, NJ dency, with 26 percent of the Care, DE; Martin L King Jr./Drew, Christopher Leung: Boston class matched in that area. CA MEDICINE/ University Medical Center, MA PEDIATRICS Komal Pandya: UMDNJ-Robert “Our students, their advis- Debra Lewkowicz: UC, San Wood Johnson Medical School- ers, and the entire faculty Francisco, CA Nagarani Ramasubramaniam: Piscataway, NJ UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical Tamara Mahr: Pennsylvania deserve congratulations on the School-Newark, NJ highly successful results of the Hospital, PA residency match,” says David Amit Mehta: UMDNJ-Robert PHOTOS BY A.J. SUNDSTROM INTERNAL MEDICINE Wood Johnson Medical School- Seiden, PhD, professor of neu- Piscataway, NJ roscience and cell biology and Farah Ahmed: University of Virginia, VA Bernedette Minnella: University associate dean for admissions of Rochester/Strong Memorial, Romeu Azevedo: George NY and student affairs. Washington University, DC — K.O’N.

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ORTHOPAEDIC PSYCHIATRY SURGERY Allison Grolnick: Mt. Sinai Hospital, NY Andrew Lischuk: St. Luke’s- Ali Khanmohamadi: Beth Israel Roosevelt, NY Medical Center, NY NE Ari Seidenstein: Einstein/Montefiore Jessica Kovach: Hospital of the Medical Center, NY University of Pennsylvania, PA John Weinlein: University of Cecile Lee: University of Michigan NEUROLOGY Tennessee College of Medicine- PEDIATRICS-PRIMARY Hospitals-Ann Arbor, MI RADIOLOGY- Memphis, TN Michael Wolf: Maimonides Medical DIAGNOSTIC Andrew Epstein: University of Edward MacPhee: UPMC Medical Center, NY Rochester/Strong Memorial, NY Education Program, PA Benjamin Schneider: UMDNJ-Robert David Mysels: St. Luke’s-Roosevelt, NY Lee Kubersky: University of Virginia, VA PEDIATRICS/ Wood Johnson Medical School- Piscataway, NJ William Shaffer: UMDNJ-New PSYCHIATRY/CHILD Edward Phinney: UMDNJ-Robert Jersey Medical School-Newark, NJ PSYCHIATRY Wood Johnson Medical School- Jimmy Shih: Jersey Shore University Piscataway, NJ Medical Center, NJ; Morristown Michael Silverstein: Rush University Wilbert Yeung: Rhode Island Memorial Hospital, NJ Medical Center, IL; Phillip Seibell: Mt. Sinai Hospital, NY y Hospital/Brown University, RI Rush/Presbyterian/St. Luke’s, IL Gagandeep Singh: UMDNJ-Robert Jason Shou: UMDNJ-Robert Wood Wood Johnson Medical School- Johnson Medical School-Camden, PHYSICAL MEDICINE Piscataway, NJ NJ; Rochester General Hospital, NY Y OTOLARYNGOLOGY AND REHABILITATION Ramandeep Singh: Jersey Shore Douglas Leventhal: Thomas Alan Anschel: Jersey Shore University Medical Center, NJ; Jefferson University, PA University Medical Center, NJ; NYP Morristown Memorial Hospital, NJ Hospital, Columbia Presbyterian, NY l- PATHOLOGY Ana Bracilovic: Brooklyn Hospital SURGERY Wei Feng: University of Texas Center, NY; NYP Hospital, Columbia Rajeev Dhupar: UPMC Medical Medical School-Houston, TX Presbyterian, NY Education Program, PA NEUROSURGERY RaShonda Flowers: Atlantic Health Michael Gillespie: Albert Einstein Steven Falowski: Thomas Jefferson System, NJ; UMDNJ-Robert Wood Medical Center, PA PSYCHIATRY/ University, PA Johnson Medical School-Piscataway, Ihab Haddadin: University of COMMUNITY NJ Minnesota Medical School, MN MEDICAL/FAMILY OBSTETRICS Joseph Jimenez: Jersey Shore AND GYNECOLOGY PRACTICE Richard Herman: North Shore-Long University Medical Center, NJ; Island Jewish Health System, NY UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Taliba Foster: St. Vincent’s Hospital, NY Rosanne Botha: UC San Francisco, CA Shicha Kumar: UMDNJ-Robert Medical School-Piscataway, NJ Andrew Farkas: UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School- RADIATION- Wood Johnson Medical School- Joseph Lee: Westchester Medical Piscataway, NJ Center, NY; UMDNJ-Robert Wood ONCOLOGY Piscataway, NJ Dong-Seok Lee: Mt. Sinai Hospital, NY Johnson Medical School-Piscataway, Hartaj Gill: Emory University School PEDIATRICS Niraj Pahlajani: Lankenau University NJ Marcus Malek: Mt. Sinai Hospital, NY of Medicine, GA Sara Bonamo: Children’s Hospital of Hospital, PA; Fox Chase Cancer Asim Otey: UMDNJ-Robert Wood Arash Mohebati: UMDNJ-Robert Raquel Gomez: Bayfront Medical Philadelphia, PA Center, PA Johnson Medical School-Camden, Wood Johnson Medical School- Center, FL Tamika Brandon: University of NJ; Einstein/Montefiore Medical RADIOLOGY- Piscataway, NJ Cheryl Graber: Hospital of the Louisville School of Medicine, KY Center, NY DIAGNOSTIC Chaitan Narsule: Rhode Island l- University of Pennsylvania, PA Monique Collier: NYP Hospital, Hospital/Brown University, RI Ankit Patel: Christiana Care, DE; Michael Birkhoff: Christiana Care, Yelena Havryliuk: NYP Hospital, NY Columbia Presbyterian, NY Baylor College of Medicine-Houston, DE; Pennsylvania Hospital, PA James Parker: Westchester Medical Cornell, NY Alison Escalante: Duke University Center, NY TX Brian Callahan: UMDNJ-Robert Christian Litton: Mt. Sinai Hospital, NY Medical Center, NC Jeffrey Radecki: Lehigh Valley Wood Johnson Medical School- Elizabeth Robinson: UCLA Medical t Lena Merjanian: UMDNJ-Robert Sandra Grossman: Miami Children’s Hospital, PA; NYP Hospital, Columbia Piscataway, NJ; Beth Israel Center, CA l- Wood Johnson Medical School- Hospital, FL Presbyterian, NY Deaconess Medical Center, MA Mikel Sadek: NYU School of Piscataway, NJ Renata Ostrowicki: University of Christopher DeMauro: Albert Einstein Medicine, NY Joshua Nitsche: Mayo Graduate Rochester/Strong Memorial, NY Medical Center, PA Steven Ugras: Morristown Memorial School of Medicine, MN Jodi Pike: Children’s National Vincent Graziano: St. Vincent’s Hospital, NJ Sagar Patel: Jersey Shore University Medical Center, DC Hospital, NY; Maimonides Medical Medical Center, NJ Rebecca Raczynski: Eastern Virginia Center, NY SURGERY- Medical School, VA PRELIMINARY OPHTHALMOLOGY Joshua Kellerman: Drexel (MCP Lilia Reyes: Einstein/Jacobi Medical Hahnemann) University College of Dohyoon Cha: UMDNJ-Robert Wood Amy Modi: Mt. Sinai School of Center, NY Medicine, PA; Temple University Johnson Medical School-Piscataway, Medicine/Cabrini, NY; Wayne State Dana Sepe: Children’s Hospital of Hospital, PA NJ University, MI Philadelphia, PA Kheng Lim: Christiana Care, DE UROLOGY Revathi Naadimuthu: UMDNJ-Robert Monica Venegas: UMDNJ-Robert PLASTIC SURGERY Amer Naiem: Stony Brook Teaching Wood Johnson Medical School- Wood Johnson Medical School- Hospitals, NY Douglas Berkman: NYP Hospital, Piscataway, NJ; New York Medical Charbel Chalfoun: UC Irvine Medical Piscataway, NJ Elder Oliveros: St. Barnabas Medical Columbia Presbyterian, NY College, NY Center, CA Gita Viswam: St. Christopher’s Michael Loffredo: Medical College of Center, NJ; UMDNJ-Robert Wood Marc Feder: Einstein/Montefiore Rupal Patel: St. Barnabas Medical Hospital, PA Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals, WI Johnson Medical School-Piscataway, Medical Center, NY Center, NJ; St. Luke’s-Roosevelt, NY NJ

Robert Wood Johnson ■ MEDICINE 19 RWJMed_SS04.finWeb 9/13/04 8:03 AM Page 20

r wjms

Research[news] — Continued from Page 19 NEWS

INDUSTRY Expanded Cores And Shared Equipment Grants FUNDING: Support Strategic Planning Goals UMDNJ, Alice B. Gottlieb, MD, PhD, William H. Conzen Professor of Clinical Pharma- “ irst-rate core facilities Sequencing and Synthesis cores, shared equipment pro- and shared equipment Core Facility, also serve out- posals to the NIH must specify cology, professor of medicine, are vital to faculty re- side investigators. The extend- the equipment’s availability, and director, Clinical Research F search programs,” says Terri ed user base not only helps particularly with respect to the Center, received a $75,000 Goss Kinzy, PhD, professor of contain costs for the school’s grant applicants. To increase research grant from Beiersdorf. molecular genetics, microbiol- scientists, it also provides school-wide access to state-of- ogy, and immunology and additional funds for reinvest- the-art technology, the RWJMS PUBLISHED chair, Research Committee. ment in technology upgrades. Subcommittee on Core Facil- RESEARCH: “They are a key component Interfaces between RWJMS ities has favored those propos- John D. Baxter, MD, associate in the prestigious center and als that will make shared professor of medicine, was last program project grants that The 15 core facilities equipment available on a cross- help establish and support departmental basis, or further author and protocol co-chair of at RWJMS increase “Structured Treatment Interrup- pre-eminence in biomedical increase access by siting it with- science.” At UMDNJ-Robert in the school’s core facilities. tion in Patients with Multidrug- the availability of Wood Johnson Medical Harold L. Paz, MD, dean, Resistant Human Immunodefi- state-of-the-art School, she adds, core facili- recently approved the subcom- ciency Virus,” published in The ties and shared equipment can equipment and on-site mittee’s recommendation to New England Journal of Medicine provide a critical link between technical expertise support three shared equip- 2003:349(9):837–846. Warren clinical and basic research. ment grant proposals to the R. Heymann, MD, professor of In 2002, the vital role of available for each of NIH, for an 800 MHz nuclear medicine, Camden campus, was core facilities and shared the school’s research magnetic resonator, a Zeiss equipment was a recurring confocal microscope, and an senior author of “Western Blot- theme at the RWJMS strategic scientists. ABI 4700 TOF/TOF MS ting as the Confirmatory Test planning retreat. These discus- (time-of-flight mass spectrome- for Syphilis in a Patient with sions led to the establishment core facilities promise to enter). The dean’s approval Systemic Lupus Erythematosus,” of the Subcommittee on Core hance existing services. The brought significant long-term published in Archives of Derma- Facilities, which promptly RWJMS Microarray Core commitment to these projects tology 2004:140:490–491. began an ongoing review of Facility, directed by Daniel A. — ensuring laboratory space the school’s core facilities. In Notterman, MD, University for the first and underwritten Jonathan J. Hwang, MD ’95, addition, the Office of Research Professor and chair, Depart- costs for the others. assistant professor of surgery, and Sponsored Programs ment of Pediatrics, is located “The expansion of our was first author of “Laparo- piloted a method to support on the New Brunswick cam- research cores and the dean’s scopic Management of Extra- investigators who submit pro- pus. Soon, a satellite of the support for shared equipment Adrenal Pherochromocytoma,” posals for shared equipment Microarray Core’s Affymetrix grants support our strategic published in the Journal of grants to the National Chip System will be added to goal to sustain research excel- Urology 171, no. 1 (January Institutes of Health (NIH). the DNA core, on the lence at RWJMS,” says Alice The 15 core facilities at Piscataway campus, expand- Lustig, chief operating officer, 2004): 72–76. L. Nandini RWJMS increase the avail- ing both the technology of the RWJMS. Moorthy, MD, assistant profes- ability of state-of-the-art Microarray core and the — K.O’N. sor of pediatrics, was first equipment and on-site techni- expertise of its staff. author of “Quality of Life in cal expertise available for Shared equipment works Detailed descriptions of the Pediatric Lupus,” published in each of the school’s research somewhat differently from RWJMS core facilities are Lupus (2004): 234–235. scientists. Some, such as the core facilities, explains Dr. online at http://www2.umdnj. RWJMS fee-based DNA Kinzy. In contrast to the edu/orspweb/corefacilities.htm. — Continued on Page 21

20 Robert WoodJohnson ■ MEDICINE RWJMed_SS04.finWeb 9/13/04 8:03 AM Page 21

[news]Research — Continued from Page 18

Raising Juggling to a Healing Art PUBLISHED RESEARCH: Danny F. Reinberg, PhD, Distinguished University Profes- an Rossman has raised jug- sor of Biochemistry and Inves- gling to an art. I tigator, Howard Hughes Medical At 14, Ian inherited a Jug- Institute, co-authored an ar- gling for Klutzes set from his father and challenged himself ticle published online December to juggle a growing variety of 11, 2003, in the magazine objects. By 2002, he had con- Science. The article was titled verted the art of juggling to “Epigenetic Dynamics of Im- the art of healing. During the COURTESY OF IAN ROSSMAN printed X Inactivation During summer before his second year Early Mouse Development.” at RWJMS, Ian learned that The Arnold P. Gold Founda- Monica J. Roth, PhD, professor tion for Humanism in Medi- of biochemistry, was senior cine would sponsor a student charged, they can hold little Ian Rossman (bottom left), an MD/PhD author of three recently published on a clown tour in Russia, to hope of economic or social re- candidate, with fellow clowns, on a tour articles including “Functional of Russian orphanages. entertain children in orphan- assimilation. Interaction Between the N- and ages and pediatric wards. Eager The Clown Tour is run by C-terminal Domains of Murine to add physical comedy to his physician/clown Patch Adams, the way, Sasha had picked up Leukemia Virus Surface Envelope juggling routines, Ian volun- MD, who is a board member English,” says Ian. “He served teered, was accepted, and soon of Maria’s Children, a Moscow- as our translator wherever he Protein,” published in Virology found himself at Newark based children’s rehabilitation went.” 2003:3:(10):131–141. Michael Airport in full clown regalia. center that was established by A future pediatric neurolo- M. Shen, PhD, professor of The medical student and his Maria Yeliseyeva. She contin- gist, Ian finished his second pediatrics and resident member, clown persona would be insep- ues as director of the center, year of medical school after CABM, co-authored “Develop- arable throughout the two- which promotes art education returning from Russia. An mental Origins of the Mammalian week journey. With puppets, as a means of heightening soci- MD/PhD candidate, he will balloons, pratfalls, and joyful ety’s appreciation of children complete a doctorate in neuro- Body Plan,” in Inborn Errors of noise, the clown troupe broke and reversing child abuse. cell biology with Emanuel M. Development: The Molecular Basis down the children’s psycholog- Mrs. Yeliseyeva has rescued DiCicco-Bloom, MD, profes- of Clinical Disorders of Morpho- ical shells along with barriers many orphans from institu- sor of neuroscience and cell genesis, edited by D.J. Epstein, biology, before returning to his of language and culture. tional life, and several accom- R.P. Erickson, and A. Whynsaw- According to Human Rights panied the tour. Because they clinical rotations and the com- Boris (New York: Oxford Univer- Watch, 95 percent of the well understood the plight of pletion of his medical degree. sity Press), pp. 53–66. Carmine “orphans” in Russia have a liv- institutionalized children, ob- — K.O’N. ing parent but have been aban- serves Ian, these orphans were Guirland, a doctoral candidate doned to the state for domestic among the best and brightest The Web site of Maria’s in the laboratory of James Q. or financial reasons. Ian learn- clowns. Among them was Children provides extensive Zheng, PhD, associate profes- ed that once in the system, most Sasha, a 16-year-old orphan information about its sor of neuroscience and cell of these children are institu- who had been classified as programs in the arts and biology, was first author of “Lipid tionalized and permanently debil. After many years in an the children served by the Rafts Mediate Chemotropic classified as debil, or defective. orphanage, he was rescued by organization.Visit Very few receive meaningful Mrs. Yeliseyeva, who provided http://www.papaink.org/ Guidance of Nerve Growth education or training. love, a family, and exposure to gallery/home/artist/ Cones,” published in Neuron Ultimately, when they are dis- the arts. “Somewhere along display/154.html. 2004: Apr 8 42(1):51.

Robert Wood Johnson ■ MEDICINE 21 RWJMed_SS04.finWeb 9/13/04 8:07 AM Page 22 (new) Faculty Appointments through June 16, 2004

Department of Department of Medicine Department of Medicine Department of Obstetrics, Department of Pathology Anesthesiology Gynecology, and and Laboratory Medicine Rohit R. Arora, MD Prasanna Sugathan, MD Reproductive Sciences Monty H. S. Wang, MD, MPH Clinical Professor Assistant Professor Eric K. Richfield, MD, PhD Assistant Professor MD, Topiwalla National MD, University of Tennessee Martin R. Chavez, MD Associate Professor MD, Taipei Medical School, Medical College, 1976 College of Medicine, 1990 Assistant Professor MD, Medical College of Taiwan, 1978 MD, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Wisconsin, 1980 MPH, University of Tamir Ben-Menachem, MD Stephen W. Trzeciak, MD Johnson Medical School, PhD, University of Michigan, Pittsburgh School of Public Associate Professor Assistant Professor 1996 1987 Health, 1986 MD, Ben-Gurion University MD, University of Wisconsin of the Negev, Israel, 1989 School of Medicine, 1996 Elizabeth K. Cherot, MD Silvia S. Verde De Peralta, Assistant Professor Department of Biochemistry MD Justin J. Green, MD Melvin C. White, MD MD, University of Rochester Instructor Raymond Habas, PhD Assistant Professor Assistant Professor School of Medicine and MD, National University of Assistant Professor MD, UMDNJ-Robert Wood MD, Hahnemann Medical Dentistry, 1996 Córdoba School of Medicine, PhD, State University of New Johnson Medical School, College, 1976 Spain, 1980 1998 Susan Janeczek, DO York at Stony Brook, 1998 Sergio L. Zanotti Cavazzoni, Assistant Professor Department of Pediatrics Brian A. Lewis, PhD C. Gregory Hagerty, PhD MD DO, UMDNJ-School of Adjunct Assistant Professor Assistant Professor Assistant Professor Osteopathic Medicine, 1995 Daniel J. Baker, PhD PhD, Princeton University, PhD, Rutgers University, MD, Facultad de Ciencias Assistant Professor Eckhard Kemmann, MD 1993 2002 Medicas, Universidad Oxford PhD, University of de Asunción, Paraguay, 1995 Professor Minnesota, 1993 Anton V. Persikov, PhD Thomas A. Judge, MD MD, University of Düsseldorf, Adjunct Assistant Professor Associate Professor Department of Molecular West Germany, 1967 Mantu Bhaumik, PhD PhD, Russian Academy of MD, Temple University Genetics, Microbiology, and Assistant Professor Michele S. Lo, MD Sciences, 1998 School of Medicine, 1987 Immunology PhD, Indian Institute of Instructor Chemical Biology/Jadavpur Department of Emergency Richard K. Kasama, MD Philip Furmanski, PhD MD, Jefferson Medical Associate Professor, Camden University, Calcutta, India, Medicine Professor College, 1999 1992 campus PhD, Temple University, 1970 Michael A. Kirchhoff, MD MD, Hahnemann University, Myriam A. J. Mondestin- Kelly A. Bradley-Dodds, MD Sorrentino, MD Assistant Professor 1985 Department of Neurology Assistant Professor MD, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Assistant Professor Irina L. Korichneva, PhD MD, Jefferson Medical Johnson Medical School, Kouichi Ito, PhD MD, Hahnemann University College, 1998 1997 Instructor Assistant Professor School of Medicine, 1995 PhD, Moscow University, PhD, Tokyo Jikei University Dennis P. Carmody, PhD Russia, 1990 Atul V. Patel, MD Department of School of Medicine, Japan, Adjunct Professor Clinical Assistant Professor PhD, Temple University, 1980 Environmental and Anand Kumar, MD 1991 MD, Seth G. S. Medical Occupational Medicine Associate Professor Eunsung Junn, PhD College, Bombay, India, 1976 John W. Glod, PhD, MD Grace L. Lu-Yao, PhD, MPH MD, Faculty of Medicine, Assistant Professor Instructor Mayur V. Patel, MD Associate Professor University of Toronto, PhD, University of Colorado PhD, Korea Advanced Clinical Instructor MPH, Yale University School Canada, 1986 Health Sciences Center, 1994 Institute of Science and MD, University of London, of Medicine, 1988 MD, University of Colorado Neil A. Lachant, MD Technology, 1996 England, 1993 PhD, Yale University School Professor Health Sciences Center, 1996 of Medicine, 1990 Brenda Y. Wu, MD, PhD MD, University of Vermont Marlene Schwebel, RN, JD Kerry L. Leupold, DO Assistant Professor Instructor Sheng-Wei Wang, PhD School of Medicine, 1974 Assistant Professor MD, Sun Yat-Sen University, RN, State University of New Assistant Professor DO, New York College of Christopher B. McFadden, MD Guangdong, China, 1990 York–Downstate Medical PhD, Rutgers University, Osteopathic Medicine, 1997 Assistant Professor PhD, Albany Medical College, Center, 1974 1998 1997 MD, Medical College of JD, Seton Hall University Ian Marshall, MD Virginia, 1996 School of Law, 1994 Department of Anna K. Yuzefovich, MD Assistant Professor MD, University of Cape Town Family Medicine Barbara A. Porter, MD, MPH Assistant Professor Hee-Ja Sesta, MD Assistant Professor MD, Ross University School Medical School, South Clinical Assistant Professor Africa, 1991 Bruce I. Brodkin, MD MPH, University of California of Medicine, 1998 MD, EWHA Women’s Clinical Instructor at Berkeley, 1991 University, Seoul, South Lakshmi N. Moorthy, MD MD, George Washington MD, Tulane University, 1995 Department of Neuroscience Korea, 1970 University School of and Cell Biology Assistant Professor MD, Maulana Azad Medical Medicine, 1967 Naomi Schlesinger, MD John A. Sesta, MD Assistant Professor Joseph DeBlasio, MD College, New Delhi, India, Clinical Assistant Professor 1995 Nicole E. Isaacson, PhD MD, Technion–Israel Institute Adjunct Assistant Professor MD, Georgetown University Adjunct Assistant Professor of Technology, 1988 MD, St. George’s University, School of Medicine, 1972 PhD, Rutgers University, Grenada, 1983 Tarek A. Nakhla, MD Assistant Professor 2001 Joseph C. Shanahan, MD Namrata J. Shah, MD Assistant Professor MD, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Clinical Assistant Professor University of Alexandria, Department of Medicine MD, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Gynecology, and MD, Seth G. S. Medical Egypt, 1987 Johnson Medical School, Reproductive Sciences College, University of Mark Angelo, MD 1997 Bombay, India, 1991 Ifeyinwa N. Osunkwo, MD, Assistant Professor Neshi Bakshi, MD MPH MD, Temple University Robert A. Somer, MD Clinical Assistant Professor Allison R. Wagreich, MD Assistant Professor School of Medicine, 1998 Assistant Professor MD, Nagpur Medical College, Instructor MD, University of Nigeria MD, State University of New India, 1961 MD, State University of New York at Stony Brook School School of Medical Sciences York–Downstate Medical and Dentistry, 1994 of Medicine, 1997 Dilip I. Bharucha, MD Center, 1999 Clinical Assistant Professor MPH, Johns Hopkins MD, Gujarat University, University School of Hygiene India, 1977 and Public Health, 1997 22 Robert WoodJohnson ■ MEDICINE RWJMed_SS04.finWeb 9/13/04 8:07 AM Page 23 SPOT sta f f

Points of Pride Department of Pediatrics Department of Psychiatry Nancy E. Reichman, PhD Yuange Hu, MD, PhD light Associate Professor Assistant Professor PhD, City University of New MD, Hunan Medical At Convocation, Arnold P. Gold Foundation York Graduate Center, 1993 University, Hunan, China, Humanism Awards were awarded to Cheryl A. 1990 Laura J. Snyder, MD PhD, Wayne State University, Dickson, MD, clinical associate professor of pedi- Assistant Professor 1996 MD, UMDNJ-Robert Wood atrics, and William E. Scorza, MD, professor of Johnson Medical School, 1996 Jasmine Naheed, MD obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences. Clinical Instructor Alan S. Weller, MD MD, Dhaka Medical College, Lawrence I. Golbe, MD, professor of neurology, Assistant Professor Bangladesh, 1986 MD, Temple University received the Fred Springer Award from the School of Medicine, 1992 Sherie L. Novotny, MD BY American Parkinson’s Disease Association (APDA) for Assistant Professor H. Matthew Wheatley, MD MD, Medical College of KATE accomplishment in Clinical Assistant Professor Pennsylvania, 1992 MD, Johns Hopkins University O’NEILL research in the disease. School of Medicine, 1994 Marc L. Steinberg, PhD In addition, the APDA Instructor Weizhen Xu, MD PhD, University of South awarded one of three Assistant Professor Florida, 2003 2003 Roger C. Duvoisin, MD, Fudan University School of Medicine, Shanghai, MD, Fellowships to M. Department of STEVE HOCKSTEIN China, 1987 Radiation Oncology Maral Mouradian, Department of Pharmacology Steven J DiBiase, MD MD, William Dow Associate Professor, Camden Vladimir A. Bondarenko, PhD campus Lovett Professor of Adjunct Assistant Professor MD, Hahnemann University Neurology. Dr. Duvoisin, professor emeritus and for- PhD, Shemyakin Institute of School of Medicine, 1994 Bioorganic Chemistry, mer chair, Department of Neurology, held the first Moscow, Russia, 1992 Satish M Jaywant, PhD Lovett Professorship and is a former chair of the Associate Professor Department of Physiology PhD, University of Bombay, APDA Scientific Advisory Board. And in April, India, 1990 and Biophysics Anette V. Nieves, MD, assistant professor of neu- Marco A. P. Brotto, PhD Venkateswa R. Narra, PhD rology, received the Excellence in Service Award Assistant Professor Associate Professor PhD, Trinity College, London, PhD, Andhra University, from the New Jersey chapter of the APDA. England, 1999 Waltair, India, 1986 The American Rob J. Zachow, PhD Department of Surgery Chemical Society recog- Associate Professor PhD, University of Kansas, 1993 David A. Fuller, MD nized Alice B. Gottlieb, Assistant Professor MD, PhD, William H. Department of Psychiatry MD, University of Pennsylvania School of Conzen Professor of Padmaja Annamaneni, MD Medicine, 1991 Clinical Pharmacology, Assistant Professor MD, Siddartha Medical Eric L. Hume, MD NAT CLYMER professor of medicine, Professor College, Vijayawada, India, and director, Clinical 1993 MD, State University of New York–Upstate Medical Research Center, for Adriana Cordal, MD Center, 1978 Assistant Professor mentoring high school students in the Project SEED MD, University of the Lawrence S. Miller, MD Program. Republic, Montevideo, Associate Professor Uruguay, 1985 MD, Jefferson Medical The American Jewish Congress, New Jersey College, 1979 Kalyani Deshpande, MD Region, honored Clinical Instructor Ronald A. Morton, MD William N. Hait, MD, MD, Andhra Medical College, Professor India, 1991 MD, Johns Hopkins PhD, professor of medi- University School of cine and pharmacology, Roseanne D. Dobkin, PhD Medicine, 1986 Instructor associate dean for PhD, MCP–Hahnemann Robert F. Ostrum, MD oncology programs,

University, 2002 Professor JOHN EMERSON MD, Temple University and director, The Lily Z. Gutterman, MD Medical School, 1980 Instructor Cancer Institute of New MD, Beijing Medical School, Manisha R. Shende, MD Jersey (CINJ), with its China, 1984 Assistant Professor MD, Lokmanya Tilak inaugural Maimonides Award. M Municipal Medical College, Bombay, India, 1989 Robert Wood Johnson ■ MEDICINE 23 RWJMed_SS04.finWeb 9/13/04 8:07 AM Page 24 SPOT sta f f

Dr. Zehring Appointed Assistant Dean for Curriculum

illiam A. Zehring, and second-year RWJMS cur-

light PhD, associate pro- riculum. Dr. Zehring’s expertise Wfessor of biochem- and diplomacy became impor- istry, has been appointed assistant factors in encouraging fac- tant dean for curriculum, a ulty feedback on the proposed newly created post at UMDNJ- revisions and developing the Robert Wood Johnson Medical support required for their JOHN EMERSON School. “Creation of this new adoption. position clearly demonstrates The following spring, the BY the dean’s commitment to cur- Liaison Committee on Medical KATE riculum development,” says position,” says Harold L. Paz, Education (LCME) granted a O’NEILL Marie C. Trontell, MD ’76, pro- MD, dean. full, eight-year accreditation fessor of medicine and senior Teaching and curriculum for RWJMS, citing the flexible associate dean for education. development have always been curriculum among the school’s In 2001, as chair of the first- among his top career goals, says leading strengths. “The LCME year course directors, Dr. Dr. Zehring, who is a UMDNJ findings have strengthened the Zehring was appointed to the Master Educator. As a member mandate of the [Curriculum] Curriculum Committee and of the 2002 Education Task Committee,” says Dr. Zehring, was elected chair in 2003. “Dr. Force, he visited other medical “increasing our ability to Zehring’s strong interest in cur- schools to research integrated, review and improve the quality riculum development and his cross-departmental programs of the curriculum.” service to the Curriculum and identify strengths that Along with first-year course Committee supremely qualify would “promote interdepart- directors, Frank J. Wilson, PhD, KIM SOKOLOFF him for this important new mental synergy” in the first- professor of neuroscience and cell biology, and Michael C. Newlon, PhD, assistant profes- RWJMS Maintains International Ties sor of molecular genetics, microbiology, and immunology, Dr. Zehring con- RWJMS sponsored a day of tinues to work with workshops and tours for fellows from the task force that is Institute 2003. The institute is funded by assessing the third- the Foundation for the Advancement of and fourth-year cur- International Medicine Education and riculum. In addition, Research, a non-profit foundation of the Educational Commission for Foreign he is working on Medical Graduates. Here, institute fellows revisions to the first- and program leaders are welcomed to year curriculum, RWJMS by program liaison Ranita while establishing an Sharma, MD, clinical assistant professor of in-house workshop medicine (front left) and Harold L. Paz, MD, on team-learning. dean (front, right). Guests included (front row) Vivek Saoji, MBBS (India); He looks forward to

Sam Luboga, MB ChB, PhD (Uganda); A.J. SUNDSTROM working with Cheryl Charles Mkony, MD (Tanzania); Sekelani A. Dickson, MD, Banda, MB ChB (Zambia); clinical associate Ahuka Ona Longombe, MD, PhD professor of pedi- (Democratic Republic of Congo); and Muhammad Z. Khan, MD (Pakistan); (middle row) Solomon Genet, BSc, PhD (Ethiopia); Lisa Johnson, administrative manager, Institute 2003; and Rashmi Vyas, MBBS, MD (India); (back row) William P. Burdick, MD, atrics, the new Curriculum M program co-director; Huseyin Cahit Taskiran, MD (Turkey); Eliana Amaral, MD, PhD (Brazil); Elena Barragan, MD, PhD (Argentina); Committee chair. and Tejinder Singh, MBBS, MD (India).

24 Robert WoodJohnson ■ MEDICINE RWJMed_SS04.finWeb 9/13/04 8:07 AM Page 25

Three Selected for Master Educators Guild

aster Educators physiology course and over- in medicine, and he successful- His approach brought imme- Guild medallions saw its adaptation to the new ly incorporated OSCEs diate success, and under his Mwere awarded at second-year curriculum. He (Objectively Structured leadership the program has University Day to Michael E. also coordinates the summer Clinical Examinations) into continued to grow. Dr. Chansky, MD, associate pro- preceptorship in medicine and the course. Winkelmann serves as both fessor and chair, Department chairs both the Clerkship Dr. Winkelmann joined the course director and lecturer in of Emergency Medicine; John Directors Committee and the the molecular sciences core A. Walker, MD, professor of Library Committee. Since curriculum. He has facilitated medicine; and Donald A. 1994, Dr. Walker has directed the adaptation of his depart- Winkelmann, PhD, associate the third-year junior clerkship ment’s successful small-group professor of pathology and format into the revised under- laboratory medicine. graduate curriculum. “Dr. Dr. Chansky, who has more Winkelmann is a leader in the

than 20 years of experience PETER BYRON use of Web-based resources teaching emergency medicine, for the curriculum and a much appreciated adviser and men- faculty in 1986 and developed tor to students,” says Henry

PETER BYRON the structural biology program Brezenoff, PhD, acting dean, by recruiting and supporting UMDNJ-Graduate School of graduate students in this area. Biomedical Sciences. M

KIM SOKOLOFF AAMC Awards Special Honor to Dr. Brenner

particularly enjoys faculty mentoring and development. He believes that the Depart- top nominee for the ment of Emergency Medicine Association of Ameri- offers the ideal teaching envi- Acan Medical Colleges’ ronment. “Dr. Chansky men- 2003 Humanism in Medicine tors many of our graduates Award, Jeffrey C. Brenner, throughout their own faculty MD ’95, instructor of family careers,” says Paul R. Mehne, medicine, was singled out by PhD, associate professor of the association for his “ex- family medicine and associate emplary leadership in human- dean for student affairs, ism and community service.” Camden campus, adding, “He In lieu of a reception, Dr. is the standard against which Brenner requested that the other gifted educators are Pfizer Medical Humanities judged.” Initiative, a co-sponsor of KIM SOKOLOFF Dr. Walker often meets the award, donate $500 to with students applying to Hopeworks ’N Camden. The graduate programs, and he non-profit organization seeks Jeffrey C. Brenner, MD '95, instructor of family medicine (center), receives a special writes countless departmental to reduce the city’s 70 per- award from the Association of American Medical Colleges for “leadership in humanism and community service.” Here, he is congratulated by Paul R. Mehne, PhD, associate letters of recommendation. A cent dropout rate and professor of family medicine and associate dean for student affairs, Camden campus, nephrologist, he directed the expand youth employment and Julian DeLehman, MBA, institutional healthcare representative, Pfizer Medical second-year clinical patho- training and opportunities. M Humanities Initiative, which supported the award.

Robert Wood Johnson ■ MEDICINE 25 RWJMed_SS04.finWeb 9/13/04 8:07 AM Page 26 SPOT sta f f

Points of Pride

Robert Wood Johnson University icine (ELAM) Program for Women Occupational Health Sciences Insti- Hospital (RWJUH) recently presented selected Terri Goss Kinzy, PhD, pro- tute (EOHSI), to serve as vice chair an Award of Honor to William of an expert technical review panel light Hamilton, manager of audiovisual studying the environmental after- service. Mr. Hamilton was the first math of the World Trade Center non-physician from RWJMS to attacks. receive this recognition. In addition, The RWJMS Department of Fac- an Award of Honor was presented to ulty Affairs awarded its 2004 Facul- Patricia N. Whitley-Williams, MD, ty Mentoring Awards to Stephen F. associate professor of pediatrics and Lowry, MD, professor and chair,

vice chair, Outreach Education, NAT CLYMER Department of Surgery (in the clini- BY Department of Pediatrics. Dr. cal sciences), and Donald A. KATE Whitley-Williams also serves as chief, Winkelmann, PhD, associate pro- O’NEILL division of immunology, allergy, and fessor of molecular genetics, microbi- fessor of pathology and laboratory infectious disease at Bristol-Myers ology, and immunology, as a 2003– medicine (in the basic sciences). Squibb Children’s Hospital at RWJUH. 2004 fellow. She is the first RWJMS Judith A. Neubauer, PhD, pro- Barton A. Kamen, MD, PhD, faculty member selected for this fessor of medicine and acting sen- professor of pediatrics and pharma- honor. Dr. Kinzy also was recently ior associate dean for research, was cology, and chief, pediatric oncolo- honored for her community service selected by the president of the gy/hematology, was honored on by the Somerset County Commission February 20 as “Man of the Year” on the Status of Women. by the Open Your Heart to Children The federal Environmental Pro- Battling Cancer Foundation and the tection Agency (EPA) has appointed Institute for Children with Cancer Paul J. Lioy, PhD, professor of en- and Blood Disorders. vironmental and occupational medi- The Hedwig van Ameringen Exec- cine and deputy director of govern- utive Leadership in Academic Med- mental affairs, Environmental and JOHN EMERSON

Publishing News American Thoracic Society (ATS) to be profiled in the society’s newslet- ter, Who’s Who in ATS. The Institute for Scientific chair, Department of Neuroscience professor of environmental and Daniel A. Notterman, MD, Information named several RWJMS and Cell Biology (in neuroscience); occupational medicine (in ecology University Professor and chair, faculty to its most recent list of Marilyn S. Kozak, PhD, professor and environment); Leroy F. Liu, Department of Pediatrics, has been “most highly cited” authors. The of biochemistry (in molecular PhD, professor and chair, elected to membership in the faculty members and their fields are biology, genetics, biology, and Department of Pharmacology (in American Pediatric Society. Earlier Ira B. Black, MD, professor and biochemistry); Paul J. Lioy, PhD, biology and biochemistry); and this year, the Middlesex County Stephen F. Lowry, MD, professor and chair, Department of Surgery (in immunology). William N. Hait, MD, PhD, professor of medicine and pharmacology, associate dean for oncology programs, and director, The Cancer

COURTESY OF EOHSI Institute of New Jersey, has been NAT CLYMER

NAT CLYMER appointed editor in chief of Clinical Cancer Research. M

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Regional Chamber of Commerce medicine, Camden campus, for his of family medicine and environmen- has been invited to serve on the honored Dr. Notterman as a role as an outstanding teacher, aca- tal and occupational medicine and National Institute of Child Health and Community Leader of Distinction. demician, mentor, and role model. associate dean for community health. Human Development study section, The Society of Hospital Medicine In May, at its Salute to Policy David B. Seifer, MD, professor of “Reproduction, Andrology and presented its 2004 Award for Makers Awards dinner, the Execu- obstetrics, gynecology, and reproduc- Gynecology.” His four-year term Excellence in Teaching to Vijay K. started in July. Rajput, MD, assistant professor of At its annual meeting, in May, - the American Society for Micro- F. biology awarded the prestigious Becton-Dickinson Award for COURTESY OF DAVID B. SEIFER, MD Research in Clinical Microbiology to Melvin P. Weinstein, MD, professor of medicine and pathology. The

NAT CLYMER society cited Dr. Weinstein for his “career of outstanding research in A.J. SUNDSTROM infectious diseases that has pro- tive Women of New Jersey honored tive sciences and director of repro- foundly shaped the practice of clini- s Denise V. Rodgers, MD, professor ductive endocrinology and infertility, cal microbiology.” M

Professionally Speaking

asayori Inouye, PhD, professor of medicine and associate gery and chief, Kidney and named International Health

JOHN EMERSON M professor and chair, Department of dean for postgraduate education, Pancreas Transplantation Services, Professional of the Year by the Biochemistry, presented a paper, moderated a panel of the nation’s RWJUH, chaired the Scientific Biographical Center at Cambridge “mRNA interferases and cell African-American transplant sur- Review Committee at the Fourth University. death,” in March at the 154th geons, convened in honor of Black Annual Transplant Symposium, in RWJMS students awarded the Meeting of the Society for General History Month. Dr. Kountz’s father, Scottsdale, Arizona. 2004 AOA Alumni Award to Microbiology, at the University of the late Samuel L. Kountz, Jr., MD, Stephen F. Lowry, MD, pro- Alfred F. Tallia, MD ’78, MPH, Bath. Dr. Inouye described the was a pioneer in kidney transplant fessor and chair, Department of associate professor and vice chair, recent discovery of the possible role surgery and is widely recognized as Surgery, delivered the 2004 Department of Family Medicine. of messenger RNA interferase in the nation’s first African-American Jonathan E. Rhoads Lecture at the Daniel E. Wartenberg, PhD, causing bacterial cells to self- transplant surgeon. 28th clinical congress of the professor of environmental and destruct under stress. In January, David A. Laskow, American Society for Parenteral occupational medicine, is David S. Kountz, MD, associate MD ’81, associate professor of sur- and Enteral Nutrition, held in Las president-elect of the International Vegas in February. Society for Environmental At a National Institutes of Epidemiology. Health (NIH) symposium in Peter J. Yim, PhD, assistant pro- February, M. Maral Mouradian, fessor of radiology, won a Summa MD, William Dow Lovett Cum Laude Award for a poster co- Professor of Neurology, spoke on presented at the 2004 annual meet- “Pathogenic proteins in ing of the International Society for Parkinson’s disease and emerging Optical Engineering. Dr. Yim’s poster A.J. SUNDSTROM

NAT CLYMER therapeutic targets.” was titled “Multimodality image- DAN KATZ James R. Seibold, MD, pro- based models of carotid artery fessor of medicine, has been hemodynamics.” M

Robert Wood Johnson ■ MEDICINE 27 STEVE ALLEN, BRAND X PICTURES RWJMed_SS04.finWeb 9/13/04 8:21 AM Page 28 Page AM 8:21 9/13/04 RWJMed_SS04.finWeb RWJMed_SS04.finWeb 9/13/04 8:21 AM Page 29

Neurological Research: Parallel Paths to Discovery

cience is not only a collaborative endeavor, it is one that demands intellec-

tual flexibility. Perseverance may be the yardstick that measures the

success of a single milestone, but beyond resolve is the curiosity of

researchers unwilling to settle for a solo approach to their investiga-

tions. First, there is recognition that no one approach is likely to hold all the Sanswers to complex and devastating diseases. Second, there is an understanding that one direction may well shed light on a different approach

being studied in the same laboratory.

“In studying memory loss, it may well turn out that a combination of gene therapy and stem cell replacement will be the most effective combatant,” reports Ira B. Black, MD, professor and chair, Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, and director, Stem Cell Research Center. “We may be able to insert a normal gene into the stem cells for use in curbing a memory deficit that’s due to a specific gene,” Dr. Black adds. “The opportunity to develop combination solutions to neurological problems underscores the importance of multi- faceted approaches.”

by rita m. rooney • portraits by steve hockstein •

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need therapies that are neuro- protective against future damage, as well as being neuro-restorative of already lost function.” From another perspective on Parkinson’s disease, Deborah A. Cory-Slechta, PhD, professor and chair, Department of En- vironmental and Occupational Medicine, and director, En- vironmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), is studying how the combination of two pesticides affects the onset of Parkinson’s. “By combining doses of the pesticide paraquat and the fun- gicide manab, we built what is essentially a Parkinson’s disease phenotype in mice,” Dr. Cory- Slechta says. “We took that model in young mice and started asking questions about risk factors, beginning is that goal, among others, that drives M. Maral with the known — Mouradian, MD, the pursuits of UMDNJ-Robert Wood that Parkinson’s is a William Dow Lovett Johnson Medical School scientists neurodegenerative Professor of Ittracking neurological diseases that include disease that is man- Neurology, uses molecules that Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. ifested in old age.” can be tested in In the Piscataway laboratory of M. Maral Studies in Dr. genetically Mouradian, MD, William Dow Lovett Profes- Black’s laboratory engineered mouse models of sor of Neurology, researchers are determining are focused on de- Parkinson’s disease. what it is in the dopamine nerve cells that end fining genes in the Her goal is a dual up causing their demise, resulting in Parkin- Intense alpha-synuclein brain that appear to regulate one — to attack son’s disease. By doing so, the scientists hope to iden- immunoreactivity in a learning and memory — and Parkinson’s at Lewy body (arrow) in the tify specific targets that can be manipulated for thera- multiple ends of a > substantia nigra of a which, when deranged, probably devastiating peutic purposes. One approach being employed is the patient with Parkinson's result in memory loss and spectrum. use of computer-generated molecules, a project in col- disease. dementia. Companion studies laboration with William J. Welsh, PhD, professor of involve transplanting neurons derived from stem cells pharmacology, Norman Edelman Professor in Bio- to animal models of memory loss. informatics, and director of the UMDNJ Informatics Institute. “Except in rare incidents, there is no avail- In other cases, Dr. Mouradian and her team use able bio-marker that can be used for molecules that can be tested in genetically engineered pre-symptomatic testing for Parkinson’s,” mouse models of Parkinson’s disease. The goal is a dual one — to attack Parkinson’s at multiple ends of Dr. Mouradian reports. “So ideally we need a devastating spectrum. therapies that are neuro-protective “Except in rare incidents, there is no available bio- marker that can be used for pre-symptomatic testing for against future damage, as well as being Parkinson’s,” Dr. Mouradian reports. “So ideally we neuro-restorative of already lost function.”

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only do their individual laborato- ing to identify and hopefully use in the design of ries engage in diverse approaches effective therapies.” to specific neurological research, One of the main problems in Parkinson’s and other Notbut the issue of Parkinson’s disease is shared, from neurological disorders is aggregation of the key path- different positions, by each of the scientists. In addi- ogenic protein — in the case of Parkinson’s, alpha tion to memory loss, and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s synuclein. Its aggregation is a consistent abnormality diseases, Dr. Black’s work extends to stroke, spinal in the brains of people with the disease. Dr. cord injuries, and general dementia. Mouradian’s work has led to a pharmacological “Our method is not to rely on a single line of means with high potential for preventing this aggre- attack but rather to implement multiple strategies, gation at an early stage. Her findings recently were which then converge and hopefully lead us not only published in the Proceedings of the National to the causes of disease but to effective therapies as Academy of Science and now are being tested in well,” he says. genetically engineered mice. These distinct approaches to Alzheimer’s, With the exception of families with known specific Parkinson’s, and other neurological diseases typify the interactive and multi-faceted mind-set of investi- “Our method is not to rely on a single line gators unwilling to limit the imagination in their pur- suit of discovery. of attack but rather to implement multiple Dr. Mouradian, whose study of Parkinson’s disease strategies, which then converge and began when she was chief of the Genetic Pharma- cology Unit at the National Institute of Neurological hopefully lead us not only to the causes of Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health disease but to effective therapies as well,” (NIH), explains the progress made by her laboratory. Dr. Black says. “We look for critical changes that occur during the course of events that lead to cell death,” she says. “The gene mutations, there is no pre-symptomatic test to goal then is to use drugs or certain molecules that block reveal who will and who will not develop those events and result in protection of nerve cells. We Parkinson’s. So while preventing cell death is impor- have a number of leads along those lines that we are tant, so too is halting the progression of the disease in currently testing in rodent models of the disease. At the those who develop it. Even after the onset of symp- same time, we are looking at modifying genes that can toms, only about 50 percent of neurons have degener- alter the course of genetic causes of Parkinson’s.” ated, leaving the potential for preserving the remain- The genetic causes to which she refers are muta- ing 50 percent. Dr. Mouradian reports that if this can tions in alpha synuclein, Parkin, and DJ-1. People be accomplished in the early stages of the disease, it who have those gene mutations are certain candi- would be an unqualified success in that patients could dates for the disease. One of the tricks in designing a then function well with only mild impairment. protective therapy is to find a way to postpone the “Dopaminergic medications have improved the life onset of the disease. Dr. Mouradian points out that span of Parkinson’s patients,” she says. “However, for an individual who might develop Parkinson’s at for many, it is a terribly disabling disorder. We hope age 60, being able to postpone the onset for two to halt that disability through the validity of our decades would be a huge gain in fighting the devas- hypothesis and efficacy of the therapies we’re testing. tating effects on one’s mobility and lifestyle. Right Ultimately, I believe combination therapy will prove now, she and her team are trying to determine what more effective than targeting one site at a time, other genes may modify the rate of disease develop- because of the complexity of the disease process.” ment. Dr. Cory-Slechta, who approaches Parkinson’s “We all have genetic polymorphisms, or minor research from the perspective of environmental hazards, variations from one person to another,” she explains. reports that her colleague Eric K. Richardson, MD, “In most cases, these have no consequence and don’t PhD, associate professor, Department of Pathology and necessarily result in disease. However, in some critical Laboratory Medicine, has created a transgenic animal genes, polymorphisms can have an impact on the model, the alpha synuclein mouse, and works with her function of yet another gene. That’s what we’re try- on both genetic and pesticide models.

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insult occurring early in prenatal development that causes the disease, and that it isn’t manifested until late in life because that is when the dopamine system begins to deteri- orate. “This caused us to pursue a few developmental studies,” Dr. Cory-Slechta says. “We wanted to learn whether animals exposed in early development would get the progressive Parkinson’s phenotype as they age. The answer was a resounding yes. The other possibility we questioned was that, given developmental exposure plus pesticide exposure later in life, an animal might be more vulner- able as the result of a kind of cumulative effect over a lifetime. Again, that proved to be true. So our conclusion is that pesticides that are risk factors will interact with genetic background.” Dr. Cory-Slechta warns there may be cause for concern attendant to the way risk assessment is conducted in studies by the Environmental are many different risk fac- Protection Agency (EPA). Deborah A. Cory-Slechta, PhD, There tors, from genetic background “We look to the EPA for establishing safe levels of professor and chair,“to pesticide exposure and age, that contribute to exposure,” she says. “But the way in which risk Department of whether or not a person will get this disease,” she assessment is performed is problematic. The agency Environmental and Occupational says. “They all interact over the course of a lifetime.” doesn’t do studies that ask the same kinds of ques- Medicine, and While the variety of risk factors may seem over- tions we ask in the lab. For instance, it never per- director, whelming, Dr. Cory-Slechta believes they are clues to forms studies in which the parameters of develop- Environmental and Occupational Health unraveling the unknown about Parkinson’s disease. mental exposure are challenged with additional ques- Sciences Institute “The reason there are so many variants of the disease tions — such as what happens when another chemi- (EOHSI), is studying itself is that there are as many risk factors,” she points cal exposure is added later in life.” how the combination out. “Each patient brings a different profile to the table. She adds that another problem is that, almost invari- of two pesticides affects the onset of But the ultimate connecting factor is that they all have ably, when the EPA determines the risk level for a chem- Parkinson’s. a loss of dopamine cells. The trick is to figure out where ical in the environment, it is done on the basis of expo- the risk factors converge, where they come together to sure to a single chemical, rarely to a mixture. Such poli- produce this cell loss. If we can figure that out, I think cy standards leave mountains of inquiry to be investigat- we’ll have targeted the place to intervene.” ed in laboratories, such as Dr. Cory-Slechta’s at EOHSI. In search of the unknown, her laboratory began with some well-known facts. Epidemiological studies “Each patient brings a different profile to the indicate that Parkinson’s disease has a higher inci- dence in men than in women. It was assumed this was table. But the ultimate connecting factor is because men have a greater exposure to pesticides. that they all have a loss of dopamine cells. However, laboratory experiments show a predomi- The trick is to figure out where the risk fac- nance in male mice as well, even though their exposure to pesticides is the same as the female mice. This tors come together to produce this cell loss. leads Dr. Cory-Slechta to speculate that there may be If we can figure that out, I think we’ll have tar- something in estrogen that protects women. Another line of inquiry for the laboratory team cen- geted the place to intervene,” Dr. Cory- tered on a hypothesis that there may be some kind of Slechta points out.

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Dr. Black’s laboratory, researchers are trans- activation of the genes will improve and enhance memo- In planting bone marrow cells and nerve cells ry. But our studies point the way to asking whether the derived from bone marrow cells to rats with experimen- same genes are involved in human memory. If so, that tal Parkinson’s. Their question is whether replacing dead may provide a hint about the genetic contribution to and dying nerve cells with neurons derived from stem dementia in general and Alzheimer’s disease in particular. cells will improve the rats’ behavior and motor function. “We actually cause the dysfunction, inducing the “We hope this will pave the way for new treat- death of cells that are known to degenerate in Parkinson’s disease,” Dr. Black says. “Then, after ment— either through gene therapy or by acti- replacing those cells with the bone marrow or nerve vating the products of genes, the molecules cells derived from them, we examine the brain to see whether or not those cells grow into nerve cells that made by them. These molecules may become replace the dead and dying cells.” new therapeutic agents.” Dr. Black says. If successful, his strategy would be appli- cable to patients. The experiment, which is currently at its midpoint, will conclude in a few months when the rats are tested for motor function and their brains can then be examined at autopsy, correlating changes in the brain with the behavioral changes. The next step will be to verify findings in different models of Parkinson’s. “Then comes the big decision,” Dr. Black says. “When do we move to patients? And there are many steps that have to be taken before that can happen. Right now, we’re transplanting rat cells to rat brain, but we’ll also want to use human cells transplanted to rats. All of this is based on the supposition there will be an improvement in rats. Research is always a long shot, but that is what makes success all the sweeter.” A similar approach is being employed by Dr. Black’s laboratory in research surrounding spinal cord injuries. Stem cells are being transplanted to normal and injured spinal cord in rats, with an objective of determining whether the cells survive in the “We hope this will pave the way for new treatment Ira B. Black, MD, normal cord and in the injured cord, and whether the — either through gene therapy or by activating the professor and chair, Department of behavior of the rats improves with transplantation. products of genes, the molecules made by them. These Neuroscience and Dr. Black’s studies on learning and memory loss began molecules may become new therapeutic agents. There Cell Biology, and by removing neurons from the brains of living rats and is a great deal of hope here in that we now have iden- director, Stem Cell growing them in culture, then questioning which genes tified genes in the waking, remembering animal that Research Center, believes that become active as they would normally in memory. After are critical for memory.” the opportunity identifying those genes, the next step, which he admits This work has led as well to the identification of mol- to develop combina- was a gamble, was an experiment proving that the genes ecules that appear to serve new memory functions that tion solutions to neurological prob- in awake, behaving animals who remember a task are the weren’t suspected before. Dr. Black has shown that the lems underscores same genes activated in culture. molecule VGF actually activates memory neurons — the importance of “This was exciting for us because it meant we could and this entire area of research is partially responsible multi-faceted approaches. move from single nerve cells in culture to the alive for earning Dr. Black a $7.3 million competitive renew- remembering animal, and the same genes would be al grant from the NIH to probe brain development and important,” says Dr. Black. “We don’t yet know if super- growth. M

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Translational Research: TEAMEDfor RESULTS

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ANY CLAIM THAT translational research is a new concept is put to rest by the words of Louis Pasteur, who said more than 100 years ago, “There Aare not two sciences. There is science and the application of science, and these two are linked as the fruit is to the tree.” Not only did Pasteur date-stamp what today is recognized as the defini- tive approach to cancer studies, he defined it as well. His was a good start- ing point to what appear to be as many definitions of translational research as there are practitioners. To the National Institutes of Health (NIH), translational work in cancer is any research that uses fundamental biological discovery in human disease and applies it to diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of cancer. Some have a shorter definition — they call it bench-to-bedside T research. However it is defined, scien- T ranslational Research ranslational Research tists at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School understand that it refers to collaboration in its broadest sense, plus a culture and environment that are the underpin- nings of discovery.

William N. Hait, MD, PhD, professor of medicine and pharmacology, associate dean for oncology programs, and BY RITA M. ROONEY director, CINJ, with Deborah L. Toppmeyer, MD, associate professor of medicine PHOTOS BY JOHN EMERSON

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WILLIAM N. HAIT, MD, PHD, professor of medicine tions. He knew of and respected Dr. Weiss’s work, and so and pharmacology, associate dean for oncology programs, the two began their scientific partnership. Then Dr. and director, CINJ, reports that translational studies are Wojtowicz, a medical oncologist at the NCI with an inter- best undertaken in a center such as CINJ, New Jersey’s est in immunotherapy and vaccines, joined the faculty, and only Comprehensive Cancer Center, so designated by the the three became a logical team. National Cancer Institute (NCI) — and one designed to “That’s what is so outstanding about the way Dr. Hait accommodate complete interaction among scientists. has developed this center,” Dr. Lattime says. “We have W“The essence of translational work is the ability of basic physician scientists, like Drs. Weiss and Wojtowicz, who and clinical researchers to work together,” Dr. Hait says. are doing clinical trials, and there are those, like my- “Here, they are in the same building, where they interact self, who spend about 80 percent of our time in the labo- on a daily basis. They are given every opportunity to share ratory. However, we’re all involved in both the clinical and interests and ideas during brainstorming meetings, and basic aspects of study.” they are encouraged to explore common experiences.” The research team has paired bladder cancer and Dr. Hait’s use of the word “opportunity” is key. He melanoma because the same scientific principles apply to doesn’t refer to translational “assignments,” but talks both. Their study probes why it is that tumors aren’t being instead of putting people with similar interests together killed by the body’s immune response. and giving them a chance to develop their shared expert- “An increasing amount is being discovered about basic ise in translational projects. It has been said of scientific immune regulation,” Dr. Lattime says. “We’re looking at exploration that clinicians know all the problems but how a vaccine works, what are the regulatory steps from none of the solutions, and researchers know all the solu- no immune response to a response, and how that is con- tions but none of the problems. The translational philos- trolled.” ophy at CINJ sidesteps this frustration in that all clini- From biopsies performed on patients with bladder can- cians at the center do research. It only remains to pair cer or melanoma, the team found that in both diseases, these clinical scientists with the appropriate people doing there is one specific immune inhibiting factor — inter- basic research so that the results of their investigations are leukin 10. Returning to the laboratory, the researchers more effective and reach the patient faster. found an appropriate pre-clinical animal model, discover- One example is a project targeting bladder cancer and ing that it too made the interleukin 10 factor, and that melanoma, headed by Edmund C. Lattime, PhD, professor there was no immune response to a tumor grown in the mouse. “We did find that, by manipulating the animal system, we could inhibit the interleukin 10, so that half the mice r. Hait’s use of the word “opportunity” is key. D rejected the tumor,” Dr. Lattime says. “We went on to find He doesn’t refer to translational “assignments,” but out what cells it inhibited and used that information to talks instead of putting people with similar design the trial Dr. Weiss is now conducting.” interests together and giving them a chance to develop The patient trial to which he refers is a Phase I study of their shared expertise in translational projects. a novel gene therapy approach to enhancing anti-tumor

of surgery and molecular genetics, microbiology, and Using genetically engineered pox virus to immunology, and CINJ associate director of education and produce immune training; Robert E. Weiss, MD, associate professor of sur- enhancing cytokines at gery; and Margaret E. Wojtowicz, MD, assistant professor the bladder tumor site: of medicine. Dr. Weiss spent a number of years performing 1. Virus including gene basic research on bladder cancer prior to his appointment encoding for cytokine is instilled into the bladder. at RWJMS. Dr. Lattime began his basic research at 2. Virus binds with tumor cell. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, developed initial 3. Virus and gene enter cell. clinical studies at Thomas Jefferson University in 4. Virus undergoes replication. Philadelphia, and knew that to be successful, he would 5. Cytokines are manufactured. need to move to an institution with established excellence 6. Cytokines are released, in urology and a real commitment to urological investiga- initiating a local cytokine- mediated host immune response.

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Robert E. Weiss, MD, associate professor of surgery (left), and Edmund C. Lattime, PhD, professor of surgery and molecular genetics, microbiology, and immunology, and CINJ associate director of education and training

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immunity, initially focused on toxicity. Earlier studies sug- where a pathologist keeps material for diagnosis and iden- gest there will be no negative impact on the tissue. When tifies tissue that can be brought back to CINJ. It is this completed, this trial will lead to a next-generation study CINJ core facility that prepares the tissue for special stains involving considerably more analysis of the immune and other tests that allow the team to carry out its response and clinical outcome of treatment. While some research. groups at other institutions are using this family of viruses “This kind of core facility support is incredibly impor- for different kinds of cancer research, the CINJ team is tant in terms of carrying out the specialized studies alone in focusing on bladder cancer. required of this project,” Dr. Lattime says. “In this study, Dr. Weiss explains the need to develop therapies beyond we stain the tissue for about a dozen specialized markers surgery to combat the disease. of immune function, which would not be feasible without “If the cancer has not spread to the muscle, there are less this CINJ resource. This is one reason that being an NCI- invasive means of treating it,” he says. “But for those designated Comprehensive Cancer Center is so essential.” patients whose malignancy has spread and who undergo Partnership within CINJ assists as well, specifically from removal of the bladder, we offer the option of participat- the Corporate Relations Committee, which maintains ing in the study. Dr. Wojtowicz and I both explain the trial high-level representation among leading pharmaceutical to the patient, who is injected with the vaccine prior to sur- companies from New York to Delaware. Researchers have gery. Following surgery, tissue is routinely sent to patholo- an opportunity to meet regularly with the committee to gy and to our laboratory as well, so that it can be analyzed discuss ongoing studies and enhance possibilities for col- for immune responses. We’re very optimistic about the tri- laboration with industry. als, which have special relevance in New Jersey, where An additional component is assistance provided by there are pockets of the population with a higher-than- CINJ’s Office of Human Research Services, which handles average risk for bladder cancer.” the increasing regulatory requirements of agencies such as Collaborative participation in bench-to-bedside the Food and Drug Administration and DNA Advisory research involves more than the primary researchers. For Committee, and assumes the burden of submitting proto- example, the bladder trial includes the assistance of the cols and maintaining regulatory documents. Center for Therapeutic Evaluation at the NCI, which pro- Dr. Lattime cites collaboration with Eric H. Rubin, MD, vides CINJ with the actual virus used in the studies. professor of medicine and pharmacology, and CINJ direc- Availability of the trial is publicized on the NCI Web site. tor of investigational therapeutics, as another strength within translational research. Dr. Rubin heads the Phase I trials and developmental ther- o research can be divorced from the funding that apeutics group. Because these trials require a broad base of N nursing and data-managing personnel, Dr. Rubin’s involve- supports it, and because CINJ is an NCI-designated ment as director, including his role in interacting with the Comprehensive Cancer Center, it receives core facilities pharmaceutical industry, is critical to success. The sophisti- support that includes funding for many of the tissue studies, cation of today’s clinical trials demands such leadership. as well as for tissue procurement and immunohistochemistry. Reporting on the scope of translational work undertaken at CINJ, Dr. Rubin says it is impressive, even when viewed from a national perspective. He cites one project, conducted by Lorna Rodriguez-Rodriguez, MD, PhD, A GREAT DEAL of communication and interaction with associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and repro- the NCI, including valuable comparison of information to ductive sciences, and chief, division of gynecologic oncol- optimize the design of the trial, has energized the team’s ogy, CINJ. work. “Dr. Rodriguez is investigating a concept that resistance No research can be divorced from the funding that sup- to certain anti-cancer drugs used to treat ovarian cancer ports it, and because CINJ is an NCI-designated can be reversed with selenium,” Dr. Rubin reports. “Her Comprehensive Cancer Center, it receives core facilities team has developed a Phase I trial with sophisticated end- support that includes funding for many of the tissue stud- points, including pharmacokinetic and gene array assays. ies, as well as for tissue procurement and immunohisto- This work includes collaboration with Brian T. Buckley, chemistry. CINJ has a technician present during surgery PhD, associate professor of environmental and communi- who takes the tissue to the hospital pathology department, ty medicine at the Environmental and Occupational

38 Robert WoodJohnson ■ MEDICINE Translational Research 39 MEDICINE ■ Robert Wood Johnson Eric H. Rubin, MD, professor of medicine and pharmacology, and CINJ director of investigational therapeutics t seems clear from the translational activity t seems clear from the translational activity at CINJ that this is not a new directive but one at CINJ that this is not a new directive but I long in the making, created from the start by the long in the making, created from the start collaborative mind-set throughout the institution. Dr. Reiss, whose own research covers a translational Reiss, whose own research covers Dr. it to kill cancer took the latest drug and applied “We breast cancer research pro- As co-director of CINJ’s He adds that it’s an extremely promising trial in that the promising trial in that an extremely it’s He adds that professor of medicine and CINJ Michael Reiss, MD, to be steeped in this kind of difficult for clinicians “It’s research project on breast cancer, reports CINJ has insti- reports research project on breast cancer, aca- tuted a collaborative grant award that encourages up with new demic clinicians and basic scientists to come in which translational ideas. He adds that the manner was far less clinical trials were conducted 20 years ago complex than it is today. much question cells,” he says. “If it was effective, we didn’t more about we want to know how it was working. Today, what drives the cancer process. A clinical trial today is much more multifaceted because we have to figure out, for each patient, what particular constellation of genes in that particular breast cancer is present and driving the disease, then match it with special drugs. It demands a great deal more know-how and more collaborative involvement.” MD, associate profes- gram, with Deborah L. Toppmeyer, Reiss reports that formalizing pro- sor of medicine, Dr. grams around specific diseases is one way in which CINJ approaches bench-to-bedside studies. Health Sciences Institute. Dr. Buckley is an expert in is an expert Buckley Dr. Institute. Sciences Health as selenium.” exposure to metals such measuring in significant decreases studied have shown first patients normally is any hair loss, which and have not had tumor, the — and CINJ is with the drug carboplatin associated where this is being studied. only place in the country translational research, reflects that it associate director for when the NIH realized that while was about ten years ago were rapidly expanding, there advances in basic science explosion of knowledge to the clin- was a need to get this ical level much faster. Reiss says. “It not part of it,” Dr. progress when they are develop a mechanism for collabora- became important to knowledge. In addition, I believe tion and a sharing of necessity for basic scientists have come to understand the actual human relating what they learn in the laboratory to disease.” RWJMed_SS04.finWeb 9/13/04 8:27 AM Page 39 Page AM 8:27 9/13/04 RWJMed_SS04.finWeb RWJMed_SS04.finWeb 9/13/04 8:27 AM Page 40

Michael Reiss, MD, professor of medicine and CINJ associate director for translational research D

“We are in fact creating mini-centers of excellence with- Dr. Hait provides laboratory studies predicting which in a center of excellence,” he says. patients will best respond to a particular chemotherapy In the breast cancer program, for instance, approxi- drug. The team has completed a series of clinical studies to mately 20 basic and clinical researchers have undertaken test drugs, returning to the laboratory to redesign trials as several wide-ranging projects. Some of the projects have they proceed. The hope is that, over time, it will be possi- already paid dividends in earning NIH grants. One of ble to come up with ways of determining which drug is them is headed by Dr. Toppmeyer and Dr. Hait, in which appropriate for which patients.

Targeting Transforming Growth Factor-ß (TGFß) in mammary cancer: Susan Rittling, PhD, associate research professor, Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (Figure 1). In addition, blocking Hypothesis TGFß signaling with a selective inhibitor of the type I TGFß receptor kinase NORMAL INVASIVE (SD-093) strongly inhibits migration of R3T cancer cells, indicating that their EPITHELIUM METASTATIC CANCER Changes in genetic and ability to move is dependent on TGFß signaling. Metastatic R3T cells implanted epigenetic context in the mammary fatpad of mice (Figure 2) formed rapidly growing poorly differentiated cancers (blue squares). In contrast, tumor growth was almost TGF-β responsiveness completely suppressed in animals treated with a high dose of the drug (yellow

Suppressor TGF-β expression/ Pro-oncogenic triangles). In the low-dose group (red circles), there was some delay in tumor activities activation activities dominate dominate growth, but they eventually caught up with controls. However, even in this low-dose group the number and sizes of lung metastases were significantly Under condition in which TGFß inhibits the movement of NMuMG normal reduced, while there were almost none in the high-dose group (Figure 3). mammary epithelial cells in vitro, it strongly stimulates in vitro migration of Dr. Reiss reports, “We are preparing to conduct the early clinical trials of this R3T highly metastatic mammary carcinoma cells isolated in the laboratory of entirely new class of compound at CINJ within the next few years.”

40 Robert WoodJohnson ■ MEDICINE Translational Research 41 MEDICINE ■ 60 mg p<0.0001 Mann-Whitney Robert Wood Johnson Vehicle 20 mg 0

2000 1000 4000 3000 Figure 3: Suppression of Lung Metastases Lung metastases Lung M M Time (days) 50 45 40 35 “We learned in the laboratory that by using modulators in the laboratory learned “We work in the program, Dr. Commenting on other has approximately 12 trials The genitourinary program at CINJ that It seems clear from the translational activity development of One result of the conference is CINJ’s 30 logical agents including retinoid, interferon, and taxol retinoid, interferon, agents including logical were presented at the Results of the trial chemotherapy. Society of Clinical meeting of the American June 2004 in New Orleans. Oncology cells we could make tumor and interferon, such as retinoid says. DiPaola Dr. more sensitive to chemotherapy,” have initiated a pilot project pro- DiPaola reports, “We additional laboratories and funding gram by setting up to encourage research leading to them with small grants cancer.” clinical trials for prostate Abate- under the direction of Dr. ongoing at any one time, DiPaola as clinical researcher. and Dr. Shen as basic scientist, activated a new prevention study The two scientists recently D derivative for men with prostatic intra- using a Vitamin with increased epithelial neoplasia (a prostate abnormality in collaboration risk for prostate cancer). Another study, end of the year. with Merck, is scheduled to open before the the making, cre- this is not a new directive but one long in throughout ated from the start by the collaborative mind-set Lattime co-chaired the first Dr. the institution. Last year, in Cancer Conference on Effective Partnering Governor’s CINJ and the Research, conducted in conjunction with The meeting, New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research. set E. McGreevey, Hait and Governor James hosted by Dr. priorities for translational science. research for an official training program in translational of their residen- MD and PhD students at the conclusion been award- cies or fellowship training. The program has that vig- ed a $1 million, five-year NIH grant — support to the future of contribution orously underlines CINJ’s cancer research. 25 20 15 Vehicle 60 mg/kg/day 20 mg/kg/day 5 010 0 800 600 400

1600 1400 1200 1000 Figure 2: Inhibition of Primary Tumor Growth Average tumor weight (mg) weight tumor Average 200 SD093 R3T NMuMG β TGF +SD093 that unearthing new predispositions for new predispositions that unearthing β TGF CON Drives Cell Motility β Another project investigates the potential for Vitamin D the potential for Vitamin Another project investigates researchers is working on the fun- A large group of CINJ also works in “If we are able to show that this approach of medicine Robert S. DiPaola, MD, associate professor national trial in the DiPaola headed a In addition, Dr. 0

DR. REISS SAYS DR. REISS breast cancer has high potential for success, due to the for success, due to has high potential breast cancer PhD, by Arnold J. Levine, P53, co-discovered familial gene has Levine Dr. pediatrics and biochemistry. professor of can have a number genes that are not defective found that of a predict the likelihood some of which may of variations, a He recently discovered breast cancer. getting person’s that, when combined with a P53 variant of another gene cancer may occur at an earlier age. mutation, suggests breast This new against breast cancer. analogues as a preventive who directs Toppmeyer, by Dr. knowledge will be applied and high-risk clinic where, among a genetic counseling who suspect they may be high risk other services, women of specific trials. can avail themselves cancer — how it behaves and damental aspects of breast discovered that breast Reiss has spreads. For example, Dr. of the TGFß cancer metastasis can be caused by activation He has been developing a new class of signaling pathway. inhibit TGFß small molecules that effectively and selectively and inhibit the develop- signaling in cells in the laboratory, breast cancer. ment of lung metastasis in animal models of be a perfect example this will women with breast cancer, says. Reiss of translational research,” Dr. and Betty Gallo Dean and executive director of CINJ’s the first researchers to was one of Prostate Cancer Center, that subse- investigate a prostate cancer vaccine in a study trial. Along with quently became an advanced-stage clinical of medicine and neu- Abate-Shen, PhD, professor Cory T. CABM, he and resident member, roscience and cell biology, program. heads the genitourinary translational research combined bio- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group that 100 200 150 Figure 1: TGF Cell Migration Cell

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By Kate O’Neill

Photos by John Emerson Go to the Head of the Class Alumni-Faculty Reflect on RWJMS

“Alumni who serve on o one better appreciates the development of a school than its alumni, who first knew it as students, then moved to our faculty contribute an Nthe other side of the desk to teach. Nearly 80 alumni serve on the faculty at UMDNJ-Robert Wood extremely important Johnson Medical School, holding appointments in 11 different depart- perspective,” says Harold L. ments. Remarkably, they are not nostalgic for their student years. Rather, they speak with pride of the greatly expanded opportunities Paz, MD, dean. “Their deep afforded by the transformation of RWJMS into a nationally ranked institution. respect for the values “Alumni who serve on our faculty contribute an extremely impor- of their own medical tant perspective,” says Harold L. Paz, MD, dean. “Their deep respect for the values of their own medical education helps lead us to an even education helps lead us to an higher level of excellence.”

even higher level “A HIDDEN GEM” of excellence.” WJMS has a growth curve so dramatic that it impresses even its Rmost recent graduates. Jonathan J. Hwang, MD ’95, assistant professor of surgery, joined the faculty in the fall of 2003, having completed a urology residency at Boston University School of Medicine and a fellowship in urological oncology at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which launched his research into molecular treatments for cancer. Returning to RWJMS eight years after graduation, he found that opportunities had grown far beyond his expectations. “I tell my colleagues in Boston and Washington that this school is a hidden gem,” he says.

Left to right: James. S. Goydos, MD ’88, associate professor of surgery; Jonathan J. Hwang, MD ’95, assistant professor of surgery; and Alfred F. Tallia, MD ’78, MPH, associate professor and vice chair, Department of Family Medicine, in the newly expanded Cancer Institute of New Jersey

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“Phenomenal” New Opportunities onstruction of The Cancer Institute of New The medical school’s early graduates recall C Jersey (CINJ) had just begun when Dr. Hwang Middlesex General, the school’s principal teaching graduated. One of the first to join the CINJ faculty affiliate, as a community hospital. In 1986, Middle- was James S. Goydos, MD ’88, associate professor of sex General became Robert Wood Johnson University surgery and director of melanoma and soft tissue Hospital (RWJUH). Now a leading academic health research. Dr. Goydos returned to RWJMS in 1995 care center, it is one of the medical school’s two core and became the third surgeon appointed to the CINJ teaching affiliates, along with Cooper Hospital/ faculty. In less than a decade later, Dr Goydos has University Medical Center. seen CINJ triple in size and become a a National The medical school and the hospital have grown Cancer Institute–designated Comprehensive Cancer together, complementing each other, says Geza Kiss, Center. Supported in part by the proceeds from tobac- MD ’95, assistant professor of anesthesiology. For co settlements, the CINJ expansion accommodates instance, says Dr. Kiss, CINJ has increased the num- the state’s cancer patients and provides laboratory space for a growing corps of cancer researchers. The medical school’s early graduates recall Middlesex General, the school’s

principal teaching affiliate, as a

community hospital. In 1986,

Middlesex General became

Robert Wood Johnson University

Hospital (RWJUH). Now a leading

academic health care center, it is one

of the medical school’s two core

teaching affiliates, along with

Cooper Hospital/University

Medical Center.

ber of cancer patients in the care of the medical school faculty, expanding the opportunities for firsthand teaching and learning. In addition, the Department of Anesthesiology has appointed specialized new faculty to care for patients at the Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital. “This is one of the few academic medical centers in a growth phase,” says Lauri A. Goodell, MD ’91, associate professor of

Left to right are Geza Kiss, MD ’95, assistant professor of anesthesiology; Karen Wei-Ru Lin, MD ’89, assistant professor of family medicine; and Dalya L. Chefitz, MD ’90, associate professor of pediatrics, overlooking the Clinical Academic Building.

44 Robert WoodJohnson ■ MEDICINE RWJMed_SS04.finWeb 9/13/04 8:34 AM Page 45

Perry J. Weinstock, MD ’85, associate professor of medicine, left; and Thomas A. Rebbecchi, MD ‘92, associate professor of emergency medicine, in front of the Education and Research Building on the RWJMS Camden campus.

pathology and laboratory medicine and director, division of hematopathology. Dr. Goodell cites “phenomenal” new opportunities, such as the recently dedicated RWJMS Research Building in Piscataway and the Child Health Institute of New Jersey at RWJMS, which will soon move into its permanent home on Albany Street, in New Brunswick.

“An Exciting Place to Be” oseph G. Barone, MD ’87, associate J professor of surgery and director, Pediatric Incontinence Center, also serves as surgeon-in-chief, pediatric urology, at Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital and director of urodynamics at Children’s Specialized Hospital, a RWJMS clinical affiliate. Recently, Dr. Barone was the first to use the hospital’s state-of-the-art da Vinci robot system in a pediatric procedure. “Growth, students, and visionary leadership make RWJMS an exciting place to be,” he says. David A. Laskow, MD ’81, associate professor of surgery and chief, Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation Services, has led in developing the multidisciplinary transplantation partnership between RWJMS and RWJUH. Dr. Laskow points out that the medical school’s involvement sets this partner- Camden Grows by Leaps and Bounds ship apart from other transplantation programs in ike their colleagues in Piscataway and New New Jersey, by allowing participation in national and Brunswick, alumni-faculty at the Camden campus international studies and clinical trials. L find the school is on the rise in all areas, with dra- Gloria A. Bachmann, MMS ’72, MD, professor of matic upturns in basic science and clinical research. obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences, and “Cooper [Hospital/University Medical Center] is medicine, and associate dean for women’s health, growing by leaps and bounds,” says Adam B. Elfant, joined the faculty in 1978. Today, as director of the MD ’89, associate professor of medicine, Camden interdepartmental Women’s Health Institute (WHI), campus. A specialist in therapeutic endoscopic retro- Dr. Bachmann encourages students and residents to grade cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), Dr. Elfant share in WHI investigations; she emphasizes that as was recruited to the RWJMS faculty to introduce an good clinicians, they should stay involved in current ERCP therapeutics program. The technology added an research. Supported by NIH funding, Dr. Bachmann important new dimension to the division of gastroen- is the principal investigator on a long-term national terology, which now includes five full-time specialists study of vulvodynia, for which RWJMS is one of only and offers two three-year fellowships annually. six research sites nationwide.

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“THE IMPORTANCE “An Intellectual Atmosphere” OF COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS” r. Lowry's recruits include Siobhan A. Corbett, he Department of Family Medicine has defined DMD ’87, associate professor of surgery. Dr. Tthe school’s mission in community health, says Corbett previously did research in the Department of Alfred F. Tallia, MD ’78, MPH, associate professor Molecular Biology at Princeton University. Seeking an and vice chair, Department of Family Medicine. “It is opportunity to “teach and do research full-time in an our department’s job to remind people of the impor- intellectual atmosphere,” Dr. Corbett accepted Dr. tance of community connections,” says Dr. Tallia. Lowry’s offer of a position at RWJMS. The department’s Practice Based Research Network, Dr. Corbett brought with her $250,000 in grant jointly sponsored with CINJ and the New Jersey support in the form of a Clinician Scientist Award Academy of Family Physicians, has become the state’s from the American Heart Association. The NIH has largest family practice network. It serves as a since awarded Dr. Corbett R01 funding for her study statewide “laboratory,” says Dr. Tallia, where myriad of wound contraction and healing. She also earned bench-to-bedside connections can happen — “where the Chairman’s Faculty Research Award from the we can translate and test lab discoveries in the real- Department of Surgery. world settings of community practices.” Like Dr. Corbett, Perry J. Weinstock, MD ’85, Eric G. Jahn, MD ’88, associate professor of envi- associate professor of medicine and director, clinical ronmental and occupational medicine and medical cardiology, Cooper Hospital/University Medical director, Eric B. Chandler Health Center, recalls that Center, returned to RWJMS with specific goals in Chandler originally provided primary care to New research. Dr. Weinstock was recruited from Thomas Brunswick’s medically underserved from a cluster of Jefferson University to the Camden campus, where, trailers. Today, it is a full-spectrum primary care cen- he says, “clinical and basic science research are pri- ter, providing for more than 40,000 patient visits mary goals of the cardiovascular division. The annually. “We strive to make Chandler the kind of advancements we have made in our clinical services place where anyone would bring their family for first- and research have established our program as second rate care,” says Dr. Jahn. to none in the Delaware Valley.” The development of Civic commitment extends school-wide. Jeffrey C. the division, which comprises an 18-member faculty, Brenner, MD ’95, instructor of family medicine, re- has some of the nation’s leading physicians, clinicians, turned to the RWJMS Camden campus in 1998, bring- and researchers to Cooper, he adds. ing his extraordinary dedication to community health, civic action, and volunteerism. As a second- The Collaborative Environment year student, Dr. Brenner co-founded the student ser- “ fter looking at top residencies nationwide, I vice group known as HIPHOP; he later started a sim- A found that what was here fit me best,” says ilar organization on the Camden campus. As a facul- Robert J. Laumbach, MD ’97, MPH, assistant pro- ty member and mentor, he has helped inspire the fessor of environmental and occupational medicine. Camden students’ full participation in community Dr. Laumbach, who studies indoor and outdoor air service. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation re- pollution and its inflammatory effect on the respira- cently awarded Dr. Brenner a $450,000 grant, which tory system, sought the kind of vibrant research envi- launched an RWJMS student initiative: a family- ronment that springs from collaborations and shared centered health center at a local charter school. resources. In addition to the “region’s high level of public interest in and public advocacy for environ- RESEARCH ON mental issues,” Dr. Laumbach says he was influenced A POSITIVE TRAJECTORY by the small size of the department at the school’s n New Brunswick, Stephen F. Lowry, MD, profes- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Isor and chair, Department of Surgery, has expand- Institute (EOHSI), which would allow him to work ed his department’s research core, which includes sev- closely with senior faculty. eral young alumni. “We don’t target RWJMS gradu- EOHSI offered a wealth of on-site opportunities to ates,” says Dr. Lowry. “However, they are attractive collaborate with the National Institute of Environ- candidates, because they immediately identify this mental and Health Sciences Center of Excellence and school as an institution whose positive trajectory the Center for Childhood Neurotoxicology and defies national trends.” Exposure Assessment. For many alumni, New Brunswick’s economic ren-

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Lef to right: Robert J. Laumbach, MD ‘97, MPH, assistant professor of environmental and occupational medicine; Carol A. Terregino, MD ’86, clinical associate professor of medicine and assistant dean for admissions; and Marie C. Trontell, MD ’76, professor of medicine and senior associate dean for education, in the atrium of the RWJMS Research Building in Piscataway.

aissance enhances the appeal of the medical school. Charles J. Gatt, MD ’89, associate professor of orthopaedic surgery, comments, “The increased concen- tration of biotechnical firms in central New Jersey has helped fuel the growth of RWJMS.” Dr. Gatt says that the recent establishment by RWJMS of a Depart- ment of Orthopaedic Surgery reflects the medical school’s valuable connection to industry. “The biotech boom creates advances in bioengineering and tissue engineering that make a huge difference in orthopaedics,” he adds.

“THE REASON WE EXIST” “ eing a school is the reason we Bexist,” says Marie C. Trontell, MD ’76, professor of medicine and senior associate dean for education. In 2001, UMDNJ created the Master Educators Guild, which annually honors its schools’ most gifted teachers. “Since the medical school’s founding, the success of our educational mission has been strong,” says Dr. Tallia, a 2003 Master Educator. “The guild brings that mission back into relief and renews the status of teaching.” every student develop as an individual.” As examples of ways the school individualizes medical education, “Teaching Is Paramount” Dr. Terregino mentions the flexible curriculum, the arol A. Terregino, MD ’86, clinical associate profes- six dual degree programs, and the Student Scholar Csor of medicine and assistant dean for admissions, program, an elective year during which a student may joined the faculty in 1991. “The school has always pro- pursue a substantial project in research or communi- duced excellent clinicians,” says Dr. Terregino, “and its ty service. Students now may also earn their medical reputation continues to grow. Many of our students go degree with distinction in research. on to become chief residents at leading schools. In addi- Andrew H. Boyarsky, MD ’80, associate professor tion, strong departments here offer strong residencies of surgery, specializes in advanced laparoscopic sur- that attract top medical school graduates.” gery and serves as surgical director of the Center for Dr. Terregino says her role in the Admissions Innovations in Bloodless Surgery and Medicine at Department is to attract the best and brightest stu- RWJUH. “Students and residents are my first love, dents. “I tell our accepted students what I believe: and teaching is paramount to me,” he says, adding, they can get a good medical education anywhere, but “The department has matured and developed enor- this school is unique — we go the extra mile to help mously in the past 20 years, giving me as challenging

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a clinical career as I would have had anywhere.” chair, Department of Pediatrics. The expansion of Along with six other alumni-faculty, Dr. Boyarsky facilities and sub-specialty faculty “has a tremendous was a longtime member of the RWJMS Admissions effect on patient care as well as education.” Committee. Continuing as a member is Thomas A. Rebbecchi, MD ’92, associate professor of emergency Teaching Humanism: medicine, a Camden campus graduate, who joined The Physician-Patient Connection the faculty in 1998. Dr. Rebbecchi served his residen- “ ducating a patient is like planting a seed,” says cy at Drexel University College of Medicine, and he EKaren Wei-Ru Lin, MD ’89, assistant professor says, “Working with residents from the ‘big name of family medicine and assistant program director, schools,’ I soon realized that the clinical skills I had Family Medicine Residency. Since medical school, gained [at RWJMS] gave me the edge.” He chose Dr. Lin has served as a link between RWJMS and the emergency medicine in part because of the opportuni- local Chinese-American community. She encourages ties it offers for teaching. “Students never forget what her colleagues to understand and respect their they see in the Emergency Room,” he says. “The Chinese-American patients’ traditional beliefs about range of cases each student or resident sees in a day healing. She has helped integrate acupuncture into makes the ER the ideal place to teach medicine.” the Department of Family Practice and serves as medical director of the Integrative Healing Program The Evolving Curriculum at RWJUH. n 2002, the faculty accepted curriculum revisions Dr. Lin serves as medical adviser to the Piscataway Ithat reversed the traditional priorities of medical Health Advisory Commission of Health and is presi- education. The new goals of the curriculum are dent of the New Jersey chapter, Middlesex region, of summed up in the acronym ASK: first, attitude, then the American Cancer Society. skills and knowledge. “Attitude was always assumed Teaching medical students to focus on the needs of to be part of the package,” says Dr. Trontell. “But we the patient is vital in the eyes of Susan Rosenthal, realized we needed to change that.” MMS ’75, MD, clinical associate professor of pedi- “Today we know more about how adults learn,” atrics and assistant dean for student affairs. A faculty she says. “The intense, basic science focus of the first member since 1987, Dr. Rosenthal has nurtured a ten- two years of medical school used to make it more like year affiliation with The Arnold P. Gold Foundation graduate school. Now we include more clinical edu- for Humanism in Medicine, developing the White cation in years one and two. It makes much more Coat Ceremony for incoming medical students, the sense to teach about hemoglobin, for example, as part Student Clinician Ceremony at the end of the second of teaching about sickle cell anemia.” year, and the Gold Humanism Honor Society, Alpha “Norman,” a computerized, human patient simu- Upsilon, honoring fourth-year students. lator, is the inspiration of Mordechai Bermann, MD ’87, associate professor of anesthesiology and direc- HIPPOCRATES: tor, Human Patient Simulation Laboratory. The life- A CHANGING PERSPECTIVE like interactive simulator is a significant teaching tool, ith 80 different perspectives, alumni serving used cross-departmentally for risk-free instruction to Won the faculty reflect the history of RWJMS students and residents; Norman is also a “model and mark its growth. They eagerly look ahead, while patient” for attending physicians practicing new pro- embracing the best of the past. cedures. “You could almost trace the development of the Dalya L. Chefitz, MD ’90, associate professor of school by following Hippocrates’ trail around the pediatrics and director, Pediatric Residency Program, RWJMS campus,” says Dr. Trontell. The statue, erect- is now in her tenth year on the faculty. “This is where ed in 1975 amid a setting of farm fields and wind- I’ve sown my seeds,” says Dr. Chefitz, who left a part- mills, first looked out over the school parking lot. time position with a growing private practice to After several subsequent moves, the peripatetic devote herself to teaching and inpatient care as chief Hippocrates stands in the courtyard of the Research of the division of general pediatrics. “On Dr. Tower, welcoming all from a new vantage point, con- Notterman’s watch, the growth of the department has nected to new buildings, new people, and new been amazing,” she says, referring to the leadership of discoveries. M Daniel A. Notterman, MD, University Professor and

48 Robert WoodJohnson ■ MEDICINE RWJMed_SS04.finWeb 9/13/04 8:34 AM Page 49

letter from the alumni association president

Dear Alumni and Friends:

This is an exciting time for the Alumni Association as we continue to develop events and programs for both RWJMS alumni and students. The biennial Alumni Association Reunion Weekend last October was a great success. Please see the article and terrific photos on page 55. Plans are already under way for the next Alumni Reunion Weekend, in the fall of 2005. We will honor the anniversary classes of ’69, ’70, ’74, ’75, ’79, ’80, ’84, ’85, ’89, ’90, ’94, ’95, ’99, and ’00. If you would like to join the Reunion Committee or get an early start on contact- ing your classmates to encourage a great turnout, please contact Roberta Ribner, coordinator, alumni affairs, at [email protected] or 732-235-6310. I know you will especially enjoy the article entitled “Go to the Head of the Class: Alumni-Faculty Reflect on RWJMS,” on page 43. We are all very proud of our alumni who serve as faculty members at RWJMS. It is fascinating to read about the evolution of our medical school from their perspective. Thank you for your generous contributions to the Alumni Association Annual Fund. Please join us again this year to help provide much-needed scholarships and loans for our medical students. Contributions to the Annual Fund can be made online. Please check out our Web site at http:/rwjms.umdnj.edu/alumni for instructions.

The Alumni Association Board of Trustees continues to welcome new class A.J. SUNDSTROM delegates. If you are interested in becoming involved, please contact Roberta Ribner. RWJMS has hosted several alumni receptions in New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. We hope to see our Boston area alumni at the RWJMS

Reception at the AAMC meeting on Monday, November 8, 2004, at 6 P.M. at the Boston Marriott Copley Place. I look forward to seeing you at alumni events throughout the year.

Sincerely,

Euton M. Laing, MD ’90 President, RWJMS Alumni Association

Robert Wood Johnson ■ MEDICINE 49 RWJMed_SS04.finWeb 9/13/04 8:38 AM Page 50 r wjmsNEWS• alumni The Barbara A. Marroccoli, MD ’82, and Robert R. Ford, MD ’83, Scholarship

arbara A. Marroccoli, mark your MD ’82, clinical associ- Calendar: Bate professor of medicine, and Robert R. Ford, MD ’83, clinical instructor of radi- September 13, 2004 ology, planned to make a seri- Sixth Annual ous gift to the RWJMS schol- Children’s Health Golf Outing arship program later in their Jasna Polana lives. However, after reading a October 5, 2004 story in the Fall/Winter 2003 Dean’s Golf Outing issue of Robert Wood Johnson Cranbury Golf Course Medicine, they reconsidered October 23, 2004 the timing of their gift. The Cancer Institute “Inspired by Paul Bergh, a of New Jersey friend and classmate of Bob’s, Award of Hope Gala and we realized this was the right Benefit Auction time to give something back,” Trump National Golf Club STEVE HOCKSTEIN says Dr. Marroccoli, referring November 8, 2004 to the scholarship endowment RWJMS Reception at AAMC created by Paul A. Bergh, MD Marriott Copley Place ’83, and his wife, Catherine. Shortly after their 20th reunion, their generosity, the first Boston Dr. Ford, an attending physi- Robert R. Ford, MD ’83 and Barbara A. Marroccoli-Ford Scholarship cian at the University Medical Marroccoli, MD ’82 announced that will be awarded this year to a Continuing they would endow a new scholarship Center at Princeton (UMCP), is Medical Education at RWJMS. third- or fourth-year student a partner in Princeton Radiol- who has demonstrated aca- September 11, 2004 ogy Associates. A recognized integral part of the UMCP demic excellence and compas- 15th Annual GI Symposium: expert in the application of education program and has sion in patient care. Update on Gastrointestinal and radiology end points, Dr. Ford received several awards for Dr. Ford and Dr. Marroc- Liver Disorders is co-founder, president, and excellence in teaching. She par- coli put themselves through September 17–18, 2004 chief medical officer of ticularly enjoys counseling stu- college and medical school PRIME: Professional Renewal in RadPharm, an imaging core dents and residents on career with scholarships and loans. Medicine through Ethics laboratory that has made sig- choices and helping them bal- “We ended up with a debt November 11–13, 2004 nificant contributions in sup- ance family and career. that was the equivalent of a 19th Annual port of recently approved Rather than wait until next mortgage without the house,” Issues and Controversies oncology compounds. summer, when earnings from says Dr. Marroccoli. “Today, in Ob/Gyn Dr. Marroccoli has served as their $25,000 endowment fund we can’t believe how fortu- For additional information medical director for several will be available for a scholar- nate we are. We hope that this about these or future departments at UMCP, where ship award, Dr. Ford and Dr. scholarship will benefit cur- conferences, contact the she is an attending physician. Marroccoli recently made a rent RWJMS students.” Center for Continuing For 15 years, she has been an supplemental gift. Through — K.O’N. Education at 732-235-7430.

50 Robert WoodJohnson ■ MEDICINE RWJMed_SS04.finWeb 9/13/04 8:38 AM Page 51

Career Night 2004 1. 2.

3. 4. he RWJMS Alumni Association sponsored T its 16th annual Career Night on January 13, 2004, in the Great Hall on the Piscataway campus. Students 5. enjoyed the opportunity to talk to practicing physicians 6. 9. representing 25 different medical specialties and sub-specialties. Career Night PHOTOS BY A.J. SUNDSTROM also serves as 7. 8. a “mini reunion” for alumni participants. The on- • 1. Clifton R. Lacy, MD ’79, commissioner, going com- New Jersey Department of Health and Senior mitment of Services, an annual Career Night participant, enjoys a conversation with Harold L. Paz, MD, alumni to this annual event 10. dean, and Euton M. Laing, MD ’90, president, Alumni Association. and the enthusiasm of medical • 2. Neal Collins, MD ’83, and Susan Rosenthal, MMS ’75, MD, students assistant dean for student affairs, discuss career choices with resulted in students. • 3. Medical students evaluate career options in differ- another ent specialties. • 4. Joseph Costabile, MD ’86, advises students on careers in surgery. • 5. Nancy Sierra, MD ’89, talks about her successful experiences as an emergency medicine physician. • 6. Alumni/ evening. Student Liaison Committee members (l. to r.), Rondi Gelbard ’06, n Yuki Mukai ’06, and Rachel Patterson’06, assist Geza Kiss, MD ’95. • 7. Ira Klein, MD ’91, counsels student on career options 12 . 11. in internal medicine. • 8. Ophthalmologist Ravi Goel, MD ’97, discusses career choices. • 9. Eric Herman, MMS ’74, MD, discusses careers in dermatology with students. • 10. Catherine For information about Bodnar, MD ’82, shares her experiences in occupational medicine Career Night 2005, please with students. • 11. Mordechai Bermann, MD ’87, and Francine contact Roberta Ribner, Sinofsky, MD ’81, catch up on their careers. • 12. The annual coordinator, alumni affairs, at slide presentation on plastic and reconstruc- 732-235-6310 tive surgery by Alan Zaccaria, MD ’86, is always popular with students. • 13. Radia- or [email protected]. tion oncologist Tamara Lacouture, MD ’94, shares her experiences with students. 13. Robert Wood Johnson ■ MEDICINE 51 RWJMed_SS04.finWeb 9/13/04 8:38 AM Page 52

alumni NEWS Brotherton Foundation Endows a New Scholarship

uring his lifetime, Wayne A. Brotherton and William P. Fred J. Brotherton Brotherton, MD ’76 stand by a portrait of D generously supported their uncle, Fred J. Brotherton. a wide variety of causes: education, the arts, libraries, religious institutions, historic Foundation as a means of preservation, medicine, and sustaining these causes medical research. Following beyond his lifetime. his retirement as president of Before Mr. Brotherton died the Brotherton Construction in 2002, he had carefully planned for the future by

Company, one of the largest STEVE HOCKSTEIN in northern New Jersey, Mr. naming his nephew Wayne A. Brotherton created the Fred J. Brotherton and grandnephew Brotherton Charitable William P. Brotherton, MD

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’76, as co-trustees. As a about an article he had read result, they maintain support in Robert Wood Johnson for the types of organizations Medicine describing four in which Mr. Brotherton scholarships at RWJMS IT’S THE believed and bring their own recently endowed by alumni. ideas to the table as well. “We’re always looking for ST “When one of us suggests good causes to support with 21 CENTURY a cause, the other listens,” the foundation’s money,” he says. “Medical school today is a huge investment, and I And We Would Like “We’re always looking thought this would be a good to Communicate More Effectively for good causes to match for us.” Dr. Brotherton spoke with Our Alumni Via Email. support with the persuasively for this cause, and the cousins agreed that Email is a fast and efficient way to invite you to foundation’s money,” the RWJMS scholarship fund alumni reunions, receptions, he says. “Medical was a good match for their uncle’s interests in education Career Night, and other RWJMS events. school today is and medical research. It also corresponded with new areas Please take a minute to fill out the form below and a huge investment, of philanthropy that they send your Email address to: and I thought this have initiated, including Roberta Ribner a greater emphasis on Coordinator, Alumni Affairs would be a good charities based in New Jersey, 335 George Street • Liberty Plaza • Suite 2250 where they work and live. match for us.” New Brunswick, NJ 08903 or Last fall, with a $25,000 Email: [email protected] gift, the Brotherton says Wayne Brotherton, a Foundation established the financial planner and former Fred J. Brotherton Charitable Thank you for your cooperation. teacher. “Because our uncle Foundation Scholarship trusted us with the future of Fund at RWJMS. The schol- his foundation, we discuss arship will be an important every suggestion, and in the component of the medical Name: end we have to agree on the school’s effort to recruit the Class: ■ Piscataway ■ Camden organizations we support.” highest-caliber students by The cousins enjoy learning expanding its scholarship Email Address: from one another’s ideas and program. Home Address: try to achieve a balance — K.O’N. among the interests on the agenda. “We try never to say ■ no to any cause we think is Check if new valid and good,” he added. City: Last summer, Dr. Brotherton told his cousin County: State: Zip:

Robert Wood Johnson ■ MEDICINE 53 RWJMed_SS04.finWeb 9/13/04 8:40 AM Page 54

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BY Kate O’NEILL

“Classmates are the secret to a reunion’s success,” says Miriam H. Labbok, MMS ’73, MD, MPH. Returning alumni echo her comment: they like seeing the evolution of UMDNJ- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, but their greatest joy is in making new connections with old friends and former teachers.

Welcome Back to a Changing Campus mong the first to arrive A.J. SUNDSTROM for Reunion Weekend A2003 was Thomas J. Nordstrom, MD ’78. Dr. Nordstrom and Alan I. Schwartzstein, Suhayl Dhib-Jalbut, MD, professor and chair, Department MD ’78, had spent the year rallying their of Neurology, with Ernest Biczak, MD ’77, and Paul Lizzul ’05. classmates to celebrate their 25th reunion together and were rewarded by one of the ing, one of several facilities that are trans- Reunion Weekend’s largest turnouts. forming the medical school (see page 4). Both alumni were impressed by the many Dr. Schwartzstein, a family practition- changes on the Piscataway campus. er in Wisconsin, had not visited the cam- On his way to the Opening Reception, pus since graduation, and, along with Dr. Dr. Nordstrom found a personal guide in Nordstrom, he started Reunion Week- Harold L. Paz, MD, dean, who escorted end in the central atrium of the impres- him to the just-dedicated Robert Wood sive new RWJMS Research Building. In Johnson Medical School Research Build- these new surroundings, both alumni

Robert Wood Johnson ■ MEDICINE 55 RWJMed_SS04.finWeb 9/13/04 8:41 AM Page 56

ALUMNI REUNION WEEKEND ’03 NAT CLYMER 5

All-Alumni Panel Leads CME ontinuing Medical Education (CME) has become an important 1 Cpart of reunion weekends. The 2003 CME program, “Breakthroughs in 2 3 Science and Medicine: New Discoveries and Applications,” featured three alumni speakers with diverse specialties. “Each is a leader in his or her field, and each is committed to the health not just of individuals, but of whole populations,” says David S. Kountz, MD, associate professor of medicine and associate dean for postgraduate education, who coordinat- ed the program and moderated the panel. 4 “The speakers were extremely enthusiastic about participating and felt particularly honored to speak to an audience of fellow graduates,” says Dr. Kountz. “Speakers as well as audience always enjoy the high quality of our CME, along with its collegial atmos-

PHOTOS BY A.J. SUNDSTROM phere and interactive format.” “The event was extremely well done,” says Dr. Labbok, who spoke about her research on breastfeeding and its potential role for improving not only maternal and child health, but also the health of 1 2 3 Student tour guides led alumni through were pleased to find familiar faces in the entire communities. Also on the panel the Teaching Laboratories. . . . Behind the scenes. . . . crowd. They especially enjoyed talking was Richard J. Jackson, MMS ’71, MD, And through the new RWJMS Research Building. with former classmate Clifton R. Lacy, MPH, then director of the National 4 Alumni Association President Euton Laing, MD ’90, far left, and David S. Kountz, MD, MD ’79, commissioner, New Jersey Center for Environmental Health, associate professor of medicine and associate dean Department of Health and Senior Centers for Disease Control and for postgraduate education, RWJMS, far right, Services, the evening’s invited speaker, Prevention, in Atlanta. Dr. Jackson’s congratulate CME speakers David Laskow, MD ’81; who presented a chilling talk on his topic was “There Are No Healthy Miriam Labbok, MMS ’73, MD; and Richard Jackson, MMS ’71, MD. department’s campaign against bioter- People in an Unhealthy World.” He rorism. emphasized the importance of address-

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6 7

ing across-the-board environmental fac- Afterward, Dr. Laskow said he enjoyed 5 Clifton R. Lacy, MD '79, commissioner, tors, such as lead poisoning and noise being in the audience as much as he New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, speaks to reception guests about the pollution, in advancing world health. enjoyed making his presentation. “It was threat of bioterrorism. 6 Longtime friends Dr. Jackson recently accepted a new fabulous!” he said. “These were very top- Michael Solomon, MMS ’71, MD and Richard Jackson, position as state public health officer in ical issues, and I learned as much as any- MMS ’71, MD, at Saturday’s lunch.7 CME the California Department of Health one listening to the other presenters.” presenter Miriam Labbok, MMS ’73, MD, speaks in the new Grossman Classroom. Services. Closing the event with a discussion of Lunch and Tours “Current Issues in Kidney Transplant- ike Dr. Schwartzstein, Thomas ation” was David A. Laskow, MD ’81, Collier, MMS ’73, had not visited associate professor of surgery and chief, Lthe campus since graduation. Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation Serv- However, when he learned that Dr. ices, at RWJMS and Robert Wood Johnson Labbok, his longtime friend and former University Hospital. Dr. Laskow focused lab partner, would be on the CME on the imbalance between the number of panel, he found a good reason to return. patients awaiting organ transplantation Dr. Collier and his wife drove up from and the number of donated organs. “Wider Maryland’s Eastern Shore to hear public education is the only way to balance Dr. Labbok speak and to visit with her 8 the equation,” he said. over lunch. He could not have been

8 Tasneem Shamim, MD ’81; Lois DeRitter, MD 9 ’82; Marilyn Heine, MD ’82 (standing); Euton Laing, MD ’90; Catherine Bodnar, MD ’82; and Arlin Silberman, DO, husband of Dr. Heine. 9 Student- led tours on Saturday afternoon took alumni through the new RWJMS Research Building. Here, alumni admire the glass sculpture in the central atrium. PHOTOS BY A.J. SUNDSTROM

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ALUMNI REUNION WEEKEND ’03

The Dinner Dance 10 o rally their class for its 25th reunion, Brenda E. O’Brien, MD T’77, Susan Peet Rowley, MD ’77, and Ernest S. Biczak, MD ’77, had phon- 11 ed everyone in their class. Dr. O’Brien, a retired pediatrician now living in Park City, Utah, traveled the farthest to reunions and was delighted to see so many classmates. Along with several medical school friends, she spent Friday evening in PHOTOS BY A.J. SUNDSTROM New York City, taking in dinner and the opera. “These people are like family to me,” she says, “and seeing them all together again was just wonderful.” “When we were in school, Brenda had more delighted to attend his first three young children,” recalls reunion 12 RWJMS reunion and see firsthand the guest and classmate Susan Rosenthal, 30 years of changes at the medical MMS ’75, MD, clinical associate profes- school. sor of pediatrics and assistant dean for After lunch, Dr. Schwartzstein, student affairs. “She was an inspiring Prudence P. Kline, MD ’78, and others role model for our entire class.” followed the student guides through the Serving on the RWJMS faculty, new RWJMS Research Building. They Barbara A. Marroccoli, MD ’82, clinical were especially struck by its collabora- associate professor of medicine, stays in 10 Jacqueline Lustgarten, MD ’77, and Eldridge Anderson, MD tive, interdepartmental design. Other touch with the school academically, but ’77, swing around the dance floor. 11 Class of ’78 and guests: alumni joined student-led campus tours she loves reunions as a chance to catch (seated) Iris Barad; David Barad, MD; Karen Ingram, MD; to explore old haunts in the Research up with classmates she rarely sees. At Alfred Tallia, MD; (standing) Thomas Nordstrom, MD; Shelley Tower, where 26 classrooms have been Press-Sampson, DMD; Steven Sampson, MD; Prudence Kline, MD; Samuel Gidding, MD; and Alan Schwartzstein, MD. renovated with up-to-the minute tech- 12 Class of 1978 members Prudence Kline, MD, Alfred nology. “The tours were well done, and Tallia, MD, and David Barad, point out yearbook highlights some areas in the new facilities are to Dr. Barad’s wife, Iris. 13 Euton Laing, MD ’90, president, breathtaking,” says Dr. Labbok, who Alumni Association (standing left) thanks members of the especially enjoyed hearing the student Class of 2006 who served on the Reunion Weekend Committee: (seated) John Babineau, Rondi Gelbard, Yuki guides’ perspective on RWJMS. “It was Mukai, and (standing) Dean Bruins. 14 Class of ’97: good to see who’s coming after us,” she 14 Robert Laumbach, MD, Paul Gwozdz, MD, Ravi Goel, MD. adds.

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guished Alumni Award to Dr. Labbok. The award honored an achievement- marked career in public health that led to her current position as senior adviser, Infant and Young Child Feeding and Care, Program Division, UNICEF. Dr. Labbok’s focus has always been the cru- 15 cial role of women and children’s health in building healthier communities 15 Reunion guest Shelley Press-Sampson, DMD, with her worldwide. “Miriam is one of the bright- husband, Steven Sampson, MD ’78, and Samuel Gidding, MD ’78. est, most focused people I’ve ever met,” says 18 the Dinner Dance, Dr. Marroccoli and Charles B. Simone, MD ’75, a close friend Lois DeRitter, MD ’82, who had not since medical school. “She has always put been together since graduation, shared the world first, long before herself.” memories, including many laughs recall- The Alumni Association also selected ing how they helped one another survive two faculty members for Honorary their rotation in surgery. Dr. Marro- Alumni Awards: Bruce D. Fisher, MD, ccoli’s husband, Robert R. Ford, MD ’83, clinical professor of medicine and medical clinical instructor of radiology, also took director, QualCare, and Vijay K. Rajput,

the opportunity to catch up with an old MD, assistant professor of medicine and PHOTOS BY A.J. SUNDSTROM friend, Neal Collins, MD ’83, past pres- co-director, Internal Medicine Residency ident, Alumni Association, whom he Program, RWJMS, Camden campus. had not seen in years. Dr. Fisher received his award from 19 Dr. Labbok jokes that “receiving an Hank Lubin, MD ’83, one of his 59 ad- award that evening may have biased” her, visees, past and present. Dr. Fisher is a 16 but she found the dinner dance “phe- 25-year RWJMS faculty member, who Past and present officers of the Alumni Association: (seated) Catherine Bodnar, MD ’82; Francine Sinofsky, MD nomenal.” Moreover, she loves dancing, teaches first- through fourth-year medical ’81; (standing) Neal Collins, MD ’83; Hank Lubin MD ’83; and everyone at her table took at least students. Dr. Lubin said, “Bruce taught Eduardo Fernandez, MD ’89; Alfred Tallia, MD ’78; Geza one turn around the dance floor. us more than just physical diagnosis. . . . Kiss, MD ’95; and Euton Laing, MD ’90. 17 Hank Lubin, He taught us the fun and joy that is real- MD ’83, congratulates his medical school adviser, Bruce D. Fisher, MD, clinical professor of medicine and Alumni Association ly medicine. Caring for your patients, medical director, QualCare, who was elected to honorary Presents Awards not just their diseases. Tackling the intel- membership in the Alumni Association. 18 Miriam Labbok, highlight of every Reunion gala lectual challenge of undiagnosed illness MMS ’73, MD, recipient of the Alumni Association’s is the presentation of the Alum- . . . [and] searching behind the physical Distinguished Alumni Award, and Francine Sinofsky, MD ’81. 19 ni Association awards. Reunion facade of many complaints to uncover Newly elected as an honorary member of the Alumni A Association, Vijay K. Rajput, MD, assistant professor of Committee co-chair Francine E. Sinofsky, the emotional reasons that caused them. medicine, Camden campus, receives a plaque from MD ’81, presented this year’s Distin- And through it all, enjoying every min- his colleague Eric Kupersmith, MD ’95.

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ALUMNI REUNION WEEKEND ’03

ute of every day.” As a teach- ways, he has received Three Golden er, clinician, and advocate for Apple Teaching Awards from his stu- humanism, Dr. Fisher has dents, three medical residents’ teaching received many honors. “Each awards, and the 2002– 2003 Attending is to be remembered,” he said, of the Year Award across all depart- “but somehow this one is ments. unique.” Dr. Rajput was introduced to Sunday Brunch the Dinner Dance audience by unday Brunch gives everyone a 21 his colleague Eric E. Kupersmith, chance to finish catching up and to MD ’95, assistant professor of Ssay good-bye. Other alumni who medicine, Camden campus. are not celebrating reunion years stop by 22 After initially training in as well. Tasneem Shamim, MD ’81, had orthopaedic surgery and cardi- a wonderful time visiting with friends, ology, says Dr. Kupersmith, and Eric J. Jackson, MD ’76, drove down Dr. Rajput realized he was a from northern New Jersey especially to “big-picture person. “He came see his classmates. Dr. Collins and his to the Camden campus to wife, Maraya, spent the weekend “on a complete an internship and mini-family vacation” at the Hilton and PHOTOS BY A.J. SUNDSTROM fellowship in internal medicine brought along their two young children and has become a respected to the brunch to introduce them to his and well-recognized academic classmates. “Alumni never get to see figure. each other’s families, and the brunch is a A recipient of the 2003 great place to make it happen,” he says. 20 Class of ’77: (seated) Ernest Biczak, MD; Foundation of UMDNJ’s Excellence in Euton M. Laing, MD ’90, Alumni Brenda O’Brien, MD: Jacqueline Lustgarten, MD: Eldridge Teaching Award and an Arnold P. Gold Association president, thanked the Anderson, MD; (standing) Roger Shell, MD: Lare Huber, MD; Foundation grant for Teaching Human- reunion co-chairs, Dr. Sinofsky and Geza Efthymyos (Tom) Daniskas, MD; James Logothetis, MD; Steven Grenell, MD; and Susan Peet Rowley, MD. ism in Medicine, Dr. Rajput co-directs Kiss, MD ’95, assistant professor of anes- 21 Class of ’83: Robert Ford, MD, Neal Collins, MD, Brigitte the Internal Medicine Residency Pro- thesiology, for planning such an excellent Mihalyfi, MD, Hank Lubin, MD. 22 Class of ’82: (seated) gram on the Camden campus. This event. “Each reunion seems to be the best Lois DeRitter, MD; Barbara Marroccoli, MD; Marilyn Heine, spring, the Society of Hospital Medicine, ever,” says Dr. Laing. “It’s always a pleas- MD; (standing) Lynn Helmer, MD; Charles Geneslaw, MD; where he serves on the Ethics Commit- ure to meet alumni I hadn’t known and Catherine Bodnar, MD. 23 Neal Collins, MD ’83 (center), introduces his son, Luke, a special Sunday brunch tee, will award him its prestigious 2004 before,” he adds. “I particularly enjoyed guest, to Ernest Biczak, MD ’77. Award for Excellence in Teaching, for his meeting Miriam Labbok at the brunch. role as an outstanding teacher, academi- Here’s someone who hasn’t been involved cian, and mentor. In recognition of his with the school, and now she’s getting superb teaching skills and altruistic caught up. It’s so rewarding.” M

60 Robert WoodJohnson ■ MEDICINE RWJMed_SS04.finWeb 9/13/04 8:41 AM Page 61

THE FOUNDATION OF UMDNJ BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS FOR LIFE

The Foundation of UMDNJ is proud to support the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, its fine academic leaders, outstanding researchers, excellent patient care providers and promising students. Over the past five years, our work to advance programs at the University has grown significantly.

Total assets grew from ● $88 million to $175 million, an increase of 100 percent;

Investments grew from ● $82 million to $150 million, an increase of 83 percent;

Number of gifts dramatically ● ● increased each year from 1,400 to almost 10,000. Our ranking in The National ● Association of College and ● University Business Officers annual study that compared the investment returns of 675 peer organizations across the country $150 million $175 million 10,000 rose from the lowest 15th percentile in 1999 to the top 10th percentile in 2003. And, because our operating expenses are covered by unrestricted funds, we are proud that we can assure our $88 million $82 million 1,400 donors that 100 percent of their contributions are used exactly as they designate. If you or somebody you know Total Assets Investments Gifts would like to endow excellence by providing support for research, patient care, education or scholarships, call us toll-free at (866) 44 UMDNJ. RWJMed_SS04.finWeb 9/13/04 8:47 AM Page 62

CLASS NOTES NINETEEN NINETEEN NINETEEN NINETEEN SEVENTY-ONE EIGHTY EIGHTY-NINE NINETY-TWO Richard Jackson returned to Cheryl Harth Johnson writes:8Susanne Zimmermann reports: David Dean, a cardiothoracic 7California to accept a new 8“I continue to practice’ medical “I placed first for my age group surgeon with expertise in heart 9 ’ position1 as the state public’8oncology in Dallas with Texas in9 the Avon-Run-Swim-Run 9transplantation and cardiac ’ health officer at the California Oncology,0 PA. My husband biathlon.” ’ assist2 technology, has joined the Department of Health Services and I have two daughters, 13 Department of Cardiovascular in Sacramento. and 15. The oldest is interested NINETEEN and Thoracic Surgery at in a career in medicine.” NINETY Allegheny General Hospital in NINETEEN Pittsburgh. SEVENTY-SIX Michael Rosenthal is vice chair Dalya Leviant Chefitz reports: of academic programs at the 9“I left part-time private practice Pranav Shah is an intervention- Robin Winter was president of Department of Family ’ and will be working full time at al radiologist at Red Bank 7the Association of Family Medicine at Thomas Jefferson RWJMS.0 I have been promoted Radiologists. He and his wife ’ Practice6 Residency Directors University in Philadelphia. to associate professor of pedi- have three children. from June 2003 to June 2004. atrics and will continue to NINETEEN direct the pediatric residency NINETEEN NINETEEN EIGHTY-ONE program. I am also the newly NINETY-FIVE SEVENTY-EIGHT appointed division chief for William Johnston is in private general pediatrics. My hus- Srihari Gopal reports: “After 8practice in internal medicine in working for Johnson & Robert Perkel is a professor of8 band, Harry, and I are the par- 9 ’ Cherry Hill. He is the president Johnson for the last two years, 7family medicine at Thomas 1 ents of Leora (14), Ezra ’(10), of1 the South Jersey Medical I left and started a position at ’ Jefferson8 University in and Nava Tehila (2). 5 Philadelphia. He was the recip- Association. Forest Laboratories in Jersey ient of the 2001 Lane Adams Kristina Kloss Ciccotelli writes: City. I currently work on Phase Award, the American Cancer NINETEEN “I am working three days a III trials for various neuropsy- Society’s highest award for EIGHTY-THREE week doing outpatient anesthe- chiatric drugs in development caring. sia. My husband, Aldo for Food and Drug 8Roberta Schwartzman complet- Ciccotelli, MD, and I have four Administration approval. If any NINETEEN ’ ed 3her psychiatry residency. She children: Maria, Cynthia, Eric, other alumni work in the phar- SEVENTY-NINE is also board certified in inter- and Carlo. maceutical industry and would nal medicine. like to network, please contact Stephen Grybowski was NINETEEN me.” appointed medical director of NINETEEN NINETY-ONE 7 EIGHTY-FIVE Kevin Shaw has joined 7Samaritan Keep Nursing Home ’ Joe Canterino is associate pro- Reconstructive Orthopaedics & in9 Clayton, N.Y. Edward Niewiadomski has 9fessor of obstetrics, gynecology, Sports Medicine Inc. in Robert Mackow writes that his8been appointed chief medical’ and reproductive sciences at Cincinnati. He completed his 1 orthopaedic surgery residency 9 daughter, Jessica, is attending officer for Burdette Tomlin 9 ’ RWJMS. He and his wife, 5 at University Hospital in ’ the College of William and Health5 System, Inc. in Cape Paula, have a son, Peter Mary, and she is majoring in May Court House. Robert, born on October 22, Cincinnati. biology and environmental 2003. Nicole Stassen writes: “Aaron studies. Amy Shute has a private practice in family medicine in Don Ganim was appointed and I have relocated to Scott Reiter is an emergency Hillsborough. She and her hus- chief of anesthesia at Beverly Rochester, N.Y. I am working medicine physician in Los band have two children, Hospital in Beverly, Mass. for the University of Rochester Angeles. Michael (13) and Claire (10). as an assistant professor of sur- Sabine Hack writes: “Big gery.” NINETEEN brother Aidan (3) is getting EIGHTY-EIGHT used to his twin sisters, Calliope and Elodie. I continue James Dalzell is a radiation to work as an attending at the 8oncologist at Atlantic City NYU Child Study Center.” ’ Medical8 Center in Pomona.

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NINETEEN TWO THOUSAND requirements for physicians through the NINETY-EIGHT National Board of Medical Examiners, or Bryan Watabe completed his resi- doing NIH-funded health services research to 9Erik Boatman reports: “I entered dency in ob/gyn at Brown Univer- 9 improve clinician and patient adherence to ’ active military service and 0sity and will enter private practice completed8 my residency training’ near0 his hometown in Utah. practice clinical guidelines. at the U.S. Air Force Wilford The journey has been exciting, too, watch- Hall Medical Center (WHMC) TWO in the SAUSHEC anesthesia THOUSAND ONE ing our school evolve from a small, intimate, program in San Antonio, Texas. bi-riparian affair on the Raritan to a full- I am now on the academic Nehal Patel is chief medical resi- fledged academic medical center with pro- teaching staff within the residency0dent for the 2004–2005 academic program at WHMC, chief ’of year in the Department of Internal grams serving every part of the state. And it obstetric anesthesia, and chief of Medicine1 at Stony Brook Teaching has been fun, traveling a lot as I do these a critical care air transport team, Hospitals in New York. days, to see the expressions of recognition which medically evacuates wounded soldiers while providing TWO and respect on people’s faces when I say ‘flying ICU’ care in support of THOUSAND TWO where I’m from. Almost all the professional military operations around the people I’ve encountered in this career have globe.” 0David Wild announces his mar- ’ riage to Dafna Lipton in July been stimulating and, for the most part, ded- John Lee is a resident in neurologi- 2 2003.2 icated individuals who have their hearts in cal surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He and IN MEMORIAM the right place and their heads, with a few Hannah Bae, MD, a radiology exceptions, properly connected. resident, were married in October David Lazar ’88 And I never cease to learn from the most 2003. Kirk Woodson, MMS ’75 important part of what we do: taking care of Bruno Molino, Jr., completed his patients. Our success as faculty, ultimately, general surgery residency at RWJMS and began a two-year will be measured by how well we serve them, What’s New? trauma surgery fellowship at the be it in preparing the next generation of cli- University of Pennsylvania. We love to hear from you! nicians and researchers, in discovering new Please send your professional NINETEEN and personal news for life-saving or enhancing treatments, or in NINETY-NINE Class Notes to: providing the quality day-to-day care that Roberta Ribner, Editor, has sometimes become more difficult to Megan DiFurio moved to San Robert Wood Johnson Medicine 9Antonio, Texas, to do a Coordinator, Alumni Affairs accomplish in our troubled health care sys- ’ cytopathology fellowship at UMDNJ-Robert Wood tem. So, although those Saturday nights of Brooke9 Army Medical Center. Johnson Medical School frustration do occur more frequently than I Alumni Association Elizabeth and Nicholas would like, it’s still a great privilege to be here DiProspero are pleased to 125 Paterson Street contributing in some small way to the announce the birth of their son, Suite 1400 Peter Anthony, on May 11, 2003. New Brunswick, growth and development of a noble profes- New Jersey 08901 sion in service to the public. And with this, I Anthony Rimicci and his wife, Phone: 732-235-6310 Sarah, welcomed their first son, am sure, my many esteemed colleagues Fax: 732-235-9570 William, last May. M Email: [email protected] would readily concur. Or, log onto our Web site: — Alfred F. Tallia, MD ’78, MPH http://rwjms.umdnj.edu/alumni Associate Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Family Medicine

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Life as a Faculty Member “He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches.” — George Bernard Shaw, Man and Superman

It’s 11 P.M. on a Saturday night, and I know where my I suppose I could blame Dr. Walter Schlesinger, chair, children are. They are out having fun like the rest of the world. Department of Microbiology, who had the distinct misfortune Meanwhile, I am on my 15th iteration of a budget for a of getting stuck with me as a student advisee. And what an National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant due in a few days, alternative he presented. He was a modern-day Arrowsmith: and my museum-quality laptop is brilliant, world-famous, and with barely surviving, wheezing through the gentility, civility, and breadth this exercise of trying to stay with- of knowledge of a renaissance in the budget limits proscribed, courtier. Then there was Dr. Frank akin to trying to get blood out of a Snope, my adviser later on, the rock. I can’t help but recall a hospi- first chair, Department of Family tal encounter earlier in the day with Medicine, who really was Marcus a patient’s family member. “And Welby cum Osler, but with an just what do you do when you’re office in the Kessler teaching labs. not taking care of my mother?” the Well, residency and fellowship in woman asked, peering suspiciously Philadelphia, marriage, and a few at me down her nose through her other developments failed to quell half-glasses when I told her I was a the itch, and by an interesting faculty member at UMDNJ-Robert JOHN EMERSON series of circumstances, here I am. Wood Johnson Medical School. An George Bernard Shaw aside, interesting question indeed. academic life turns out very Life as an academic has turned out to be challenging, some- doable and a traditional mix of one part teaching, one part times peripatetic, and always interesting in unexpected ways. research, one part patient care, one part community service, Of course, at the beginning of my medical education, this is and a hundred parts out of the ordinary. Working with learn- not where I thought I’d wind up. I had the romantic idea that ers at all levels, and learning and discovering new things, is the I would be a small-town family physician somewhere on the long and short of academic life. Academic life has opened all East Coast. However, the possibility of an alternative path sur- sorts of rewarding opportunities for me to serve the profession, faced somewhere early in the first years of medical school, and whether it’s work establishing competency assessment it just never seemed to go away. Continued on Page 63

BY ALFRED F. TALLIA, MD ’78, MPH

64 Robert WoodJohnson ■ MEDICINE RWJMed_SS04.finWeb 9/13/04 8:47 AM Page 65

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