FALL 2011 GROSS ANATOMY: A TRADITION CONTINUES A New Home for Penn’s Thriving Translational Research When Einstein’s Brain Was at Penn Doctoring 101: Learning About Dying Aspirations and Opportunities speaks volumes about the deep loyalty and commitment to our institution by its graduates, Philadelphia is rightly proud of its remarkable friends, and admirers. Perhaps I should not place in American history. This includes the field have been surprised, because even before I took of medicine, with the founding nearly 250 years office I received literally hundreds of messages ago of the nation’s first medical school at the of encouragement (and no small number of University of Pennsylvania. Nonetheless, some suggestions!) from our own alumni. feel that we have a predisposition to underplay Dr. Rubenstein made a characteristically wise our rich legacy and long record of accomplish- move when he initiated his strategic plan in ment – perhaps as a reflection of the Quaker in- 2003. The ensuing effort was comprehensive in fluence of William Penn and the early colonists. its sweep and laid an excellent foundation for: This may or may not be true, but that same heri- • impressive clinical growth with a renewed tage of reticence gave birth to a culture that val- focus on quality ued humility, deep reflection, and tolerance. By • the creation of new centers and institutes to comparison, other cities are not as hesitant in promote translational research, and declaring their own greatness. As a newcomer to • the recruitment of exceptionally talented Penn, recently arrived from Chicago, I am keenly faculty and staff members, students, aware of these differences. For example, the poet residents, and fellows. Carl Sandburg described Chicago as “Stormy, port, particularly from the National Institutes of A lot has happened since then and, as a re- husky, brawling, / City of the Big Shoulders.” Many Health, is consistently strong. The Health System sult, we’ve begun the process of developing a decades later, few in that city would disagree. is pushing ahead with important initiatives, new strategic plan for Penn Medicine. We’re for- But times have been changing in Philadelphia such as unit-based clinical leadership, which is tunate that we can approach our future from and at Penn Medicine. There is broad recogni- making major contributions toward reducing positions of strength in each of our central mis- tion on campus that we have much to be proud mortality, and knowledge-based charting, which sion areas of research, education, and patient of – and that by proclaiming our accomplish- offers caregivers immediate access to patient in- care. The new plan will build on these assets ments, we provide added reassurance to our pa- formation right at the bedside. In short, I be- and make full use of our strong connections to tients, draw in the best faculty members and stu- lieve the record confirms that Dr. Rubenstein the university at large. We’re confident that it dents, and help disseminate our research ad- was right: we at Penn Medicine are indeed a will help prepare the way for more great vances nationally and globally. For example, in guiding force in academic medicine. achievements in the years to come. 1995 Penn Medicine launched a fund-raising And there’s more. This spring, our medical I’ve asked two of our talented leaders, Deborah campaign boldly called “Creating the Future of school received an extraordinarily generous Driscoll and Jon Epstein, to co-chair the planning Medicine.” And the strategic plan initiated by my $225 million gift from Raymond and Ruth process, and they’ve graciously agreed. They’re outstanding predecessor and friend Dr. Arthur Perelman. President Gutmann called this nam- already hard at work, beginning with a recent Rubenstein laid out such goals as developing ing gift “transformational,” affirming that it will retreat of department chairs, center and institute “world-leading programs” in select areas of re- keep us at the pinnacle of global medical care, directors, senior faculty members, and adminis- search and building “superb clinical programs.” investigation, and instruction. trators. At the session we identified six thematic And today Penn Medicine is a crucial part of the The opening of our Translational Research areas that will anchor the plan, and we have es- University’s campaign, “Making History.” Can we Center in May also helps us stand tall in a tablished working groups for each. back up these claims and aspirations? crowded field. Translational medicine represents Our commitment is to an inclusive planning I believe that we can. For the second straight one of the most promising directions in medi- process as well as one that makes its workings year, the Perelman School of Medicine was cine, and our leadership in the field will be im- visible to all. Therefore we’ll be using web sites, ranked #2 among the nation’s research-oriented measurably fortified by this amazing new facil- blogs, e-mails, newsletters, and in-person meet- medical schools by U.S. News & World Report. ity. New knowledge and treatments from our ings to elicit ideas and keep everyone informed. For 14 straight years we have been ranked translational investigators and clinicians, cre- I’ll be keeping you up to date about our prog- among the top five in the same category. And ative collaborations across disciplines and de- ress as well. I also urge you to weigh in by we continue to receive large numbers of applica- partments, and an ethos of high expectations sending me your own hopes and aspirations for tions from some of the most accomplished and among those who enter the facility – all embody our future. Our obligation to excellence will be dedicated students in the nation (many of whom the future of medicine at the highest level. best achieved through the active contributions I had the pleasure of meeting at this year’s White When I came to Penn, I quickly learned the of the many talented people who make up the Coat Ceremony). priority placed on the “Making History” cam- Penn Medicine family – including you! In addition, for the fourth consecutive year paign. This emphasis is certainly paying off. Both the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania the larger goal and the goal for Penn Medicine J. Larry Jameson, M.D., Ph.D. was ranked among the country’s top ten hospi- have already been reached a full year before the Executive Vice President of the University tals by U.S. News and included in its Honor Roll campaign closes (and as the nation remains in of Pennsylvania for the Health System for exceptional performance. Our research sup- an economic standstill). This inspiring generosity Dean, Perelman School of Medicine Cover photograph by Candace diCarlo. Anna Jesus, center, and other medical students in the gross anatomy course. FALL 2011 / VOLUME XXIII NUMBER 1 A RITE OF PASSAGE – AND MUCH MORE By Mark Attiah A second-year medical student looks back at his anatomy lab, when doctors-in-training experience having an actual dead body in front of them for the first time. Students at Penn and other local schools can also join in a ceremony to honor the donors 15 who gave their bodies. 18“OUR HOPE FOR THE FUTURE 22WHAT EVER HAPPENED OF MEDICINE AT PENN” TO EINSTEIN’S BRAIN? 12THE ANATOMY LESSON By John Shea By Marshall A. Ledger By Marshall A. Ledger The Translational Research Center, dedicated The 20th century’s most famous brain had an The University has a distinguished tradition in gross in May, will enhance interactions and collabo- unusual post-mortem journey. One stop along anatomy. In fact, the course was on the medical program’s rations among scientists, clinicians, trainees, the way was Penn’s pathology lab, where first roster, in 1765. Even with today’s technical and and students of different departments and Einstein’s brain was brought for sectioning educational advances, medical students continue to disciplines. The overarching goal is to bring and slicing, in preparation for research. learn essential lessons in such classes. the fruits of research to the patient as swiftly and safely as possible. Departments Inside Front THE FIRST WORD Cover Aspirations and Opportunities 2 VITAL SIGNS 26LEARNING ABOUT DYING 28A NEW CENTER WILL TACKLE Speeding Discovery to Patient Care By Jennifer Baldino Bonett “ORPHAN” DISEASES By John Shea The IOM Selects Three Doctoring 101 is unlike the other classes medical students take. In some sessions, it Thanks to a $10 million gift from an Honors & Awards brings patients and family members to speak anonymous donor, the Perelman School New Chairs and Director to them about complex topics beyond the basic of Medicine has launched the first center Letters and physical sciences. One such topic: hospice. of its kind. The interdisciplinary center will bring together approaches to attacking and 36 DEVELOPMENT MATTERS treating rare diseases that otherwise might be overlooked. Many Thanks to Our Alumni Partners in Giving 40 ALUMNI NEWS Progress Notes and Obituaries Inside Back EDITOR’S NOTE Cover What Lies Ahead in Health Care 30A VIEW FROM BOTH 33PROVIDING A VOICE FOR SIDES OF THE BED VICTIMS OF DISASTER Staff By Marcelle J. Shapiro, M.D. By Gregory Richter At this year’s White Coat Ceremony, Dr. Shapiro, In a new book, a Penn medical student an alumna, shared the story of her medical and his writing partner tell the story of a JOHN R. SHEA, Ph.D. crisis – and some lessons it helped underscore flood that ravaged a city in India. To do Editor for health-care professionals in their dealings the necessary research, Utpal Sandesara with patients. returned to his family’s old home. GRAHAM PERRY, NCS Studios Design / Art Direction ADMINISTRATION SUSAN E.