FALL 2020

The Pandemic Year How COVID Could Change Medicine for Good The Future Battle on the Immune Front

Also: A Century of Women in Medicine at Penn THE PREP

DEPARTMENTS Left THE PREP Kneeling in Remembrance and Rising to the Challenge

2 EDITOR’S NOTE The Pandemic Year—and How We’re Getting Through It

3 VITAL SIGNS Responses to COVID-19 and Beyond

14 MEDICINE PLUS From Preserving Mummies KNEELING IN REMEMBRANCE to Practicing Medicine 44 DEVELOPMENT MATTERS Remembering Madlyn Abramson; AND RISING TO THE CHALLENGE Superheroes of 2020

By MaryKate Wust 50 AWARDS & ALUMNI NEWS 16 Faculty Honors, Alumni Progress Notes and Obituaries

In early June, faculty and staff came together at Penn To meet this moment with the urgency it demands, the 56 FUTURE PROGNOSIS The Immune Front Medicine sites across the region to join silent demonstrations Office of Inclusion and Diversity partnered with Penn 24 organized with #WhiteCoatsForBlackLives, which aims to Medicine Academy to develop the Action for Cultural eliminate racism from medicine and promote the health Transformation (ACT) plan—a framework that champions and wellness of Black and minority communities. At Penn diversity, inclusion, and equality. ACT seeks to drive both Presbyterian Medical Center, staff spilled out of the concourse long- and short-term goals that will make Penn a better STAFF and into the street, while at Penn Medicine Lancaster General place to work, learn, and receive care. The ACT agenda in- Rachel Ewing FALL 2020 / VOLUME XXXII NUMBER 2 Health, employees were met with honks and cheers as they cludes cultural shifts like widening opportunities for research Editor lined the sidewalk. At the main event at Franklin Field on Penn’s and advancement for underrepresented minorities, addressing campus, hundreds of members of the Penn and Children’s the social determinants of health that affect patients’ lives, MaryKate Wust Assistant Editor By Steve Graff Hospital of Philadelphia communities filled the turf and and setting the next generation of physicians up for success 16 Facing the Pandemic COVID-19 is changing medicine in real time—and likely for good. spread into the bleachers. by ensuring culturally competent care is at the center of Graham P. Perry/NCS Studios For eight minutes and 46 seconds—the amount of time a their education. Design / Art Direction Minneapolis police officer fatally kneeled on George Floyd’s In an open letter titled, “My Heart is Broken, But I Am 24 Profiles of Women in Medicine, 1920-2020 neck—participants took a knee in remembrance of his life Sustained by Hope,” Vice Dean for Inclusion and Diversity Eve Peggy Peterson By Carol Benenson Perloff Contributing Photographer and the lives of all victims of police brutality, in defiance of Higginbotham SM, MD, ML, wrote, “I am reminded during One century, bracketed by two global pandemics. Between 1920 and 2020, women rose from second-class citizenship to take the reins as pioneering the racist systems that allow oppression to flourish, and in this difficult time of the phrase, ‘to whom much is given, ADMINISTRATION leaders in medicine, among all other areas of public life. support of the protests sparked across the nation. much is required.’ As professionals, we have had opportunities Patrick Norton “We kneel in the hope that we don’t have another hashtag that few others will ever realize. … Thus, using our gifts, our Vice President for Public Affairs next week or next month. We kneel so that moments like opportunities, our blessings, what can we do to help craft Holly Auer, MBE this turn into movements,” said Florencia Greer Polite, MD, the alternative path … and emerge as a better society?” Associate Vice President, chief of General Obstetrics and Gynecology, whose powerful The Penn Medicine community has already taken several Communications words soared across Franklin Field. But kneeling, she cau- key steps on the path to an antiracist health system, including tioned, is not enough. “Breaking down systemic racism is initiating authentic conversations and requiring that each going to take real work. The question is: Are we willing to do member of the workforce complete unconscious bias training PENN MEDICINE IS AVAILABLE ONLINE AND VIA EMAIL! Penn Medicine is published for the alumni and the hard work of confronting implicit bias and recognizing by year’s end. As Higginbotham noted in an interview for friends of Penn Medicine by the Office of Public You can read and share the stories from this issue and recent past issues of Penn Medicine, Affairs. © 2020 by the Trustees of the University our role in the current system?” the Penn Medicine News Blog, sustainable, transformational browse related links, and enjoy extra photos online. Visit: PennMedicine.org/magazine of Pennsylvania. All rights reserved. For alumni To that question, Penn Medicine has responded with a change requires widespread support from faculty, staff, and address updates, visit quakernet.alumni.upenn.edu Subscribe to the magazine’s email edition: PennMedicine.org/news/subscribe or contact [email protected]. Address all resounding “yes.” students alike: “There’s nothing more powerful than a other correspondence to Penn Medicine Magazine, Follow on Twitter: @PennMedMag community being galvanized and pushing to become the Department of Communications, 3600 Civic Center Boulevard, 5th Floor Suite 500, Philadelphia, PA best it can be.” 19104-4310, or call 215-662-2560, or email [email protected]. EDITOR’S NOTE VITAL SIGNS

The Pandemic Year— CARE IN THE and How We’re COMMUNITY Getting Through It The COVID-19 pandemic has dispropor- tionately impacted communities of color, and particularly Black and Hispanic individuals. Combined with a summer of civil unrest We called it “Flu Forward.” Two years ago in the pages sparked by police brutality, the pandemic has of this magazine, we looked back 100 years to the 1918 flu highlighted longstanding systemic inequities pandemic and speculated on whether such a disease could that have put the health of racial and ethnic strike again. Our experts’ chorus: It wasn’t a question of if Marc Goldfarb, RN, BSN, CNOR, was inspired to take portraits of his minority groups at risk. humanity would face another great global pandemic, but when. masked and shielded colleagues in the spring. “As nurses were To break down barriers preventing under- The answer to that question came sooner than many of asked to remain flexible and provide care in different settings, we served community members from accessing began to lean on each other for support,” Goldfarb said. “I found us would have expected with COVID-19. And this issue myself working alongside a lot of familiar faces, only the expressions COVID-19 care, Penn Medicine leveraged its serves, in a few ways, as an elaboration of that answer. had changed. I didn’t see fear. I saw concern. I didn’t see hope- 16-year partnership with the Dr. Bernett L. We have also broadened our scope as we grapple with lessness, I saw bravery. I never saw weakness, I saw strength. And Johnson Jr. Sayre Health Center. Adding to more than anything else, I noticed camaraderie.” what a contemporary pandemic means in our lives and work their list of collaborative clinical, research, in academic medicine. Our story about the 1918 flu implicitly educational, and advocacy initiatives, Penn posed a third question after “if” and “when” the next global our loved ones, and for ourselves. It includes being there to and Sayre created a drive- and walk-through pandemic would strike: How would we deal with it? The an- extend a helping hand—even if virtually, from a physical testing site in Cobbs Creek, a predominantly swers we delved into two years ago proved prescient to the distance—as we all strive to get through this. Black neighborhood in West Philadelphia. The approaches now undertaken here and around the world— And sometimes the answer to “how” is evident even with- site is one of nearly a dozen Penn Medicine public health surveillance, novel treatment strategies, and out words, but with a feeling of compassion, support and COVID-19 testing sites serving communities rapidly deployed, fresh approaches to vaccines including camaraderie as we’ve supported one another in different throughout the region, including several testing RNA-based and DNA-based vaccines pioneered at Penn ways than before. It was 5:30 on a chilly morning in April sites that were stood up rapidly and efficiently Medicine. Our cover story in this issue offers glimpses of when Colleen Kelly, RN, BSN, CNOR, paused before starting in the earliest days of the pandemic. this full-force effort underway at our institution since the her shift outside the entrance of the Hospital of the University In the first week alone, Sayre staff performed spring, including the immediate clinical response, support of Pennsylvania to allow a colleague to take her photo—the 906 tests. Since May, more than 15,800 Phila- for the workforce, and planning for a changed future. photo now on this issue’s cover. Moments later, patients saw delphians have been tested there, and the site Before COVID struck, we had already embarked on an- the warmth of Kelly’s kind eyes to calm their fears as they continues to run like a well-oiled machine, other 100-year look back for this issue, timed to the centen- arrived for surgeries that couldn’t be delayed, even in the offering COVID-19 tests, behavioral health nial of women’s suffrage in the United States, with profiles earliest peak of the pandemic when many non-emergency screenings, and flu vaccinations. The combina- of Penn medical alumnae from each decade from 1920 to procedures were put on hold. At the time, visitation restrictions tion of barrier-free medical and behavioral the present. As the reality of 2020 unfolded, we reshaped to protect our patients and staff meant they were unable to health care ensures that people who have the story’s direction. Our 1920 graduates, including Julia have a loved one with them—no family member could hold historically lacked access to resources feel Morgan, MD, were conscripted to treat influenza patients their hand. Kelly, a 19-year Penn Medicine employee, was seen and supported. while still in medical school in 1918. Our 2020 graduates redeployed to welcome patients to help them feel at ease as “Whether the result of the test is positive or were kept away from their clinical duties at the spring peak they came through the door. negative, having access is an intervention in itself,” of COVID, before the start of residency this summer put “It felt rewarding to help patients and their families, to said Kent Bream, MD, Sayre medical director them back on the front lines at hospitals across the country. help them feel a little better about the situation,” Kelly told me and an associate professor of Clinical Family Not only do we now highlight the transformation of the recently. She’s now back at the Perelman Center aiding in Medicine and Community Health. “As people landscape for women in medicine, but also what changed in outpatient surgeries again, where her patients are allowed self-isolate, these kind of small but meaningful the space of a century bracketed by two global pandemics. to bring a visitor and things are mostly back to normal, albeit interpersonal interactions have been missing. Back in 2018, there were other “how” questions we didn’t with masks and shields. It’s a changed world, but Kelly’s ex- Being here gives people a small sense that both think to ask about a deadly modern global pandemic. How pression remains kind—and reminds us that the way we’ll we and they can control what’s happening.” would it change us, our fears, our focus? How would we face get through this is by looking out for each other, together. Drive- and walk-through COVID-19 testing is one of it, and what strengths would we lean on to survive and help countless ways that Penn Medicine connects with those in our care? Many of the stories in these pages—cover to underserved communities in need. Learn about the ways in which faculty, staff, and students have stepped up to cover—now answer that question and show how COVID-19 support Penn Medicine’s neighbors through our new has driven our focus on what matters most. That includes community impact report, Service in Action. public health, surviving the pandemic; creativity, whether in finding unexpected sources of PPE or in using artistic expres- Explore photos, animated [email protected] graphics, videos, and more at sion to cope with hardship; and justice, driving out long- CommunityImpact.PennMedicine.org. standing inequities. It includes caring for our colleagues, for @PennMedMag

2 PENN MEDICINE FALL 2020 3 VITAL SIGNS IN THE MIDST OF A STRUGGLE…

“HISTORY HAS SHOWN THAT CRISES HAVE A WAY OF DAMAGING OUR MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES AND COVID-19 IS NO DIFFERENT. YET, WHEN I CAME ACROSS THIS PIN, I FOUND SOME ENCOURAGEMENT.”

In March, Claiborne B. Childs, MD, MS, director of Diversity & In- clusion Initiatives for the Internal Medicine residency program, redis- covered an inspiring lapel pin in his collection that he had purchased from the Smithsonian Museum of African American History last year. In a blog post for the Office of Inclusion and Diversity, Childs recalled the message that he took away from his experience at the museum: “Our ancestors showed us that in the midst of a struggle you don’t quit, you keep going.” The pin’s gold lettering not only offered him a timely reminder to remain resilient in the face of this newest struggle, the pandemic, but also a prescient message ahead of the civil unrest that spread a few months later. FIGHTING AN “INVISIBLE ENEMY” CELEBRATING In the early days of pandemic, many staff members across Penn BEGINNING A Medicine were redeployed to new roles, some taking temperatures SURVIVORS at hospital entrances, others communicating with patients via tele- medicine. Taylor VanderWoude, RN, LT, a nurse in the Heart and NEW CHAPTER IN Vascular ICU at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, was also reassigned to help where she was needed most, though her THE COVID ERA mission took her out of the health system and into New York City. VanderWoude, a reservist in the United States Navy Reserve, “THESE EXTRAORDINARY was mobilized to the military-run medical center set up in the Javits Center, which treated more than 1,000 COVID-19 patients CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE BROUGHT between its opening in March and closure in May. During those OUT OUR BEST, AND ARE MAKING two “crazy” months, she often worked multiple shifts in a row and US AN EVEN STRONGER ACADEMIC did her best to connect with patients in the ICU and provide their families with updates on their care. “We were working in a field MEDICAL CENTER. [...] THE hospital, so it was definitely different from our typical jobs. But we INCREDIBLE WORK OF OUR signed up to help people. You expect war, not a pandemic, but I FRONTLINE PROVIDERS DURING WISE WORDS was excited to help however I could,” she said. Veterans Care Concierge liaison Paula Crawford-Gamble, CRNP, THE SURGE OF CASES IN THE WITHIN CAPT, NC, USN (Ret), could not have been more grateful for the SPRING WAS BEYOND HEROIC. “overwhelming support” that VanderWoude and nearly 20 other THEIR SKILL AND COMPASSION Susan Summerton, MD, an associate professor of Ra- staff members received as their teams rallied around them. “Man- diology at the Perelman School of Medicine, usually agers were calling me to make sure we could provide virtual fare- WERE ENHANCED BY reads mammograms and performs breast biopsies, but well parties and mobilization packages. There truly was this recog- TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGES for a time, she shifted to chest imaging to help with the nition that whether you were in scrubs or a uniform, everyone was IN CARE DELIVERY.” growing number of scans of patients with known or sus- After three weeks at Chester County Hospital severely ill with in this battle together.” pected COVID-19 infections. Summerton also took in- COVID-19, Deborah Hocker was surprised with music, balloons, Kevin B. Mahoney, CEO of the University of Pennsylvania In a letter welcoming the Perelman spiration from the pandemic in her creative outlet—art- and a hospital lobby lined with staff cheering for her as she was Health System, agreed. “I imagine this mobilization was different School of Medicine (PSOM) community back for another academic year, J. work she crafts from “letters” found in the human body discharged into her husband’s embrace. Hocker was the hospital’s in many ways and not one that you trained for. It required you to Larry Jameson, MD, PhD, dean of in medical images—and delivered a crucial message in first patient to be discharged after spending time on a ventilator. make sacrifices, ones that not many would, to fight an invisible en- PSOM and executive vice president a blog post published by the Office of Inclusion and Penn Medicine’s other hospitals celebrated COVID success emy on the home front,” he wrote in a letter thanking mobilized of the University of Pennsylvania for the Health System, offered a glimpse Diversity: “We should keep calm and stay home and stories in a variety of ways, including playing “Here Comes the staff for their courage and commitment. “You continue to answer into the ongoing evolution of Penn’s soon we will all be on the other side of this dark time Sun” by the Beatles, and by planting a garden of colorful paper the call of those around you, whether in uniform or as civilians, campus, curriculum, and clinical in our shared history.” flowers outside HUP—one for each patient discharged. and I’m honored to have you on board.” research in response to COVID-19.

4 PENN MEDICINE FALL 2020 5 VITAL SIGNS CONTINUOUS CARE

Life—and birth—goes on with or without a global pandemic. Across Penn Medicine, more than 11,300 babies have been born since early March. For the health system’s tiniest patients who need some extra time and support before they can head home with their families, staff like Rachelle Haworth, BSN, RN, a nurse in the Inten- sive Care Nursery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, are there to provide compassionate care they need.

MORE LIVES TO SAVE

“AS OUR ICUs FILL UP WITH PATIENTS STRUGGLING TO BREATHE, WE LOOK AROUND AND ASK: CAN WE SAVE A BED, CAN WE SAVE TWO BEDS, FOR THE GUNSHOT VICTIMS WE KNOW ARE COMING NEXT?”

In an impassioned piece for the New York Times, HEALTH CARE HEROES Elinore Kaufman, MD, MSHP, an assistant professor of Surgery in the Division of Traumatology, Surgical Katie Lord, BSN, RN, a nurse at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, couldn’t “explain what coronavirus is or why Critical Care, and Emergency Surgery, discussed the difficulties of balancing the global coronavirus pan- mommy isn’t home” to her toddlers, but she could show them. While Lord stayed at a hotel between shifts this spring to avoid demic with the nation’s gun violence epidemic and the potential to carry the coronavirus home, she and her colleagues drew inspiration from her personal protective equipment—and the consequences of both on desperately needed drew toy cartoon wings on the glass—to illustrate that she’s trying to be a hero just like her 3-year old’s idol, Buzz Lightyear. hospital resources.

6 PENN MEDICINE FALL 2020 7 VITAL SIGNS FACING THE UNCERTAINTY When a group of first-year medical students joined together to create a literary magazine fused with scientific communication, they never expected that “a pandemic would leap out of our lecture slides and into our reality.” But even as they spread across the country to self-isolate, their creative venture, apenndx, did not fall by the wayside. Rather, another wave of submissions flooded in, offering snapshots of students’ COVID-19 experiences. The excerpts below represent a selection of those perspectives. As Kate Hutchison and Scott Symonds “Learning how to listen, to empathize, to do reflection, to dwell with ambiguity…. These are also sat on their couch with details of their critical physician skills, and the arts and humanities help to promote that,” said Horace DeLisser, futures in their hands, a range of emo- MD, associate dean for Diversity and Inclusion, in an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer. tions washed over them. There was excitement to learn where they would go for residency after gradu- ating from the Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) in May. There was a tinge of disappointment, too; due to the PHILLY’S CHILDREN MY HEART COVID-19 pandemic and concerns about social distancing, the roommates ARE OUR CHILDREN ACHES, BUT were celebrating their long-awaited Match Day in their apartment rather MATCH DAY 2020 than the atrium of the Jordan Medical Education Center. There was a sense of CELEBRATING AMID CORONAVIRUS longing for their friends, families, and mentors, who, in normal times, would stand beside them cheering as they fe- verishly tore open their envelopes. But above all, they felt a wave of relief. In a world seemingly becoming more uncer- tain by the day, they finally had some- phones and laptops were charged and “I probably got 20 times the amount thing concrete to hold onto. At noon, ready. In an effort to preserve some of of notifications I usually get in a day,” they would know where the next step of the suspense, the friends wrote down Hutchison said. “A lot of large-scale their medical training would take them. each other’s matches and tucked them crises bring people together to support “I’d been excited about residency for away in envelopes, even making one each other, but physical separation is a long time, and it felt like everything for Kipp’s dog, Mason. required right now. It has been inter- going on in the world was overshad- One by one, they revealed their resi- esting to find different ways to build owing this milestone. But there are so dency destinations: Back to the West community and togetherness. There has been a lot of FaceTiming!” Of the 155 PSOM students who “EVEN THOUGH THIS WASN’T EXACTLY matched this March, 30 percent stayed at Penn, joining residency programs at WHAT WE IMAGINED, WE WERE STILL the Hospital of the University of Penn- sylvania, Pennsylvania Hospital, Scheie To connect with the memory of her moth- er—a surgeon, poet, and avid runner—fourth- IN IT TOGETHER.” Eye Institute, and CHOP, while the “AS MANY OF US GRADUALLY EXIT QUARANTINE other 70 percent scattered across 27 year Perelman School of Medicine student E. many people who missed important Coast for Hutchison to train in ortho- different states—all facing an unprece- WITH CELEBRATION, OUR CITY’S CHILDREN WILL Berryhill McCarty has hit the pavement, run- events because of COVID. Even paedic surgery; and a pair of western dented challenge of beginning resi- NEED EVEN MORE RESOURCES FOR THE ADDI- ning at least one mile and writing a haiku to ac- company a photo snapped every day. Through though this wasn’t exactly what we Pennsylvania posts for Symonds and dency amid a global pandemic. TIONAL CHALLENGES THEY WILL FACE DURING imagined, we were still in it together,” Kipp, at the University of Pittsburgh “I know that this is not the format for her three-line verses, some of which reflect on Symonds said of the home celebration Medical Center for emergency medi- Match Day that we all planned for, but I THIS CHRONIC READJUSTMENT PHASE. “ the bright spots of normalcy that remain in “a in March. cine and Penn State Health in State hope that you find joy in your accom- world so changed,” others revealing her uneasi- In a city where health, food security, graduation rates, and more are largely de- ness in this “grim” new era, McCarty has been To ensure their DIY Match Day was College for family and community plishments,” said Suzanne Rose, MD, termined by zip code, the socioeconomic impact of COVID-19 will linger long af- still special, Hutchison, Symonds, and medicine, respectively. They immedi- MSEd, senior vice dean for Medical Edu- ter businesses and schools reopen. First-year MD-PhD students Likhitha Kolla able to process her feelings throughout the pan- his partner Ryan Kipp—a Penn State ately shared the exciting news with cation at PSOM. “You all have the deter- and Diane Rafizadeh discussed the resources Philadelphia’s most vulnerable chil- demic. A collection of her poems and photos dren need to cope with this ever-changing new normal in an apenndx essay. Hershey medical student who also their loved ones, and their phones mination, creativity, resilience, and com- was published in the inaugural issue of apenndx. matched this year—had flowers, cake, buzzed nonstop with updates from passion to rise to the current challenges Find apenndx online at http://www.apenndx.com. and champagne to celebrate, and their classmates. and to face your very bright futures.”

8 PENN MEDICINE FALL 2020 9 VITAL SIGNS

ICYMI: IN COVID YOU MISSED IT PENN MEDICINE RANKED COVID-19 has dominated the headlines, but even during a pandemic, new Penn Medicine research findings from a range of disciplines found their way to publication in top journals. In case you missed it, here are some highlights. AMONG TOP HOSPITALS IN THE NATION Penn Medicine hospitals have once again been ranked among the top hospitals in the nation by U.S News & World Report. Out of more than 4,500 hospitals analyzed nationwide, Penn Medicine is among only 20 institutions to be named to this year’s Honor Roll, and the only one in the Philadelphia region. The combined enterprise of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center was recognized for the 14th consecutive year, earning distinction as the #1 hospital in Pennsylvania and in the Philadelphia metro area. HUP-PPMC also received top marks among 12 clinical specialties and in all 10 of the common adult procedures and conditions evaluated by the survey. Lancaster General Health ranked #4 in the state, and was nationally ranked in Orthopedics. Pennsylvania Hospital was CATCHING THE MUSCLE RELAXANT named #4 in Philadelphia, #8 in the state, and was nationally recognized in Gynecology. Chester County Hospital earned #5 in DEADLIEST CANCERS the Philadelphia region, #10 in the state, and national distinction in Diabetes & Endocrinology. Princeton Health ranked #9 in USE SKYROCKETS New Jersey, #24 in the New York metro area, and was recognized as high-performing in Orthopedics. WITH A BLOOD TEST In a study published in JAMA Network Open, By the time a patient is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the dis- Penn researchers found that between 2005 and ease has most likely spread; it’s one of the deadliest cancers. Catching 2016, doctor’s office visits for ongoing muscle re- it early is vital in order to connect patients with treatment. A Penn laxant prescriptions tripled nationally from 8.5 team recently found that a liquid biopsy can detect the most common million to 24.7 million, largely among older PSOM NAMED TOP form of pancreatic cancer in its early stages by screening for multiple adults. Nearly 70 percent of these patients also TRAINING GROUND biomarkers. The test was more accurate at detecting disease in a received prescriptions for opioids. The team hy- The nation’s first medical school continues to blinded study than any other known biomarker alone, and was also pothesized that the spike in muscle relaxant pre- rank among the best in the United States, according more accurate at staging disease than imaging is capable of alone, ac- scriptions was a response to the opioid epidemic, to U.S. News & World Report’s annual “Best Graduate cording to the study published in Clinical Cancer Research. This find- but noted that they can have potentially adverse Schools” report. ing was one of several significant steps forward for liquid biopsy ap- effects—especially when combined with opi- For the second consecutive year, the Perelman proaches for cancer this year. Another Penn team found that imaging oids—and may not be more effective than Tylenol School of Medicine (PSOM) was ranked #3, continu- of glioblastoma—another of the deadliest cancers—can determine or Advil. The findings suggest further research is ing a 23-year streak among the top-ten research- whether a more-invasive surgical biopsy is needed. Others showed a needed to understand the effects of long-term use oriented medical schools. PSOM, which is also liquid biopsy could identify patients with metastatic non-small cell of muscle relaxants, and that patients need access consistently among the nation’s top recipients of lung cancer most likely to benefit from immunotherapy treatment. to better options for pain management. federal funding from the National Institutes of Health, earned additional top marks in eight areas of specialty training: Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics & CLUES TO IMPROVE INFERTILITY Gynecology, Radiology, Anesthesiology, Psychiatry, Surgery, and Family Medicine. TREATMENT OUTCOMES “The Perelman School of Medicine has an inter- national reputation for unique training programs and Millions of babies have been born with the aid of assisted reproductive technology a groundbreaking curriculum which combines basic (ART), but some moms can experience complications. Penn researchers conducted sciences and clinical experience, preparing students a study in mice to explore the underlying cause of placental abnormalities, pre- for a future of innovative research and patient-centered eclampsia, and abnormal fetal growth. They examined how four steps of the care,” said J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD, dean of PSOM ART process impacted placental development and fetal growth. The mouse models and executive vice president of the University of indicated that the embryo culture—where the fertilization of the egg with the Pennsylvania for the health system. “This continued sperm takes place in a medium meant to replicate the oviduct’s essential nu- recognition exemplifies Penn’s rich tradition of sci- trients and is placed in an incubator that mimics the womb—had the strongest entific discovery and academic excellence. We are effect on adverse outcomes, and the abnormalities were unrelated to infertility. so proud of the incredible learning environment in The findings, which were published in Development, suggest that optimizing our clinics and labs, our inspiring faculty, and our the embryo culture process may ensure healthier outcomes. inquisitive students.”

10 PENN MEDICINE FALL 2020 11 VITAL SIGNS ROBERTS PROTON THERAPY CENTER HOWELL TAKES CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF ACHIEVEMENTS THE HELM AS In January 2010, the first patients received therapy was a study published in JAMA OB/GYN CHAIR treatment at the newly opened Roberts Oncology in December 2019 that evaluated Proton Therapy Center. Featuring a technol- patients with non-metastatic brain, head Elizabeth Howell, MD, MPP, has been named chair of the ogy that was revolutionary at the time, Penn and neck, lung, gastrointestinal, and gyne- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Perelman Medicine brought scientific rigor to a new cologic cancers. The research delivered School of Medicine (PSOM) at the University of Pennsylva- radiation therapy modality in a facility that scientific proof of its ability to significantly nia. She joined Penn in September after more than 20 years remains the largest, most comprehensive lower the risk of side effects while having at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she proton therapy center of its kind. almost identical cure rates to traditional most recently served as the director of the Blavatnik Family Perhaps the center’s most important re- radiotherapy. “Even we did not expect Women’s Health Research Institute and a professor of Ob- search contribution to the field of proton the effect to be this sizeable,” said senior stetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science, Psychiatry, author and Radiation Oncology Chair and Population Health Science and Policy. James Metz, MD. Howell has served on several expert committees, scien- tific advisory boards, and editorial boards, published a wealth of policy-shaping research in premier academic medical journals. Her work primarily focuses on the impact of racial and ethnic disparities on maternal and infant health and mortality. On the TEDMED stage in 2018, Howell shared how she is working to CLINICAL RESEARCH Howell succeeds Deborah Driscoll, MD, who in 2019 was AND BEYOND drive maternal health reform in the United States, which has the highest maternal mortality rate in the developed world. named vice dean for professional services of PSOM and senior vice president of the Clinical Practices of the University Nearly 50 Clinical Trials SPEEDING TREATMENT of Pennsylvania. Driscoll’s 14 years of transformative leadership propelled innovative work in areas ranging from pregnancy 3,000+ Clinical Trial loss to remote monitoring for new mothers and led Penn Medicine’s OB/GYN department to become a renowned leader in Participants One-Dose FLASH Radiotherapy research, clinical care, and education. Penn Radiation Oncology DEVELOPING NEW Space Travel Safety Research demonstrated the feasibility of TECHNIQUES With aerospace industry part- giving an entire course of radia- ners using the Albert Chadwick tion treatment in less than a sec- Pencil-Beam Scanning Research Room ond with “super-concentrated” Better spatial distribution of the EDUCATING AND FLASH radiotherapy, working in EXPANDING ACCESS collaboration with Penn’s School radiation dose, expanding the SENSORY PROCESSING of Veterinary Medicine. different types of tumors that can be treated 21+ Countries Learn Here Experts from across the globe EXPERT BEGINS AS Cone Beam Computed attend Roberts Center’s Annual Tomography Course on Proton Therapy. Superior imaging NEUROSURGERY CHAIR of soft tissue 80% of New Proton Centers Receive Training from Penn Prompt Gamma Imaging Medicine Daniel Yoshor, MD, was appointed chair of the Department of A proton range verification tool It is considered the world’s Neurosurgery for the Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) and vice preeminent training program. president of clinical integration and innovation for the health system Thousands More Patients in July. A dynamic leader and accomplished administrator, he held Will Gain Access by 2022 several appointments in Neurosurgery, Neurology, and Neuroscience New centers opening in Lancaster, Pa. and Voorhees, over the past 20 years at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, most N.J. will serve more patients recently serving as the Marc J. Shapiro endowed professor and chair close to home. of Neurosurgery. Yoshor’s research centers on the mechanisms of sensory processing Mourning a Beloved Benefactor: Suzanne Roberts in the visual cortex. His team has learned to bypass the optic nerve Any celebrations of these accomplishments would have been bittersweet and send visual information straight to the brain, which helps blind because of the passing of Suzanne Roberts in April 2020. Known as a woman of many people to “see” shapes. He also has extensive experience in endo- talents—as an actress, broadcaster, and educator—she was devoted to having a positive impact on scopic pituitary and skull base surgery, brain tumor and epilepsy the world, which made her a proud contributor to her family’s landmark gift creating the Roberts Proton surgery, clinical brain mapping, and developing neuro-technologies. Therapy Center. She and her late husband, Ralph, never missed the center’s annual Proton Patient Alumni reception, His appointment comes after longtime chair M. Sean Grady, MD, and guests looked forward to and were inspired by her presence. Perelman School of Medicine Dean J. Larry Jameson transitioned to the role of physician director of the Neurosciences shared, “Suzanne’s boundless compassion and energy will surely be missed at Penn Medicine and in the greater Philadelphia Service Line. Grady’s exceptional, energetic leadership led to advanced research in areas like traumatic brain injury, a substantial community. Her vibrant positivity was a treasure for our patients and physicians.” increase in the amount of female residents, and the development of patient-centered programs like the Mind Your Brain Conference.

12 PENN MEDICINE FALL 2020 13 MEDICINE PLUS

Charlotte Tisch’s first patient was a man of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), diagnosed with COVID-19 in March. While named Nesmin. During a two-year internship, Tisch started an internship that gave her firsthand self-isolating, she brainstormed ways in which she Tisch honed her observational skills and learned experience in repairing and restoring artwork. could support the mounting needs of the commu- to better understand his needs, collaborated with “Things go into a museum so that they can live nity from her bed. One night while trying to fig- an interdisciplinary team to develop personalized forever, and as a conservator’s intern, it’s your job ure out if her sense of smell had returned, she treatment plans, and used her growing expertise to help preserve an object’s integrity and honor suddenly recalled something important—the face to care for him. The twist: Nesmin had been dead the culture that it came from,” she said. masks that she used during conservation work at for more than two thousand years. This is also where she met Nesmin, a mummi- RISD were very similar to the masks she used in Before embarking on her journey as a physician- fied Ptolemaic priest who lived more than two the hospital. in-training at the Perelman School of Medicine millennia ago in what is now Akhmim, Egypt. Knowing that health care workers nationwide were struggling with a shortage of personal pro- tective equipment (PPE) in the early days of the pandemic, she reached out to her museum net- works and asked if they had untapped pools of FROM PRESERVING MUMMIES masks, gloves, and other protective gear that they could donate. Jackpot. During her two-year the MCAT is a pretty miserable test. And here I Tisch was “overwhelmed and humbled” by the RISD internship, TO PRACTICING MEDICINE Tisch examined and was wishing that I was studying for it!” she said. “I generosity and eagerness to help that she found as cared for priceless realized that something was either seriously donations came in from the Whitney Museum, By MaryKate Wust objects—some even wrong with me, or maybe I should reconsider New York Historical Society, Brooklyn Museum, older than Nesmin! Here, she uses an whether medicine was something I wanted to get Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Penn Museum, (PSOM) at the University of Pennsylvania, Tisch Though she wasn’t entrusted with preserving his X-ray fluorescence back to.” contributed through the PPEnn Pals program cre- attended Brown University for her undergraduate physical life, Tisch was deeply invested in deter- spectrometer to de- She graduated from Brown in 2017 without hav- ated by fellow PSOM first-year Noa Erlitzki. Tisch termine the ele- studies. She had long planned to pursue the pre- mining how the museum could ensure his body mental composition ing taken the MCAT, and yet she wasn’t too far was also grateful to have found a meaningful way med track, but after taking an Egyptian archaeol- and story lived on. Nesmin became the topic of of a clay jar created behind her classmates. Not only had her psychol- to get involved after initially feeling a bit helpless ogy class that she added to her schedule for fun, her thesis, and she developed changes for his dis- in the Naqada II ogy major checked off some required science while away from the clinic and the classroom. period of ancient everything changed. play and delved into the history of the cultural Egyptian history. The classes, but her experiences with archaeology had “While it’s been stressful, it’s also been an amaz- “I grew up going to museums like the Metro- popularity of Egyptian mummies in the U.S. jar is more than 5600 applications outside of the museum. Tisch’s days ing time to be in medical school,” Tisch said. politan Museum of Art, but I had never engaged “I started looking into how different institutions years old. spent digging in the dirt taught her how to look “We’re all excited to get back onto the wards and with art and artifacts at this level,” she said. emphasize the fact that these are human remains for clues and draw informed conclusions; her in- to interact with patients again, but I think that this “Rather than just admiring objects for their and that these people’s final wish was to be left ternship sharpened her fine motor skills and time has been invigorating for our education and beauty, that class encouraged me to consider the alone in their tombs,” she said. “How can we keep helped her learn to ‘listen’ to the objects in her will impact our clinical experiences in the future.” meaning behind them. What purpose did they their bodies intact in ways that are congruent care and maintain their ‘health’; and her thesis For Tisch, her memory of the COVID-19 era serve? What could these objects teach me about with their religious beliefs? How can we address work prepared her for future anatomy courses and and her first year at Penn will also forever be col- the people and cultures that created them? I just the issues of colonialism that led to these mum- patient care by teaching her to see Nesmin as a ored by her two “worlds colliding” perfectly, fell in love.” mies being removed from their country and, for a man, not a mummy. Working for a year in the tech demonstrating that perhaps there isn’t such a Tisch decided to major in Egyptian archaeology long time, barbarically unwrapped once they got sphere reaffirmed that she wanted to spend her life large gap between preserving mummies and prac- and psychology. When she wasn’t poring over here? How can we teach visitors to take a step helping people and giving back, so she completed ticing medicine. books and documents in the library, she was ex- back from the Hollywood depiction and under- Goucher College’s post-baccalaureate premedical cavating a site two blocks from campus to un- stand that these are people who lived?” program, then started at PSOM last year. Read this story online at PennMedicine.org/ earth the foundation of a house that had been At the same time that Tisch was studying and magazine/mummies there 200 years prior. Tisch was especially in- caring for Nesmin, she was also watching her pre- A PANDEMIC INSPIRATION trigued by how museums and collections preserve med friends spend days studying for the MCAT The coronavirus pandemic complicated her and create historical narratives. After a professor and applying to medical schools—and she was jeal- first year of medical school, but Tisch still took connected her with a conservator at the Museum ous. “Even if you’re full of enthusiasm and passion, each challenge in stride—even when she was

14 PENN MEDICINE FALL 2020 15 COVER STORY

FACING THE PANDEMICBy Steve Graff COVID-19 is changing medicine in real time — and likely for good.

fter intubating a patient one night The photos have not only filtered into the Ain mid-April, M. Kit Delgado, MD, walked public consciousness, with Delgado’s selfie out of emergency department at Penn Presby- published­ in US A Today, and Goldfarb’s terian Medical Center (PPMC) for fresh air, photos shared to Penn Medicine’s Instagram pulled off his N95 face mask, and snapped a follow­ers and countless others. They’ve also selfie that would find its way online, like the become historical artifacts; powerful reminders hundreds, if not thousands, of shots his fellow of what health workers have endured ever health care workers took in the thick of the since the pandemic began. When the cases COVID-19 pandemic for the world to see. first hit, they rushed to the front lines, along The deep red sores on their noses and the with researchers on the hunt for answers, weary expressions in their eyes showed us, while others innovated ways to keep opera- however briefly, just how exhausting and tions moving safely and often virtually. painful the trenches can be. By late spring, the early surge in Philadel- It was the humanity in their eyes that in- phia-area hospitals had subsided, though spired perioperative nurse Marc Goldfarb, nationally and globally, the coronavirus pan- RN, BSN, to grab his smartphone to capture demic is still unfolding. But if a few months masked colleagues in similar moments at the of facing down a pandemic crisis has left the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Penn Medicine community confident about (HUP). In their eyes, he saw bravery after anything, it’s this: The ways of caring for stepping out of COVID-19 units. He saw re- patients, organizing work, and collaborating silience up against emergencies they’d had and conducting research together have been no practice for. He saw sadness and concern permanently changed—for the better. as the virus took the lives of their patients, many without families by their side. “We are real people doing a really stress- Black and white photos by ful job,” Goldfarb said, “and this is what we Marc Goldfarb, RN, BSN. look like.” Color photo: Kit Delgado, MD.

16 PENN MEDICINE FALL 2020 17 COVER STORY

care beds, and ventilators. On the HUP campus, leaders Not all care can be given over the internet, of course. also took the step of accelerating construction to ready 120 Penn needed to go where patients were, and keep them out rooms in the Pavilion, also known as HUP East, ahead of its of the hospital when possible, so Penn Medicine at Home scheduled completion date in 2021. By mid-October, more (PMH) took on a larger role. Already well-known for home than 3,800 COVID patients had been cared for across all six health, palliative care, and hospice, PMH expanded its can- of Penn Medicine’s hospitals, with a peak of about 400 pa- cer care and infusion therapy services and took on new pa- tients at once in late April. Clinical staff worked tirelessly to tients, like transplant and wound care, in addition to caring care for them, with physicians, nurses, respiratory thera- for COVID-19 patients at home. Staff either visit patients’ pists, environmental service workers, and others constantly homes, check in virtually with the clinical team through changing in and out of gowns to move from one to the video chats, or both. next. “At that point in time it felt like it was all about mental “I see this as a period of tremendous development, and physical endurance,” said Delgado, an ED clinical re- growth and creativity,” said Nina R. O’Connor, MD, chief searcher, “as we had more COVID-19 patients than any medical officer of PMH. “I think we are going to continue other type and everything took more effort and precaution.” to see more of that because when patients experience care Ultimately, the extra space at HUP East was never needed, at home, and it’s safe and it’s comfortable, they often don’t as the surge of patients never reached overwhelming levels, want to go back to the infusion suite or the clinic visit.” thanks in large part to multiple efforts across the health sys- tem to build capacity before and during the influx of COVID patients. Other scheduled surgeries and procedures were postponed, and many outpatient visits went online, with more than 5,000 clinicians leaping to provide virtual care.

In the spring, all six of Penn Medicine’s hospitals raised tents outside of the emergency department “Absolute Must-Have” to efficiently triage patients to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 inside the hospital. The Right Care in the Right Places

From the sound of her labored breathing and her struggle to finish sentences, Sara S. Samimi, MD, an assistant profes- sor of Dermatology at PSOM, knew the 23-year-old woman with asthma needed to be seen at the hospital. The patient EXPANDING CARE CAPACITY was one of more than 27,000 who received phone calls from Penn Medicine clinicians like Samimi who were redeployed “Moving to the Next Music” from their regular duties as operations shifted to support Readying Hospitals for a Surge COVID care between March and June; she was working as part of one of several new telemedicine programs stood up The rapid clinical and leadership response to build capacity CEO of CCH. Each ICU room was already cordoned off at Penn during the pandemic, this one for communicating for COVID-19 patients at Penn Medicine turned on hun- with glass, unlike the “legacy” ICU in the original hospital, COVID test results. Positive tests led to discussions about dreds of decisions every day at the onset of the pandemic. and the floors were more spacious and nursing stations potential clinical trial enrollment, coordinating care, and en- Outside PPMC on March 17, Peter D. Sananman, MD, spread out, making it more suited for social distancing. rollment in another new telemedicine tool called COVID director of Disaster Preparedness and an associate professor Although they were working in a new space, caring for Watch that uses text messaging to support and monitor pa- of Emergency Medicine in the Perelman School of Medi- COVID-19 patients still required creativity on the staff’s tients not sick enough for hospitalization. cine (PSOM), gathered up a team to erect a tent to triage part, like engineering patient rooms to safely perform sur- Penn Medicine’s 24-hour hub-and-spoke telemedicine patients before they entered the ER to reduce the risk of geries to help cut down on transport and reduce risk of in- operation, the Center for Connected Care, is one of the spreading COVID-19. By 4 p.m., the tent—which would go fections. “It’s a little like watching a symphony where the largest in the nation. So when the pandemic hit, a well-oiled While the COVID Watch text-messaging program moni- on to serve as a model for the other five hospitals—stood sheet music changes every few bars and everybody just apparatus was already in place to provide continuous care tors positive or suspected patients at home with less severe tall and ready to take patients. moves to the next music,” Duncan said. for patients—including those who were safest staying out of symptoms, PMH cares for the sicker COVID-19 patients, Out in the suburbs, Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital Meanwhile, at HUP and PPMC, by the middle of April, the hospital while COVID cases were surging. It just including those discharged from the hospital. Since mid- (CCH), saw an opportunity to expand its inpatient care ca- there was a steady stream of COVID-19 patients, many needed to be supersized. Before, Penn coordinated roughly March, more than 7,100 patients were monitored through pacity. Five floors of the hospital’s new $300 million patient arriving by ambulance, requiring evaluation, oxygen, critical 200 tele-visits a month, mostly urgent care, ICU, or stroke COVID Watch, and more than 1,100 COVID-19 patients tower sat ready to go, slated for opening later in the spring. consultations. In March, that number jumped to 7,000 a have been treated at home. With emergency authorization from the state to use the day—a 10,000 percent increase. Tele-licensed clinical staff “If even half of them had been in the hospital at the peak tower for COVID-19 patients (the standard state inspection “It’s a little like watching a symphony also increased from about 500 to nearly 10,000, spanning of the surge, instead of at home, that would have really was sidelined by the pandemic), the CCH team readied an where the sheet music changes every disciplines that telemedicine previously hadn’t touched. pushed capacity for the hospitals,” O’Connor said. “I think it intensive care unit (ICU) and several surgical floors to care “It’s been a massive, massive ramp up,” said C. William was a very important component of taking care of the right for patients. few bars and everybody just moves to Hanson, MD, the chief medical information officer and vice patients in the right place during this.” Placing COVID care units in the new tower worked out president at UPHS. “Telemedicine has gone from being well for both patient and staff safety, said Michael Duncan, the next music.” a-nice-to-have to an absolute must-have.”

18 PENN MEDICINE FALL 2020 19 COVER STORY

tions to support front-line staff, and many teams rapidly That led to the creation of PennMedicineTogether, a web- shifted at least a portion of their work to remote operations. site layered with resources for staff and their families that For perioperative nurse Goldfarb, who was redeployed to address basic, physical, and emotional needs—everything thermal scanning at HUP’s entrance and aiding clinicians from housing help and tips on homeschooling to exercise PEOPLE MAKE on donning and doffing personal protective gear, it was his guides. It includes platforms like the Coping with COVID first time working outside the operating procedure room blog for people to ask questions anonymously and “Spread since he left nursing school more than 13 years ago. Ashley the Love” that allows users to post messages to front-line IT POSSIBLE F. Haggerty, MD, MSCE, a gynecologic oncology surgeon, workers, which were also streamed on all the hospitals’ delivered five babies while picking up shifts at the HUP la- digital boards. bor and delivery unit. “It was nice to reminisce back to my “It meant so much to [health care workers] to be able to residency days,” she said, looking back on her OB-GYN see that one picture that a kid drew or that one message training at HUP. from the community, as they were taking off their PPE,” “Biggest Successes” In all, roughly 500 people across the health system were re- Bellini said. “It was pretty powerful.” New Opportunities Amid a Pandemic deployed, and more than 1,600 employees retrained to work One of the most widely used digital tools is PennCOBALT. in new positions, all coordinated through a virtual Workforce It’s a targeted assessment that takes users to the most ap- With many inpatient and outpatient services paused due Redeployment Center created by Human Resources and the propriate resource or virtual face-to-face care for mental to COVID-19 and the pressing need for workers on the Penn Medicine Academy (PMA), as well as the COVID health and other support needs, so they don’t get over- front lines, people stepped up for new roles—often relying Learning Site. Developed by the UPHS COVID Learning whelmed with waves of information. It can also be used upon the health system’s robust collaborative systems to Committee and PMA, that website houses the latest knowl- anonymously, which half do. make that work seamless. edge on COVID-19 anyone in the world can now access. When the COVID crisis first started, the wellness team While dermatologists like Samimi took the lead on the The HR team also had to stand up staffing processes for opted to dust off the near-complete COBALT that Cecilia telemedicine efforts, some downtown Philadelphia physi- the health system to handle new needs COVID-19 had Livesey, MD, chief of integrated psychiatric services in Psy- cians traveled to Princeton Health to help on its front line. created, like thermal screening and COVID testing sites The "Spread the Love" feature on the PennMedicineTogether chiatry in PSOM, and Kelley Kugler, MSc, innovation man- website provided a place to send photos and messages of support Infusion suite nurses from the Perelman Center for Ad- around the region, in what Lea Rubini, director of Change to health care workers. These were displayed on hospital digital signs ager at the Center for Health Care Innovation, had been vanced Medicine joined PMH. Human resources profes- Management and Performance Improvement considers to boost morale. working on for nearly three years. sionals coordinated the outpouring of food and other dona- “one of the biggest successes of redeployment efforts.”

The shift in the workforce also forged new partnerships, as groups came together quickly to expedite tasks. One example is the department of Pathology and Labora- tory Medicine. Beefed up with support to handle the influx of COVID-19 tests, the team went from performing about six a day to nearly 3,000. “We removed barriers around cultural change and system integration in a couple of weeks in what probably would have taken years,” said Cindy Morgan, vice president of Learning and Organizational Development. “Idiosyncratic Experience” Wellbeing of Staff Takes Top Priority

The pandemic has required mental stamina on everyone’s part to weather the challenges and stress it brings. But what helps ER physicians like Delgado and Sananman may look very different from the help other health care workers or Penn employees in non-clinical settings may need during When COVID hit, it took them two weeks to finalize these times. The trick was figuring out the components of what plans and stand it up. And it’s here to stay. COBALT proved the Workforce Wellness Committee, led by Lisa Bellini, MD, its value quickly, given the number of people who have ac- senior vice dean for Academic Affairs, calls a stepped-care cessed it (more than 7,000) and the advantages it affords model that would provide a net as wide—and personalized— patients, like privacy and convenience, two barriers that as possible. keep many people from seeking care. “We know that stress is a completely idiosyncratic experi- “I really feel this has fundamentally changed how people ence,” said Jody Foster, MD, chair of Psychiatry at Pennsyl- are going to access mental health care in the future,” Bellini vania Hospital. “What stresses me out, might invigorate said. “The concept of going to a psychiatrist’s office—I’m you. People are different.” not sure what that means post-COVID.”

20 PENN MEDICINE FALL 2020 21 COVER STORY BUILDING THE POST-COVID FUTURE

“One Step Further” other industry advances by making its services easier to Lasting Transformation of Health Care receive, not harder.” in a COVID-19 World Waiting rooms and food areas, along with clinical space, could also take on a new shape, so it’s safer and more con- It took a pandemic to kickstart broader changes that venient for patients. Early on, HUP designated an area to some health systems had in their sights for years. At Penn, COVID-19 patients, turning entire floors into negative it’s not only rocketing telemedicine into a new stratosphere pressure areas. While these spaces have scaled back as the and removing institutional barriers, it’s also shifting care number of patients has decreased in the hospitals, some practices. form of an infectious disease unit will likely be a mainstay The first goal after the spring surge subsided has been to in hospitals to keep patients in a separate area in the event rebuild trust, as the hospitals saw dwindling numbers of of another outbreak. COVID-19 patients and began to reopen their doors to re- Leaning more heavily on mobile technology used during sume routine services for others. Stories from around the the pandemic to reduce wait times in the clinic or ER could country of patients turning down life-saving procedures or become a reality, as well. avoiding emergency care out of fear of COVID-19 under- “There are so many silver linings to this where innovation score how important it is for the health system to not only has truly happened rapidly,” Cole said. “What we are trying to tell patients it’s safe to come back but also show them. do right now is capture that and continue to bring it forward.” It takes an open line of communication between patients and the physicians they trust, a continued focus on hygiene “All Hands On Deck” and handing washing, screening staff and patients before Researchers Band Together to Push the Science entering, and universal masking, said Alyson Cole, an asso- ciate executive director at HUP and co-chair of the Patient For every outbreak—HIV, Ebola, Zika—Penn Medicine Leticia Kuri-Cervantes, PhD, a senior research associate in Microbiology, is profiling the immune system of patients with COVID-19 in the lab Experience Leadership Team. has initiated new research. COVID-19 was no different, ex- of Michael Betts, PhD. “A lot of it is assurance,” Cole said, “and then when they get cept the efforts materialized at unprecedented speed and here making sure we are delivering on what we promised.” folded in researchers from far more disciplines. Clinical teams have also started to think about how care may “Within a matter of about two-and-a-half weeks, we went The multidisciplinary approach to infectious diseases will look on a more permanent basis in a COVID-19 savvy world. from no trials to 11 clinical trials, and have since added likely grow, but expect the focus on zoonotic diseases and The expansion of telemedicine has largely been seen as a [more],” said Emma A. Meagher, MD, vice dean and chief collaborations with Penn Vet to intensify, FitzGerald said, positive and convenient feature to keep patients and provid- clinical research officer, and co-chair of the COVID-19 re- based vaccine work continues under the auspices of Norbert along with even stronger translational science—Penn’s ers connected during these times. But the benefits could search oversight committee. “It was all hands on deck.” Pardi, PhD, a research assistant professor of Medicine, and “sweet spot,” he said—and more private partnerships to get branch out beyond that. Virtual care could help raise the By the time Penn admitted its first COVID-19 patient in Drew Weissman, MD, PhD, a professor of Medicine. clinical trials off the ground faster. threshold for admissions, triage more efficiently, even for early March, clinical trials with the antimalarial drug hy- The clinical research efforts are paired with a full pipeline “I also think the issues around trial design are more acute high-risk patients, expedite care, add convenience, and droxychloroquine and the antiviral drug Remdesivir were al- of basic science expertise through the work of Susan Weiss, than they ever have been before,” Meagher said. “If any- maintain more privacy. The list is long. ready up and running. Others followed, like a trial designed PhD, a virologist and professor of Microbiology who has thing, there has been an increased focus on the right re- “I do think it’s a substantial part of the future of health around heart failure patients, an observational study gather- spent the last 40 years studying coronaviruses and was named search question, the right patient population, the right sam- care,” said David Asch, MD, MBA, executive director of the ing up biospecimens, and studies investigating antibodies and the co-director of the Penn Center for Research on Coronavirus ple size, and the right end point.” Center for Health Care Innovation. “And it took a pandemic immunity in health care workers and the community. and Other Emerging Pathogens with Microbiology Chair How those trials are conducted may change, too. Work- to help us get there faster because there are so many regula- Ravi K. Amaravadi, MD, an associate professor of Medi- Frederic Bushman, PhD. Penn Medicine’s Gene Therapy ing within the safety constraints of COVID-19 has shown tory and financial headwinds under normal circumstances.” cine, who has been studying hydroxychloroquine as a can- Program, led by James M. Wilson, MD, PhD, is also conduct- that remote consenting and testing and delivering experi- The problem is that the health insurance industry worries cer therapy for the last decade, shifted over to COVID-19 ing vital preclinical studies of a unique gene-therapy-based mental medications to a patient can be done without weak- that if telemedicine makes necessary care easier, it can also to lead that trial. E. John Wherry PhD, director of the Insti- vaccine candidate. ening the study’s integrity. And it lightens the burden on make unnecessary care too easy, Asch said. So insurers of- tute for Immunology and chair of Systems Pharmacology “What is really striking here, mainly because of the existen- patients and research teams. ten require that health care be delivered face to face in or- and Translational Therapeutics, is immunoprofiling patients tial threat to all of us, is that people across the spectrum of What Meagher doesn’t want to lose is steam. der for health care providers to be reimbursed for their ser- to tease out the different responses in sick patients and medicine and science, way beyond infectious diseases, virology, “Everything we have been doing since March 1 has been vices. “That’s perverse,” he said. “The answer can’t be to partnering with Nuala J. Meyer, MD, an associate professor epidemiology—everybody, including myself—has gotten mo- so intensely focused on COVID, and it’s exhausting, but I make all care harder. If the care is needed, it shouldn’t mat- of Medicine, in rapid translational efforts to inform their bilized,” said Garret FitzGerald, MD, FRS, a professor of Med- would like to see some part of that transmit beyond this ter if it’s delivered over the [internet] or in person. Every care—trading insights and inquiries between lab and clinic icine and Systems Pharmacology and Translational Thera- very intense period,” she said. “Where it becomes part of on a daily basis (see more on p. 56). peutics, who chairs the oversight committee. “[They said,] our practice.” Meanwhile, work on DNA-based vaccines presses on with ‘What can I do? What bright ideas can I bring to the table?’” David B. Weiner, PhD, an emeritus professor in the PSOM, Pouncing on the virus has paved the way for how future Read this story online with related links and Pablo Tebas, MD, a professor of Medicine, while an RNA- science will be conducted. at PennMedicine.org/magazine/covid

22 PENN MEDICINE FALL 2020 23 FEATURE

One century, bracketed by PROFILES two global pandemics. Between 1920 and 2020, women rose from second-class OF WOMEN IN citizenship to take the reins as pioneering leaders in medicine, among all other areas of public 1849 Elizabeth Blackwell, MD, becomes the first woman MEDICINE life. Decade by decade, the in the United States with a medical degree from Geneva Medical College in lives of women medical New York. graduates from the Perelman School of Medicine offer 1914 University of Pennsylvania Trustees make the School of snapshots of that shift. Medicine co-educational. Three women matriculate in the fall of 1914, of whom two graduate in 1918.

A century ago, the United States was embroiled in change. The nation had recently weathered the 1918 flu pandemic and welcomed home its veterans from the Great War. The pandemic had drafted Penn 1917 medical students from the classes of 1919 and 1920 Clara Hillesheim, a transfer into volunteer medical service as the deadly disease student, becomes the first 1920 ravaged Philadelphia. woman to receive a Penn medical diploma, but she In August 1920, ratification of the 19th amendment does not ultimately remain to the U.S. Constitution gave women the right to vote. in a medical career. The Progressive-era movements opened up educational 1940 U.S. Census lists Hillesheim as living with her and career opportunities. younger brother, a farmer The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and “head of household.” opened doors to women shortly before 1920—but for several decades to come, women made up only a tiny sliver of the medical student population and the med- ical profession writ large. One hundred years later, women comprised 54 percent of the graduating Class of 2020, a class moving on amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. In the decades between the two pandemics, women medical students, physicians, and biomedical 2020 students have faced shifting challenges in pursuit of By Carol Benenson Perloff distinguished careers and lives. Each one has a story.

24 PENN MEDICINE FALL 2020 25 FEATURE

1920 Philadelphia. With essentially no training in treating influ- enza, Morgan and her classmates assumed the responsibili- THE MEDICAL MISSIONARY ties of nurses while fourth-year students stepped up as de facto interns during the crisis. Morgan didn’t shy away from her male-dominated class. Julia Morgan, MD 1891-1948 She took on the job of class historian for three years and, if Penn awarded Julia Morgan, MD, her medical degree just the 1919 Scope yearbook is any indication, earned her class- two months before ratification of the 19th amendment gave mates’ respect: In 1931, after completing her internship at Abington her the right to vote. There is one girl in our class Memorial Hospital, she established a private practice and Morgan hailed from Carlisle, Pa., the daughter of James Who’s surely bound to fool ya. joined the Penn faculty as an assistant instructor, the start Henry Morgan, president of Dickinson College. Sights set When it comes to Ophthalmology, of a long career in teaching and research at Penn that cul- on practicing medicine in China after her graduation from You’d better page “Our Julia.” minated as associate professor of Research Medicine. Dickinson in 1911, Morgan taught high school to earn After her internship at the Hospital of the University of In 1928, while a medical student known as “Kay” O’Shea, money for medical school and obtained a master’s degree in Pennsylvania (HUP), Morgan worked a few months at a she married kindergarten classmate Kendall Adams Elsom, science. She matriculated at Penn in 1916 as one of four tuberculosis sanitarium near Harrisburg, before departing MD, who also went on to a career on the Penn faculty and women in the class of 1920. to be a medical missionary—a practitioner and a teacher with whom she sometimes collaborated on research. They As she began her third year in September 1918, the influ- in China. had their first child in 1939. enza pandemic struck Philadelphia. With roughly 75 percent Morgan learned Mandarin, a necessity for teaching internal Katharine Elsom lectured to medical students in the of the city’s physicians and nurses deployed overseas in WWI medicine and tropical medicine at Shantung Christian Uni- Department of Medicine, served as staff physician on hospitals, the School of Medicine called on all third- and versity Medical School (also known as Cheeloo) in Tsinan. HUP’s medical wards, and conducted independent research. fourth-year students to volunteer in 19 hospitals throughout (Coincidentally, James Boyd Neal, MD, an 1883 Penn medical Working within the Gastro-Intestinal Section of the Medical alumnus, founded the medical school and served as dean Clinic at HUP, she became the first to demonstrate the impact from 1909 to 1919.) She prepared students to treat patients of vitamin B deficiency in humans, publishing her clinical in rural areas, and she taught them to make homemade in- results in 1934. She studied the effects of vitamin deficiency struments to treat tuberculosis, according to a Dickinson on the intestine, as well as on human mental capacity. College student’s 2010 honors thesis about Morgan. She In 1957, Elsom earned a master’s degree in Medical practiced medicine at several hospitals and, in the 1930s, Administration from Columbia University, received a was appointed administrator of Cheloo University Hospital. 1930 Rockefeller Foundation fellowship and, with two other Periodic yearlong furloughs brought Morgan back to A PREVENTIVE HEALTH MAVEN medical faculty members and a Wharton statistics professor, Pennsylvania. In 1927-1928, an anti-Christian movement in IN A MAN’S WORLD started work on the Periodic Health Examination Research China precipitated her evacuation; she spent part of that Project. Based at Penn and supported by a U.S. Public Health furlough studying tuberculosis and tropical diseases, including Service grant, the study evaluated the effectiveness of periodic health examinations and what should be included in them. Son time in India. Katharine O’Shea Elsom, MD 1903-1996 Morgan returned to Penn in 1942 for the short twilight Kendall A. Elsom Jr. noted in her obituary, “She was way “We were a doughty band, not noted for our physical of her career. In 1948, the 57-year-old professor of tropical ahead of her time in her concern and knowledge of public beauty, not greatly caring,” Katharine Elsom wrote of her medicine and physical diagnosis died at HUP. Her commit- health and preventive medicine.” three female medical school classmates in the class of 1930, ment to women in medicine outlived her; she bequeathed a in a letter to her granddaughter in 1984. “Our goal was generous sum to the United Board for Christian Colleges in firmly fixed on making it through to a license to practice China for the medical education of Chinese women. medicine. That end was not easily achieved. From the out- set we, individually, were targets for harassment by many of our instructors.” An excellent student, she succeeded none- theless and was lauded in the 1930 Scope as “Best Crammer.”

1920 1932 The first women are appointed to Penn’s medical Florence Barbara Seibert, PhD, is appointed as- school faculty: Marion Hague Rea, MD (wife of Penn sistant professor of Biochemistry in the University’s pathologist Baldwin Lucke), medical director for Henry Phipps Institute, making her the first woman women students; Anne Thomas, MD, in Medicine; on the medical school’s standing faculty; she be- and Annie E. Taft, MD, in Neurology. comes the first woman in the medical school with tenure in 1937.

26 PENN MEDICINE FALL 2020 27 FEATURE

did not include her among its 1940 honorees—the society first allowed women in 1941. On her path to pediatrics, she trained at Philadelphia’s Jewish Hospital (later known as Albert Einstein Medical Center) and then at Bellevue Hospital and NYU Medical School in New York City. With hard work and determination, Snyderman overcame obstacles in the path of a woman making her way in medicine in the 1940s. Yvette Schein shares her 105-year-old grandfa- ther’s perspective: She was not someone who would ever come home and talk about any experiences of discrimination based on gender. Any suggestion of inability or inferi- ority would only deepen her quiet determination. She was humble and didn’t have to shout her knowledge to be respected for her work. She did all this and still made dinner for her family every night after work.

In 1946, Snyderman began almost 50 years on the pediatrics faculty at NYU, rising to the rank of professor of Pediatrics. Her studies of amino acid metabolism established the daily Friedman (fourth from left in the front row) was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. requirements of amino acids in the diets of healthy and pre- 1940 mature newborns. She developed special diets to treat infants and children with genetic metabolic disorders including METABOLIC DISEASE AUTHORITY pediatric phenylketonuria (PKU) and the then-fatal maple 1950 elective course on radiology. She also earned the title of syrup disease, enabling them to grow into healthy adults. Penn’s first mammographer. When mammography was a AND MEDICAL FAMILY MATRIARCH Snyderman directed Bellevue Hospital’s Metabolic Disease PENN’S FIRST MAMMOGRAPHER developing method and people were yet unsure of its value, Center, established in 1965 as the first center of its kind for Eugene Pendergrass, MD, chair of Radiology (1939-1961), treating these rare diseases. She served as founding vice selected Friedman to obtain the needed training and intro- Selma Eleanor Snyderman, MD 1916-2012 president and second president of the Society for Inherited Lois Adele Kynette Friedman, MD 1923-2012 duce this technique at Penn. One of the medical students in Medicine runs in the family. The daughter of a pediatrician, Metabolic Disorders. She grew up in the small town of Alice, Texas, the child of her first-year radiology class, Marisa Weiss, MD’84, would not only did Selma Eleanor Snyderman become a physician, In 1995, at age 78, Snyderman was recruited by Mount a poor single mother with little education. They resided in go on to become a preeminent breast oncologist and founder so did her younger brother Reuven Snyderman, MD’46, her Sinai School of Medicine to help build their clinical and an intergenerational home with her great-grandmother, who of the national nonprofit Living Beyond Breast Cancer and husband Joseph Schein, MD’41, their two sons, Roland and research programs in metabolic disorders. Loyal by nature, was living off her Civil War widow’s pension. Self-driven, BreastCancer.org. Weiss would also become her daughter- Oliver Schein, and soon granddaughter and current Penn she accepted the position of professor of Human Genetics Adele Kynette studied chemistry at the University of Texas, in-law, marrying David F. Friedman, MD’83, an associate medical student, Yvette Schein. The family’s medical matri- and Pediatrics with the condition that a 65-year-old col- Austin, where she conducted cancer research in the Universi- professor of Pediatrics at Penn and CHOP. arch, who spent most of her career at New York University league, and someone with whom she had worked for many ty’s Biochemical Institute. A mentor saw her gift for science Friedman’s choice of radiology in part stemmed from her (NYU), earned international recognition for her work on years, came with her. and planted the seeds of medical school. In the fall of 1946, desire to successfully juggle work as a physician with raising infant nutrition and the treatment of various inborn genetic Snyderman received PSOM’s 2004 Distinguished Graduate Adele Kynette made her way to Penn, alongside men attend- a family, she explained in a 1982 Health Affairs article. “I love metabolic diseases. Award for 60 years of contributions to science and medicine. ing under the GI Bill. She became one of 12 women to receive radiology, but also it’s a specialty in which you can work a After receiving a Penn undergraduate degree in just three Meanwhile, she encouraged her five granddaughters to choose a medical degree in 1950, graduating with distinction as a set number of hours and then leave.” She believed in family years in 1936, Snyderman enrolled in the medical school. any path they wanted. At age three, when Yvette said she member of the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. dinners and home-cooked meals, even if the recipe was left There she met Joseph Schein, a humanities major whom wanted to be an alien when she grew up, the pioneering sci- The 1950s was a decade in which American society for household help to prepare on a day she’d be running she helped with chemistry during his first year. They married entist-physician laughed and responded, “What does that largely saw a woman’s place as in the home, a time when the late. “Both my parents were physicians. Medicine and aca- just before her final year of medical school. She was one of look like to you and how can we help make that happen?” baby boom was booming. For Adele Kynette Friedman, MD, demic politics were discussed at the dinner table,” says her son, five women in her class of 130 and wrote two theses: “Ex- Penn’s Department of Radiology would become her profes- David. “As a kid, I never saw it as anything but normal. She perimental Cancer due to Hormones” and “Isohemolysins in sional home. (In 1956, she married Sidney Friedman, MD’43, made it work.” Human Blood.” Although Snyderman graduated at the top a pediatric cardiologist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; of the class, the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society 1945 Penn radiologist Philip Hodes, MD, gave away the bride.) The University of Pennsylvania awards the Graduate She became the second woman to complete a radiology 1956 School of Medicine’s degree of Master of Medical residency at Penn and then joined the faculty. Emily Mudd, PhD, a pioneer in marriage counseling Science to Helen Octavia Dickens, MD, the first Af- and family studies, becomes the School of Medicine’s rican American woman to earn the M.Sc. (Med.) Until her retirement as associate professor in 1989, Fried- first female full professor with an appointment of Pro- degree at Penn. man spent most of her time as an outpatient clinician prac- fessor of Family Study in the Department of Psychiatry. ticing general radiology, and an educator, teaching a popular

28 PENN MEDICINE FALL 2020 29 FEATURE

Penn’s microbiology nightingale married Robert E. Davies, 1960 a biochemist and professor in Penn’s Veterinary School, who died in 1993. That’s when she moved into the dorms as THE BELOVED SINGING PROFESSOR the first woman faculty master, the top administrator on site, for Ware College House, leading the Women in Science and Infectious Disease programs. Helen C. Davies, PhD A longtime advocate for minorities and women, Davies “Call me Helen.” That’s how Helen C. Davies, PhD, pro- marched with Martin Luther King Jr. at Selma in the 1960s. fessor of Microbiology, introduces herself to students. A From 1968 to 1976, she headed Penn’s High School Education woman who doesn’t believe in barriers between herself and Program, which helped bring disadvantaged students to the students, since 1993 she has lived among undergraduates university laboratories. Davies mentored minority students in the Quad, a dormitory located 200 yards from the medi- from Cheyney State College in a summer medical intern cal school’s Johnson Pavilion—the commute sometimes program and taught a 20-week biology course to African shortened by a lift from a custodian hauling away dorm American gang leaders as part of the Urban Leadership trash on a golf cart. For over half a century, Davies taught Training Program. She also helped found the Association cell biology and infectious diseases to more than 10,000 medical students—often through song in her classroom. The daughter of a rabbi, Davies grew up in New York City. “What I love is when you’re working During World War II, she earned her bachelor’s degree in up to an intricate concept and you chemistry at Brooklyn College; she was 19 years old and the only woman in her class. Davies received her master’s degree pause and watch the light go on in the in biochemistry from the University of Rochester in 1950, and then her doctorate in physical biochemistry from Penn faces as they reach it themselves one in 1960. She has been at Penn ever since, becoming the first by one. When the whole class has lit woman to receive a faculty appointment in the Department of Microbiology in 1965. up, you know you’re a teacher.” Some people develop mnemonics to memorize material. As a student, Davies composed rhyming songs. As a teacher, she sang to medical students to help them learn about patho- for Women in Science, the International Association for gens. For example, “Leprosy,” sung to the tune of the Beatles’ Women Biochemists and Biophysicists, and the Women for “Yesterday”: Equal Opportunity at the University of Pennsylvania. Davies received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Women of Leprosy, Color at Penn in 2004. She has served as the academic co- Bits and pieces falling off of me ordinator for the Department of Microbiology and Associ- But it isn’t the toxicity ate Dean for Students and Housestaff Affairs in the PSOM, It’s just neglect of injury. focusing on the recruitment, mentoring, and retention of minority group members and women in biomedical careers. Suddenly, Passionate about teaching, Davies won the school’s an- I’m not half the man I used to be nual Excellence in Teaching Award 16 times. Upon receiving Can’t feel anything peripherally the 1977 award, she commented: “What I love is when From swollen nerves, hypersensitivity. you’re working up to an intricate concept and you pause Why don’t lerpae grow in vitro we cannot say and watch the light go on in the faces as they reach it In vivo they grow very slow, once in 12 days. themselves one by one. When the whole class has lit up, you know you’re a teacher.” Hard to get, But the stigma hasn’t faded yet Don’t keep an armadillo as a pet, Don’t forget…

Or an excerpt from “Herpes Simplex 1 and 2” sung to Simon and Garfunkel’s “Sounds of Silence”: 1960 Hello, herpes our old friend The FDA approves the first commercially produced birth control pill, giving women control over when Will be with us till the end. and if they want to have children. ‘Cause the virus softly creeping, Left its gene while we were sleeping 1962

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Arlene P. Bennett, MD (1964) AGENT OF CHANGE AND CHANGEMAKER, PSOM’S FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN GRADUATE

Born in West Philadelphia’s Women’s Hospital and grow- ing up in the care of a female pediatrician there, Arlene P. Bennett assumed most doctors were women. At age nine, Bennett decided she, too, would become a doctor. When the time came, she realized the G.I. Bill was the only way she’d be able to afford college and medical school—espe- cially with her sights set on the University of Pennsylvania. Three years in the U.S. Air Force as a radio mechanic made it possible to earn both those Penn degrees, the first in 1960. In 1964, Bennett became the first African American woman to graduate from the Perelman School of Medicine. Accepting the school’s Women in Medicine award 50 years later, she remarked, “Now it is a joy to see so many women, and so many women of color, among the ranks of students and recent alumni.” Bennett was one of six women in her medical class, all very close, and the only woman of color. She recalls, “The fellows were very respectful and it was an unusual class, with a large number of good musicians. We’d go to a class- mate’s parents’ apartment, have a chamber music group, and study for finals. We were not competitive.” Bennett started a solo private practice with an emphasis After an internship at Presbyterian Hospital, Bennett be- on psychotherapy. For several years, she also worked part- gan her career in general pediatrics and worked as a school time in Community Mental Health at Pennsylvania Hospital, physician. She took off time when her husband did a post- treating patients with chronic illnesses and severe mood doc at Yale and their son was born. Upon returning to Phil- disorders. Her approach to psychiatry: “I take my own per- adelphia—with the help of her mother who moved in with sonality and do it my way. If you don’t rule out underlying them for childcare—Bennett switched gears into psychiatry, medical problems, you can’t solve psychiatric problems.” At completing a residency in 1977. “I was much more in- any given time, she’s had a very racially and culturally diverse trigued by people’s emotional states that seemed to be ne- practice: people of color, white, Asian, and patients of less glected and wanted to help underserved populations of familiar religions that have kept her learning. color in psychiatry.” Actively involved in her East Mount Airy community, Bennett takes great pride in the work she and neighbors did to protect prime parkland from development. Though Bennett is too humble to mention it, East Wissahickon Park, the six- acre park acquired by the City of Philadelphia, also bears the name Arlene Bennett Park.

1963 1964 The Equal Pay Act prohibiting sex-based The Civil Rights Act is signed into wage discrimination between men and law, with Title VII banning employment women performing the same job is discrimination based on race, religion, signed into law. national origin, or sex.

32 PENN MEDICINE FALL 2020 33 FEATURE 1970 THE NURSE-TURNED-DOCTOR WHO EMPOWERS WOMEN’S HEALTH

Marie Savard, MD Classes of 1970 (HUP), 1972 (Nursing) & 1976 (SOM)

It didn’t take long after becoming a nurse that Marie Savard knew she wanted to be a doctor. “One night, a patient in the surgical ICU was having seizures. I knew he needed Valium, but I had to get a doctor’s order to inject it,” she recalls “Why was I taking orders with frustration. “Why was I taking orders when I could give orders?” when I could give orders?” Following in her mother’s footsteps, in 1970, Savard had graduated from HUP’s Training School for Nurses (discon- tinued in 1978). After the epiphany in the ICU, she attended Penn’s School of Nursing to attain the bachelor’s degree and pre-med courses she needed to apply to medical school. The ‘70s were interesting times for women in society and woman; the program opened up to women on a much at Penn. The women’s movement and laws against gender larger scale the following year. That first year, she had an- discrimination opened more doors to medical school, but other life-changing moment in an ICU: Savard got to know not without growing pains. During Savard’s application in- her future husband, fellow intern Brad Fenton, MD, over a terview, a male professor inquired about her plans to manage case of Legionnaires’ disease. They both pursued fellowships family and her profession. She recalls words of advice re- in general internal medicine at the University of Colorado; ceived soon after from her professor, Helen Davies: “You before long they had a son followed by twin sons. have to work harder and be smarter to open doors.” And General internal medicine offered Savard a holistic ap- protest when necessary. Savard remembers, “a lecture proach to medicine that aligned with her nursing roots. She during which the professor presented a slide of a Playboy joined a practice at Pennsylvania Hospital at a time when centerfold with her anatomic parts labeled. We women women’s health, not just OB/GYN, was gaining attention. walked out of the lecture hall en masse.” That focus led to directing her own practice, the Medical The Class of 1976 was among the last to rotate through College of Pennsylvania’s Center for Women’s Health, and Philadelphia General Hospital, where Savard had her first emerging as a media personality as a go-to person about clinical course. “I knew how to talk to patients and make women’s health. She developed a national audience with them comfortable, thanks to nursing.” She graduated at the “Ask Dr. Marie,” a column for Woman’s Day magazine that top of her class of 155 students, of which 24 (15 percent) morphed into a blog, a book about how to manage your were women. Savard remained at Penn for an internship own health care, and TV appearances. and residency in internal medicine with only one other With her focus now fully on her public outreach and educa- tion, Savard misses the one-on-one practice of medicine, but feels good about her impact and influence on others: having mentored students to approach their patients holistically, and continuing to empower patients to seek information, think for themselves, and have a say in decisions affecting 1972 their health care. Title IX of the Education Amendments guarantees women equal access to any education program or activity receiving federal funds.

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Her internal medicine residency at Penn opened Shapiro’s Penn. Lee experienced “a real push in the ‘80s to make op- eyes to diagnostic angiography and interventional radiology 1990 portunities available for women. There were a lot of strong (IR). The combination of doing something therapeutic and EPIGENETIC INNOVATOR female role models in the genetics department.” That’s not to diagnostic appealed to her, which led to a second residency say everyone was without bias. She recalls that a fellow PhD in diagnostic radiology and a fellowship in IR at HUP. “At student asked her, “If you had the choice, would you choose that time, just a few women around the country were doing Jeannie T. Lee, MD, PhD to be born a woman again?” Lee ignored such comments and IR; it was generally considered a macho field,” explains Shapiro. kept going. As a young scientist, she did not join women’s The dearth of women in IR stemmed from their own concerns Jeannie Lee grew up in a medical family in New York and student organizations because she didn’t want to make a fuss about radiation exposure during procedures done under always thought she would do something in medicine. As a about being female in a male-dominated world—while still X-ray guidance and practices’ hesitancy to hire women be- Harvard undergraduate majoring in biochemistry and mo- acknowledging today that women in science and medicine cause of pregnancy potential. lecular biology, she embraced research opportunities. Her face challenges at different stages in their careers, including a In 1987, Shapiro and three male colleagues organized the interest in mechanisms of diseases brought Lee to Penn in glass ceiling for successful senior women. Cardiovascular Interventional Radiology division at Jefferson September 1986 for the MD/PhD program, where she de- After graduating from Penn, Lee undertook postdoctoral University Hospital. As the first woman in IR at Jefferson, voted her studies to epigenetics, which involves modifica- work at the Whitehead Institute & MIT, and in 1997, joined she recalls, “Several senior physicians did not realize I was tions of gene expression that do not involve alterations of the the Harvard faculty to pursue her studies in XCI. She is cur- one of the IR doctors.” After several years in academic prac- genetic code itself, including X-chromosome inactivation rently professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, the tice, Shapiro wanted to start a family and needed to tackle (XCI), the biological silencing of one X chromosome so Blavatnik Institute, and Massachusetts General Hospital. Her the issue of radiation exposure during pregnancy because there’s only one active X chromosome in each body cell of lab has been investigating how RNA interfaces with protein sitting out for nine months was not an option. “I worked with female organisms. Influenced by the work of Penn faculty in- at each step of XCI and how to unlock the silent copy of the radiation safety officer and devised a maternity lead apron cluding Robert Nussbaum, MD, on Fragile X Syndrome and each gene for therapeutic benefit. The basic science knowl- that could expand to protect the baby as my abdomen grew.” Davor Solter, MD, PhD, on genomic imprinting, Lee says, “I edge she’s pioneering offers hope for treating human disor- Shapiro was working at Jeanes Hospital when, in early would not be doing what I do today without this formative ders, particularly neurodevelopmental disorders and 1980 experience at Penn.” 2010, she found herself on the other side of the doctor-pa- X-linked intellectual disabilities such as Rett Syndrome, AN UNSTOPPABLE tient experience. Diagnosed with acute myelogenous leuke- Two decades after the civil rights movement, the late 1980s Fragile X Syndrome, and CDKL5 Syndrome. mia, she spent seven weeks in a drug-induced coma during was a relatively good time to be a female medical student at Lee is most proud of debunking the myth of “junk DNA,” INTERVENTIONIST chemotherapy treatment and then underwent a stem cell i.e., non-coding DNA, thought to have no purpose. Her lab transplant. demonstrated that non-coding RNAs almost entirely control After returning to health, Shapiro retired from clinical XCI, a discovery that revolutionized the field of epigenetics Marcelle J. Shapiro, MD practice but not from three of her passions—medical educa- and earned Lee the 2016 Lurie Prize from the Foundation Marcelle Shapiro grew up in suburban Philadelphia. The tion, the Perelman medical school, and advocacy for women for the National Institutes of Health. She has also received whole family pitched in at the family business selling furni- in medicine. She has served as a preceptor in the Doctoring the Molecular Biology Prize from the National Academy of ture and appliances, heeding her father’s guidelines: “Listen course, is vice chair of the Medical Alumni Advisory Council, Sciences, U.S.A., Penn’s Distinguished Graduate Award, elec- to what the customer is saying, be helpful and respectful.” and has participated in Penn’s Women in Medicine program tion to the National Academy of Sciences, and other honors, Shapiro would live by those words as an interventional ra- throughout her career. The Perelman School awarded the in addition to serving as president of the Genetics Society of diologist for much of her career and as a mentor. 2013 Women in Medicine Award and 2015 Alumni Service America. She is an inventor on 30+ patents and played a ma- After completing undergraduate studies at Temple Univer- Award to Shapiro, who remains deeply committed to the jor role in founding two biotechnology companies to trans- sity, as well as graduate work in neuro-anatomy and neurobi- school “to inspire others, to give back and nourish my soul. late her discoveries into new therapeutics to treat human ge- ology, “I considered veterinary school, but sick animals made These women and Penn Medicine have been an incredible netic disorders. She attributes her success in large part to her me very sad,” Shapiro says. Instead, she matriculated at the lifetime gift.” passion for science, a willingness to take risk, persistence, PSOM in 1976, on the tail end of the nation’s summer bicen- and—critically—the influential years at Penn. tennial celebrations. Her class consisted of roughly 25 per- cent women, who supported each other through the Women in Medicine program and informally. They had a limited number of female mentors who championed them: Helen Davies, Anna-Marie Chirico, MD, Diane Jorkasky, MD’77, 1980 1996 FEL’83, and Gail Morrison, MD’71, FEL’76. Although one Margaret Gray Wood, MD, is appointed acting chair The first women are appointed to serve as permanent Graduate Hospital surgeon declared, “I won’t have the fairer of Dermatology at Penn, the first woman to serve as PSOM department chairs: Priscilla A. Schaeffer, PhD, sex on my service,” Shapiro generally felt accepted by male acting chair of a School of Medicine department. Microbiology, and Marjorie A. Bowman, MD, Family faculty members. Practice and Community Medicine.

36 PENN MEDICINE FALL 2020 37 FEATURE

what substantive things we can do to make a difference, rather than just lip service,” Johnson said. “These FOCUS in 1992, Good made several stops along the way: graduate chats have made me feel hopeful.” studies in microbiology and immunology at Emory University, These sessions have provided a safe space for women faculty service work with her church in Ecuador, a secondary educa- to share their struggles and crowdsource solutions while tion certificate, and teaching high school science in Atlanta. fostering a sense of community during an isolating time. At Penn, Good found tremendous leadership in classical They also reflect the core belief that permeates all FOCUS virology and the advancing wave of molecular biology by programming—that together, and with institutional support, Neal Nathanson, MD, and Susan Weiss, PhD. Good worked women of all backgrounds, disciplines, and career stages in Weiss’s lab on the mouse coronavirus, Mouse Hepatitis can break through barriers and help each other advance. Virus, strain A59, more specifically on what the genome en- FOCUS, which completed its 25th year in 2020, supports coded and the protease that made functional coronavirus. “I the advancement and leadership of women in academic can’t believe it was a virus like the one I was working on medicine and promotes research centered on women’s health that we’re now seeing with COVID-19,” she says. In 1995, and careers. In addition to capturing gender representation Good moved to the lab of James Hoxie, MD, where she and advancement data in a biennial benchmark report, studied HIV. Her thesis, “Molecular characterization of bio- FOCUS provides support through community building and logical inhibitors of viral entry (HIV),” was, she says, “in- leadership training. Faculty and trainees at all levels in both credible formative training for a farm girl.” clinical and research-oriented careers can participate in a Despite a fairly equal gender balance at BGS in the 1990s, wide range of career workshops, leadership seminars, and Good faced additional challenges as a woman who’d made mentorship opportunities. certain choices about family life. Pregnant in the spring of FOCUS hosts an annual professional development confer- her first year, she kept it hidden through her preliminary/ ence and regular hour-long lunchtime seminars on topics like comprehensive exam. “Even at that point in my career, I had imposter syndrome, authentic leadership, time management, decided I wanted neither to be ‘passed’ because I was preg- work-life challenges, and trending health care issues. The FOCUS nant nor to be failed because of this choice.” By the time she Multi-Session Career Evolution Series also helps women ON HEALTH AND defended her dissertation, while doing a postdoc at the manage challenges unique to their career stages. “We want CDC and working at biosafety level 3 on HIV/tuberculosis to increase the proportion of women in traditional leadership LEADERSHIP FOR WOMEN synergy, she was pregnant with her third child. roles, but we also want them to pave paths as leaders in inno- Good went on to coordinate and then run the University Established in 1994 vative administrative, clinical care, education, research, of Virginia’s medical microbiology program for eight years, government, and community positions,” said Stephanie plus a small research effort that studied the efficacy of the Abbuhl, MD, FACEP, executive director of FOCUS—part 2000 tuberculosis vaccine (BCG) for treating high-risk bladder Waves of “angst and anger” punctuated the experience of of a multidisciplinary leadership team—and a professor of cancer. In 2009, she joined Van Andel Institute in Grand 2020 for Michelle Johnson, PhD, an associate professor of Emergency Medicine. A ‘CAN DO’ BIOMEDICAL Rapids, Michigan, as assistant dean and later associate dean Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Perelman School The program has also conducted multiple research efforts EDUCATOR of the Graduate School. There she organized a group of the of Medicine. Between COVID-19 and the uprisings sparked like the first-of-its-kind NIH-TAC (Transforming Academic Association of Women in Science. Her advocacy efforts ex- by the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, the Culture) Trial, which examined whether coordinated interven- tended to high school outreach programs, encouraging girls year’s cataclysmic events have had a profound, dispropor- tions could improve the productivity and job satisfaction of Julie Davis Good, PhD in STEM, the pipeline for future women in science. tionate impact on Black Americans and people of color. For junior women faculty over a three-year period in a cluster- The daughter of a third-generation brick mason and a Good regards her accomplishments as a scientist with Johnson, juggling personal and professional responsibilities randomized design. FOCUS also brings in outside funding beautician, Julie Davis Good grew up in rural Whitley modesty, but her numerous teaching awards reflect her amid a pandemic became even more complicated—a struggle to finance programs like the Medical Student Fellowship in County, Indiana, helping to tend a family garden and can dedication and impact as an educator and mentor. During she saw reflected in her colleagues and students. Women’s Health in which Penn medical students receive a yearly supplies of fruits and vegetables. She was valedictorian the COVID-19 shutdown, that has meant working 16 hours Though COVID-19 has prevented people from coming stipend while working on women’s health research. “It’s a triple and one of only 15 of the 250 students in her high school a day preparing for and conducting virtual classes. “I don’t together in person during these hard times, there has been win,” Abbuhl said. “The students get six months of mentorship class to attend college. At Hanover College, “I was a first convey knowledge,” she says. “My goal is that my students an outlet that Johnson has found “tremendously uplifting and further expertise in the field; faculty members have generation college student when no one realized what that learn how to learn.” and helpful” as a Black woman faculty member: a series of students working alongside them to advance their research; meant…and so I used my ‘can do’ attitude to work harder virtual discussions launched by PSOM’s FOCUS on Health & and the field benefits from new investigations as well!” and longer to catch up with what my peers already seemed Leadership for Women program. These sessions have covered Though she says there is more work to be done, particularly to know.” Her pre-med aspirations waned when she became the gamut of timely topics, including systemic racism and in the areas of leadership and salary equity, over the course involved with pharmacology research at Indiana University academic productivity—at a time when there are signs that of her 40-year career, Abbuhl has seen “steady and exciting School of Medicine. the pandemic has placed special burdens on women that changes” that have opened long-closed doors and allowed Good’s exploratory career has taken her full circle to her have impacted their careers. For example, a brief analysis women and underrepresented minorities to bring their con- home state, where since 2018 she has been developing an 2004 of preliminary data published in The Lancet in June found siderable talents to medicine with striking benefits for pa- undergraduate biology program at Indiana Tech—originally that across disciplines, including medicine, women’s rate tients, education and research. “I believe that the atmosphere FOCUS introduces the FOCUS Award for the an engineering school. Advancement of Women in Medicine. The first of authorship in academic journals has declined this year of academic medicine has never been more responsive and Even before starting a doctorate in cell and molecular bi- award goes to Lisa M. Bellini, MD, then associate compared to 2019. ready to create an environment in which every faculty ology at Penn’s Biomedical Graduate Studies (BGS) program professor, Department of Medicine. The sessions and their participants “demonstrated a gen- member can thrive.” uine effort to try to understand, to query, and to figure out — MaryKate Wust

38 PENN MEDICINE FALL 2020 39 FEATURE 2010 FROM PIROUETTES TO PEDIATRICS—AND PANDEMIC EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Anna Weiss, MD, MSEd Anna Weiss had just begun a career as a professional bal- lerina when a serious injury changed her direction. Onward to Harvard for studies of Russian language, history and lit- erature. Subsequently a Rhodes scholar at Oxford University, Weiss became interested in public health and human rights in the post-Soviet system, particularly the treatment of for multiple learner groups and serves as the educational HIV-AIDS patients. That interest led her to field study in interface between the ED and the rest of CHOP. “Teaching South Africa to learn more by working with a pediatric HIV is one of the most rewarding parts of my job—not only program—and her direction changed again. “On the policy bedside teaching, but medical education as a scientific dis- side, I was overwhelmed by how powerless I felt to affect cipline.” Her credo as an educator: “Be willing to say you lives on the ground and questioned the best path for me don’t know the answer and embrace not knowing as a gift to make a difference,” she explains. That path led to PSOM to spur you onward rather than an obstacle to overcome.” in 2006, following a two-year interval for a pre-med, Sort of like putting the pointe shoes away and leaping in a post-baccalaureate program and work with the U.S. Presi- new direction. dent’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) in Nigeria. In March 2020, Weiss joined thousands of health care The medical school’s Doctoring course dedicated to hu- workers, including her husband, a Temple University emer- manism in the curriculum made a huge impact on Weiss, gency physician, in unchartered waters of the front lines of now a CHOP Emergency Medicine physician and a current the COVID-19 pandemic. She calls the experience a privi- Doctoring preceptor. So, too, did research mentor Samir lege. “While there is a palpable sense of anxiety among both Shah, MD, with whom she wrote her first, first-author pa- the care team and patients in the ED these days, I am so per. “He insisted that I run the statistical analysis myself and proud of—and impressed by—the way that Philadelphia’s gifted me a sense of self-efficacy for which I will always be health care teams have risen to meet this remarkable chal- grateful. I very consciously try to pay this forward in my lenge,” she says. “On the home front, we are facing the real- own teaching practice—giving learners autonomy to make ity of parenting in a two-front-line physician household. We mistakes from which they will grow, while setting safe have weighed the risks of both caring for COVID+ patients, guardrails that protect both them and their patients.” but feel strongly that each of us belongs in our respective The roles of physician and mother have always gone to- EDs and with our respective teams right now. This pan- gether for Weiss, who married and gave birth to the first of demic is Emergency Medicine’s moment, and we are grate- three children while a medical student; her son was 10 ful to be a part of it.” weeks old when she started her intern year at CHOP. Weiss knew she wanted to work in pediatrics since working with PEPFAR. Although she assumed she’d focus on infec- tious diseases, “the first time I rotated through the ED, I knew those were my people.” Weiss loves being a West Philly community emergency medicine doc, cracking a new diagnosis, providing care for local children and their families, and being at the front line of a highly specialized quaternary referral center. “We have the privilege of caring for families in their 2010 most vulnerable moments, so there can be an emotional toll Women substantially outnumber men in this year’s when we are communicating unexpected or crushing news.” PSOM graduating class: 80 of 145 newly minted MDs. Passionate about medical education, Weiss earned a master’s in Medical Education at Penn in 2018. Now as associate director for education in the CHOP ED, she oversees curricula

40 PENN MEDICINE FALL 2020 41 FEATURE 2020 ASPIRATIONS IN GLOBAL HEALTH, care,” she explains. “He motivated me to see the kind of In her first year, Elmongy met Alexandra Vinograd, MD, a impact you could have on people.” CHOP emergency medicine physician who had volunteered GRADUATION IN A PANDEMIC As a Penn undergrad (SEAS’15) studying chemical and in refugee camps in Greece. In the summer of 2017, El- biomolecular engineering, Elmongy wanted to learn how mongy joined the Syrian American Medical Society in the natural world works and use that knowledge to benefit Greece, where a group of volunteers running primary care Hanna Elmongy, MD people. She also genuinely likes talking to people, hearing clinics in refugee camps needed interpreters. The Arabic An Egyptian American, Hanna Elmongy grew up in a their problems—hence, medical school. language she’d learned as a child proved invaluable. So, bilingual household in New Orleans and then Philadel- Elmongy entered the Class of 2020, in which 88 out of too, did the experience. “It was life changing. It triggered phia. Her family spent time in Egypt, staying connected 162 graduates (54 percent) were women. Despite women me to pursue global health in my career and give back to with their Egyptian relatives and culture; the visits also outnumbering men—and the presence of many more communities. I want to learn more about public policy fostered Elmongy’s proficiency in Arabic. This cultural women faculty—Elmongy still sees subtle differences in and population level public health, someday make more and language experience would help shape her path. So, the male/female experience. “It seemed easier for men to big picture decisions.” too, did Elmongy’s parents, both of whom studied science. say something, to project confidence, and be taken seri- Meanwhile, Elmongy was also giving back to communities Her father, an oncologist, “went above and beyond for his ously. We had to work on projecting ourselves in a certain locally. She established a Muslims in Medicine group at patients, keeping their humanity at the center of their way to be taken seriously.” Penn that has attracted Muslim and non-Muslim partici- pation and support. She has worked on stress relief work- shops for Syrian and Congolese refugee women struggling to navigate their way in this country, nutrition workshops for West Philadelphia residents, and the Alianza seminar series on the Cuban health care system. For her big heart and outreach efforts, Elmongy was inducted into the PSOM’s Gold Humanism Honor Society. In the final semester of her fourth year, the COVID-19 outbreak hit—and changed the landscape rapidly. “It went from being a nuisance preventing my international rotation and last requirement of med school to a very real fear as I began to know of friends of friends falling ill—both young and old,” Elmongy reflects. “I’ve had to mourn the idea of what my fourth year would look like as rotations, then Match ceremony, then graduation got cancelled, and I real- ized there were friends I might not see again for a long time. But simultaneously I feel so grateful that that is all I calling: “Medicine gives me purpose and feels like the have to endure: that I and my family are healthy and safe.” most impactful way I can serve those around me. I worry Elmongy is now training at Massachusetts General about how this pandemic and the aftermath will dispro- Hospital for a residency in medicine and pediatrics. She portionately affect the most vulnerable of patients—those believes that understanding disease systems of both children who are poorer, those with limited English proficiency— and adults will make her the most versatile and useful in and it renews my motivation to work for them.” her future role in global health care. Though becoming a physician during a global pandemic is frankly scary, El- mongy says, she also reminds herself that medicine is a

2020 Of the PSOM’s 162 graduates, 88 (54 percent) are women.

42 PENN MEDICINE FALL 2020 43 DEVELOPMENT MATTERS

REMEMBERING A VISIONARY “A True Force of Nature” Always leading the way in support of patients, Madlyn and Leonard were the first to step up at the onset of the COVID-19 PHILANTHROPIST includes support services like nutrition, support groups, pandemic, contributing $1 million in support of COVID-19- social work, and others that remains strong today.” related research. It was one final example of her tireless This commitment to groundbreaking research yielded dedication to the betterment of public health. unprecedented impact: Among the recruits made possible “Madlyn Abramson was a true force of nature, and her On April 15, Penn Medicine by the Abramsons’ gift was Carl June, MD, the immuno- loss is deeply felt throughout our community,” said University therapy pioneer responsible for the development of what of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann, PhD. “Madlyn became the first personalized cellular therapy for cancer. stands out among our most influential philanthropic part- lost beloved friend, stalwart Penn Medicine CEO Kevin Mahoney shared, “It was a ners for her vision in inspiring change, and her dedication special moment for me at our now-famous flash mob to to ensuring that change took place. Together, she and her stand alongside Madlyn and Leonard, celebrating Dr. Carl husband Leonard made a tremendous impact on Penn, champion, and Emeritus June and his team’s accomplishments—all of which started with a radical idea and a passionate philanthropist like Madlyn to back it. I’m going to miss her.” Trustee Madlyn Abramson, “The reputation we enjoy today as one of the nation’s pre- eminent cancer centers has been built on the strong founda- tion that Madlyn laid,” said Robert Vonderheide, MD, DPhil, ED’57, GED’60. director of the ACC. “The exciting progress we’ve made in pursuit of curing cancer unites us every day to do more for our patients and across the world, and we have Madlyn, to- gether with her husband Leonard, to thank for the vision that set us on this path.”

A Life Dedicated to Others

A Philadelphia native, Madlyn graduated from Philadelphia High School for Girls and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Penn. She devoted her career to the education of others, including teaching in both the A cancer survivor herself, Madlyn Abramson and her Upper Darby and Philadelphia school districts. She married husband, Leonard, are best known for their tireless support Leonard in August 1957. of the Abramson Cancer Center (ACC) and Abramson Madlyn’s impulse to help, share, and inspire is one she Philadelphia, and the world. They inspired their daughters Family Cancer Research Institute (AFCRI). learned from an early age from her father, dentist Maurice to carry on the torch, and we send our heartfelt sympathies “It’s safe to say that Madlyn Abramson was the spark that Kornberg, and his devotion to his patients. to the entire Abramson family.” ignited Penn Medicine’s groundbreaking ImmunoRevolution,” Madlyn’s passionate volunteerism and advocacy was un- In addition to Leonard, Madlyn is survived by her three said Dean J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD. “With an historic gift matched in Philadelphia. She joined the Penn Medicine daughters—Marcy Abramson Shoemaker, Nancy Abramson to launch the AFCRI, she and her husband Leonard trans- largest-ever single contribution for research for a federally Board in January 2002 and was appointed as a Charter Wolfson, and Judith Abramson Felgoise—and her many formed the landscape of cancer research—and with the designated comprehensive cancer center and the second- Member in November 2011. She served on the Executive grandchildren, two of whom followed in her Penn footsteps: dedication of the ACC, brought to life a new vision of com- largest gift ever made to Penn. Committee of the Penn Medicine Board, as well as its Patient Samantha Felgoise, C’20, and David Wolfson, L’20, WG’20. passionate cancer care.” The gift came with a visionary directive: Attract top Care & Clinical Quality Committee. She was also board chair The family has requested that contributions in Madlyn’s scientists in this field, and free them up to do their research of the AFCRI, and honorary chair of the ACC Director’s memory may be made to the Abramson Cancer Center. full-time. The Abramson family has donated over $150 million Leadership Council. to Penn to further cancer research and compassionate care. Most recently, Madlyn and her daughter, Nancy To donate online, please visit A Transformative Gift Longtime friend and former ACC Director John H. Glick, Abramson Wolfson, were the guiding force behind the PennMedicine.org/Abramson/Tribute. MD, reflects, “Madlyn wanted every patient facing cancer committee for Philly Fights Cancer, an annual event benefit- In December of 1997, the Abramson Family Foundation to be cared for throughout their journey, from diagnosis ting the ACC that has raised more than $39 million, with made a transformative gift to the University of Pennsylvania through survivorship—and beyond their immediate medical proceeds funding essential clinical trials that are powering Cancer Center, establishing the AFCRI. At the time, it was the needs. Her generosity helped create a national model that the next generation of cancer cures.

44 PENN MEDICINE FALL 2020 45 DEVELOPMENT MATTERS Gratitude that Befits Our Heroes When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it was clear that unprecedented times would call for an unprecedented response. From across Penn Medicine and the family of “Penn Proud” supporters around the globe, true heroes have taken many forms. To honor these extraordinary individuals, we are proud to present…

46 PENN MEDICINE FALL 2020 47 DEVELOPMENT MATTERS

48 PENN MEDICINE SPRING/SUMMER 2020 49 HONORS & AWARDS PROGRESS NOTES

The Center of Excellence in En- American Institute of Chemical sociation’s (AHA) 2020 Physician Sandra Ryeom, PhD, an associ- Send your progress notes served as senior associate dean peutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical Tapan Nitin Maniar, MD’03, vironmental Toxicology (CEET) Engineers (AIChE). In addition, of the Year for his outstanding ate professor of Cancer Biology, and photos to: for Tulane University School of company that engineers red was appointed head of clinical received an $8 million grant from he was honored with an ACS In- contributions to advancing the is the co-leader of a team which Donor Relations Medicine, overseeing admissions blood cells to create medicines. development at Dragonfly Ther- the National Institute of Environ- fectious Diseases Young Investi- AHA’s mission of building received a $3 million Stand Up to Penn Medicine Development and student affairs. He was also a She previously served as chief apeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceuti- mental Health Sciences for re- gator Award by the ACS Division healthier lives, free of cardiovas- Cancer (SU2C) grant to improve and Alumni Relations professor of Medicine and the medical officer at Tmunity Ther- cal company. Maniar will aid in search with a focus on exposures of Biological Chemistry and ACS cular disease and stroke. early detection in stomach can- 3535 Market Street, Suite 750 School of Medicine’s Peter- apeutics, Inc., where she devel- the development of Dragonfly’s that affect Southeastern Pennsyl- Infectious Diseases and was cer. The team will explore inno- Philadelphia, PA 19104-3309 man-Prosser Professor, a position oped the CAR-T and TC-T cellu- novel TriNKET and cytokine vania and its communities. named to the first edition of In vative techniques, including a [email protected] established to introduce students lar therapy pipeline across pre- programs and will lead the com- Vivo’s “Rising Leaders” in the life pill-sized camera that can be of science-oriented disciplines to clinical, regulatory, and clinical pany’s clinical development on Laura Dember, MD, a professor sciences list. swallowed by a patient to identify the humanities. development activities. phase 1 clinical trials of novel im- of Medicine and Epidemiology, abnormal cells in the stomach. munotherapies. received the National Kidney Two teams of Penn researchers Edward Gordon Eventash, Foundation’s 2020 J. Michael received $525,000 grants from Jamie Shuda, EdD, director of MD’89, was appointed chief OBITUARIES Lazarus Award, which recognizes the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to life science outreach and co-prin- 1980s medical officer at Alydia Health, 2000s individuals whose research has explore emerging ideas regarding cipal investigator for BioEYES a medical device company dedi- yielded novel insights related to the role of inflammation in dis- and director of education and Jacob Paul Lalezari, MD’86, cated to making childbirth safer. James M. Metz, MD, GME’00, renal replacement therapy. ease. The teams are comprised of outreach for the Institute of Re- was named interim chief medical He previously served as division was appointed as a medical advi- officer at CytoDyn, Inc., a bio- 1940s Jorge Henao-Mejia, MD, PhD, generative Medicine, and Steven chief of Obstetrics and Gynecol- sor and member of the Board of an assistant professor of Pathol- Farber, PhD, scientific director of technology company developing ogy at Tufts Medical Center, as Directors at Proton Therapy Bertram A. Ruttenberg, ogy and laboratory Medicine, BioEYES, received the 2020 leronlimab, a CCR5 antagonist well as medical director and vice Partners, which offers a joint BA’44, MD’46, GME’50, a child with potential for multiple thera- Sarah Henrickson, MD, PhD, Raina Merchant, MD, an asso- Bruce Alberts Award for Excel- president of Global Medical Af- venture model to provide health psychiatrist; Apr. 8. After earn- an assistant professor of Pediat- ciate professor of Emergency lence in Science Education from peutic indications. He is cur- fairs at Hologic, where he ex- systems with access to proton ing a medical degree and com- rently chief executive officer and rics, Golnaz Vahedi, PhD, an as- Medicine and the director of the the American Society for Cell Bi- panded their portfolio to include therapy. Metz is a Henry K. Pan- pleting an internship at the sistant professor of Genetics, Penn Medicine Center for Digital ology (ASCB). The award is for director of Quest Clinical Re- products that improve women’s coast Professor and chair of Ra- search, and previously was co-di- Kellie Ann Jurado, PhD, an as- Health, earned the Mid-Career their development of Project Bio- health. diation Oncology at the Perel- sistant professor of Microbiology, Investigator Award from the So- EYES, a science education pro- rector of the HIV Clinical Re- man School of Medicine. He search Center at Mt. Zion Medi- Monica Mainigi, MD, an assis- ciety for Academic Emergency gram that offers hands-on work- oversees the operations of the tant professor of Obstetrics and Medicine (SAEM) for her work shops for K-12 students. cal Center at the University of Roberts Proton Therapy Center California, San Francisco. Gynecology, and Dan Done- exploring the connections be- 1990s and serves as the executive direc- geun Huh, PhD, an associate tween digital media use and Hongjun Song, PhD, Perelman tor of OncoLink, an online tool professor of Bioengineering. health behaviors. Professor of Neuroscience, re- Elyse G. Seltzer, MD, GME’93, for accurate educational cancer ceived an R35 Research Program was appointed chief development information. Nwamaka D. Eneanya, MD, Rebecca Hubbard, PhD, an as- Mitesh Patel, MD, the director Award from the National Insti- officer at UroGen Pharma Ltd., a MPH, a nephrologist and an as- sociate professor of Biostatistics, of the Penn Medicine Nudge tute of Neurological Disorders biopharmaceutical company sistant professor of Medicine and won the 2020 Mid-Career Award Unit and an assistant professor of and Stroke. Song’s work focuses dedicated to building novel solu- Epidemiology, who is also the from the Health Policy Statistics Medicine, earned the Society of on neurogenesis in the hippo- tions that treat specialty cancers first female Black nephrologist Section (HPSS) of the American General Internal Medicine’s campus, a brain region critical and urologic diseases. Prior to on Penn’s faculty, was named one Statistical Association, recogniz- Quality and Practice Innovation for learning, memory, and mod- UroGen, she served as chief University of Pennsylvania of the 40 Under 40 Leaders in ing outstanding contributions Award, which recognizes those ulation of affective behavior. medical officer at Nabriva Thera- School of Medicine, he became Minority Health by the National and a promise of continued ex- who have established exemplary peutics and as vice president of a pioneer in the field of autism, Minority Quality Forum (NMQF). cellence at the frontier of statisti- systems for practice improve- Christoph Thaiss, PhD, an as- Global Clinical Sciences and Op- later founding The Center for The award recognizes the next cal practice. ment in ambulatory or inpatient sistant professor of Microbiology, erations at GlaxoSmithKline. Autism in Philadelphia. generation of thought leaders in clinical practice. was selected to join the Pew reducing health disparities to Scholars Program in the Biomed- Peter Linde, MD, GME’96, was Jacob Shragowitz, BA’43, , MD’86, joined build sustainable communities. Scott A. Peslak, MD, PhD, a fel- ical Sciences. Thaiss will receive David B. Sable named chief medical officer at MD’47, an obstetrician and gy- low in Hematology-Oncology, four years of funding to invest in the board of directors at Ohana Morphic Therapeutic, a biophar- necologist; Apr 13. After earning Biosciences, a biotechnology and Senthil Selvaraj, MD, MA, foundational research to pursue maceutical company developing a medical degree from the Uni- assistant program director of the scientific breakthroughs and ad- company pioneering reproduc- oral integrin therapies to treat Lara S. Sullivan, MD’01, was versity of Pennsylvania School of Cardiovascular Fellowship Pro- vance human health. tive health through sperm biol- chronic diseases. As the com- appointed chief executive offi- Medicine, he joined the U.S. gram, are two of only six winners ogy. Widely acknowledged as a pany advances toward clinical cer and director at Pyxis Oncol- Army and later served in the Ko- reproductive health innovator nationally who received the Do- Christine Willinger, a 2020 trials, Linde will oversee the de- ogy, an immune-oncology com- rean War as a captain in the U.S. ris Duke Charitable Foundation’s MD-MPH graduate of the Perel- and early adopter of preimplan- velopment of small molecule in- pany that uses insights into the Air Force. Following his military (DDCF) Physician Scientist Fel- man School of Medicine, re- tation genetic diagnosis, Sable tegrin inhibitors. Previously, he tumor microenvironment to de- service, he practiced privately for lowship grants. Each grant comes ceived the 2020 Excellence in currently directs healthcare and was vice president of medical re- velop antibody-based immuno- more than 30 years. He also with $220,000 in research fund- Public Health Award from the life sciences investing for the search at Acceleron Pharma Inc. therapies. She previously served worked at Queens General Hos- ing over two years. U.S. Public Health Service Special Situations Life Funds and and a project leader in Clinical as the founder and president of pital and the Jacobi Medical Cen- serves as an adjunct professor of Frances E. Jensen, MD, chair of (USPHS) Physician Professional Asset Development at AbbVie, SpringWorks Therapeutics, ter, and he was an associate clini- biology at Columbia University. Neurology, joined the American Benjamin L. Prosser, PhD, an Advisory Committee, which rec- Inc. where she conceived of and exe- cal professor emeritus at Albert Brain Foundation’s (ABF) board assistant professor of Physiology, ognizes medical students who cuted the clinical stage spin-out Einstein College of Medicine of directors to advance the ABF is the North American coordina- exemplify the USPHS mission to Marc Jeffrey Kahn, MD’87, Christina M. Coughlin, MD’99, from Pfizer and raised Series A when he retired. GME’90, was appointed dean of César de la Fuente, PhD, an as- mission of bringing researchers tor for a team that received a protect, promote, and advance PhD’99, was appointed chief funding. sistant professor in Psychiatry, and donors together to cure $6.5 million grant from the health and safety. the University of Nevada School medical officer at Rubius Thera- of Medicine. He previously Microbiology, and Bioengineer- brain diseases and disorders. Leducq Fondation. Kenneth B. ing, was awarded the first Langer Margulies, MD, a professor of Prize for Innovation and Entre- Paul J. Mather, MD, a professor Medicine, is Prosser’s collabora- preneurial Excellence by the of Cardiovascular Medicine, was tor for the team that will explore named the American Heart As- the role the heart cell cytoskele- ton plays in heart disease. 50 PENN MEDICINE FALL 2020 51 chiatry at Norristown State Hos- Abraham H. Miller, BA’50, 1950s pital. She pursued additional MD’54, a cardiologist; Jan. 16. REMEMBERING THE DOCTOR BEHIND training in child and adolescent After earning his medical de- Milton C. Westphal, Jr., MD’51, psychiatry and psychoanalysis in gree at the University of Penn- GME’55, a pediatrician; Jan. 2. suburban Philadelphia, where she sylvania School of Medicine, he A BRILLIANT BREAKTHROUGH After graduating from Yale Uni- maintained an outpatient psychi- continued his training at Penn- versity, he earned his medical de- atry practice, staff positions at sylvania Hospital and a com- gree at the University of Pennsyl- area hospitals, and active mem- pleted a cardiology fellowship at vania School of Medicine. He bership in professional organiza- Hahnemann Hospital. He later joined the Medical Univer- tions until her retirement. She served with the Public Health sity of South Carolina in Charles- continued her medical education Service in Florida, before mov- ton as chairman of the Depart- well into her 80s, receiving the ing to Manhattan, Kansas, Stanley J. Dudrick realized that ment of Pediatrics. American Medical Association’s where he practiced with the Physician Recognition Award for Manhattan Medical Center for Henry J. Powsner, MD’56, some of his patients were dying H. Alan Hume, MD’53, her dedication several times. nearly 30 years. Upon retiring, GME’60, a radiologist; Aug. 12. GME’57, a surgeon; Feb. 20. Af- he practiced medicine for an- After earning a medical degree ter serving in the U.S. Navy, he Ruth Panzer Gottlieb, BA’50, other 17 years at the Boeing air- from the University of Pennsyl- after surgery not from any failure earned a medical degree from MD’54, GME’58, a pediatrician; craft facility in Everett, Wash. vania School of Medicine, he the University of Pennsylvania May 2. She earned her medical completed a residency at Co- of the procedure—but from School of Medicine. He com- degree at the University of Penn- Frank H. Barranco, MD’56, lumbia-Presbyterian Medical pleted an internship and surgical sylvania School of Medicine, GME’60, a physician; Mar. 14. Center and was certified by the malnutrition. He developed a residency at Penn Presbyterian where she was one of only four After earning his medical degree American Board of Radiology Medical Center (PPMC), then a women in her class, and where from the University of Pennsyl- and American Board of Nuclear surgical fellowship at The Lahey she met and married her hus- vania School of Medicine and Medicine. He served as a U.S. method to help them and Clinic. He maintained a private band, Marvin Gottlieb. She completing his family practice Air Force physician in Florida surgical practice in Philadelphia worked as a general pediatrician training at the Hospital of the and England. He then moved to millions of others worldwide. while serving as chief of Surgical and a pediatric nephrologist and University of Pennsylvania, he Princeton, where he worked as Services at PPMC and chief of practiced at Thomas Jefferson served as a captain in the U.S. a radiologist, later specializing staff at two hospitals in Delaware University, where she also served Army at Walter Reed Army Hos- in mammography. He also County. He then became director as a clinical professor of Pediatrics. pital. He joined the Santa Ynez served on the boards of the of Emergency Medical Services Valley Medical Clinic in Solvang, Princeton Regional Schools, for the state of Maine before Calif., where he practiced family New Jersey Commission on Ra- serving as chief of staff at Mid- medicine for more than 30 years. diation Protection, Princeton Maine Medical Center. He He helped establish the Santa Stanley J. Dudrick, MD’61, GME’67, was widely regarded Misericordia University in Dallas, Pa., as the first Robert S. Board of Health, and Physicians among the country’s most accomplished surgeons for devel- Anderson, MD, Endowed Chair, professor, and medical di- helped establish the Colby-Hume Ynez Valley Community Hospi- for Social Responsibility of Cen- Center at Colby College, where tal, serving as its chief of staff for tral New Jersey. oping total parenteral nutrition (TPN), a groundbreaking rector of physician assistant studies. He then became pro- he became an overseer and later many years, and he was a clinical discovery that has saved the lives of tens of millions of in- fessor of Surgery at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of worked as director and attending instructor in Family Practice at fants, children, and adults. Medicine in Scranton. physician in the Colby Student UCLA Medical Center. Health Center. He was a found- Born in Nanticoke, Pa., Dudrick earned his medical de- Known as the “father of intravenous feeding,” as well as the ing member of the American Norman N. Cohen, MD’56, gree at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, founder of LifeFlight—the first helicopter acute care ambu- Trauma Society, as well as a fel- GME’60, an internist; Apr. 16. A later completing a general surgery residency at the Hospital lance service in the United States—Dudrick contributed to low of the American College of pioneer of fiberoptic endoscopy, of the University of Pennsylvania. As a young resident, Surgeons and the Philadelphia he earned his medical degree Dudrick felt compelled to invest his time researching ways “I want to leave something better Academy of Surgery. , MD’54, from the University of Pennsyl- Gifford Grimm to save patients who underwent successful surgeries yet GME’58, an obstetrician and gy- vania School of Medicine. He behind when I go, rather than just necologist; Jan. 16. After earning completed his internship at Phil- were still dying. His devotion to research led him to dis- a medical degree and completing adelphia General Hospital, resi- cover that malnutrition was a major cause of these deaths. practice medicine the way it has a residency at the University of dency at the Philadelphia Veter- TPN, his medical breakthrough, allowed those struggling to Pennsylvania School of Medicine, ans Hospital, and gastroenterol- eat to receive the nutrients essential to their physical health, always been done.” he served in the U.S. Army, ogy fellowship at the Hospital of Saul Winegrad, BA’52, MD’56, where he served at Ft. Bragg as a the University of Pennsylvania. saving millions worldwide. professor emeritus at the Perel- After completing his residency, Dudrick later joined the – Stanley Dudrick, MD, in 1978 general surgeon and delivered He was appointed chief of Gas- man School of Medicine; Mar. more than 5,000 babies. He was troenterology at Mercy Fitzgerald 13. After receiving a medical de- school’s faculty, ascending from instructor to professor of deployed as a MASH surgeon, and Misericordia Hospitals, then gree from the University of Surgery, and eventually became chairman of Surgery at more than 800 publications and held membership in more attending to casualties in the af- chair of Medicine at Mercy Pennsylvania School of Medicine, the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center in than 100 academic, professional, and honorary medical and termath of multiple earthquakes Catholic Medical Center, where he continued his training and in Chile. Upon honorable dis- he founded and oversaw the gas- Philadelphia. scientific societies. For his innovative efforts in medicine, he completed a research fellowship Dudrick held a number of other esteemed titles, includ- was awarded more than 210 honors, including the Distin- charge, he joined Monmouth troenterology fellowship pro- at the National Institutes of Marilyn Rohrer Curran, BA’50, County Associates in Neptune, gram. He also served as the pres- Health. He spent a year at Uni- ing as the first professor and founding chairman of the de- guished Graduate Award from the Perelman School of Medi- MD’54, a child psychiatrist; Jan. N.J., where he practiced for 53 ident of the Pennsylvania Society versity College London, then re- partment of Surgery at the University of Texas Medical cine and the American Surgical Association Medallion, its 19. After earning a medical de- years until his retirement. of Gastroenterology and chair of turned to Penn as assistant pro- School at Houston, professor of Surgery at the M.D. Ander- highest honor. gree at the University of Pennsyl- the Board of the Philadelphia vania School of Medicine, she Gastroenterology Training son Hospital and Cancer Center, chairman of the depart- “I want to leave something better behind when I go,” completed her residency in psy- Group for more than 25 years. ment of Surgery at Pennsylvania Hospital, and professor of Dudrick said in a 1978 interview with People, “rather than Surgery at Yale University Medical School. Later, he joined just practice medicine the way it has always been done.”

52 PENN MEDICINE FALL 2020 53 LEGACY GIVING

fessor of Physiology and Medi- with multiple professional, colle- years. He also had a private psy- Bequest Makes cine. He became a full professor 1960s 1970s giate, and youth sports teams. He chiatry practice with adult pa- and organized the Biomedical was a member of the Trauma tients and specialized in anxiety Dreams Come True Graduate Studies program. Upon Chalmers E. Cornelius, III, William L. Meadow, MD’75, Critical Care Team of the De- disorders. his retirement, the Saul Wine- MD’64, GME’68, a dermatolo- GME’76, a pediatrician; Sep. 14, partment of Homeland Security FACULTY grad Award for Outstanding Dis- gist; Dec. 3. The author and 2019. A pioneer in the develop- for many years and was also a “I dreamed of earning a medical degree from the Perelman sertation was established. He also co-author of 28 articles in leading ment of neonatal bioethics, he board member of the Orthopae- School of Medicine,” says Alexis Holmes, MD’21. “Today, I am received international recogni- medical journals, his research co-authored a book, lectured ex- dic Trauma Association, the Richard L. Tannen, MD, a re- learning how to incorporate all of my interests—mentorship, tion as a Fulbright Fellow, Na- and early clinical trials contrib- tensively throughout North Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Soci- tired senior vice dean at the clinical research, global health, and entrepreneurship—into tional Science Foundation Fellow, uted to the development of the America and Europe, and pub- Perelman School of Medicine; ety, and Healing the Children of my future career as a physician. The support and generosity Guggenheim Fellow, and Foga- pharmaceutical Retin A, which lished more than 90 academic Feb. 22. After earning a medical Philadelphia County. He lectured of my donor has allowed my dream to become my reality.” rty-CNRS International Fellow. revolutionized the treatment for papers on medical and neonatal nationally, wrote numerous book degree from the University of Penn Medicine donors who contribute to scholarship funds He also was a founding member acne and aging skin. Cornelius ethics, as well as more than 200 chapters and scientific publica- Tennessee, he completed his resi- of the Pennsylvania Muscle Insti- earned his medical degree from Eric Papineau Gall, BA’62, scholarly abstracts. After earning tions, and was recognized with dency and fellowship in nephrol- have a direct impact on student lives, helping to shape the fu- tute, and he served as vice presi- the University of Pennsylvania MD’66, GME’70, a rheumatolo- multiple professional, teaching, ogy at the Brigham Hospital in ture of medicine and patient dent for research for the Ameri- gist; Feb. 26. After earning his and research awards. care. Elizabeth Urian Lauer, can Heart Association, from undergraduate and medical de- ED’42, known to friends as which he received the National grees from the University of Michael J. Forsythe, MD, “Libby,” was one such do- Award of Merit. Pennsylvania, he continued his GME’79, an anesthesiologist; nor whose gift will impact training at the University of Cin- Sep. 30, 2019. After earning his student and patient lives for C. Theodore Blaisdell, MD’59, cinnati. Amid training, he served medical degree from the Univer- GME’62, an anesthesiologist; in the U.S. Army in Vietnam and sity of Virginia School of Medi- generations to come. Apr. 3. After serving in the Field received the Bronze Star and cine, he completed a fellowship Up until her death at age Toxicology Branch of the U.S. Air Army Commendation Medal, in adult and pediatric cardio 96, Lauer was devoted to Force during the Korean War, he before completing his residency thoracic anesthesia at the Uni- education and intellectual earned a medical degree from at the University of Pennsylvania versity of Pennsylvania School of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He spent 27 pursuits, working as an ad- Medicine. After a few years ministrator and teacher at a School of Medicine, where he years at the University of Ari- working in academia, he prac- also completed his internship zona, where he was section chief a medical degree from the Uni- ticed privately at South Miami residential school for spe- and residency. He was the first of Rheumatology and was the co- versity of Pennsylvania School of Hospital in Miami, Allegheny Boston. He was a major in the cial needs children and tak- board-certified anesthesiologist School of Medicine and com- founder and director of the Ar- Medicine and a doctorate from General Hospital in Pittsburgh, U.S. Army at Walter Reed Hospi- ing an active role in her community. She held leadership at Sacred Heart Hospital in Al- pleted an internship at Temple thritis Center. He also served as the University of Pennsylvania, and, for the last 13 years, JFK tal during the Vietnam War. Be- roles in the Brooke Valley Conservancy and Junior Saturday lentown, Pa., where he became University and a residency at the chief of Rheumatology at the VA, he began his residency at the fore becoming senior vice dean Hospital in Atlantis, Fla. Club, and was a member of the Radnor Historical Society as director of anesthesia. He helped Hospital of the University of then as the chair of Medicine at Children’s Hospital of Philadel- at the Perelman School of Medi- to build the Allentown/Sacred Pennsylvania. He served for two Rosalind Franklin Medical phia, followed by a year at the cine, he founded the department well as the garden club. Heart Hospital Center, which be- years in the U.S. Public Health School in Chicago. He served on University of Chicago Hospitals, of Nephrology at the University Lauer left a gift in her will to support scholarships for medi- came the Lehigh Valley Health Service at the Centers for Disease many national committees and where he also completed fellow- 1990s of Vermont, served as division cal students at the Perelman School of Medicine. This gener- Network, and was a member of Control. He later joined the staff was the president of the Associa- ships in infectious disease and chief of Nephrology at the Uni- ous gift encapsulates her devotion to education and her de- the American Board of Anesthe- of Bryn Mawr Hospital and prac- tion of Rheumatology Health medical ethics. He joined the fac- Robertson Buell Tucker, BA’90, versity of Michigan—where he sire to help her community. Further, with one-third of Perel- siology and Pennsylvania Society ticed in the Philadelphia area for Professionals. Over the course of ulty there, eventually becoming MD’95, a psychiatrist; Nov. 10. was also director for the Kidney man School of Medicine graduates remaining in the Penn of Anesthesiologists. He fre- 45 years. his career, he received numerous full professor of pediatrics, taking After earning a medical degree Research Center—then was ap- Medicine system for their advanced training—and many quently served as an examiner awards, including Master in the over the neonatology fellowship from the University of Pennsyl- pointed chair of Medicine at the for the American Anesthesia Thomas D. Mull, MD’65, ACR, Master in the American program and becoming co-direc- vania School of Medicine, he University of Southern Califor- making Philadelphia their permanent home—her gift has a Boards. GME’74, an anesthesiologist; Feb. College of Physicians, and the tor of Neonatology. completed a residency at nia. He co-authored several text- direct impact on the health of the region. Lauer’s for- 20. After earning a medical de- Freedom of Movement Award Thomas Jefferson University and books on nephrology, published ward-thinking gift of scholarships will change the lives of stu- John L. Wanamaker, MD’59, gree from the University of from the Arthritis Foundation. William G. DeLong Jr., MD, a fellowship at the Children’s numerous scientific articles, lec- dents and patients for generations. GME’63, a cardiologist; Jan. 29. Pennsylvania School of Medicine GME’79, an orthopaedic sur- tured nationally and internation- For the 2019-2020 academic year, 86 percent of Perelman and completing an internship at geon; Mar. 13. After earning his After earning a medical degree Peter R. Heisen, MD’69, ally, and received research sup- School of Medicine students received financial aid. Scholar- from the University of Pennsyl- Walter Reed Army Hospital, he GME’73, an infectious disease medical degree from the Temple port from the National Institutes vania School of Medicine, he served tours of duty in Texas and physician; Feb. 23. After earning University School of Medicine, of Health for most of his career. ships remove many of the obstacles students face, which al- completed an internship at Phil- Vietnam. He returned to Penn his medical degree and complet- he completed an orthopaedic He also served as president of the lows them to reach higher and achieve more. “They make it adelphia General Hospital and a and completed a residency in an- ing an internship at the Univer- surgery residency at the Univer- American Society of Nephrology possible for us to recruit and train talented and gifted stu- cardiology fellowship at the Hos- esthesiology at the Hospital of sity of Pennsylvania School of sity of Pennsylvania Health Sys- and on the board of the Ameri- dents who will become tomorrow’s health care innovators,” pital of the University of Penn- the University of Pennsylvania Medicine, he took over his fa- tem (UPHS). He served leader- can Heart Association. Upon re- says Dean J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD. sylvania. He served 10 years in (HUP). He served on the faculty ther’s medical practice at Mercer ship roles at Cooper University tirement, he studied computer- the U.S. Air Force as a cardiolo- and staff at HUP and the Phila- Hospital in Trenton, N.J. He Hospital, UPHS, and Temple ized ambulatory medical record The Perelman School of Medicine is determined to ensure the gist at Wilford Hall Medical delphia Veterans Administration later began developing commer- University Hospital. As network databases, laying the foundation most brilliant, promising, and qualified students can afford a Center and as a flight surgeon at Hospital before accepting a posi- cial software for use in organiza- chairman of Orthopaedic Sur- for continued research in the world-class education through scholarships and fellowships. The Andrews Air Force Base. He tion at Bryn Mawr Hospital, tional management. As chair of gery at St. Luke’s University field of biostatistics. Financial Aid Challenge is currently underway and combines then moved to Sayre, Pa., to where he was chief of Anesthesi- the Methodology Committee at Health Network, he oversaw the outright gifts with matching dollars, allowing you to make an ology for many years. rapid development of a commu- even greater impact at no additional cost. Donors who are 75 practice at the Guthrie Clinic, William M. Mercer, Inc., he Hospital of Philadelphia. He spe- Saul Winegrad, MD; See Class years of age or older can take even further advantage of the where he was elected to the oversaw statistical modeling nity program into a large net- cialized in adolescent medicine of 1956. Challenge by combining outright gifts with planned gifts, such board of physicians and later used for the annual “100 Top work of academic specialists. He and child and adolescent psychi- as bequests—both of which are matched through the served as chief of Cardiology. Hospitals” report. was the team physician for the atry at the Warren E. Smith Challenge. To learn more, contact Christine S. Ewan, JD, Senior Philadelphia Flyers and consulted Health Center in Philadelphia, Executive Director of Planned Giving, at 215-898-9486 or where he worked for nearly 20 [email protected]. For more information, please visit our website at www.plannedgiving.med.upenn.edu. 54 PENN MEDICINE FALL 2020 55 FUTURE PROGNOSIS

COVID-19 is not just a virus. The clinical disease caused But every step of this battle can ravage the body in its by the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, is the result of a way. COVID-19 disease becomes severe when viruses evade complex and ongoing battle within the body between the the innate immune system and replicate in the lungs. T cells invading virus and the body’s defense system. can help fight the disease. But if that battle rages too large, “The immune system is going to be involved in all COVID-19 the fortress of your body can suffer as much from the havoc infections that we see in patients, in fighting the infection, wreaked by your own troops as from the infection itself. in the resolution of the infection, and in what protects us in the future,” said E. John Wherry, PhD, a chair of Systems Basic Science on the Clinical Front Lines Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics and director When the pandemic hit, Nuala Meyer, MD, an associate of the Institute for Immunology at the Perelman School of professor of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, was Medicine. “The immune system evolved over hundreds of working with COVID-19 patients in the hospital. And she, millions of years to do exactly this—to balance protection too, took a well-timed call from John Wherry. versus tissue damage. And it gets it right quite a lot of the Meyer’s translational research has focused on under- time. But it also gets it wrong, sometimes making things standing how a patient’s body responds to infections and worse or failing to control the infection, especially when it’s finding novel treatments. When she got Wherry’s call, that a virus new to our system.” research accelerated. Their daily phone calls to discuss COVID data marked an exchange between basic scientists and clini- Timing Matters cians that was almost unheard of prior to the pandemic. Timing really matters when it comes to infections like “I had a patient whose particular circumstances made us COVID-19, Wherry said. question whether he would mount a strong immune response By Melissa Moody The virus enters the nose or mouth to infect the lung cells, or not,” Meyer said. She wanted to know if a therapy that where it can replicate fast. For a tactical victory, all the virus would attack a specific part of the immune system would be has to do is delay the immune response by a couple of days, the right choice. and from 100 infected lung cells on day one, tens of millions Wherry and Betts’ teams came in on a weekend and had are conquered four or five days later. results telling Meyer what was happening in the patient’s THE IMMUNE FRONT Timing also matters in a pandemic. And Penn’s immunology immune system in just ten hours. Normally, she said, the time group was able to get their research off the ground incredibly from enrolling a patient in a study to getting data back to quickly. Less than a half hour after landing at Philadelphia use at the bedside would be from six months to two years. Translational Research International Airport March 18 on his way home from a “Our research is having a direct effect on how patients conference, Wherry was on the phone with his friend and are being treated, Betts said, “almost in real time.” colleague Michael Betts, PhD, to talk about the SARS-CoV-2 at Penn Medicine is virus and the disease it causes, COVID-19. At that moment, The Future Fight Betts, a professor of Microbiology and viral immunologist There are a number of really big questions still open that at Penn, was walking out of a school board meeting in his Wherry, Betts, and others at Penn are investigating, Wherry Speeding the Battle children’s district, where he’d warned that the virus was a said, including how immune people remain after infection. serious concern. Immunologists are increasingly examining how T cells And following that phone call, Wherry and Betts would learn to fight the virus effectively but not overzealously. Against COVID-19 both be venturing in new research directions. “One big area that we’re focused on trying to understand is Wherry’s research typically focuses on the immune response the formation and quality of T cell memory,” Wherry said. of patients with cancer and chronic infections, with a goal of Wherry is also looking at the immune system in COVID-19 understanding overall immune health and developing person- patients with long-term symptoms, the relationship of the alized, targeted therapeutics. Betts’ work revolves around the immune system to vascular problems, and how previous in- human immune response to viral pathogens, mainly HIV. fections might impact our immune response to the virus. Now Wherry and Betts set out to investigate how patients’ Betts’ lab is pursuing how immunity develops in those immune systems were responding to COVID-19. The pair with milder infections, how long-term protective immunity hoped to inform potentially life-saving treatments to a disease differs over time, and the implications of those answers for that at that point had none, by understanding the battle that the development of vaccines. wages within the body between a virus and the immune And the collaborative and multidisciplinary push in Penn’s system’s response. immunology community continues. After a virus invades, the innate immune system responds “This is the first time I’ve ever seen a cohesive, unanimous first, detecting a foreign invader and creating antibodies. But response to a scientific charge,” Wherry said. “We’ve gained if a virus subverts these early defenses, the body next needs expertise through these studies that have changed the landscape to deploy its special operations forces that have been trained of what kinds of things we can do in human immunology through past experiences (if they’ve had any) to fight the really quickly in collaboration with clinicians.” specific invader that the body is facing—the T cells.

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An Outpouring of Thanks The COVID-19 pandemic has required mental stamina to weather unimaginable challenges and stress. For health care workers at Penn Medicine, the PennMedicineTogether website was launched early in the pandemic as a resource for support—including moral support and gratitude. The site’s “Share the Love” feature enables community members to send messages that are posted online and streamed to digital signs in the hospitals.

Read more on page 16.