In Development Fall 2017

In this issue:

Introduction by John H. Glick, MD, and Kathryn Griffo

With the fall semester well underway, Penn Medicine Development and Alumni Relations has shifted into overdrive. We’re inspired by Dean Jameson’s renewed strategic plan, our consistently extraordinary faculty, and bold, exciting projects—not the least of which is the new inpatient Pavilion taking shape at HUP. It all leads to an impact that will be felt well beyond the City of Philadelphia.

We’re also getting ready for April 2018, when the University will launch its campaign to help fulfill President Gutmann’s era of tremendous vision and growth. University-wide, Penn Medicine will comprise the single most significant share of fundraising—and we are well prepared to meet this campaign’s goals and challenges.

Unlike other entities at Penn who can rely almost entirely on their alumni base, our donors include a large number of grateful patients and philanthropists. Deeply touched by their relationships with our faculty—like alumnus Arthur Peck, who is profiled in this issue—they give to Penn Medicine because they see the benefits of investing in an accomplished research institution with a strong track record in breakthrough science and clinical medicine.

You will have a central role to play in this historic campaign and, in the coming months, we will be framing your efforts within many of its most compelling messages on inclusion, innovation, and impact. Please feel free to check in with your Development contact for the recommended communications strategies that will serve you and Penn Medicine during the University’s campaign.

We are proud to be your partners in building upon the fine tradition of our medical school—and are committed to getting the resources you need that will allow you to add to its eminence.

P.S. Speaking of wonderful philanthropists, August 22nd marked Ray Perelman’s 100th birthday! He joined our first-year students for an early celebration in June (see photo). It was relationships and personal interactions with our exceptional Penn Medicine physicians that inspired Ray and his beloved late wife Ruth to champion all of our missions. So remember that your commitment to our patients can have a tremendous impact—and we thank you for your dedication.

Gift(s) with Impact: Arthur Peck, M'52

“My feeling was that if I’m going to give my money for research, I’d like to do it where it will be most helpful.”—Arthur Peck, M’52 — “My feeling was that if I’m going to give my money for research, I’d like to do it where it will be most helpful.”
—Arthur Peck, M’52

As a geriatric psychiatrist for more than four decades, alumnus Arthur Peck, MD, now retired, has an intimate knowledge of the challenges faced by people with Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. He soon became a treasured supporter of Penn’s Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research (CNDR), so Co-Founders Virginia M.-Y. Lee, PhD, MBA, and John Q. Trojanowski, MD, PhD, decided to show their appreciation for Dr. Peck’s generosity by meeting with him every year.

“They would set time aside and prepare a presentation for an audience of one—that’s me,” he said. “And they have the patience to try answering whatever questions I could muster, giving me a sense of what is happening at the CNDR and in the broader world of dementia research.”

The result of this faithful stewardship? Dr. Peck recently signed a five-year commitment to the Center, signaling his intent to continue his support until at least 2020. He also bequeathed a portion of his IRA and established four charitable gift annuities at the Perelman School of Medicine with instructions that the proceeds be used to support CNDR. Dr. Peck’s giving is unrestricted: This flexibility enables Drs. Lee and Trojanowski to apply the funds where research is most critical.

Dr. Peck’s support of the Center does not stop with his checkbook. “The subject of dementia comes up frequently when I’m out,” he said. “I make sure to tell people that there is a center that is devoted to research on just those problems. Like cancer, we’re beginning to see that what is required is not a single magic bullet, but an understanding of the molecular basis of these diseases. That’s where I found Penn’s Center doing exceptional work.”

Events Recap

Every May, Medical Alumni Weekend demonstrates the value of a Penn Medicine education by inviting esteemed graduates to return to their educational roots and share their work. These sessions are excellent opportunities to reinforce the message that our academic medical center and faculty are powerful forces in medicine—and also serve as a point of inspiration to encourage supporting our future leaders in health care.

Moderated by Jonathan Epstein, MD, Penn Medicine at the Forefront featured a panel of nationally renowned faculty for an exclusive look at the most promising areas of discovery at Penn Medicine today. This year’s TED-inspired “Mini-Talks” featured five short, compelling presentations from alumni showcasing their impressive work in health care management, clinical practice, biopharmaceuticals, and more.

Please feel free to click here for biosketch information about this year’s presenters and here for videos of these talks and others from the event.

New Paradigm for Understanding Preterm Birth: Michal Elovitz, MD, discussed looking at the microbiome of the birth canal and the day when biomechanics will be used to accurately identify who is at risk for preterm births.

New Insights for Alzheimer’s: Virginia M.-Y. Lee, PhD, MBA, shared that—unknown just 10 years ago—the neurodegenerative process starts decades before symptoms emerge.

Practice, Practice, Practice: L. Scott Levin, MD, FACS, talked about the extensive rehearsals and coordinated collaborative work, requiring 10-12 surgeons and 40 professionals total, to perform bilateral hand transplant surgery.

DNA—“The Ultimate Digital Language”: Kojo S. Elenitoba-Johnson, MD, pointed to the array of emerging therapies based on cancer genetics and the prospect of personalized cancer vaccines.

Mini-Talks (left to right): Lisa Cassileth, C’92, M’97, RES’03; Mitchell J. Blutt, C’78, M’82, WG’87; Donald M. O’Rourke, M’87; Julia Glade Bender, M’92; Derrell D. Porter, M’97, WG’98; Michelle Morse, M’08

On May 3rd we celebrated the ground-breaking for the Pavilion at HUP. Thanks to our PennFIRST team of architects, engineers, and Penn Medicine faculty, its design will be physician and patient friendly and future-proof. Please enjoy videos of faculty and staff introducing the differentiating features of the Pavilion, highlights on important details for supporting this project, and our record-breaking foundation pour.

Left to right: Philadelphia Mayor James Kenney; Penn Medicine Board Chair Andrew Heyer; J. Larry Jameson; Councilwoman Jeannie Blackwell; Amy Gutmann; Ralph Muller

Upcoming Events

Please use the links below to get details about:

•   Philly Fights Cancer: Round 3 – Oct 28
•   AAMC Alumni Reception – Nov 4
•   Penn Medicine Advances: Orthopaedic Mobility and Pain Management – Nov 6
•   Basser Jean Bash: Unzip Your Jeans – Nov 14

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