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Spring 1999, Volume 2, No. 1
[More Bodine Bulletins]
| From the Chairman  Walter J. Curran, Jr., MD
Chairman, Department of Radiation Oncology
Kimmel Cancer Center
Thomas Jefferson University
Phone: (215) 955-6700, Fax: (215) 955-0412
E-mail: walter.curran@mail.tju.edu
I am delighted to introduce four new physician faculty members and one new faculty
member of our physics group to the readers of the Bodine Bulletin. The expansion of our
faculty is in part due to new practice opportunities for our department within the region
but also due to the departure in 1998 of both Drs. Ben Corn and Neelo Ahmad. Ben served as
Vice Chairman of our department from 1994-1998 and earned an appropriately outstanding
reputation as a clinician, administrator, and investigator. Ben and his wife Phyllis and
their four daughters have chosen to emigrate to Israel where Ben is currently leading a
start-up biotechnology company. Neelo served as the founding medical director of our Lower
Bucks facility and as editor of the Bodine Bulletin and has departed with her husband and
son to reside in Houston. On behalf of the entire department, I wish both Ben and Neelo
continued successes in their new lives!
As you will see from the brief biographical sketches below, all of our four new
physicians are talented individuals from diverse backgrounds. Drs. Turner and Underhill
are already busy at work expanding our group’s practice opportunities in the new
radiation oncology facility at the Methodist Division of Thomas Jefferson University
Hospital in South Philadelphia, and we are thrilled to have Dr. Rudoler back at Jefferson
to serve as medical director of our Lower Bucks facility. In addition, Shari has agreed to
serve as the editor of the Bodine Bulletin. Dr Friere has settled in quickly in his work
at both Jefferson and Wills and brings us special expertise in the management of ocular
tumors and pediatric patients. Dr. Xiao is an outstanding new member of our physics
faculty who brings an impressive resumé of accomplishments from her work in post-doctoral
training.
I am also very pleased to announce that the department’s web page has undergone a
substantial upgrade in the last several months. Please consider visiting it at http://www.kcc.tju.edu/RadOnc to learn of
new clinical, research, or educational programs available for patients, referring
physicians, and other cancer specialists.
I also want to personally encourage any readers to consider attending the Kimmel Cancer
Center of Jefferson’s day-long ASCO Update Program on June 3, 1999 at the Doubletree
Hotel at Broad and Locust. For more information, call Pat Dugan, the Jefferson Cancer
Network Coordinator, at 215-955-1562. Also, the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG)
will hold its semi-annual meeting at the Wyndham Franklin Hotel at 16th and Race from June
25-27, 1999. For more
information, call Nancy Smith or Linda Bomba at (215) 574-3205.... |
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| ... |
Walter J. Curran, Jr., MD
Chairman
Department of Radiation Oncology
Bodine Center for Cancer Treatment
Kimmel Cancer Center
Thomas Jefferson University
Phone: (215) 955-6700
Fax: (215) 955-0412
E-mail: walter.curran@mail.tju.edu |
|
Shari Rudoler, MD
Editor, Bodine Bulletin
Jefferson/Lower Bucks
Radiation Oncology Center
Phone: (215) 785-9910, Fax (215) 785-9911
E-mail: shari.rudoler@mail.tju.edu |
|
Joy Soleiman, MPA
Assistant Administrator
Department of Radiation Oncology
Bodine Center for Cancer Treatment
Thomas Jefferson University
Phone: (215) 955-5948
Fax: (215) 923-5269
E-mail: joy.soleiman@mail.tju.edu |
| ... |
| Introducing New Faculty Thomas
Jefferson University’s Department of Radiation Oncology is growing in both the
clinical and basic science arenas. We are proud to welcome five new faculty members to our
department.
 Kelly Underhill, MD, joined the
faculty of the Department of Radiation Oncology this summer as an Assistant Professor. Dr.
Underhill is a native of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and received her MD degree from
Queens’ University in Kingston, Ontario, in 1992. She completed a residency in
radiation oncology at Queens’ University in 1997, followed by a
subspecialty fellowship in brachytherapy at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in
1998. Dr. Underhill’s clinical practice at Jefferson includes head and neck and
gynecologic cancer patients. Her research interests include combined chemotherapy and
radiation in treatment of head and neck cancer, and the use of brachytherapy.
 Jorge Freire, MD, joined the Department of
Radiation Oncology in August 1998, and brings to the department extensive clinical
experience in the management of ocular malignancies. Dr. Freire is originally from
Ecuador, where he completed his medical education at the Central University of Ecuador. He
received residency training in internal medicine, followed by residency and fellowship in
radiation oncology in Canada. Dr. Freire has performed over 1500 brachytherapy procedures
for ocular melanoma since 1993. Dr. Freire’s additional interests include radiation
therapy for macular degeneration and retinoblastoma.
 Shari Rudoler, MD, re-joined the Department of
Radiation Oncology in October 1998 as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Rudoler completed
additional fellowship training in radiation neuro-oncology here in the department before
joining the attending staff of ChristianaCare in Delaware and Allegheny’s Graduate
and City Avenue Hospitals. Dr. Rudoler is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania
School of Medicine and she completed her medical internship at Cooper Hospital, University
Medical Center in Camden. She completed a residency in radiation oncology at the
University of Pennsylvania with a year as chief resident. Dr. Rudoler is the Medical
Director of Jefferson’s Radiation Oncology Facility at Lower Bucks Hospital.
 Bruce C. Turner, MD, PhD recently joined the staff
of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Jefferson University Hospitals and is an
Assistant Professor in the Jefferson College of Medicine. He received his MD and PhD
degrees from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and recently completed a
post-doctoral fellowship and residency in radiation oncology at Yale University School of
Medicine.
Dr. Turner has an intense interest in breast cancer especially the treatment of young
women with breast cancer who have a strong family history of cancer. His laboratory
focuses on a better
understanding of the importance of specific genes including BRCA1 and BRCA2 and how these
genes may influence response to radiation and chemotherapy and whether these patients are
better candidates for lumpectomy and radiation therapy or conventional mastectomy. Ongoing
work also includes studies to determine whether patients with specific genetic mutations
are appropriate candidates for breast cancer prevention treatment with tamoxifen.
Ying Xiao, PhD, joined the Division of Medical Physics of the
Department of Radiation Oncology, in July1998. Dr. Xiao received her PhD in physics from
Temple University in 1996. She completed a post-doctoral fellowship in medical physics in
the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania in 1998. Dr.
Xiao’s clinical physics responsibilities at the Bodine Center include a primary role
inputting data from the new linear accelerator into the 3-dimensional treatment planning
system.
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| Dr. Walter J. Curran, Jr., delivered the
Fifth Annual Moertel Cancer Research Lecture at the Mayo Clinic on April 15, 1999. This
lecture is delivered annually during the spring meeting of the North Central Cancer
Treatment Group (NCCTG) to honor Dr. Charles Moertel, the founder and first group chairman
of NCCTG. Dr. Curran delivered an address entitled “Innovative approaches to
malignant glioma: Any real progress?” Bruce Turner, MD, PhD was
recently awarded the 1999 RSNA Scholar Award. This is a highly prestigious award which is
funded by the RSNA Research and Education Foundation Board of Trustees.
Chief Resident Steven DiBiase, MD has been awarded the ACRO Howard
Wong Fellowship to pursue studies in prostate brachytherapy at the University of
Washington during February, 1999. At the conclusion of his residency, Dr. DiBiase will
join the University of Maryland’s Department of Radiation Oncology as an assistant
professor.
Maria Werner-Wasik, MD, Jay Reiff, PhD, and Bernadette Garofola, MEd,
RT(R)(CT)(T), ARRT, attended a course on stereotactic body frame held in the
University Hospital in Wuerzburg, Germany, February 1999. Our Department has a
stereotactic body frame, provided by Elekta company, to be used for precision radiation
therapy of extracranial targets. A treatment program using the frame will be established
within the next few months.
Doctors Maria Werner-Wasik and Sylvester Dziuba, as
well as Greg Bednarz, PhD, were featured in the Feb. 5, 1999 issue of the
Polish daily, “Nowy Dziennik.” The newspaper is the largest American daily
reaching Polish audiences in the United States. Our staff members were mentioned in the
article devoted to the Polish clinicians and scientists currently working at Thomas
Jefferson University Hospital and the Kimmel Cancer Center.
Maria Werner-Wasik, MD was selected among many applicants to attend
the Junior Faculty Development Seminar in Santa Fe, New Mexico, held December 1998. The
seminar is organized annually by the American Association of Medical Colleges to expand
knowledge on such issues as the promotion process, applying for grant funding or entering
administrative roles in the changing health care environment.
Jay Reiff, PhD presented findings on “Changes in size and
location of kidneys from the supine CT position to the erect TBI position” at the
84th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America
in November, 1998, in Chicago, IL.
Adam Dicker, MD, PhD presented three papers relating to prostate
brachytherapy at the 84th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological
Society of North America in November, 1998, in Chicago, IL. The topics included:
"Evaluation of pubic arch interference for prostate brachytherapy": How external
beam technology can be useful for the planning of permanent transperineal prostate
implants, a "needles-eye-view", "Three-dimensional multiplanar transrectal
ultrasound imaging for visualization of radioactive seeds for prostate
brachytherapy", and “Use of androgen suppression for reduction of pubic arch
interference in patients being considered for prostate brachytherapy: Evaluation of
planning permanent transperineal prostate implants, from a "needles-eye-view".
Dr. Dicker also spoke at the Philadelphia Roentgen Ray Society Meeting in January, 1999,
discussing the role of translational research in clinical oncology.
Richard Valicenti, MD was awarded the 1998 RSNA Seed Grant Award. This
prestigious award is funded by the Board of Trustees of the Research and Education Fund.
Farewell and best wishes to John Sweet, PhD, who has embarked on a new
challenge as Director of Medical Physics at St. Peters Medical Center in New Brunswick,
NJ. |
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On November 18, 1998, the Thirteenth Annual Simon Kramer Lecture was
delivered by Zvi Fuks, MD, Professor and Deputy Physician-in-Chief for
Planning at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. He was formerly Chairman of the
Department of Radiation Oncology at Memorial. Dr. Fuks’ lecture, “3D dose
escalation improves outcome of radiation for early stage prostate cancer”, was
thought provoking and stimulated vigorous discussion. The lecture and reception were well
attended by over 80 people.
The Second Annual Nagalingam Suntharalingam Lecture took place on Wednesday, May 5,
1999 in Philadelphia. Colin G. Orton, PhD, Professor of Radiation
Oncology Center at Harper Hospital in Detroit, Michigan delivered the lecture entitled
“Radiotherapy for cervix cancer is still primitive and needs to be updated."
Many representatives of the Radiation Oncology community attended, including physicians,
physicists, dosimetrists and radiobiologists. |
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Mark Your Calendar
- Candlelight Vigil of Hope…
Coming Together to Conquer Cancer There will be a Candlelight Vigil of Hope here
at Jefferson at noon on Friday, September 24, 1999 to express our support for THE
MARCH.... Coming Together To Conquer Cancer Vigil of Hope in Washington, DC.
Jefferson’s Vigil will take place in front of the Bluemle Life Sciences Building,
10th and Locust Streets.
- Comprehensive ASCO Review on June 3, 1999 at The Doubletree Hotel at Broad and
Locust. The meeting will begin at 7:30AM and last all day. National faculty will
review latest info presented at ASCO in May 1999 on breast, GI, GU, GYN, Head & Neck,
Lung Cancers – also New Therapies and Radiation Oncology. Registration is required,
call (215) 955-1562.
- THE RTOG SEMI-ANNUAL MEETING on June 24 – 27, 1999 at The Wyndham
Franklin Plaza at 17th & Race, June 24 is the training session for Research
Associates, June 25 most of the day pertains to Research Associates and closed meetings.
June 26 & 27 include committee meetings, the keynote address, publications and the
scientific session. Call (215) 574-3205.
- The Molecular Oncology Lecture Series is designed to provide updated
background information on molecular aspects of direct relevance to Radiation and Medical
Oncology. It is designed as a course and will therefore provide information on concepts
and mechanisms that have been developed using molecular biology approaches. It will not be
a highly specialized research talk. In several ways the lectures will follow the format of
ASTRO courses. The lectures will be videotaped and may soon be available on the
department’s web site. Everyone is welcome to attend at 8:00am in the Simon Kramer
Conference Room at the Bodine Center.
- 5/21/99 Angiogenesis as a Target in Tumor Therapy
Adam Dicker, MD, PhD
- 5/28/99 Gene Targeting-Genetic Instability and DNA Repair
Peter M. Glazer, MD, PhD
- 6/4/99 Apoptosis: General Concepts
Phyllis R. Wachsberger, PhD
- 6/11/99 Molecular basis for P53-Dependent Apoptosis and
Chemosensitivity
Wafik El-Diery, MD, PhD
- 6/18/99 Radiation-Induced Apoptosis
Dennis B. Leeper, PhD
- 6/25/99 The Mechanisms of Heat-Induce Radiosensitization
Dennis B. Leeper, PhD
- 7/9/99 Oncogenes: General Principles
Ya Wang, MD, PhD
- 7/23/99 Radiation-Induced Signal Transduction
Ya Wang, MD, PhD
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Following are other treatment
locations:
Department of Radiation Oncology
Bodine Center for Cancer Treatment
Thomas Jefferson University
111 South 11th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107-5097
Phone: (215) 955-6702
Fax: (215) 955-5331
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Jefferson-Chestnut Hill
Radiation Oncology Center
Chestnut Hill Hospital
8835 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118
Phone: (215) 248-8712
Fax: (215) 248-8717
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Jefferson-Lower Bucks
Radiation Oncology Center
Lower Bucks Hospital
501 Bath Road
Bristol, PA 19007
Phone: (215) 785-9910
Fax: (215) 785-991
|
Radiation Oncology
Pavilion at Methodist
2301 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19148
Phone: (215) 952-1444
Fax: (215) 952-9014 |
Special Thanks
A very special ‘Thank You’ goes to Support,Inc. and Laura Say for theirgenerous
contribution to support cancer research at the Bodine Center. |
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 Return
to Radiation Oncology Department home page
Revised: June 23, 1999. URL:
http://www.kcc.tju.edu/RadOnc/Bod_Bulletin/sum_1998.htm
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