Penn Physicians Gain National and Donor Recognition for Innovation

A Celebration of Philadelphia’s Next Revolution: Immunotherapy

Former Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell and Richard Vague joined forces to pay tribute to Penn Medicine’s breakthrough immunotherapy success at an event dubbed “Philadelphia’s ImmunoRevolution.” It was held—most fittingly—at the Museum of the American Revolution, and celebrated Penn discoveries that culminated in last summer’s FDA approval of CAR T therapy for some patients with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

“The most important thing we can bring to the human race is hope,” Rendell said. “This is what Penn Medicine’s ImmunoRevolution is doing: bringing hope and turning the world’s eyes, once again, to Philadelphia.”

Speaking to the business and philanthropic leaders gathered that evening, Dean J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD, likened the forward-thinking partners who helped seed this research at Penn to those who led the American Revolution. Guests then heard from Penn’s own immunotherapy visionaries: Abramson Cancer Center Director Robert Vonderheide, MD, DPhil; Carl June, MD, who first pioneered CAR T cell immunotherapy; Saar Gill, MD, PhD, who is investigating the next generation of CAR T cell therapy; and E. John Wherry, PhD, director of the Institute for Immunology.

   

Above: Carl June, MD; and from L-R: Saar Gill, MD, PhD; John Wherry, PhD, and Robert Vonderheide, MD, DPhil

To learn more about joining the revolution, visit PennMedicine.org/immunorevolution and contact Senior Executive Director for Development and Alumni Relations Tricia Bruning at 215-898-0578.

A First for Division of Traumatology, and an Honor for Its Founding Chief

From L-R: Ron DeMatteo, MD; Patrick Reilly, MD; William Schwab, MD; Clyde Barker, MD; and Ralph Muller

Recognized as one of the best in the world, Penn’s Trauma Center recently received a well-deserved honor with the creation of its first endowed professorship. The C. William Schwab, MD Endowed Professorship in the Division of Traumatology, Surgical Critical Care and Emergency Surgery was established with the help of generous Penn Medicine friends, most notably lead donors Pina Templeton and the Haas Family. The chair was inspired by the friendship and shared dedication of two renowned trauma surgeons, Drs. Bill Schwab and Jack Templeton (Pina’s late husband). Schwab, the division’s founding chief, is known around the globe for his contributions to the field.

“Dr. Schwab poured his passion for trauma care into building Penn Medicine’s outstanding trauma division,” said J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD, dean of the Perelman School of Medicine. “This professorship is wonderful recognition of his vision and guidance, and I am proud that the Schwab chair will empower other great physicians to make even more life-saving advances.”

Patrick Reilly, MD, FACS, the current chief of the division and beloved leader in mentoring young physicians, was selected as the inaugural chairholder. Reilly came to Penn for his fellowship, and joined the faculty in 1995. For 18 years, he was program director for the fellowship program. Widely known for his work in trauma system design and how it affects injured patients, Reilly led the unit’s relocation from HUP into stunning new space at Penn Presbyterian in 2015. The move has improved the trauma team’s capacity to work efficiently and increased the number of patients cared for—more than 2,600 last year.

Penn Medicine has bestowed more than 200 endowed professorships, which are integral to sustaining scholarship, advancing patient care, and accelerating research in an academic medical center of Penn Medicine’s caliber. If you are interested in supporting Penn’s Trauma Center, please contact Senior Executive Director for Development and Alumni Relations Kim Grube at 215-898-0578.  Read more about the Trauma Center.

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