News from Main Line Health

12th Annual “Fight from the Fairway” Golf Tournament to Benefit Breast Cancer Research at Lankenau Institute for Medical Research

Tue, 7 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT

The 12th Annual “Fight from the Fairway” golf tournament, benefitting Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR) and Breastcancer.org, will be held on Saturday, May 18, at the Honeybrook Golf Club in Honey Brook, PA. The charity event is coordinated by current and former employees of Weston Solutions, a global leader in environmental, sustainable, and energy solutions, property redevelopment, and design/build construction, who has been raising funds for over a decade to increase awareness and knowledge about breast cancer and breast health and to help eradicate the disease through clinical research.

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately one in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. This year, almost 232,500 new cases of breast cancer will be discovered, and nearly 40,000 will die from the disease. Fortunately, those numbers have been decreasing in recent years, due in large part to breast cancer research and education. LIMR continues to make strides in its breast cancer research thanks to Weston Solutions.

"Continuing its proud tradition, the Fight from the Fairway team continues to be one of our most dedicated supporters in the fight against breast cancer by Lankenau researchers,” stated George Prendergast, PhD, Professor, President and CEO of LIMR. “Thanks to the stalwart leadership of Weston Solutions and the generous donors who support the golf tournament, LIMR scientists have taken a prognostic biomarker they discovered for breast cancer and have begun to turn it into a target for antibodies that can specifically attack the breast cancer. This exciting development, made possible by the funds raised by Fight from the Fairway, shows how a group of dedicated individuals can help advance research for improved patient care and medicine.”

This year’s event includes a raffle with a grand prize of a trip to the 2014 Super Bowl in New York. The trip includes a 5 day/4 night stay, two tickets to the game and various party invitations. The second place prize is $500.

Fight from the Fairway began as a way to help show support for Weston employee Karen Schneider when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002. Unfortunately, Schneider lost her battle in the spring of 2008, and this fundraising event continues in her memory, having raised nearly $340,000 for breast cancer research and education.

To register, donate or learn more, visit www.FightFromTheFairway.org.

12th Annual Fight from the Fairway Golf Tournament to Benefit Breast Cancer Research at LIMR on May 18

Mon, 6 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT

The 12^th Annual Fight from the Fairway golf tournament, benefitting Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR) and Breastcancer.org, will be held on Saturday, May 18, at the Honeybrook Golf Club in Honey Brook, PA. The charity event is coordinated by current and former employees of Weston Solutions, who has been raising funds for over a decade to increase awareness and knowledge about breast cancer and breast health and to help eradicate the disease through clinical research.

"Continuing its proud tradition, the Fight from the Fairway team continues to be one of our most dedicated supporters in the fight against breast cancer by Lankenau researchers,” stated George Prendergast, PhD, Professor, President and CEO of LIMR. “Thanks to the stalwart leadership of Weston Solutions and the generous donors who support this golf tournament, LIMR scientists have taken a prognostic biomarker they discovered for breast cancer and have begun to turn it into a target for antibodies that can specifically attack the breast cancer. This exciting development, made possible by the funds raised by Fight from the Fairway, shows how a group of dedicated individuals can help advance research for improved patient care and medicine."

This year's event includes a raffle with a grand prize of a trip to the 2014 Super Bowl in New York. The trip includes a 5 day/4 night stay, 2 tickets to the game and various party invitations. The second place prize is $500.

Fight from the Fairway began as a way to help show support for Weston employee Karen Schneider when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002. Unfortunately, Karen lost her battle in the spring of 2008, and this fundraising event continues in her memory, having raised nearly $340,000 for breast cancer research and education.

To register, donate or learn more, visit www.FightfromtheFairway.org.

About Weston Solutions, Inc.

Weston Solutions, Inc. (WESTON®) delivers integrated environmental, sustainability, property redevelopment, energy, and construction solutions. Dedicated to making a difference in the world, our 1,650 people have been reaching out from 60 offices around the globe, responding to our clients' toughest problems for more than 55 years. For more information about Weston Solutions, visit www.westonsolutions.com.

About Lankenau Institute for Medical Research

Founded in 1927, the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR) is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research center located in suburban Philadelphia on the campus of Lankenau Medical Center. Part of Main Line Health, LIMR is one of the few freestanding, hospital associated medical research centers in the nation. The faculty and staff at the Institute are dedicated to advancing an understanding of the causes of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. This information is used to help improve diagnosis and treatment of these diseases as well as find ways to prevent them. LIMR is also committed to extending the boundaries of human health and well-being through technology development and the training of the next generation of scientists and physicians. To learn about LIMR, visit www.limr.org.

About Breastcancer.org

Breastcancer.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the most reliable, complete, and up-to-date information about breast health and breast cancer. Its mission is to help women and their loved ones make sense of the complex medical and personal information about breast cancer, informing and empowering them to make the best decisions for their lives.

Since its inception, Breastcancer.org has become the number-one online resource for breast health and breast cancer information and support, with more than 6,000 pages of expert-reviewed information and a robust, dynamic peer support community. Breastcancer.org receives more than 10 million visits each year. For more information, please visit www.Breastcancer.org.

Eric Mankin, MD, Named President of Main Line HealthCare, Main Line Health’s Multi-specialty Employed Physician Network

Wed, 1 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT

Main Line Health (MLH) has named Eric “Rick” Mankin, MD, President of Main Line HealthCare (MLHC). In this role, Dr. Mankin will oversee Main Line Health’s growing, multi‐specialty employed physician practice.

In welcoming Dr. Mankin, Jack Lynch, President and CEO of Main Line Health stated: “Dr. Mankin’s extensive knowledge of complex health care system operations and medical management, coupled with his clinical background and deep understanding of ambulatory care and clinically integrated physician networks, fully equip him for this new challenge as President of Main Line HealthCare.”

Dr. Mankin has more than 20 years of health care leadership experience with clinical and operational management and a strong commitment to quality and patient safety. Since 2003, Dr. Mankin has served as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer for Temple Physicians, Inc. (TPI), the community-based physician practice arm of Temple University Health System (TUHS). Under Dr. Mankin’s leadership, the physician network grew from a start-up primary care practice to a large, integrated multi-specialty group with over 400 employees in 42 offices across the Philadelphia region. Through his strategic vision and collaborative approach, Dr. Mankin built a network of physician partners focused on achieving shared goals around quality, customer service, information technology, and system-wide service line development.

In addition to his role as CEO and CMO of TPI, Dr. Mankin has served in numerous other health care leadership roles, including Medical Director for TUHS Medical Management and Vice President of Network Development for TUHS. Before joining TUHS, Dr. Mankin served as a Partner in the Southern California Permanente Medical Group, as a family physician for HealthSpring Medical Group, and as Medical Director for MetraHealth (United) Health Plan.

Andrew Norton, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Main Line Health, added that, “Dr. Mankin’s expansive experience in both health care management and clinical expertise will enhance the capabilities and strength of Main Line HealthCare and ensure our continued success in fulfilling Main Line Health’s long-standing mission of providing a superior patient experience.”

A graduate of Haverford College and Temple University School of Medicine, Dr. Mankin completed his Family Practice residency at Middlesex Memorial Hospital in Connecticut. His professional activities include serving on the Independence Blue Cross Physician Advisory Board, Health Partners Medical Advisory Committee and a variety of pharmaceutical and therapeutic committees.

Bryn Mawr Hospital ICU Receives AACN Beacon Award of Excellence

Wed, 1 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT

The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Bryn Mawr Hospital, part of Main Line Health, received the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) 2013 silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence. The three-year award (2013-16) recognizes caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN’s six Healthy Work Environment Standards. The ICU is one of five hospital units in Pennsylvania to receive the award this year.

“It’s such an honor to receive this award, and it is a true reflection of the hard work provided by our skilled and dedicated nursing staff” said Amy Pelleg, nurse manager, Bryn Mawr Hospital’s ICU. “The entire unit works as a team to ensure that we are communicating and working as efficiently as possible. We make evidence-based, superior care our top priority.”

To win this award, the ICU met national criteria consistent with Magnet Recognition, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and National Quality Healthcare Award. The silver-level award is based on the following criteria:
• Leadership structures and systems
• Appropriate staffing and staff engagement
• Effective communication, knowledge management, learning and development and best practices
• Evidence-based practice and processes
• Patient outcomes

The Beacon Award for Excellence lauds North American hospital units that employ evidence-based practices to improve patient and family outcomes. Silver-level recipients demonstrate continuous learning and effective systems to achieve optimal patient care. Bryn Mawr Hospital’s CCU/Coronary Care Unit received the award last year, along with Lankenau Medical Center's Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit and Intensive Care Unit. Their award will last until 2015.

Main Line Health Physicians Recognized As "Top Docs" By Philadelphia Magazine

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EDT

Selected by their physician peers throughout the region, 74 outstanding Main Line Health physicians have been recognized by Philadelphia magazine as 2013 “Top Doctors.”

This year’s May issue of the magazine contained the customary and prestigious list of “Top Doctors,” and the publication’s editorial focused on Philadelphia area physicians, nurses, hospital administrators, public-health advocates and insurers providing the ultimate guide to health care reform and how it will affect people’s lives.

“We are incredibly proud of the physicians who made the “Top Doctors” list this year,” said Andrew Norton, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Main Line Health. “We are fortunate to have over 2,200 doctors practicing throughout Main Line Health who strive to deliver highly personalized, advanced care to create a superior experience for our patients. I truly appreciate our team of physicians for their dedication and commitment to the communities we serve.”

The “Top Doctors” list is based on results from Castle Connolly, an independent research company. MLH physicians can nominate peers for Top Doctor recognition 365 days a year by visiting the Castle Connolly’s confidential online physician nomination portal: http://www.castleconnolly.com/nominations/index.cfm?DoctorID.

Main Line Health applauds its entire medical staff and extends its sincerest congratulations to the following physicians for their outstanding achievement:

Philadelphia Magazine “Top Doctors” 2013

Allergy and Immunology                                   Albert Rohr, M.D.; Bryn Mawr Hospital

Cardiac Electrophysiology                                Steven Rothman, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center

Cardiothoracic Surgery                                     Scott Goldman, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center

Cardiovascular Disease                                     Irving Herling, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center
                                                                      Peter Kowey, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center
                                                                      Steven LaPorte, M.D.; Paoli Hospital

Colon and Rectal Surgery                                 Kenneth Boyd, M.D.; Riddle Hospital
                                                                      John Marks, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center
                                                                      Robert Noone Jr., M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center

Dermatology                                                    Jamie Altman, M.D.; Riddle Hospital
                                                                      Leonard Dzubow, M.D.; Riddle Hospital
                                                                      Stuart Lessin, M.D.; Bryn Mawr Hospital
                                                                      Rochelle Weiss, M.D.; Bryn Mawr Hospital

Diagnostic Radiology                                        Harry Zegel, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center

Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism          Stanley Schwartz, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center

   Gastroenterology                                              Keith Laskin, M.D.; Paoli Hospital
                                                                         Gary Newman, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center
                                                                          Jeffrey Retig, M.D.; Bryn Mawr Hospital

   Gynecologic Oncology                                      Charles Dunton, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center
                                                                          David Holtz, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center

   Hand Surgery                                                   Jack Abboudi, M.D.; Bryn Mawr Hospital
                                                                          Pedro Beredjiklian, M.D.; Riddle Hospital
                                                                          Marwan Wehbe, M.D.; Bryn Mawr Hospital

Infectious Diseases Jerome Santoro, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center

   Internal Medicine                                              William Greer, M.D.; Paoli Hospital
                                                                          Joseph Hope, D.O.; Riddle Hospital
                                                                          Henry Ling, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center
                                                                          Ann Reilly, M.D.; Paoli Hospital
                                                                          Peter Spitzer, M.D.; Bryn Mawr Hospital

Interventional Cardiology Frank McGeehin III, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center

Maternal and Fetal Medici Andrew Gerson, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center

Medical Oncology Paul Gilman, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center

Nephrology Robert Benz, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center
Keith Superdock, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center

Neurology Thomas Graham, M.D.; Paoli Hospital
Joyce Liporace, M.D.; Riddle Hospital

Obstetrics and Gynecology Marc Toglia, M.D.; Riddle Hospital
David Ufberg, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center

Orthopedic Surgery                                               Robert Good, M.D.; Bryn Mawr Hospital
                                                                           James McGlynn, M.D.; Riddle Hospital
                                                                           Richard Schmidt, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center
                                                                           Peter Sharkey, M.D.; Riddle Hospital

Otolaryngology                                                     John Feehery, M.D.; Riddle Hospital
                                                                           Marc Surkin, M.D.; Bryn Mawr Hospital
                                                                           Paul Swanson, M.D.; Bryn Mawr Hospital

Pediatrics                                                            Rosemary Casey, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center
                                                                           Harold Gordon, M.D.; Bryn Mawr Hospital
                                                                           Judith Turow, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Jay Siegfried, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center

Plastic Surgery Paul Glat, M.D.; Bryn Mawr Hospital
Ronald Lohner, M.D.; Bryn Mawr Hospital

Psychiatry Jonathan Raines, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center

Pulmonary Disease Thomas Meyer, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center
Andrew Pitman, M.D.; Bryn Mawr Hospital

Radiation Oncology Albert DeNittis, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center
Marisa Weiss, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center

Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Michael Glassner, M.D.; Bryn Mawr Hospital

Rheumatology Gary Gordon, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center

Sports Medicine Michael Ciccotti, M.D.; Bryn Mawr Hospital

Surgery                                                                 Ned Carp, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center
                                                                            Murray Cohen, M.D.; Paoli Hospital
                                                                            Thomas Frazier, M.D.; Bryn Mawr Hospital
                                                                            David Rose, M.D.; Bryn Mawr Hospital
                                                                            Jennifer Sabol, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center

Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery Louis Samuels, M.D.; Paoli Hospital
Michael Walker, M.D.; Bryn Mawr Hospital

Urology                                                                 Donald Anderson, M.D.; Paoli Hospital
                                                                            Leigh Bergmann, M.D.; Bryn Mawr Hospital
                                                                            David McGinnis, M.D.; Bryn Mawr Hospital
                                                                            Robert Schnall, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center

Vascular and Interventional Radiology                      Joseph Bonn, M.D.; Lankenau Medical Center
                                                                            Atul Gupta, M.D.; Paoli Hospital
                                                                            Eric Stein, M.D.; Bryn Mawr Hospital

Vascular Surgery Gerald Patton, M.D.; Bryn Mawr Hospital

* Hospital affiliation is listed as it appears in the magazine.

For more information on Philadelphia magazine’s “Top Doctors” issue, visit: http://www.phillymag.com/index.html.

Lankenau Medical Center Hosts ‘Unite for HER Wellness Day’

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EDT

Lankenau Medical Center, part of Main Line Health, recently hosted a “Unite for HER Wellness Day” on Sunday, April 21. The event featured trained clinicians speaking to breast cancer patients and survivors about the importance of overall wellness—including information about acupuncture, massage, yoga, meditation, and nutrition.

The event, which was attended by over 40 patients and caregivers, featured a lunch time discussion by Katie Cavuto Boyle, nutrition expert and consulting dietitian for the Philadelphia Phillies, about nutrition and the importance of eating right to promote health. Cavuto Boyle was introduced by Sue Weldon, Paoli Hospital breast cancer survivor and President and Founder of Unite for HER. Throughout the duration of the event, each attendee received an acupuncture consultation, and an interactive experience with yoga, meditation and massage, allowing her to create a personal plan for incorporating those valuable tools into her treatment and recovery. Attendees were also given the opportunity to have skin, makeup and hair consultations.

Main Line Health has built a strong relationship with Unite for HER—hosting the first ever “Wellness Day” at Paoli Hospital in 2010. The Unite for HER Wellness Days are designed to introduce breast cancer patients to complementary therapies that can help restore health. In collaboration with area hospitals, including Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Paoli Hospital and Riddle Hospital, Unite for HER holds these events on a regular basis. At the conclusion of each event, the women receive vouchers for complimentary therapies.

For information about breast cancer care at Lankenau Medical Center, visit http://www.mainlinehealth.org/lankenaubreast.

###

About Unite for HER
Unite for HER is a nonprofit organization founded in 2009 by breast cancer survivor, Sue Weldon. Sue knows the struggles and challenges of facing the disease and is dedicated to supporting women with breast cancer. The organization has developed four areas of outreach that are funded by private donations, sponsorships, grants, and fundraising events. Each of these outreach opportunities was designed to fulfill the organization’s mission, which is to make a positive difference in the lives of women by supporting and providing breast cancer and wellness programs that educate, empower and restore.

Mock Crash Event at Strath Haven High School

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EDT

At 9 a.m. this morning, the parking lot of Strath Haven High School was the site where more than 400 students and faculty witnessed a simulated, yet seemingly real, accident scene before their eyes, with ambulances, police, fire trucks, the county coroner, and most important—students as victims of the car crash. Jaws of Life machinery, stretchers, and body bags made the scene even more real as the 11th grade students watched their classmates act out the fatal car crash, with some of them severely injured, one arrested for causing the accident while under the influence and two "dead" hanging out of the crashed vehicles.

Although a chilling and traumatic scene, this is what experts feel is the best way to get the message across to teen drivers of the risks they could encounter with one bad decision—whether it’s driving drunk or high, getting into a car when the driver is drunk or high, texting while driving, or driving recklessly.

“When I decided to volunteer for the mock crash event, I really wanted to show my classmates a potential scenario that could result from one bad decision,” said Dan Lardan, Strath Haven Junior and Student Body President. “Being a part of the event today really helped us to think of the guilt we would have to live with if we were in a situation like that. It also showed the effects it would have not just on us, but on our friends and family, if we were to die or become severely injured. It also made us think of losing one another. It was unbelievably powerful.”

Nether Providence Police officers were on the scene to field-test and arrest the driver who caused the crash. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) from Riddle Hospital, rescue teams from Swarthmore, Media, Garden City, South Media, and Parkside, along with the Delaware County Medical Examiners, arrived to save and transport victims. With more than 75 personnel in full gear and using real equipment, the re-enactment brought many in the crowd to tears, especially when actors from the Media Theatre arrived on the scene as distressed parents.

Once the accident had been handled and all victims taken care of, the students returned to the auditorium for a presentation by the Cruisin’ not Boozin’ program of Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, part of Main Line Health. The speaker was former Garnet Valley High School student, Daniel Perrino, who while driving drunk, hit a telephone pole and changed the course of his life forever. After beating death, Daniel was left with a severe traumatic brain injury and multiple other permanent injuries. He is currently continuing therapy at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital.

Riddle Hospital, also part of Main Line Health, coordinated the day's events with the help of a grant funded from State Farm Insurance Company. In recognition of the National Teen Driver Safety Initiative, the hope is to reduce the number of accidents, injuries and deaths among teens.

Discovery Channel’s Health Heroes to Feature LIMR Biotech Incubator Company CD Diagnostics on April 15th

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EDT

Wynnewood, PA - CD Diagnostics, Inc., a member of Lankenau Institute for Medical Research’s Biotech Incubator, announced today that it will be featured in a segment of the Discovery Channel show Health Heroes, airing April 15^th at 7 am EST/PDT. The show focuses on the latest advancements in health and wellness. The CD Diagnostics’ segment will highlight industry leaders discussing the impact of the company’s game-changing technology on the orthopaedic community.

CD Diagnostics' scientific founder and LIMR faculty member Carl Deirmengian, MD, discovered the existence of unique genetic signatures for joint disease and infection, as indicated by the presence of various biomarkers in synovial (joint) fluid. By identifying and measuring these unique biomarkers, CD Diagnostics is able to develop a series of new products to diagnose joint disease with greater accuracy and speed than other tests currently available. Industry experts will explain the key benefits and features of this new technology in the Health Heroes episode. The company’s first joint infection test, marketed as Synovasure™, was released as a laboratory developed test in November 2012. A point of care device that will diagnose joint infection at the bedside is currently being developed, and the company plans to release this test in Europe later this year.

This particular episode of Health Heroes will educate viewers about the impact of CD Diagnostics’ innovative technology for the orthopaedic community. The company’s pipeline of tests will be the first simple, standardized, analytical devices available for joint fluid analysis. The Health Heroes feature will explain CD Diagnostics’ biomarker screening program, patented technology, and its core strengths in immunoassay development and manufacturing. Through the combination of its CLIA laboratory, Citrano Medical Laboratories, and its strength in immunoassay development, CD Diagnostics is able to develop diagnostic tests for a broad range of joint diseases including infection, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and companion diagnostics in a simple, rapid, and accurate format.

When discussing technology, the true marvels today are happening behind closed doors,” said Michele Nehls, producer for the Health Heroes series. “I’m proud to be able to bring an inside perspective to the Health Heroes audience.”

Richard Birkmeyer, CEO of CD Diagnostics, stated, “We are very excited about our feature on Health Heroes. We believe that our breakthrough technology will have a tremendous impact on the orthopaedic community and are pleased to shed light on joint infection, a serious condition that negatively affects joint replacement patients worldwide.”

About Health Heroes

Health Heroes is a powerful TV series dedicated to defining and exploring today’s latest medical advances in all areas of health and wellness. Written with both the industry professional and television audience in mind, Health Heroes educates, entertains and enlightens the lives of our viewers.

About CD Diagnostics, Inc.

CD Diagnostics is a fully integrated diagnostics company with expertise in immunoassay development and commercialization. The company combines expertise in immunoassay development with biomarker research, patented technology, and GMP manufacturing, to deliver a range of products that address challenging diagnostic issues. The company is improving patient outcomes by providing more accurate and rapid diagnosis. CD Diagnostics recently completed the acquisition of Citrano Medical Laboratories, a CLIA-certified laboratory that has provided comprehensive clinical testing services to its clients for 39 years. The CLIA laboratory and CD Diagnostics’ sample acquisition programs with major hospitals and medical research institutions help to facilitate the rapid development and commercialization of the company’s laboratory-developed tests (LDTs). The laboratory-developed test for peri-prosthetic joint infection, developed with Zimmer, was released in November 2012. Additional tests for other disease states and for use as companion diagnostics are being developed.

For more information, visit www.cddiagnostics.com, or call (484) 476-4800.

Contact:
CD Diagnostics, Inc.
Porsche Holland, 484-476-4805
Investor Relations
InvestorRelations@cddiagnostics.com
www.cddiagnostics.com

LIMR and Monk Street Partners Form Liaison for Commercial Development of Zinc Health Technology

Mon, 1 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EDT

Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR) announced today an exclusive out-licensing agreement with an intellectual property collaborator, Monk Street Partners (MSP), to further advance and commercialize their jointly invented zinc health technology. The innovative patent portfolio to be advanced by MSP in the agreement made with LIMR focuses on novel healthful uses of zinc, including to prevent esophageal cancer and retard infections.

The jointly invented technology licensed to MSP for commercialization is based on collaborative work from LIMR professor James Mullin, PhD and MSP’s Jonathan Raines, MD, who together have created new healthful applications for zinc, an essential nutrient. When orally administered by lozenge, zinc can be delivered topically to Barrett’s esophagus, a pre-cancerous condition that precedes the development of esophageal cancer. Clinical investigations conducted by Dr. Mullin have shown that oral zinc delivered in this manner can alter proteins within Barrett's cells that are vital for cell function. Ongoing studies seek to determine if zinc modifies proteins in ways that suggest a reduction in cancer risk in the Barrett’s tissue. In extending the licensed technology, Dr. Raines has generalized the applications of zinc to reinforce tissue barrier function and health in a variety of other settings, including infectious disease. “The simple but elegant tool that zinc may offer in many medical settings makes its new uses very appealing, from both a clinical and commercial perspective, particularly at a time when widely useful, cost-effective solutions are increasingly important in health maintenance,” according to Dr. Raines, who as a co-founder of MSP with business partner Carl Leighton will now work to advance the technology’s commercialization.

The LIMR-MSP relationship is the latest product of LIMR’s self-defined ‘acapreneurial model’ of scientific discovery, which integrates in the same center non-profit and for-profit activities in basic science, product development, clinical research and public health research. This unique environment quickens the pace that a novel research idea can be translated into a commercially viable medical breakthrough. In commenting on the new relationship, LIMR President Dr. George Prendergast noted that “For LIMR, this is the first time we have partnered with an agent entity to advance a technology development track, something we hope to replicate again to maximize the medical and commercial impact of our biomedical inventions”.

About Lankenau Institute for Medical Research

Founded in 1927, the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR) is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research center located in suburban Philadelphia on the campus of Lankenau Medical Center. Part of Main Line Health, LIMR is one of the few freestanding, hospital associated medical research centers in the United States. The faculty and staff at the Institute are dedicated to advancing an understanding of the causes of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. This information is used to help improve diagnosis and treatment of these diseases as well as find ways to prevent them. LIMR is also committed to extending the boundaries of human health and well-being through technology development and the training of the next generation of scientists and physicians. To learn about LIMR, visit www.limr.org.

About Monk Street Partners

Monk Street Partners (MSP), an affiliate of Wildwood Capital LLC, is both a holding company for certain intellectual property assets of its partners, and a business entity that through strategic partnering advances the commercial potential of these assets. MSP’s business and science principals work in conjunction with its partners to expand the potential applications of both science and technology, while increasing the commercial-value proposition for the marketplace to generate wealth. MSP becomes the catalyst, contributing to the scientific, commercial and strategic aspects of the projects with which it becomes involved. MSP develops applications of scientific discoveries into clinical and commercial realms with its research partners. Through its unique combination of scientific, entrepreneurial and strategic expertise, MSP expands the breadth and depth of Intellectual Property, identifying heretofore unrecognized links between basic science and clinical medicine.

Main Line HealthCare Welcomes Neurosurgeon, Peter D. Le Roux, MD, FACS

Mon, 1 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EDT

Main Line HealthCare (MLHC) and Scott A. Rushton, MD are pleased to welcome Peter D. Le Roux, MD, FACS to the MLHC Brain and Spine Center at Lankenau Medical Center on April 1st, where he will be Co-Director with Dr. Rushton. Dr. Le Roux specializes in microneurosurgery and has a clinical interest in spinal disorders, brain tumors, cerebral vascular disease, and head injury/concussion. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Neurological Surgery, and is moving from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia where he was a tenured Associate Professor in Neurosurgery. Dr. Le Roux earned his medical degree and doctorate in neuroscience from the University of Cape Town in South Africa, and completed his residency in neurosurgery at the University of Washington in Seattle that included training at Atkinson Morley Hospital in London, England and research at the Ecole Normale Superieure in Paris, France.

Dr. Le Roux has been recognized with the Young Neurosurgeon Award from the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies, the Charles A. Elsberg Fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine, and is listed in US News and World Report’s Top Doctors, Best Doctors in America, Who’s Who in the World, and America’s Top Surgeons. He has a longstanding record in translational research in brain resuscitation and recovery, and is an internationally known expert in subarachnoid hemorrhage and traumatic brain injury management, and neurocritical care. Dr. Le Roux has performed research on robot-assisted microsurgery with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and NASA. He is a published author of over 170 peer-reviewed manuscripts in scientific journals, is the editor of two textbooks, Management of Cerebral Aneurysms, and Monitoring in Neurocritical Care and has written the traumatic brain injury guidelines for Emergency Neurological Life Support and for the International Olympic Committee. Dr. Le Roux is on staff at the Main Line Health Hospitals; Lankenau Medical Center and Bryn Mawr, Paoli, and Riddle Hospitals. Dr. Le Roux speaks Dutch and French, and is available as a speaker for community events.

Main Line HealthCare Brain and Spine Center at Lankenau Medical Center is conveniently located in Suite 370 of the Medical Science Building, 100 East Lancaster Avenue in Wynnewood. Dr. Le Roux accepts most insurances, including HMOs and PPOs.

For an appointment, call 610.642.3005.

Main Line HealthCare Welcomes Kathleen M. Boyle, DO

Mon, 1 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EDT

Main Line HealthCare and Drs. Morris, Nansteel, and DeLeon are pleased to welcome Kathleen M. Boyle, DO to Silver, Nansteel, & Morris Wynnewood on April 1, 2013. Board certified in Family Medicine, Dr. Boyle earned her medical degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia and completed her residency at Graduate Hospital and Bryn Mawr Hospital. Dr. Boyle focuses on prevention as a means to wellness for her patients, and has a special clinical interest in hypertension, diabetes, and skin care. She is a member of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, American Osteopathic Association, and the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association. Dr. Boyle is on staff at Main Line Health Hospitals: Lankenau Medical Center, and Bryn Mawr, Paoli, and Riddle Hospitals. She is available as a speaker for community events.

Silver, Nansteel, & Morris Wynnewood is located in Suite 304 of the Wynnewood House at 300 E. Lancaster Avenue. Dr. Boyle sees patients age 18 and older, accepts most insurance plans including HMOs and PPOs, and has immediate appointments available. To schedule an appointment, call 610.642.2002.

Main Line HealthCare Welcomes Mary M. De Caro, MD

Mon, 1 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EDT

Main Line HealthCare (MLHC) and Drs. Cikowski and Jones are pleased to welcome Mary M. De Caro, MD to MLHC Internal Medicine of Delaware County on April 1, 2013. Board certified in Family Medicine, Dr. De Caro is a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine, and earned her medical degree from Hahnemann University in Philadelphia. She completed her residency at Delaware County Memorial Hospital in Drexel Hill, PA. Dr. De Caro has more than 22 years in practice, and partners with her patients to promote healthy lifestyles through preventive care and regular follow-up. She is a member of the American Academy of Family Practice, the Pennsylvania Medical Society, and the Delaware County Medical Society. Dr. De Caro is on staff at Main Line Health Hospitals: Riddle, Bryn Mawr, and Paoli Hospitals, and Lankenau Medical Center.

Main Line HealthCare Internal Medicine of Delaware County is located in Springfield Square in Suite 2-B, 965 Baltimore Pike in Springfield. Dr. De Caro sees patients age 16 and older, accepts most insurance plans including HMOs and PPOs, and has immediate appointments available. To schedule an appointment, call 484.573.5116.

The Lankenau Institute for Medical Research Investigating Link between Immune System, Pregnancy and Cancer

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 00:00:00 EDT

The Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR), part of Main Line Health, is currently investigating the link between the immune system’s response to cancer and pregnancy. As part of the study, funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, George Prendergast, Ph.D., President and CEO of the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, is developing drugs to attack the ability of cancer cells to escape destruction by the immune system.

“When a woman is pregnant, her immune system acts the same way as it would if she were to have cancer,” says Dr. Prendergast, who has helped pioneer a new type of cancer therapy called immunochemotherapy. “The immune system becomes dormant when a woman is pregnant so that it doesn’t harm the fetus. The same thing happens when a person has cancer—the immune system gets put to sleep so that it’s unable to attack the cancer cells. The question is, can we turn it back on and get it to fight?”

Dr. Prendergast’s research focuses on IDO, a molecule that, when switched on by cells, acts locally to shut down the immune system. Most types of cancer have active IDO present, cloaking them from immune detection. The purpose of the current clinical trials is to determine whether or not IDO can be suppressed by drugs as a strategy to reverse this process, thus re-awakening the immune system to attack the cancer cells. In earlier preclinical studies, Dr. Prendergast’s research team at LIMR showed that the new drugs they discovered to suppress IDO helped chemotherapy destroy cancers that were otherwise untreatable.

Clinical trials of the IDO suppressing drugs developed at LIMR are now about to enter the second phase of their testing at the Lankenau Medical Center. Based on promising results in preclinical and early clinical testing, the NIH has granted $1.3 million dollars to Dr. Prendergast’s team at LIMR to advance their work on this new principle of cancer immunochemotherapy.

The Lankenau Institute for Medical Research is a non-profit biomedical research organization located on the campus of Lankenau Medical Center. The organization is dedicated to advancing human health through research, technology transfer, and the education of the next generation of scientists and physicians.

Explore the Relationship between Art and Science at the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research Spring Art Exhibition

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:00:00 EDT

The Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR) 2013 Spring Exhibition, “Art Meets Science: Abstraction and Microscopy,” opens Tuesday, April 2, with an evening reception from 5-7:30 pm. The exhibit, located on LIMR’s lower level, 100 E. Lancaster Avenue, Wynnewood, will be open Monday through Friday through June 7 from 10am-2pm, or by appointment by calling 484.476.8400.

The abstract art, created by local artists Deborah Leavy, Deann Mills and Christine Stoughton, was juried by the LIMR Art Committee and members of the Lankenau Women’s Board. The selected show pieces are available for purchase, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit research at LIMR.

Also on display are microscopy images from LIMR, which can be considered abstract art as well. Visitors can compare and contrast the different types of artwork, appreciating the relationships between science and art. The mission of the LIMR Art Gallery is to recognize that scientists and artists explore similar, fundamental questions with respect to what people see and understand about living forms.

"Art Meets Science: Abstraction and Microscopy" - LIMR Spring Art Exhibition to Open Tuesday Evening, April 2nd

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:00:00 EDT

Explore the Relationship Between Art and Science at LIMR's Spring Art Exhibition

Wynnewood, PA - The Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR) 2013 Spring Exhibition, “Art Meets Science: Abstraction and Microscopy,” opens Tuesday, April 2^nd, with an evening reception from 5-7:30 pm. The event is free and open to the public.

The abstract art, created by regional artists Deborah Leavy, Deann Mills and Christine Stoughton, was juried by the LIMR Art Committee and members of the Lankenau Women’s Board. Also on display are microscopy images taken by LIMR researchers, a different form of abstract art. Guests can compare and contrast the various types of artwork with the LIMR scientists and artists, appreciating the relationships between the two disciplines. The selected show pieces and microscopy are available for purchase, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit research at LIMR.

The exhibit, located on LIMR’s lower level, 100 East Lancaster Avenue, Wynnewood, will also be open Monday to Friday through June 7^th, from 10am-2pm, or by calling 484.476.8400 for an appointment. The mission of the LIMR Art Gallery is to recognize that scientists and artists explore similar, fundamental questions with respect to what people see and understand about living forms.

About Lankenau Institute for Medical Research

Founded in 1927, the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR) is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research center located in suburban Philadelphia on the campus of Lankenau Medical Center. Part of Main Line Health, LIMR is one of the few freestanding, hospital associated medical research centers in the United States. The faculty and staff at the Institute are dedicated to advancing an understanding of the causes of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. This information is used to help improve diagnosis and treatment of these diseases as well as find ways to prevent them. LIMR is also committed to extending the boundaries of human health and well-being through technology development and the training of the next generation of scientists and physicians. To learn about LIMR, visit www.limr.org.