November 2000

Mathew Thakur, PhD, Radiology Researcher, Receives Medicine Pioneer Award

Mathew Thakur, PhD, Director, Radio-pharmaceutical Research, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and Professor of Radiology, Jefferson Medical College has been awarded the acclaimed 2000 Georg Charles de Hevesy Nuclear Pioneer Award. This award, given to individuals in recognition of outstanding lifetime contributions to the field of medicine, is the highest award presented by the Society of Nuclear Medicine. It is named after the "father" of nuclear medicine, Georg Charles de Hevesy, winner of the 1943 Nobel Prize in chemistry. Included among the previous recipients of the award are 11 Nobel Laureates.

The award honors Dr. Thakur's 30-year career, which has yielded numerous accomplishments and inventions. Over the years, Dr. Thakur has developed several widely used radiopharmaceuticals (radioactive compounds admin-istered for purposes of diagnosis or therapy) that have improved diagnostic accuracy and ultimately improved patient care. He is one of the leading authorities in this country in radiopharmaceuticals for diagnosis and treatment.

Pamela Watson, RN, ScD, Featured on Nursing Spectrum Magazine Cover

Pamela G. Watson, RN, ScD, Professor and Chairman of Nursing, College of Health Professions, was featured on the cover of Nursing Spectrum, a magazine for the Philadelphia area nursing community. Dr. Watson provided her opinion in an article examining the decision made by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (AANC) to drop the bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree as a requirement for specialty certification. "I do believe that nurses should have at least a BSN to be certified," said Dr. Watson, disagreeing with the AANC's decision. "They may be missing some components of practice without the bachelor's degree education. A lot comes with clinical experience, but the baccalaureate degree signifies an educated professional nurse."

Robert D. Fry, MD, Named President-Elect of National Surgery Group

Robert D. Fry, MD, Director of the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Professor of Surgery, Jefferson Medical College, now serves as President-Elect of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons for 2000-2001. He is in line to be elected President in 2001.

Dr. Fry was recently elected to the American Surgical Association, a premier organization in the nation for surgeons. In 1996, he was named to a list of "Best Doctors in America" by American Health magazine. Good Housekeeping listed him among the "Top 318 Cancer Doctors for Women" in 1999.

Geno J. Merli, MD, Named Acting Chair of Medicine

Geno J. Merli, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine, Director of the Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, has been named Acting Chairman of the Department.

In announcing the appointment jointly with Thomas J. Lewis, President and Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Thomas J. Nasca, MD, Acting Dean, Jefferson Medical College (JMC), said, "Jefferson has benefited from Dr. Merli's expertise and enthusiasm since he entered the JMC Class of 1975." Dr. Nasca said that Dr. Merli had "strengthened Jefferson's primary care programs and relationships with community-based physicians as Vice Chairman of Primary Care within the Department of Medicine, performed widely recognized research related to medical vascular diseases and anticoagulation therapy, and carried out an important role in developing Jefferson Healthcare College, our very successful continuing education program for primary physicians."

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