News Briefs

Jefferson to Host Second Annual Alzheimer’s Disease Conference for Caregivers
The Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Center at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is hosting its second annual Alzheimer’s Disease Conference for Caregivers on Saturday, November 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 101 Connelly Hall in the Bluemle Life Sciences Building. This free conference is designed to help caregivers with the demanding and challenging task of caring for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

“We are holding our annual conference not only to share new developments in the area of Alzheimer’s disease, but to show our continuing support for the hard work and dedication provided by caregivers,” said Patricio Reyes, MD, Director of the Jefferson Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Center, Professor of Neurology, Jefferson Medical College. Topics to be discussed include coping with caregiver stress, acute and chronic care and treatment options for patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

The Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Center was established in 1982 at Jefferson Hospital. The center has quickly distinguished itself as a leader in the investigation and treatment of neurological disorders primarily striking older adults. Through the center, Jefferson offers clinical and educational services to individuals and their family members who are struggling with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. A referral network is being developed for patients and their families in need of support services.

To register for the conference, or to obtain more information about Jefferson’s Alzheimer Center, please call 215-955-8119.

Learn How to Prevent Domestic Violence
On Tuesday, November 17, Human Resources will sponser a seminar on domestic violence awareness from Noon to 1 p.m. in Jeff Hall 145. One in three Americans has witnessed an incident of domestic violence, and almost four million women are physically abused by their husbands or boyfriends every year. This seminar, presented by a staff member of Women in Transition, will provide information on shelters, safety plans, and guidelines to help a friend, co-worker or family member. For additional information, call Janet Mass at 3-8138.

New Electrical Generation Agreement Saves Millions
The deregulation of electrical generation in Pennsylvania has provided an opportunity for the University and Hospital to save money in the purchase of electricity and natural gas. William J. Wardle, MBA, Assistant Vice President for Material Management, and Ronald E. Bowlan, PE, Assistant Vice President for Facilities Management, along with representatives from other Jefferson Health System organizations have joined together to develop a group contract to purchase energy. After soliciting bids from various companies, PP&L in Allentown was selected as the best option. The three-year contract begins on January 1, 1999 and will save JHS $15.6 million with a total cost savings of $5 million for the Center City campus.

National Institutes of Health Awards Two Grants to Rheumatology
Researchers in Jefferson’s Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, recently received two awards from the National Institutes of Health for the study of Scleroderma. Some 300,000 Americans have scleroderma, a disease that affects the skin and internal organs, which in some cases is fatal.

The first award goes to Sergio Jimenez, MD, Chairman, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (TJUH), and the Dorrance H. Hamilton Professor of Medicine and Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Jefferson Medical College (JMC), Thomas Jefferson University (TJU). This grant is a continuation of a previous grant for a research project to study an animal model which reproduces the clinical characteristics of scleroderma. This new phase of the project will focus on how a gene mutation found in mice can produce the phenotype of scleroderma. Also working with Dr. Jimenez is Linda Siracusa, PhD, Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, JMC, TJU and Researcher, Kimmel Cancer Center.

The second grant was awarded to another Scleroderma study headed by Carol Artlett, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, TJUH. This project is based on preliminary studies done at Jefferson which suggest that fetal cells remaining dormant in a woman’s body after pregnancy may be capable of attacking her tissues and causing scleroderma later in life if a trigger mechanism is present. Dr. Artlett
is working with study co-authors

J. Bruce Smith, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, TJUH, and Professor of Medicine, JMC, TJU, and Dr. Jimenez.

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