AbramsonNews for Friends of the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania

REPORT

WINTER 2020

Building the Physician-Scientists of Tomorrowintroduction to genomics in his undergraduate biology class, Krishna changed his career trajectory once again after a chance encounter.

Among hundreds of people celebrating his monumental achievement, Dr. June not only took the time to talk to Krishna, but also invited him to his lab to keep the conversation going. “Penn is amazing because everyone here is so accessible—even world-famous scientists. I met with Dr. June a few days later, and he invited me to join his lab to work on a combined drug/cellular therapy project. That’s Penn for you,” shared Krishna.

Now, Krishna is preparing to embark on the next step of his education in a combined Internal Medicine/research training program in the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine. His research project will be co-mentored by Dr. June. “My career truly began at Penn, and I hope to circle back here one day when my training is done. I loved working in such an exciting and supportive place, among giants in the field,” says Krishna.

Krishna is an example of this diverse class of alumni of Penn’s MSTP who are making waves in disciplines across medicine, translational research, and beyond. Because of Penn’s collaborative environment, students have access to world-

renowned thought leaders, state-of-the-art facilities, and exceptional educational

programs. MSTP students are able to tap into those resources and experience an interdisciplinary medical and scientific education that is unparalleled.

These students challenge our faculty to pursue new questions across many fields, from biochemistry, physiology, biostatistics and genomics, to health policy and more. MSTP alumni are the future of health care and biomedical innovation.

Inspiration can take many forms and strike when you least expect it. As a freshman at NYU, Krishna Vijayendran was a Philosophy major who aspired to be a writer and musician. An Intro to Biology class trip to the Natural History Museum in New York changed everything.

It was there that Krishna learned about the human genome project, which sparked his curiosity and later inspired him to change his major—and ultimately his ambitions. Krishna continued to explore his scientific passions working as a cancer genomics researcher at the Broad Institute, and later enrolled in the Perelman School of Medicine’s Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP).

As one of the largest and most influential MD/PhD programs in the country, MSTP graduates go on to address the most critical problems in health care and medicine as leaders in academia, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries.

In August 2017, Krishna was on a medical school rotation when he heard about a celebratory flash mob for the FDA approval of Kymriah® — a revolutionary personalized gene therapy to fight cancer. That was where he met Carl June, MD who pioneered this new therapy. Like that first

A Cancer Center Designated by the National Cancer Institute

ComprehensiveCancer Center

Penn is amazing because everyone here is

so accessible—even world-famous scientists.

—Krishna Vijayendran, MD, PhD

INS

IDE

Photos from Philly Fights Cancer, Basser Jean Bash, and More

Read more on page 2

A MESSAGE FROM THE

DIRECTOR

This is a dynamic and exciting time for the Abramson Cancer Center (ACC) community. Our dedicated doctors and researchers continue to find new ways to keep our patients and their communities healthier and to improve clinical outcomes.

In this issue of Penn’s Abramson Report, you will read about Penn’s unique investment in the next generation of physician-scientists through our unparalleled Medical Scientist Training Program, and learn of the impact that this exceptional group of MD-PhD alumni is already having on the scientific community.

Find inspiration in Joseph Patrick Rees, army veteran, and three time cancer survivor who used a planned gift to make the impact he wanted today, and established a lasting legacy for the future.

We also look back at a few incredible events that raise critical funding to advance cancer research at the ACC including, Philly Fights Cancer—Round 5, the Basser Jean Bash, and our signature Breakthrough Bike Challenge.

Be sure to also read about the upcoming events this spring, many of which are hosted by our community partners across the greater Philadelphia area.

It is because of you that we continue to reach new heights and real hope for people facing cancer. Thank you for being part of our ACC community.

Robert Vonderheide, MD, DPhil John H. Glick, MD, Abramson Cancer Center Director’s Professor Director, Abramson Cancer CenterVice Dean, Cancer Programs, Perelman School of MedicineVice President, Cancer Programs, University of Pennsylvania Health System

Penn celebrates its 29th Nobel Laureate Penn alumnus and MSTP graduate Gregg Semenza, M’82, Gr’84, was among a trio of researchers jointly awarded the 2019 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for research on how cells sense and adapt to varying oxygen levels.

Dr. Semenza began studying how oxygen affects cells during his doctorate research at Penn, where he studied the ß-globin gene, and worked closely with M. Celeste Simon, MD, PhD, Scientific Director of the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute.

“The work of all these laureates exemplifies how years of hard work and collaboration can reveal the secrets of some of the most important biologic processes in nature,” shares Dr. Simon, whose own research also delves into oxygen’s role in cancer growth.

Powerful Philanthropy Supports Bright Young MindsA generous gift from Penn alumnus and Nobel Prize Laureate Michael S. Brown, C’62, M’66, HON’86, establishing the Brown Fellows will have a ripple effect for generations to come. This new fellowship awarded to MD-PhD students empowers Penn’s talented young students to pursue their research interests, have the freedom to innovate, and develop the skills and experience needed to fuel breakthroughs in science and medicine. With a growing need for physician-scientists, and declining government funding, Dr. Brown’s gift is especially important to keeping the momentum of discovery going. Nobel Laureate Michael S. Brown,

C’62, M’66, HON’86

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1/3 of The National Pool of MSTP Applicants 7% admission rate

Penn’s Medical Scientist Training Program: Largest, Most Influential MD-PhD Program

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OTHER 2%

INSTITUTE 5%

INDUSTRY 9%

CLINICALPRACTICE 23%

ACADEMIA 61%

Our Students Become

Leaders in Biomedicine 200

Years of Experience

Current Students

600 Alumni

Help expand these programs to more students by contacting Megan Osvath at mrenaut@upenn.edu or 215.573.9394

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Awards & HonorsMeet Neil Taunk, MD, MSAssistant Professor of Radiation Oncology

A Philadelphia 76ers fan and member of Oncology Peloton Riders, Dr. Taunk cares for breast and gynecologic patients as if they were family. He is driven to create a culture of care and compassion, while focusing his research efforts on molecular and advanced imaging and clinical interests in brachytherapy.

What motivates you.

I am driven by the excitement I feel when I learn about innovative, out-of-the-box ideas from colleagues and partners. At Penn, everyone is on the same team and shares one fundamental goal: to develop the most cutting-edge treatments that will improve patients’ cancer outcomes and quality of life.

On a tough day, what keeps you going?

Seeing my patients six months down the road and hearing their incredible success stories. Sometimes I get to meet their families, children, and grandchildren, which makes the work I do that much more rewarding.

We hear you were part of the “Real Men Wear Pink” Campaign. Do share more!

I loved being involved with a national campaign that introduces humor and levity to advocate for those affected by breast cancer. It was great to be among so many incredible clinicians, researchers, and business and civic leaders who get involved from across the country.

Charles S. Abrams, MD, and Stephan A. Grupp, MD, PhD, have been appointed to the National Academy of Medicine, one of the highest honors in the biomedical field.

South Jersey Magazine named Ari D. Brooks, MD, to its list of “2019 Men of the Year.”

Joel M. Gelfand, MD, MSCE, FAAD, Scott D. Halpern, MD, PhD, Stephen J. Schuster, MD, and Kristy L. Weber, MD, received 2019 Perelman School of Medicine Awards of Excellence.

Steven Joffe, MD, MPH, has been appointed Co-Leader of the Cancer Control Program at the Abramson Cancer Center.

Karen Leary, MSN, RN, OCN, has been accepted into the Distinguished Nurse Academy.

Alison Loren, MD, MSCE, was elected as councilor of the American Society of Hematology (ASH).

Carmen E. Guerra, MD, MSCE, FACP, Associate Director of Diversity and Outreach at the ACC, was named the Ruth C. and Raymond G. Perelman Associate Professor in Internal Medicine.

Endowed Professorships: A Legacy of Excellence and ImpactSince the first endowed chair at Penn Medicine was established in 1877, visionary donors have understood the considerable value they bring to sustaining scholarship, accelerating research, and advancing care. Endowed professorships assist in the recruitment and retention of distinguished faculty members, and these funds empower Penn’s physician-scientists to expand knowledge and develop treatments to improve patients’ lives. They also honor the remarkable individuals for whom they are named.

The Abramson Cancer Center recently celebrated two newly established professorships made possible through philanthropy.

Established by Shari and Len Potter, the Pearl Basser Professorship for BRCA-Related Research honors the Basser family matriarch, Pearl, and provides powerful funding for medical advancement. Inaugural chairholder, Katherine L. Nathanson, MD, Deputy Director of Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center and the Basser Center for BRCA’s Director of Genetics, is one of the world’s foremost experts in cancer genetics and genomics.

The Leslye M. Heisler Assistant Professorship for Lung Cancer Excellence was made possible through the generosity of Leslye’s husband, the late Jerome Heisler, Sr., and family in Leslye’s memory to honor her compassion and interest in contributing to the greater good. Inaugural chairholder Charu Aggarwal, MD, MPH, who treated Leslye, is a leader in the area of lung cancer who is focused on enhancing collaboration and advancing innovative research to ensure all patients have access to the most advanced care.

Philly Fights Cancer Round 5: Another KnockoutPhiladelphia’s Navy Yard was the place to be on October 26, 2019 as Philly Fights Cancer Round 5 took to the ring. Some 2,000 guests turned out to celebrate, show support, and raise more than $13 million for the Abramson Cancer Center (ACC).

The Penn Medicine Breast Cancer Clinical Investigative Team received a special tribute for their tireless work in providing every breast cancer patient with crucial education, compassionate care, and world-class treatments. Also honored were Margaret Anne and Jim Nolen, who are leading the way in support of innovative cancer research efforts at the ACC, including studying the potential of CAR T immunotherapy for breast cancer. The sold-out crowd enjoyed top-tier entertainment, including Hugh Jackman, John Mulaney, Andy Grammer, and Lauren Hart.

In 2015, the visionary Abramson Family launched Philly Fights Cancer, which has raised more than $39 million for the 400+ ACC scientists who work to advance new clinical trials for all cancers.

Thank you to Nancy Wolfson, Missy Dietz, Stephanie Wolfson, Paige Dietz, the Philly Fights Cancer Committee, and the many people who together are taking cancer down for the count.

True champions, the ACC Breast Cancer Clinical Investigative Team, bring hope to patients and families facing cancer. ACC leadership sparkled in celebration of this year’s many achievements.

Powerhouse philanthropists Madlyn and Leonard Abramson chat with Hugh Jackman, master of screen and stage.

Honorees Margaret Anne and Jim Nolen are taking cancer down for the count!

PFC Committee Co-Chairs with their daughters and PFC Young Friends Chairs, (left to right) Paige Dietz, Missy Dietz, Nancy Wolfson, and Stephanie Wolfson.

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Save the date for Round 6 October 24, 2020

Philly Fights Cancer Round 5: Another Knockout Basser Jean Bash Celebrates Gene-ius

Fashion icon and Jean Bash honoree Nina Garcia with Phil Basser, family patriarch, who is getting ready to celebrate his 102nd birthday!

Creating an environment of innovation, Penn leadership from left to right Robert H. Vonderheide, MD, DPhil, President Amy Gutmann, PhD, Michele Jameson, J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD, and Susan Domchek, MD.

A family legacy of faith and hope — Len and Shari Potter and Mindy and Jon Gray.

Rabbi Angela Buchdahl and Jon Mehlman honored the life of the late Marla Mehlman, mother, wife, and friend to many.

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THANK YOU!

On November 18, 2019 the Basser Center for BRCA held its third biennial Jean Bash at New York’s Cipriani Wall Street with a sold-out crowd of over 1,000. The evening, which raised $9 million, celebrated the 25th anniversary of the cloning of the BRCA gene and progress in research made since — propelled by the Basser Center.

Honoree Nina Garcia, editor-in-chief of Elle magazine and judge on Project Runway, helped to launch Basser’s new LATINX & BRCA initiative with a compelling video in which she shared her personal story and questioned, “what if this could be the last generation affected by BRCA mutations?” After a stirring rendition of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” performed by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, Jon Mehlman accepted an award in memory of his beloved wife Marla Mehlman, imploring the rapt crowd, “you really don’t want spouses posthumously accepting awards on behalf of their loved ones.” Guests viewed a gripping, animated video narrated by actress and ovarian cancer survivor Cobie Smulders. The night concluded with a performance by British singer Jess Glynne.

The Basser Center was established by Mindy and Jon Gray in 2012 in memory of Mindy’s sister Faith Basser. To date, the Center has raised $100 million to support its life-saving mission to eliminate BRCA-related cancers and increase critical awareness and hope for individuals and families affected by a BRCA mutation.

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Breakthrough Bike Challenge – Riding Towards HopeOn September 15, 2019 the Breakthrough Bike Challenge (BBC) once again brought together a community of patients, survivors, families, friends, and Penn faculty and staff to pedal toward cancer cures.

Founded in 2013 to raise funds for breakthroughs in cancer research at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center, the BBC unites people for an inspiring bike ride through Eastern PA’s beautiful Oley Valley. More than $1.4 million has been raised since the ride’s establishment!

BBC provides critical funding to empower our scientists’ early-stage cancer research. It is this research that has the greatest potential for breakthroughs in cancer, yet these bold and innovative ideas are also the most challenging to obtain funding for BBC’s mission is to bridge that gap to advance promising research.

Almac

Chatterblast

Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller

Independence Blue Cross

Krieger + Associates Architects Inc

Landcore Engineering Consultants PC

Saul Ewing

Trek

The Wawa Foundation

BBC Sponsors

Wheels of Fortune: Jeff’s Story

SAVE THE DATE: SEPTEMBER 13, 2020 REGISTRATION OPENS: APRIL 1 , 2020breakthroughbikechallenge.org

When Chris Hall wanted to start a charity bike ride, Jeff Krieger was one of the first people he asked to get involved. Just two weeks later, Jeff was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and the

ride’s mission became a lot more personal. Jeff went through treatment and returned to life as an avid cyclist and BBC board member.

Five years and five more BBC rides went by, raising over $1.4 million for cancer research at Penn. But in spring 2019, Jeff’s prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were high enough to indicate his cancer had likely come back. After sneaking in one last cycling trip to Montana in late July, Jeff started hormone therapy, and in September, just after this year’s BBC ride, he began radiation.

Determined to stay physically and mentally strong, Jeff biked from his home in Chestnut Hill to his radiation treatments at Penn every weekday

for eight weeks, trekking almost 1,000 miles roundtrip in the process. Depending on the day, different friends came along for the ride. For his last trip, six people joined the pack, including Chris Hall, a man whose friendship led to one of the elements that makes Jeff’s cancer journey so meaningful—the BBC.

And those daily trips to Penn helped Jeff forge a bond with other patients, whom he would have otherwise never met.

“Once you put your gowns on everyone is equal. It’s really struck me because the people I’ve encountered are from every conceivable walk of life, but we’re all the same. We’re all cancer patients waiting for treatment and hoping for a cure,” reflects Jeff.

Thank you!

S P O T L I G H T:

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Thank you!

Planned giving is often described as the final piece

of a philanthropic puzzle. Figuring out how this

important piece can work best for you, your family,

and your philanthropic goals is what we do best.

After beating cancer twice, Joseph Patrick Rees, Army Veteran, G’89, wasn’t particularly worried when a biopsy tested positive. “I know some statistics, and I’m thinking, one lymph node out of 32 is a pretty good result,” he recalls. Rees was referred to David Mintzer, MD, at the ACC at Pennsylvania Hospital.

“I remember how adamant Dr. Mintzer was that I take this seriously,” says Rees who went through six months of chemotherapy, “He always made me feel like a friend, saying things like, ‘You don’t work for me. I work for you.’ And he proved that to me at every turn.”

When Rees was given a clean bill of health, he started to think about ways to give back to help others. He reflected on the amazing care he received, as well as the financial toll it can take—and felt it important for cost to not be a barrier to exceptional care.

In 2017, he established the Dr. David Mintzer Patient Comfort Fund with an outright gift and a bequest in his will. The fund helps ease the financial burden cancer can bring

to patients and families. “I just want to make sure people aren’t struggling during this stressful time. I thought about those who may not have the money to cover their treatment, those who have special needs, or need rides to and from appointments,” says Rees.

By taking advantage of a creative giving vehicle—the Charitable IRA Rollover—Rees has the opportunity to make contributions during his lifetime and experience the joy of seeing his gifts in action. Rees’ thoughtful generosity and concern for others will continue long after he is gone through an additional generous bequest in his will.

P L A N N E D G I V I N G :

I just want to make

sure people aren’t

struggling during this

stressful time.

— Joseph Patrick Rees, Army Vetran, G’86 Partner in Hope

The Pavilion is the Future of Medicine Using an interchangeable platform to quickly and seamlessly adopt new technology as it is invented, the Pavilion will be able to offer the most advanced, superlative care and comfort for decades to come.

O P E N I N G 2 0 2 1

Now is your chance to make a mark on Philadelphia’s premier place for healing. Learn more about naming opportunities, contact Kathy Rubino at krubino@upenn.edu or 215-746-8799.

690 parking spaces

504 all-private patient rooms

50% increase in Emergency Department capacity

1000 miles of network cabling

1 acre of green space

800 construction jobs

4 million construction labor hours

500 anticipated new permanent jobs

1.5 million square feet of space

For more information about how you can make a planned gift, contact 215-898-9486, Christine Ewan at cewan@upenn.edu, or visit pennmedicine.org/plannedgiving.

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Development Office 3535 Market Street, Suite 750 Philadelphia, PA 19104-3309 (215) 898-0578

FOR INFORMATION OR APPOINTMENTS

Call (800) 789-PENN (7366) or visit our website at PennMedicine.org/Abramson

GIVING TO THE ABRAMSON CANCER CENTERSupport the Abramson Cancer Center’s mission to advance cancer research, education, and patient care—and fuel hope. Visit PennMedicine.org/Abramson/Donate or call (215) 898-0578.

For the latest information about cancer care and research, visit our award-winning internet resource, OncoLink, at oncolink.org.

It Takes a Collective Community to Fight Cancer – Thank You!

On October 27th the Lung Cancer Research Foundation held the Free to Breathe Walk/Run at Citizens Bank Park raising awareness and support for lung cancer research at the ACC.

On October 13th Kicks4Chris Foundation hosted their 5th annual 5k raising funding that goes to the ACC’s sarcoma research program.

At this year’s Melanoma Journal Club, first-year PSOM students heard from their classmates and a current melanoma patient about the latest in melanoma research and treatment. The annual event is made possible through the generous support of the Peggy Spiegler Melanoma Research Foundation.

In loving memory of Amy Reed MD, PhD, and all others facing this terrible disease the Slay Sarcoma Research Institute hosted its 6th annual 5K to raise funds for sarcoma research at the ACC.

On November 4th Pancreatic Cancer Action Network hosted their signature PurpleStride Walk/Run at Memorial Hall in Fairmont Park bringing together patients, their families, and friends to raise funds and awareness for pancreatic cancer.

On October 19th celebrity community members got together for a fun dance/fitness class Zumbathon — Dance to Beat Breast Cancer in Ardmore in support of breast cancer research at the ACC.