Penn Medicine

07/24/2025

"When you save one life, it's as if you've saved the entire world," said Bruce Levine, PhD. The Penn Medicine - Abramson Cancer Center researcher helped develop CAR T cell therapy, a revolutionary treatment that trains the body's own immune system to fight cancer.

Dr. Levine recently shared his story with "tell us", a creative film agency dedicated to storytelling that inspires and creates real impact.

Watch the short film here: http://spr.ly/6180fKWE2

07/22/2025

Throwback to the big unveiling of our new mobile mammogram van earlier this month! A few days later, we hit the road for our very first screening event in West Philly.

“This mobile mammography [van] is telling our patients that you matter, that we’re coming to help,” UPHS CEO Kevin B. Mahoney said during a ribbon-cutting event at Pennsylvania Hospital, where PA State Representatives Rep. Gina H. Curry and Rep. Morgan Cephas joined in the celebration.

We're so excited to bring lifesaving breast cancer screenings to more communities across the region.

07/18/2025

Eduart Cuka didn’t have many choices with a glioblastoma diagnosis—but he did have the choice to be part of a Penn clinical trial. And last month, he learned his tumor had shrunk.

Behind every success like Eduart’s is a whole system of innovation, investment from government agencies and private sources, and continuous learning. Often beginning with federal research funding, this virtuous cycle connects basic research, clinical trials, local jobs and economic activity, and in the best cases, lives saved and diseases cured.

Learn more about how public investments in biomedical research help discoveries become cures: http://spr.ly/6180fB0UC

07/17/2025

CAR T cell therapy has been hailed as a "living drug" that trains a person's own immune system to fight cancer.

Director of Cell Therapy and Transplant Dr. David Porter explains how CAR T cells work and why they're so transformative.

07/16/2025

While in medical school at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in 2010, David Fajgenbaum, MD, MBA, now an associate professor of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, became critically ill with Castleman’s Disease.

After receiving his last rites and narrowly escaping death, he searched for his own cure and found one in an already existing FDA-approved drug.

Fajgenbaum is now using AI to repurpose existing drugs for other rare diseases and will soon be the subject of a major motion picture about his life. http://spr.ly/61874CiHh

07/15/2025

Getting screened for prostate cancer isn't as scary as you might think--it's just a simple blood test!

Philadelphia Flyers players Travis Konecny & Travis Sanheim, along with Gritty and Flyers in-arena host Mr Hollywood DJ are getting the word out about the importance of prostate cancer screenings, which help prevent cancer and save lives in men over the age of 45.

Take control of your health and gain peace of mind by scheduling a screening.

07/09/2025

Emma Dolezal was born without a uterus and never thought she'd be able to carry a child. That is until the Uterine Transplant Program at Penn Medicine gave her hope--and a healthy baby. This week, Dolezal finally met her donor, Sara Leister, a nurse at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, along with Olivia, the 8th child to be born via Penn's program.

“To be able to create more amazing moms is really something special for me,” said Kathleen O’Neill, MD, director of the uterine transplant program.

🎥: WGAL News Channel 8 Susquehanna Valley, Pa.

07/07/2025

Philadelphia has been deeply affected by the opioid epidemic. In recent years, fentanyl containing xylazine has brought new complications to this challenge, causing severe wounds that can be difficult to heal.

At the front lines, Penn Medicine staff are working to support people with xylazine-related wounds, both within hospitals and through volunteer efforts in the community.

“Consistently showing up for folks, who otherwise may not have that support, goes a long way,” said Emily Seeburger, data analyst at Penn's Center for Emergency Care Policy & Research, and a volunteer withThe Everywhere Project, a harm reduction nonprofit.

To address the xylazine crisis in Philadelphia, Penn Medicine employees are offering support within the health system and in the community.

07/02/2025

"The future of autism research is brighter thanks to this incredible gift." – Dr. Daniel Rader, Lurie Autism Institute Interim Director

We're revisiting last month's announcement of the Lurie Autism Institute at Penn Medicine and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. We are so grateful to the Lurie family for their extraordinary generosity, which will impact millions of lives touched by autism for decades to come.

07/01/2025

“Everyone concerned about funding for cancer research should watch this important piece from CBS Sunday Morning,” said Robert Vonderheide, MD, DPhil, director of Penn Medicine - Abramson Cancer Center.

“These patient stories are powerful. As a brave family member tells journalist Ted Koppel, ‘What price do you put on life?’ Our patients at the Abramson Cancer Center are telling us the same thing. Federal research funding for cancer and other diseases is a public trust, and it’s our team’s daily mission to use it as fuel to make discoveries, progress, and save lives.”

06/30/2025