PHILADELPHIA MAGAZINE APPLAUDS SOM

With Penn, Jefferson, Temple, Hahnemann and Fox Chase Cancer Center within the borders of its city, no wonder Philadelphia magazine came up with more than 40 subspecialty categories in its annual cover story on "the best medicine." The publication has chosen one or more centers in each of these categories that it judges to be excellent, defined in this context as having: cutting edge clinical care; ongoing research; an educational component; expert staff; and the ability to offer patients "one-stop shopping for complex problems at a level beyond what a sole practitioner can provide."

Three programs founded and conducted by UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine (SOM)–not technically in Philadelphia but certainly in close proximity–were selected to appear on the list, which featured specialties ranging from heart disease to high risk pregnancy, cystic fibrosis to HIV/AIDS, and breast cancer to voice disorders. Named among the area’s best in the May 2003 issue were:

• the Center for Children’s Support under the category "Sex Abuse." The center was recognized for "attending to the combined medical and emotional problems of sexually abused kids" for the past 20 years. The magazine calls its director Martin Finkel, DO, "one of a handful of pediatricians who pioneered the field of medical diagnosis of child abuse back in 1982" and co-director Esther Deblinger, PhD, "a leader in developing a mental health program to treat child victims." This center is one of only 25 nationwide to be designated "exemplary" by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Both Finkel and Deblinger are faculty members at the medical school.

• the University Headache Center under the category "Headache." The magazine recognizes Michael Gallagher, DO, dean of SOM and founder and director of the center as "the lead researcher in developing a nasal spray for migraines." Loretta Mueller, DO, is the co-director. The center is applauded for its attention to research (six projects are currently in the works) to improve therapies for the 40 million chronic headache sufferers in this country and for its team treatment approach that includes neurologists, anesthesiologists, otolaryngologists, ophthalmologists and pain specialists.

• the Center for Aging under the category "Aging." With the largest group of certified geriatricians in New Jersey, this center is commended for "examining the medical, psychological, social and functional aspects of patients, with the goal of helping them cope at home instead of entering assisted living." Founded in 1986, the program also conducts research in aging, and provides educational experiences related to geriatric health and care for healthcare professionals from varied backgrounds, as well as for the public. Anita Chopra, MD, professor of medicine at SOM, is the director.