Thomas Jefferson University

"Harm reduction rejects the stigmatization and criminalization of substance use and replaces it with a more holistic and humanistic approach to meeting people who use drugs where they’re at instead of judging or punishing them." -Master's of Public Health student Lily McKoy Drake, Jefferson College of Population Health - Thomas Jefferson University Learn more: https://fal.cn/3eMbd

Meet Our Faculty: Dr. Richard Zheng, he's a resident in the Department of Surgery Sidney Kimmel Medical College and a nominee of SKMC Educators of Excellence award. Briefly describe what you do here at Jefferson including any research projects: I am a general surgery resident who is applying to surgical oncology at the moment. I have several clinical outcomes projects within our surgical oncology and thoracic surgery divisions and am interested in working in clinical trials.... How long have you been at Jefferson: 6 years What is the best part of your job: Getting to do something that challenges me every day! What’s one piece of advice you give students: When I was an intern, I was told about the 3 A’s of being a good physician being available, affable, and able but this is definitely true for students and residents too. (Also - eat when you can!) What’s something people would be surprised to find out about you: I majored in East Asian Studies when I was an undergrad at Johns Hopkins.

"In my videos, I never offer medical or mental health advice or treatment, or talk about my own mental health experiences. The main goal is to be educational and try to show, for example, what depression and recovering from depression actually look like." -Sidney Kimmel Medical College student Jake Goodman ... Read more: https://fal.cn/3eIJ5 Hear more from Jake tomorrow on our Instagram stories for a student takeover and get insights into the life of a graduating 4th-year medical student.

Wednesday, April 21, join the conversation and embrace the idea that innovation is essential for harnessing the economic potential of nations. This collaborative creativity panel event features presenters from Jefferson, Drexel University and The University of the Arts. #WCID More info: https://fal.cn/3eIdY

Congratulations to the Jefferson Women's Soccer team on winning their second straight CACC title! Check out the recap: https://fal.cn/3eGR8

Congratulations to Sidney Kimmel Medical College student Martin Hehir, who ranked seventh on the list of U.S. all-time marathoners after his 2:08:59 The Marathon Project win this past weekend. Photo credit: Kevin Morris

Meet our Faculty: Lucia D. Pernot, Associate Director, Protocol & Special Events for the Registrar Office, Center City What do you do at Jefferson? I coordinate the production of all graduation ceremonies, including helping students with their graduation application, printing diplomas, ordering student and faculty regalia, producing all the graduation programs, being the liaison for the honorary degree recipients, and organizing all events for graduation, such as music, décor..., food, procession, and rehearsals. How long have you been at Jefferson? Five years. What’s the best part of your job? Working with all the helpful people at Jefferson. Tell us a little bit about the holiday gift drive you coordinated this year: When I took over the gift drive four years ago, I invited all Jefferson Hospital and University staff to participate by volunteering to adopt a family. At the time, we only had three homes that we helped support over the holiday season. This would ensure that the families would receive all the gifts on their list if we assigned them to particular staff members rather than leave it to chance if their gift tag was taken from one of the holiday trees around the University. I also put up four trees around the University with extra gifts above and beyond what the families ask for, such as diapers, underwear, socks, pajamas, and purses. The first year I did this I was astounded by the number of people who wanted to be involved. I had to contact another organization and ask if they wanted to be part of our gift drive so now we support four homes. Jefferson is incredibly generous, and it is beautiful to see what individuals, as well as departments, contribute to those in need. After the drive, I hold an appreciation brunch for everyone who volunteered to adopt a family. I invite the directors of the homes to come and meet all the generous staff at Jefferson who helped provide the families with a wonderful holiday due to their generosity. The directors speak about their homes, the residents, and what services they provide. It’s a wonderful event from beginning to end, all thanks to those who give their time and resources to people in need. What’s something people would be surprised to find out about you? I’m an Uber driver on the way to work early in the morning and on the way home after work. However, since the pandemic began, I’ve been on hiatus.

A standard journalism practice is always tell both sides of a story. However, traditional journalism leaves many stories untold or incomplete. Dr. Letrell Crittenden, director of communications, speaks on alternative models of journalism that aim for inclusivity and combat a legacy of racism in the media. Read more: https://fal.cn/3cod8

Are you currently unemployed and would like a change? Starting in January, Jefferson will offer a Reimagining Health Care Telehealth Training Course." Learn more: https://fal.cn/3cmL2

Meet our Student: Sharmaine Belton, a Master of Science Real Estate Development student from the Jefferson College of Architecture and the Built Environment. Why did Sharmaine choose Thomas Jefferson University? I chose Jefferson because it was the only university that I found that had a program focused on the development side of real estate and not just the financials. I wanted to learn more about how and why real estate is developed and redeveloped. The key theme that made ...me come to Jefferson was the idea of the 4 Ps: People, Planet, Profit, and Placemaking. This was the only program that focused on how to make the world more sustainable, people-friendly and provide creative placemaking while making a profit. Where is Sharmaine from originally? Palmyra, New Jersey What is the best part of Sharmaine's studies? The best part of my studies is learning from professionals and guests in the industries and asking them about their perspectives on the past, present, and future of real estate development. In addition, the group projects on development projects in Philadelphia have been interesting because it allows us to experience the project as if we are the ones developing the sites. What’s something people would be surprised to find out about her? This is hard! I have no real estate experience. I went straight from graduating from Villanova University to attending Jefferson. I had one internship during four years of studying. I chose real estate because it sounded more interesting than accounting and because I knew it had to do with more than selling houses as everyone seems to think. Sharmaine recently won 2nd place in the University of Maryland Colvin Institute of Real Estate Development Case Study competition for her case study on the development of Lincoln Square in South Philadelphia. She entered the competition to tell the story of how a historic trainshed was redeveloped in a way that not only impacts the neighborhood it is located in but the surrounding neighborhoods as well. With the help of developers from MIS Capital and Alterra Property Group, and faculty advisor, Troy Hannigan, Sharmaine was able to submit a well-documented case study on the story of Lincoln Square. "I was surprised to find out that I placed in the top four because I knew that I had to compete against teams with two to three members. The real surprise is that the judges thought a full team had written my paper. On the day of the competition, I presented my case study, and I was and still am extremely proud of myself. I wanted to represent my school with pride and was honored to be there. When I heard my name in second place, I could not stop smiling. Even though I did not receive 1st place, I am proud to say that I competed with top tier universities and was able to place 2nd. I am proud of my paper and presentation representing Lincoln Square and my ability to represent a young and growing real estate development program at Thomas Jefferson University."

Many people think running is easy, you just put on a pair of shoes and hit the ground, but there’s a lot more to it. The mechanics of running put an enormous amount of stress on parts of your body that may not be used to it." -Dr. Therese Johnston. Jefferson researchers (who are also runners) give tips on how to minimize stress fractures and recover from injury. Learn more: https://fal.cn/3b95O Photo: Dr. Therese Johnston at a half-IronMan race.

How can we create connections and build relationships during the pandemic? What does standing with each other for social justice and health equity look like? Monday, October 26, Jefferson faculty, students, and alumni will share stories exploring the theme, Better Together. More info: https://fal.cn/3b8M9 (Registration with Jefferson ID required)

Friday, November 6, join the Office of Diversity & Inclusion for a Let's Talk session reviewing the history of microaggressions, personal experiences, and potential solutions, featuring guest speaker Dr. Darin A. Latimore, Deputy Dean for Diversity & Inclusion, Yale Medicine. Check your Jefferson email to register.

Roughly half of medical students experience burnout, and these feelings of exhaustion, cynicism, and perceived inefficacy resulting from long-term job stress often continue into their professional careers. To help address physician burnout, the associate dean is working on a curriculum that focuses on the uncertainty in healthcare. Read more: https://fal.cn/3b6wi

Congratulations to Jefferson College of Architecture and the Built Environment Dean Barbara Klinkhammer on being named this year's "Everyday Genius" by Da Vinci Art Alliance - DVAA https://fal.cn/3b4X1

Wednesday, October 21, join the Jefferson Humanities & Health, Jefferson College of Architecture and the Built Environment, and guest speaker Sara Jensen Carr, Ph.D., ASLA, for a discussion on how disease has historically affected urban design practice and what role the current pandemic might play in altering our future built environments. More info: https://fal.cn/3b2Ut

"It is time, especially in the face of a national blood shortageto move beyond archaic policies rooted in decades of homophobia that continue to weaken the nation’s blood supply." The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently revised blood donor regulations, a rapid change two medical school students say highlights discriminatory policies against the LGBTQ+ community. Read more: https://fal.cn/3b1s4

PA RESIDENTS: Today is the last day to register to vote before the November 3rd election! Find out how to do so here: https://fal.cn/3b1qp

Happening Monday: Tune in to Instagram tomorrow as Jefferson College of Rehabilitation Science students Jordan Beall, Stephen Cole, and Isabella Romano take over to discuss voter registration .

DYK the CDC released new guidelines for the holiday season? Dr. Cindy Hou, infection control officer for Jefferson Health - New Jersey shares tips on how to navigate the upcoming holiday season. (h/t: PBS39 )

Stepping boldly into the future of higher education, The Kay and Harold Ronson Health and Applied Science Center is built smart for high-tech, real-world Nexus Learning and for boundary-crossing research and innovation. I hope this building inspires the students to chart their own course inspiring the next generation of innovators and leaders. -Harold Ronson '51 Learn more: https://fal.cn/3aYFc

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Join Jefferson Fitness & Wellness and Sigma Nu Mu Pi for Bike for the Cure on Oct. 23rd. Riders can bike anywhere outside or at home on a stationary bike. Link to register in @Jeffersonef_fit Instagram bio.

"The history of costumes and textiles course that I took at Jefferson was a major help." Fashion alumna Liana Richardson '17 helps create the newest American Girl Doll. Read more: https://fal.cn/3aVBP