Thriving at PSOM

(Season 3, Ep. 8) From Discovery to First-in-Human Therapy: A Conversation with the Team Behind Infant KJ's Treatment

What happens when medicine, technology, and innovative minds come together to save an individuals life? Baby KJ born in 2024 in Philadelphia with an extremely rare and life-threatening genetic disorder called CPS1 deficiency, which affects the body's ability to remove ammonia. In a combination of fortune, advancing technology, and a world class medical team, Dr. Kiran Musunuru, MD, PhD, MPH, ML, MRA, (Barry J. Gertz Professor for Translational Research, Director of the Penn Cardiovascular Institute's Genetic and Epigenetic Origins of Disease Program, and Scientific Director of the Penn Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Disease, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania), and Dr. Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas, MD, PhD, (Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Human Genetics), Director of Gene Therapy for Inherited Metabolic Disorders Frontier Program at CHOP, and Associate Chief for Research, Division of Human Genetics at CHOP and UPenn) were able to bring their years of research in personalized gene-editing therapy using CRISPR to a first in-human innovation. Alongside host Meryl Cohen, they discuss how CRISPR and gene therapy is sitting at the forefront of medical innovation. highlighting how the technology was used to help baby KJ. They also talk about the intensive processes that led up to the fortunate situation of KJ being born in the PennMedicine system. They talk about balancing ethics and patient confidentiality with conveying the story of a true medical breakthrough, and talk about what is next for KJ, gene therapy at large, and their own research. This is story is about the success of years of research, work, and a testament to the entire team of medical professionals at CHOP and HUP seeing patients every day that making innovation possible.

(Season 3, Ep. 7) Speaking to the Media: How to Effectively Communicate your Work

How can we navigate the pitfalls of speaking with the media when it comes time to share our work or speak to our expertise in our field? Thios episode shares trategies that avoid controversy while promoting your (and Penn's) brand in the public. Our guests are Holly Auer, Associate Vice President for Communications at PennMedicine and Dr. Lisa Bellini, MD, the Senior Vice Dean for Academic Affairs at Perelman School of Medicine, Vice Chair of Education and Inpatient Services for the Department of Medicine, Professor of Medicine, and winner of numerous teaching awards. Together with host Meryl Cohen, they discuss what it's like to navigate conversations with reporters, how to approach live news, and what resources exist to make sure your message is as clear and consistent as possible. Holly share her tips ont he best tone to present when being interviewed, and both guests highlight what red flags faculty should avoid when presented with an opportunity to speak to the press. Whether preparing for a Zoom or in person interview, all faculty who want expand their impact should listen to this one!

(Season 3, Ep. 6) Leading Innovation During Tumultuous Times: A Conversation with Dean Epstein

How can the Penn community thrive when so much is changing in academic medicine and higher education? Our guests Dean Jonathan Epstein, MD, returns to provide some insight and share his hopes for the future. Dr. Epstein serves as Dean, Perelman School of Medicine, Executive Vice President, University of Pennsylvania for the Health System, and is the Robert G. Dunlop Professor at PSOM. Together with host Meryl Cohen, they discuss Dean Epstein's philosophy on balancing career trajectory with personal values and goals. He also shares the scientific work that has led him to his current position, plus where he hopes his research will lead in the future. On the topic of research, they share how to navigate current struggles in funding and culture, cuttign through chaos with a vision of what the future actually looks like for research in medicine. He highlights some of the PSOM community's biggest recent victories and how he believes Penn will transform how medicien is delivered, touching on ambient listening and watching bringing the patient journey into the forefront of care.

(Season 3, Ep. 5) Leading an Integrated Health System: Understanding How the University of Pennsylvania Health System Works

What does it look like to have truly integrated health & school of medicine systems, and why does it make a difference? Our guest is Kevin B. Mahoney, Chief Executive Officer of the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Though he began this role in 2019, he has been a part of the Penn Medicine community since 1996 overseeing the expansion of the health system through his roles in information technology, strategic planning, the primary care network, human resources and capital planning. Alongside host Meryl Cohen, they discuss how Kevin found his passion for healthcare in his late teens after a near death experience left him in a coma. He shares his experience struggling in college until finding his purpose, inspiration, and supporting wife, to how he was able to take opportunities and climb the career ladder quickly. They also discuss how an integrated health system truly works and what steps Penn is taking to deliver better, cheaper care to patients. Kevin also share how he thinks AI will shape healthcare, his open door policy to get feedback from faculty, how community health influences everything we do, and what faculty and clinicians can do to manage times of uncertainty. As Kevin points out, "Penn may have bad days but we've never had bad centuries" and the health system and university are here to stay and thrive.

(Season 3, Ep. 4) Building Tomorrow's Knowledge: Medical Innovation in Academic Medicine

What does the process of innovation in healthcare look like? Our guest Christian Terwiesch is the Andrew M. Heller Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is a Professor in Wharton's Operations and Information Management department, co-director of Penn's Mack Institute for Innovation Management, and also holds a faculty appointment In Penn's Perelman School of Medicine. His research on Operations Management and on Innovation Management appears in many of the leading academic journals ranging from Management Science to The New England Journal of Medicine. He is an award winning teacher with extensive experience in MBA teaching and executive education. With host Meryl Cohen, they discuss how innovation goes from idea to implementation, including how clinicians factor into the results. They also discuss how divergent thinking fuels innovation that saves patients' lives. They talk about how to avoid exploitation in the research process, and how failure is a requirement in innovation. They also talk about technology and AI shaping the future, and how we can prepare for the ways in which medicine will change. Anyone looking to understand the future of medicine must listen to this one!