October 4, 2004

Eli J. Glatstein, MD, Named a 2004 Gold Medal Recipient by
The American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology

(Philadelphia, PA) – Eli. J. Glatstein, MD, Professor and Vice Chair of Radiation Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, has been named a 2004 Gold Medal recipient by The American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO). Dr. Glatstein, who also serves as a member of the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, is being honored for his more than 35 years of dedicated service in the field of radiation oncology at the Society’s annual national meeting to be held in Atlanta on October 4, 2004.

Much of Dr. Glatstein’s work has made a significant impact on how different cancers are diagnosed and treated. His research significantly improved how physicians stage and treat cancer, particularly Hodgkin’s disease. But it was in the early 1970’s -- while working as Chief of the Radiation Oncology Branch of the Clinical Oncology Program in the Division of Cancer Treatment at the National Cancer Institute -- that Dr. Glatstein successfully integrated different modalities of cancer treatment by combining radiation oncology with medical oncology. This essentially changed the stature of radiation oncology within the general cancer community itself.

“Dr. Glatstein’s career has been marked by several milestones,” said John H. Glick, MD, Director of Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center. “It is through his pioneering efforts and dedication that physicians have been able to successfully diagnose and treat many cancers, such as Hodgkin’s disease, with such precision. Dr. Glatstein represents the high caliber of physician-scientists working every day in service to others at the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania.”

Dr. Glatstein’s long and impressive career began in 1960 when he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in General Science from the State University of Iowa. He then went on to earn his medical degree from Stanford University School of Medicine. His post-graduate training included an internship at New York Hospital in 1965. As the Vietnam War entered its sixth year, Dr. Glatstein was drafted and spent a year of active duty in the Republic of South Vietnam and another year stationed at the Oakland Army Base in California. He would eventually be awarded the Bronze Star for his efforts during active combat.

After serving in the military, he returned to academic life and completed his Residency and Fellowship in Radiation Therapy at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Glatstein also spent some time abroad finishing fellowships at Hammersmith Hospital and the Gray Laboratory at Mount Vernon Hospital in the United Kingdom.

He started his teaching career as an Assistant Professor of Radiology at Stanford University School of Medicine in 1972. He left that post in 1979 for the Uniformed Services University for Health Services in Bethesda, Maryland where he rose through the ranks to become a full Professor of Radiology. In 1982 Dr. Glatstein arrived at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas where he served in the Department of Radiation Oncology as Professor and Chairman. In 1996, he left this post to become a Professor and Vice Chairman of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Penn.

ASTRO is the largest radiation oncology society in the world, with more than 7,500 members who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies. As a leading organization in radiation oncology, biology and physics, the Society is dedicated to the advancement of the practice of radiation oncology by promoting excellence in patient care, providing opportunities for educational and professional development, promoting research and disseminating research results and representing radiation oncology in a rapidly evolving socioeconomic healthcare environment. The ASTRO Annual Meeting typically draws 9,000 healthcare professionals and exhibitors.

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The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania was established in 1973 as a center of excellence in cancer research, patient care, education and outreach. Today, the Abramson Cancer Center ranks as one of the nation’s best in cancer care, according to U.S. News & World Report, and is one of the top five in National Cancer Institute (NCI) funding. It is one of only 39 NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Home to one of the largest clinical and research programs in the world, the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania has 275 active cancer researchers and 250 Penn physicians involved in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

PENN Medicine is a $2.7 billion enterprise dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and high-quality patient care. PENN Medicine consists of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (founded in 1765 as the nation’s first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System (created in 1993 as the nation’s first integrated academic health system).

Penn’s School of Medicine is ranked #3 in the nation for receipt of NIH research funds; and ranked #4 in the nation in U.S. News & World Report’s most recent ranking of top research-oriented medical schools. Supporting 1,400 fulltime faculty and 700 students, the School of Medicine is recognized worldwide for its superior education and training of the next generation of physician-scientists and leaders of academic medicine.

Penn Health System is comprised of: its flagship hospital, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, consistently rated one of the nation’s “Honor Roll” hospitals by U.S. News & World Report; Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation's first hospital; Presbyterian Medical Center; a faculty practice plan; a primary-care provider network; two multispecialty satellite facilities; and home health care and hospice.

This release is available online at http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/news/News_Releases/oct04/ASTROGoldMedal.htm