Contact: Leonard N. Karp
215/735-3989; lkarp@philadelphiamedicine.com
August 9, 2000

In this month’s issue:

1. Magee Rehabilitation Hospital joins PIM
2. PIM physician (Dresher, Montgomery County) lectures in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
3. State, city recognize global efforts of PIM
4. PIM participates in trade mission to India, Singapore

Philadelphia B Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, which is designated by the federal government as a national comprehensive spinal cord injury center, has joined Philadelphia International Medicine (PIM). When combined with the strengths of MossRehab Hospital, which is a founding member of PIM, Philadelphia International Medicine provides the resources of two of the countries best physical rehabilitation facilities.

"We are very proud that Magee Rehab is part of our network of provider hospitals," said Andrew Wigglesworth, president. "Few other international centers, if any, can compete with the full range and high level of quality care that Philadelphia International Medicine can offer."

"Philadelphia International Medicine offers a convenient way for international patients to gain access to healthcare that is among the best in the United States," said William E. Staas Jr., MD, president and CEO of Magee Rehabilitation Hospital. "Our neighbors in Philadelphia and people across the United States have known of the high quality of care available at Magee. Now, international patients can also benefit from the combination of PIM’s support services and our clinical expertise."

Magee Rehab is a 96-bed facility with key services including treatment for spinal cord injury, patients with ventilator requirements, brain injuries, stroke, orthopedics, amputation, joint replacement, neurological disorders, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, pain and work injury. In addition, special programs include the stroke center, ventilator program, dual diagnosis program for brain and spinal cord injuries, spinal cord research ambulation training and the Segal Center for Community Skills, among others.

"Magee’s Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center is a federally designated center, one of only 18 in the nation. MossRehab’s Drucker Brain Injury Center is among the few centers in the nation that have been federally-designated as a "model system of care for traumatic brain injury. When the resources of these two exceptional centers for physical rehabilitative medicine are combined, Philadelphia International Medicine can offer the skills and experience that cannot be matched by other rehabilitation programs acting alone," said Leonard Karp, PIM executive vice president.

The addition of Magee Rehab brings to nine the number of hospitals that are part of the PIM network. Through PIM, international patients gain access to exceptional healthcare with a choice of hospitals rated among the best in the nation by the U.S. News and World Reports. Other PIM hospitals include The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Crozer-Keystone Health System, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Pennsylvania Hospital, Temple University Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center.

E. James Seidmon, MD, (Dresher, Montgomery County) professor of urology and diagnostic imaging, will travel to the Saudi German Hospital in Jeddah March 27 where he will present a lecture and work with local physicians.

One of the primary investigators during the clinical studies for the drug Viagra, which helps males suffering from erectile dysfunction, Dr. Seidmon has been associated with Temple University Hospital and the Temple University School of Medicine since 1983 and has been a full professor since 1995. He has written or co-authored more than 32 articles on various urological subjects, as well as numerous other scholarly texts and publications.

Dr. Seidmon will be in Jeddah through April 4 and during his visit, he will be available to consult with patients. His trip was arranged as part of Philadelphia International Medicine’s visiting physician program in which prominent physicians from PIM-member hospitals are available to lecture and assist their peers overseas.

Philadelphia International Medicine was named by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge a "Pennsylvania 100 Company." As a ‘PA 100’ company, PIM is recognized as one of the company’s in the state that exhibits the best potential to increase exports.

In congratulatory remarks, Gov. Ridge wrote, "A major goal of my administration is to help (companies like) Philadelphia International Medicine compete globally. Enhancing and expanding our position in the global marketplace is an increasingly important component of Pennsylvania’s economic prosperity."

In addition, Philadelphia Mayor John Street also wrote his congratulations, and offered the support of the Philadelphia Trade Office to assist PIM in its growth. PIM was created by DVHC and nine area hospitals to establish the region as an international healthcare destination of choice. It provides support services to international patients who come to the Philadelphia region for treatment, arranges for international medical educational exchanges and markets the region’s healthcare expertise abroad.

Philadelphia International Medicine participated in the recent trade mission to Asia organized by the state Department of Community and Economic Development. The delegation was headed by Lt. Gov. Mark Schweiker. During the 10-day trip, the delegation visited Delhi and Bangalore in India, as well as Singapore.

PIM President Andrew Wigglesworth met with hospital and government officials to discuss potential areas of cooperation, such as the visiting physician program, and the availability of fellowships, workshops and other continuing education programs.

Philadelphia International Medicine is an organization that provides medical and patient support services to international patients. As the international department of several Philadelphia-area hospitals, international patients gain access to physicians and hospitals rated among the best in the world through one telephone call to PIM. You can reach PIM by calling 1-215-735-3269; fax, 1-215-790-1267; or e-mail, masaad@philadelphiamedicine.com. You can find out more about PIM through its Website at www.philadelphiamedicine.com.

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