Academic Commons News

December is Worldwide Food Safety Month, and whether you’re treating patients, studying population health, researching nutrition, or just trying to avoid the next round of food poisoning, this is the perfect time to dig into the science and stories behind food safety. 

We created a mix of eBooks and videos from Jefferson Libraries that explore everything from foodborne microbes to hospital food systems, and real-life outbreak investigations. Explore below:
 

eBooks

Food Microbiology: Fundamentals and Frontiers 

Food Technology: Objective Food Microbiology 

Food Safety: A Need-To-Know Guide for Those at Risk

Food Safety, from Farm to Fork: Emerging and Re-Emerging Issues   

Food Safety Short Stories: 87 Real-Life Cases 

Food Safety, Plastics and Sustainability: Materials, Chemicals, Recycling and the Circular Economy

Noroviruses: Outbreaks, Control and Prevention Strategies 

Room Service Food Delivery Models for Hospital In-Patients: A Review of Clinical Effectiveness, Cost-Effectiveness, and Guidelines   

What Consumers Should Know About Food Safety

 Videos

Food, Inc. 2

Jump into December by exploring our new eBooks. Topics span from perinatal medicine to Latinx fashion. Scroll the list below or browse our complete eBook collection at Dixon Library (Dixon Campus), Gutman Library (East Falls Campus), and Scott Library (Center City Campus). 

Accreditation in the Health Sciences: A Handbook for Librarians

A Compendium of Neuropsychological Tests: Fundamentals of Neuropsychological Assessment and Test Reviews for Clinical Practice

Cultural Humility in Libraries: A Call to Action and Strategies for Success

Glamour: 85 Years of Women Breaking Boundaries

A History of Transgender Medicine in the United States: From Margins to Mainstream

Introduction to Nursing Research

Johns Hopkins Evidence-based Practice for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals: Model & Guidelines

Latin American and Latinx Fashion Design Today: ¡Moda Hoy!

Mosby's Pocket Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing and Health Professions

Neighbourhoods and Public Health: The Impact of Place in Urban Areas

Not Your Granny's Granny Squares

Perinatology: Evidence-based Best Practices in Perinatal Medicine

Public Health, Public Trust and American Fragility in a Pandemic Era: The Critical Role of Health Care Professionals

Quick Reference Neuroscience for Rehabilitation Professionals: The Essential Neurologic Principles Underlying Rehabilitation Practice

Research Anthology on Improving Health Literacy Through Patient Communication and Mass Media

The Role of Health Literacy in Major Healthcare Crises

Rowan's Primer of EEG

Saunders 2024-2025 Clinical Judgment and Test-taking Strategies: Passing Nursing School and the NCLEX Exam

Saunders Q&A Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination

Skilled Immigrants in the Textile and Fashion Industries: Stories from a Globe-Spanning History

Stuck: How Vaccine Rumors Start - And Why They Don't Go Away

Telehealth In Rural Hospitals: Lessons Learned from Pennsylvania

Telemedicine Technologies: Big Data, Deep Learning, Robotics, Mobile and Remote Applications for Global Healthcare

Umiker's Management Skills for the New Health Care Supervisor

Urban Indigenous Youth Reframing Two-spirit

Next time you’re on the 3rd floor of Scott Library, stop by our newest display case. The case highlights a fun part of Jefferson’s past that many may not know about: the College of Nursing’s basketball team! The display case showcases a collection of championship trophies from the Jefferson School (later College) of Nursing’s basketball team; all preserved in the Siegman Archives.

Jefferson’s nursing students once had a powerhouse basketball team. Formed in 1947, the team quickly found success. Margaret Cossman (Class of 1947) helped organize the group, with Helen Baxter as coach and Elinor Duke (Class of 1948) as captain. By 1948, they topped the Nurses’ Basketball League, and in 1949, they won their first championship. 

Over the next 30 years, the team kept winning! They won league championships in 1967, 1968, 1972, 1973, 1978, 1979, and 1980. Basketball became one of the most popular student activities at Jefferson until the School of Nursing closed in 1982. 

Looking through the case, you’ll notice several American Legion trophies inscribed with “Helen Fairchild Nurses’ Post.” Helen Fairchild was an American nurse who served at Base Hospital #10 in France during WWI after graduating from the Pennsylvania Hospital School of Nursing. Fellow Base Hospital #10 nurses later named this post in her honor.

Whether you’re passing through or taking a study break, take a moment to explore this piece of Jefferson history. It’s a great reminder of the success and legacy that Jefferson nurses have brought to campus for generations.

If you want to learn more, explore the Siegman Archives.

If you're curious about how AI works, sign up now for Neural Networks: The Technology & Ethics of AI, on Thursday, January 15, in the Kanbar Performance Space on the East Falls campus.

Join us for a hands-on exploration of artificial intelligence with Lisa Meeden, co-creator of the Artificial Intelligence Toolkit and a professor in Swarthmore’s Computer Science Department. She’ll walk us through the basics of AI, machine learning, and neural networks in an accessible, engaging way.

Students, faculty, and staff who are curious about how AI works are all welcome. Feel free to bring a laptop, if you have a Google account, you’ll be able to follow along in Google Colab.

Registration is encouraged, but drop-ins are welcome.

This time of year can be very stressful, and that’s why Brain Breaks is back: to give you a chance to pause and reset with a little calm. 

What's Happening

All Brain Breaks activities take place on the 2nd floor of Scott Library. 

      Hot Drinks & Breakfast Bars
      Tuesday, December 9, 10 - 11am
      Start your day with something warm and energizing. Swing by for hot drinks and quick breakfast bars.

     Therapy Dog Griff!
     Wednesday, December 10, 11am - 1pm
     Come spend time with Griff, our favorite four-legged de-stressor.     

      Snacks & Stress-Relief Activities
      Thursday, December 11, 10 - 11:30am
     Tuesday, December 16, 10 - 11:30am
     Thursday, December 18, 10 - 11:30am
     Refuel with snacks and unwind with simple activities designed to give your brain a rest. 
   

More Ways to Reset: Drop In Activities

While you’re on the 2nd floor, explore our ongoing relaxation stations, including:

• Puzzles
• Coloring sheets
• Our Cozy Book Display, featuring cookbooks, popular fiction, non-fiction, and more — all from the Jefferson Libraries collection and perfect for a study break escape.

We Need Volunteers!

We need volunteers! Scott Library and the Student Counseling Center are seeking Jefferson students (18+) to participate in a research study on the effectiveness of Brain Breaks programming at the library. The Primary Investigator of this study is Dr. Rosemary Frasso. Participation involves a survey and a freelisting interview. The expected amount of time for participation is 5-10 minutes. If you would like to participate, please come to Scott  Library's 2nd floor service desk anytime during the scheduled Brain Break programming or email Jessica.Saunders@jefferson.edu.

In Episode 6 of The Learning Curve audio series, “Interprofessional Education & Collaborative Practices we sit down with Dr. Brooke Salzman, Dr. Amber King, and Dr. Shoshana Sicks of the Jefferson Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education (JCIPE). Their conversation explores the importance of interprofessional education (IPE) in preparing healthcare students for collaborative practice, highlights the growth and structure of JCIPE programs like Health Mentors and Team SAFE, and emphasize the need for creativity, faculty support, and interactive learning to foster effective teamwork across disciplines.

Visit The Learning Curve episode 6 page for resources mentioned in the episode. Check out our website for additional conversations. 

Join the Jefferson College of Life Sciences on Monday, November 10, for a presentation by Dr. Sonali Majumdar, Assistant Dean, Professional Development Graduate School, Princeton University.

DATE: Monday, November 10, 2025
TIME: 3:00pm – 4:00pm
LOCATION: Jefferson Alumni Hall (JAH), Room 407
 

This talk by Dr. Sonali Majumdar—based on insights from her book—will help reframe limitations into possibilities and design dynamic paths for fulfilling careers in STEM.

No registration is required. Light snacks and beverages provided. Open to all Jefferson international graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, staff, and faculty.

For more information, email the JCLS Administrative Office at dawn.berkbigler@jefferson.edu.

Have questions about evidence synthesis? Drop in to chat with Jefferson librarians on November 14, 10-11am, about systematic reviews, scoping reviews, rapid reviews, umbrella reviews, and more. Drop in here: https://Jefferson.zoom.us/j/93226488335

Get guidance on:

• Choosing the right review methodology for your project
• Using Covidence to streamline your workflow
• Selecting appropriate critical appraisal tools

No registration required — just join via Zoom (https://Jefferson.zoom.us/j/93226488335) and bring your questions. If you can’t attend, you can always schedule a consultation with a librarian at a time that works for you.

In Episode 5 of The Learning Curve, “Culturally Responsive Teaching” we sit down with Kati Fosselius, MS, RDN, LDN, Director of the MS in Nutrition & Dietetic Practice Program at Thomas Jefferson University, to discuss how culturally responsive teaching practices can create a more welcoming classroom and build authentic, trusting relationships with students.

Why You Should Listen

Kati Fosselius brings depth, warmth, and practical insight to this episode, highlighting how thoughtful, inclusive teaching practices help students feel seen, valued, and supported. Whether you’re new to culturally responsive teaching or looking to deepen your inclusive pedagogy, this conversation offers strategies you can use right away to foster belonging and engagement in your classroom.

What You'll Learn 

• How to build authentic relationships by understanding each student’s strengths, goals, and cultural background
• Ways to incorporate student voices into the curriculum through culturally relevant topics and experiences
• Tips for giving wise feedback that supports growth 
• Strategies for creating a “safe and brave” learning environment where students feel comfortable taking risks and making mistakes
• Key concepts like Culturally Responsive Teaching, Deep Culture, and Wise Feedback, and how they shape meaningful learning experiences
   

Visit The Learning Curve podcast episode page for resources mentioned in the episode. Check out our website for additional episodes.