e-Update
June 7, 2005
Weekly News Briefs
e-Update is distributed
weekly to keep faculty and staff at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine
up-to-date on news at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center.
To submit news for publication, e-mail items to update@med.miami.edu.
THIS WEEK’S NEWS
--A Tribute to Jay Weiss
--Sponsored Programs Roundtable Series
--Conversations About Cancer Series
--Medical-Legal Crisis? Doctors, Lawyers And The Florida Constitution
--Upcoming Calendar Events
--Human Subjects Research Opportunities
A TRIBUTE CELEBRATION IN HONOR OF JAY W. WEISS
All members of the medical campus community are invited to an event honoring the late Jay W. Weiss, friend and benefactor of the Miller School of Medicine and Jackson Health System, today (Tuesday), at 11 a.m. at the Alamo Park. The occasion will mark the dedication of the Jay W. Weiss Sculpture and the Jay W. Weiss Ambulatory Care Center. For more information, please contact 305-243-3453.
THE EAP HELPS WITH EMOTIONAL TRAUMA FROM HURRICANES
Hurricane season is here. If you dread this time of year, you are not alone. Hurricanes can be traumatic and can produce all sorts of physical, emotional and behavioral changes. There are a number of things that can be done to prepare for hurricane season that can reduce the possible traumatic impact of such an experience. To assist faculty, staff, retirees and their family members with being prepared, the Employee Assistance Program has compiled some vital resources on its Web site. The EAP is also available to help employees address emotional issues and, if necessary, to assist with recovery from such an experience. Visit http://www.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/1,1770,2441-1;38182-3,00.html for more information. Call the EAP at 305-284-6604 to schedule an appointment on either campus.
SPONSORED PROGRAMS ROUNDTABLE SERIES
The goal of these monthly one-hour roundtable discussion groups is to provide a forum for administrators/staff to discuss topics of interest related to sponsored programs with their colleagues. On Thursday, June 16, Antonieta Sauerteig, director of research administration at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, will discuss “Preparing a realistic grant budget.” Sauerteig will talk about how to develop a budget for a funding agency that truly reflects the proposed work. What should be included? How much detail is needed? What does a reviewer look for when examining the proposed budget? Each presentation will take place at noon in the Batchelor Building, first floor conference room. Registration is required:
1) Logon to NetLearning using your UM ID # (C-Number) at https://netlearning.miami.edu.
2) Search for class by changing the dates at the top to reflect classes offered.
3) Scroll to locate June 16 class and click on Enroll located on the left.
For more information, please e-mail Maria Valero-Martinez at mvalero@med.miami.edu.
THE ANNUAL ROBERT ZEPPA MEMORIAL LECTURE & BRUNCH
The DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery presents Larry M. Gentilello, M.D., FACS, chairman, Division of Burns, Trauma and Critical Care and professor of surgery at University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, as guest lecturer at the Annual Robert Zeppa Memorial Lecture and Brunch. The event will take place this Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon in the Lois Pope LIFE Center seventh-floor auditorium. Please call 305-243-4036 for more information.
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT CANCER SERIES
Carlos Sandoval, M.D., director of the Courtelis Center for Psychosocial Oncology, will be discussing “Common Psychological Problems in Cancer” as part of the Conversations about Cancer series on Thursday, June 16 at UM/Sylvester at Deerfield Beach, 1192 East Newport Center Drive, Suite 100, from noon to 1 p.m. A light lunch will be served. Please call 1-800-545-2292 to register. Seating is limited.
THE MORT SILVERBLATT HEAD AND NECK CANCER SUPPORT GROUP MEETING
The Mort Silverblatt Head and Neck Cancer Support Group will meet at UM/Sylvester at Deerfield Beach, 1192 East Newport Center Drive, Suite 100, on Tuesday, June 14 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. The topic will be “How Cancer Patients Can Cope with the Summer Heat,” presented by group facilitator Penny Fisher, M.S., R.N. The support group is free of charge and open to all head and neck cancer survivors. Participants do not need to be patients of UM/Sylvester. The group meets the second Tuesday of every month. For additional information, including directions to UM/Sylvester at Deerfield Beach, please call 1-800-545-2292 or 305-243-1000.
BIOCHIP ARRAY TECHNOLOGY FOR CYTOKINES AND DRUGS OF ABUSE QUANTITATION TWO-DAY WORKSHOP
The Laboratory for Clinical and Biological Studies (LCBS) will host a two-day workshop on biochip array technology for cytokines and drugs of abuse quantitation. Presented by Angela Wilson of Randox Corporation, day one of the workshop will feature biochip array technology, introduction to evidence investigator, and drugs of abuse assay (DoA). The second day will focus on cytokine assays, explain assay protocol, and provide an explanation of the results. The first workshop will be on Wednesday, June 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the LCBS facility, Suite 118 of the Fox Building. The second workshop will be on Thursday, June 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lectures will be held in room 3109 of the Rosenstiel Medical Science Building. Lunch will be provided both days. Please contact Carmen Martinez to register at 305-243-2010, fax at 305-243-2013, or via e-mail at cmartinez3@med.miami.edu. Limited space is available.
MEDICAL-LEGAL CRISIS? DOCTORS, LAWYERS AND THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION
A panel discussion, sponsored by the Center for Patient Safety and the University of Miami School of Law, titled “Medical-Legal Crisis? Doctors, Lawyers and the Florida Constitution,” will be held on Monday, June 13, at the Mailman Center eighth-floor auditorium. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the panel discussion to begin at 6:30 p.m. Panelists include Michael R. Ragan of Fowler, White & Burnett P.A. and Lewis “Mike” Eidson of Colson, Hicks & Eidson. Please RSVP to Shirley Brown at 305 -585-8364, or via e-mail sbrown7@med.miami.edu.
MEMOIR PRESENTED AT BOOKS & BOOKS
Gloria Revilla Doyle, disabled by exploratory surgery at the age of 41, will present her memoir, “A Journey Not Chosen,” at Books & Books on Sunday, June 12 at 4 p.m. Books & Books is located 265 Aragon Avenue in Coral Gables. For more information, please call 305-442-4408.
MIAMI PROJECT WRISTBAND CAMPAIGN
Power. Knowledge. Awareness. Education. Research. Philanthropy. These are the keys to unlocking the mystery of the human body and finding a cure for paralysis. In order to increase the public’s understanding of spinal cord injury and to raise much-needed funds, The Miami Project is launching its “cure paralysis” wristband campaign. Please visit: http://www.themiamiproject.org/x866.xml to purchase your wristbands.
“MIAMI LITE”- WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM
The Diabetes Research Institute is starting a new session of “Miami Lite,” a weight loss program. The program is open to the public and will help participants with weight loss, nutrition, portion size control, weight management techniques and guidelines for exercise. The program will begin on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. on the first floor of the DRI, 1450 N.W. 10th Ave. The cost is $20 per class or participants can pay for all ten sessions for $150. Participants will meet Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. If you would like more information, please contact Anna P. Fraker at aperez4@med.miami.edu or call 305-243-3455.
SAME GREAT MEDICAL CARE--DIFFERENT LOCATION
Did you know that the University of Miami Medical Group has a multi-specialty practice in the Kendall area? The Kendall Medical Center provides the same excellent medical care found on the medical campus—just farther south. Specialties are constantly being added, but currently the Kendall center has internal medicine, family medicine, neurology, ENT, obstetrics, gynecology, gynecological oncology and ultrasound services, pediatrics and pediatric specialties, and pulmonology. The center is located at 8932 SW 97th Ave., next to the CVS Pharmacy. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Coming soon are evening and weekend hours. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 305-270-3400.
CHILD CAR SEAT INSTALLATION CHECK
Did you know that most child car seats are not installed correctly? To ensure that your child car seat is installed correctly, a certified child passenger safety technician will be available on Wednesdays in front of the Mailman Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The service is available to everyone who transports children under the age of 12 in their vehicle. For more information, e-mail gstepanian@um-jmh.org, or call 305-243-3928 to set up an appointment. Priority will be given to those with appointments. The Injury Free Coalition for Kids is a division of Holtz Children's Hospital/ Miller School of Medicine.
IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL ON CERTAIN APPLE BATTERIES
Apple is voluntarily recalling certain lithium-ion rechargeable batteries that were sold worldwide in systems and separately from October 2004 through May 2005 for use with the following computers: 12-inch iBook G4, 12-inch PowerBook G4, 15-inch PowerBook G4. These batteries were manufactured by LG Chem, Ltd. of South Korea. Apple has initiated a worldwide exchange program and will provide you with a new replacement battery free of charge. This program is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and other international safety authorities.
Issue: The affected batteries could overheat, posing a fire hazard. Apple urges you to stop using your battery and to order a replacement battery immediately. If you must temporarily use your computer with the battery, do not leave it unattended and check for signs of overheating.
Product: The recalled batteries include those with model numbers A1061, A1078, and A1079 and serial numbers that begin with HQ441 through HQ507 and 3X446 through 3X510. To view the model and serial numbers labeled on the bottom of the battery, you must remove the battery from the computer. The battery serial number is printed in black or dark-grey lettering beneath a bar code. Please go the Apple Web site to match your computer with the affected battery model number and serial number range. If your battery's serial number does not match the requirements listed, you do not have to exchange your battery.
What to do: To begin the battery exchange process, go to the Apple Web site at www.apple.com/support/batteryexchange. You will be asked for the serial number of your computer, the serial number of your battery, and a ship-to address. After serial number verification, a new battery will be shipped to you free of charge. You may exchange up to three batteries through the Web site. When you receive the replacement battery, please use the same shipping packaging and the included prepaid shipping label to return the recalled battery to Apple. If you do not have access to the Web site listed above, you can call Apple at 800-275-2273 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., central standard time, seven days a week, for further assistance.
For more information on this alert notice, please contact Medical Information Technology IT Procurement at procurement@med.miami.edu, or call 305-243-5999.
TIAA-CREF, LINCOLN FINANCIAL GROUP, AND FIDELITY INVESTMENTS VISIT THE MEDICAL CAMPUS
A representative from TIAA-CREF will be on the medical campus tomorrow (Wednesday) to conduct individual counseling sessions. To schedule an appointment, go to http://www.tiaa-cref.org/moc, or call toll-free 1-800-842-2003 ext. 3522.
A representative from Lincoln Financial Group will be on the medical campus to conduct individual financial counseling sessions from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on June 21. To schedule an appointment, contact Aimee Hugdahl toll-free at 866-524-2443, e-mail ahugdahl@lnc.com, or Theresa Yong at 866-772-4163, e-mail tmyong@lnc.com.
A representative from Fidelity Investments will be on the medical campus to conduct individual counseling sessions from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 22, July 20 and 21, August 24 and 25, September 21 and 22.. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-642-7131.
All counseling sessions from these organizations will take place in the Human Resources Benefits Office, 901 NW 17th St., suite D.
QUESTIONS ABOUT COMPLIANCE?
TWO UM HELPLINES CAN ASSIST YOU
Research integrity concerns? Report concerns regarding research integrity and adherence to federal or University regulations directly to the Office of the Vice Provost for Research at 305-243-6415, or you can call the University's toll-free, anonymous compliance hotline at 866-YOURCALL. Billing concerns? Address questions to the Office of Billing Compliance at 305-243-HELP or 877-415-HELP. For information regarding training programs offered by the Office of Billing Compliance, contact Gemma Romillo or Nancy Rivero at 305-243-5842.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
41ST ANNUAL RESIDENTS' DAYS
Bascom Palmer will be hosting its 41st Annual Residents’ Days on June 17 and 18 at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. The registration fee is $190 for alumni members and $275 for non-alumni members. For more information on the event, please contact the Continuing Medical Education office at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, 900 NW 17th Street, Miami, or by calling 305-326-6110, fax 305-326-6518, or e-mail bpeicme@med.miami.edu.
INTENSIVE GERIATRIC TRAINING MEDICINE MODULE (PHYSICIANS ONLY)
The Department of Internal Medicine's Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine invites you to participate in a two-day intensive geriatric training program aimed at primary care house staff, practitioners and faculty. Topics will include dementia, depression, delirium, chronic pain, drug prescribing, osteoporosis, sensory impairments, falls, urinary incontinence, pressure ulcers, and communicating with older persons. This dynamic and innovative conference will utilize an interactive audience-response system with case-based presentations to provide a unique blended learning experience. In addition, small group workshops will offer a hands-on practical experience using experienced geriatrics faculty and innovative state-of-the-art computer assisted modules to enhance practical knowledge and skills in geriatric medicine. This event will be held June 16 and 17 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at the Miami Jewish Home & Hospital for the Aged, 5200 NE 2nd Ave. This course has been approved for a maximum of 12 category 1 credits toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award.
For further information about this program, please contact MAGEC at 305-243-6270, or log onto our Web site www.miami.edu/magec.
RADIOLOGY RESIDENTS’ DAY SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM
The Department of Radiology will present the Robert Shapiro, M.D. Residents’ Day 28th Annual Scientific Program on Saturday, June 25, from 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. The program will consist of both presentations of residents’ research and an invited lecture by Stuart Mirvis, M.D., professor of radiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. Mirvis will also be presenting case reviews along with lectures on Thursday and Friday at 12:30 p.m. in the Radiology Conference Room, West Wing 279. All interested members of the University community are invited. Call Carol Lamarre at 305-585-7500 for more information.
SURVIVAL SKILLS FOR SCIENTISTS
The Office of Graduate Studies and the Postdoctoral Programs Office will host a Professional Skills and Ethics II, otherwise known as “Survival Skills for Scientists,” on July 7 and 8 at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. The one-credit, two-day workshop for senior graduate students and postdoctoral fellows will explore how to take charge of your career, 10 Habits of Highly Effective Scholars, selecting and landing a position, writing a scientific paper, writing grants, ethical case studies, and more. It will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days at the Science and Administration Building on the Rosenstiel campus. Lunch will be provided. Seating is limited. Interested students and postdocs should contact the Office of Graduate Studies at 305-243-8105 or dierdre@miami.edu before June 30 with their name, program or mentor, and e-mail address.
2005 AMERICAN KINESIOTHERAPY ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Get ready to expand your mind and learn from distinguished speakers at “Functional Recovery in Spinal Cord Injury,” the 2005 AKTA National Conference at the Eden Roc Renaissance Hotel in Miami Beach July 13 through 16. Be sure to register by June 10 to receive the discounted rate. The conference is co-hosted by the Miller School of Medicine. For more information and a complete conference schedule, visit www.akta.org, or call 305-585-1335.
HUMAN SUBJECT RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
Researchers at the Rehabilitation Department are recruiting female multiple
sclerosis and spinal cord injury patients for a sexual dysfunction study.
Interested women should contact the study office at 305-585-1339, or e-mail
cramos3@med.miami.edu.
The AIDS Clinical Research Unit, under the direction of Margaret Fischl, M.D., is recruiting participants for a therapeutic HIV-1 vaccine study. Participants must be 18 to 50 years of age, receiving antiretroviral therapy, have an HIV-1 RNA level of less than 500 copies/ml for at least two years, and have a CD4 cell count equal or greater than 500 ccm. For more information, contact Juan Caruso at 305-243-3838 or Leslie Thompson at l.Thompson@miami.edu.
The AIDS Clinical Research Unit is also recruiting participants for a phase I IL-7 study (IL-7 is a cytokine that aids T-cell development and improves T-cells survival.) Participants must be 18 to 50 years of age, receiving antiretroviral therapy for at least 12 months, have an HIV-1 RNA level less than or equal to 50,000 copies/ml, and have a CD4 cell count of 100 cells/ccm or higher. Participants must be willing to do 12-hour IL-7 blood level monitoring. Up to $200 in food certificates provided. For more information, contact Juan Caruso at 305-243-3838 or Leslie Thompson at l.Thompson@miami.edu.
More than 5.5 million women in North America are affected by endometriosis and its symptoms, including pelvic pain. If you have endometriosis, you may be eligible to participate in a clinical research study evaluating a new investigational medication for pelvic pain due to endometriosis. To qualify, you must be a woman between 18 and 45 with regular menstrual periods, have endometriosis diagnosed by a surgical procedure (laparoscopy or laparotomy) within the past three years, have moderate to severe pelvic pain due to endometriosis for at least three months, not be using oral contraceptives for the past 30 days, be sexually active, and have not had a surgical treatment for endometriosis in the past six months. For more information, please call 305-243-1613.
Dr. Jorge Armenteros, in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, is taking part in an international clinical research program to investigate the efficacy and safety of risperidone in adolescents with schizophrenia. Risperidone has already proven effective and relatively well tolerated for treating adults with schizophrenia, but there are very few studies of risperidone or other atypical antipsychotics in adolescents. Patients must be between 13 and 17 years of age, otherwise physically healthy, and diagnosed with schizophrenia. For further information about the trial, please contact Dr. Jorge Armenteros at 305-355-7106, or Marisabel Davalos, M.S.Ed., at 305-355-7273.
The Department of Psychology, Behavioral Medicine Research Center, is recruiting
participants for several studies investigating the impact of psychological factors
such as stress on quality of life and disease progression in several older adult
(> 50 yrs. old) populations. The studies are actively recruiting men and women recently
diagnosed with head and neck cancer, HIV-positive men, and men treated for advanced
prostate cancer. For more information about these studies, please call Dr. Frank Penedo
at 305-575-7122.
The Center for Family Studies, Healthy Families Program, is recruiting HIV-positive women over the age of 18 with a recent history of substance abuse treatment. Women who participate in the study should also be willing to have at least one family member participate in their treatment. The Healthy Families program is a family therapy based intervention for HIV-positive women addressing issues such as HIV risk behavior, drug abuse relapse and HIV medication adherence. Participants will be assigned to either the family therapy based intervention or a women's HIV education group, which will take place over four months. Participants will be interviewed at baseline and then at two month intervals over the course of the 12-month study. Interested women should contact the Healthy Families Program office at 305-243-8149, or via e-mail at ralvarez4@med.miami.edu.
Sara Czaja, Ph.D., is leading a study of spinal cord injury in an aging population focusing on helping improve the quality of life of the patients and their caregivers. As Americans live longer, more people are aging with spinal cord injuries than ever before, presenting new challenges. This NIH-funded study will examine the value of a home-based program that combines psychological and social intervention, and using technology to help patients who have difficulty with mobility. For more information about the study, please call 305-355-9200.
The HPV vaccine has been developed with the goal of decreasing HPV infection and the persistence of HPV risk types responsible for cervical cancer. We are looking for healthy women between the ages of 15 to 25 who have not had prior abnormal pap smears, are not pregnant, are willing to receive the study vaccine, and are able to commit to a four- year follow up period. For more information, call Iliana Rivas at 305-243-5832.
The SPARE Study (Soy Phytoestrogens As Replacement Estrogen) is currently
recruiting women between 45-60 years of age to study the role of soy phytoestrogens
given in tablet form to prevent bone loss. Participants will be given a
physical exam at study entry, an annual mammogram and bone density test,
and will be asked to come for 10 study visits over a period of two years
for blood tests and to complete questionnaires about diet, exercise, and
well-being. Interested women should contact the SPARE Study Office at 305-243-4330
or via e-mail at aherrin@med.miami.edu.
The UM Skin Research Group, directed by Brian Berman, M.D., Ph.D., professor of dermatology and internal medicine, is conducting several research studies on keloids, hypertrophic scars, chronic idiopathic urticaria (hives) and atopic dermatitis (eczema). If you are interested in participating please contact us at 305-243-5519 or visit our website at www.skininvestigation.com
Researchers at the MRI Center need healthy subjects for a magnetic resonance imaging study. For more information please visit
http://midas.med.miami.edu/Research/MRStudies.htm. |
