e-Update
October 11, 2000
Weekly News Briefs
e-Update is distributed weekly to keep faculty and staff at the University
of Miami 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
--Bioethics Program Presents "Extreme Ethics" Seminar This Week
--United Way Projects Require Planning and Coordination
--Study at UM/Sylvester Reveals Benefits of Arsenic as Cancer Treatment
--Some BellSouth Cellular Customers Now Eligible for Rollover Minutes
--Depression and Alcohol Screenings Accessible on University's Web Site
--View Consulting Policies and Obtain Required Forms at Purchasing Web Site
--Doubletree Hotel Offers Reduced Rates for Medical School Faculty and Staff
--Upcoming Calendar Events
SPECIAL TUITION OFFERED FOR RESEARCH ETHICS COURSE
Some of the hottest topics in research ethics and the responsible conduct of science
are on tap for "Extreme Ethics: Unusually Difficult Challenges in Epidemiology
and Human Subjects Research," a three-day seminar, October 12 - 14, at Miami's
James L. Knight International Center. Topics will include genetics, computing,
data sharing, public health research, statistics, and scientist advocacy. UM faculty
and staff can attend for a special tuition of $50, which includes all meals, breaks,
and a formal syllabus. University students and trainees may attend free of charge.
This course may be cited by UM investigators as part of their compliance with
regulations on research integrity and the responsible conduct of science. To register,
call 305-243-6716. For more information, call the Biothics Program at 305-243-5723,
email ethics@miami.edu, or visit http://cme.med.miami.edu.
UNITED WAY PROJECTS ENCOURAGED BUT MUST FOLLOW GUIDELINES
A reminder that all projects designed to raise money in support of United Way must be coordinated through the School of Medicine's central United Way office. Creativity is encouraged and all fundraising efforts in support of this worthy cause are very much appreciated, but there are certain guidelines that must be a part of your planning process. For more information on how to organize a successful United Way fundraising project, please contact Pat Grewe at 305-243-6601.
HERALD STORY DETAILS STUDY OF ARSENIC AS CANCER TREATMENT
Researchers at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center are investigating the
use of the poison arsenic to treat myeloma cancer patients. When combined
with Vitamin C, the study shows, arsenic helps kill cancerous cells that
were not affected by chemotherapy treatments. To read the full article
from the Miami Herald, entitled "New
Hope from Old Poison," visit http://www.herald.com/content/thu/living/docs/069762.htm.
PURCHASING OFFERS ROLLOVER MINUTES TO SPECIFIC BELLSOUTH CELLULAR PLANS
Rollover minutes are now available for University faculty and staff who are BellSouth digital cellular customers with a monthly plan of $35 or greater. Effective September 1, the Purchasing Department arranged for University cellular plans meeting these criteria to convert to an equivalent rollover plan when a one-year contract is signed. If your plan fits these requirements, check your most recent invoice to be sure the change has occurred. To open a one-year contract with BellSouth, contact Mercy Delgado at 305-282-9085. If you would like to enroll in a plan that meets the criteria for a rollover benefit, contact Esther Lopez at 305-243-5778.
ON-LINE MENTAL HEALTH SCREENINGS NOW AVAILABLE
The Employee Assistance Program and Benefits Administration announce on-line access
to both Depression Screening and Risky Drinking Screening tests. Faculty,
staff, and families can find these quick, confidential, and anonymous
screenings by visiting http://www.miami.edu/screen.
You and your family members can also access the same tests from home by
logging on to http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/screening/login.asp
and typing in the keyword "UMEAP."
VIEW REVISED CONSULTING POLICIES AT PURCHASING DEPARTMENT'S WEB SITE
As of June 1, 2000, all consulting agreements must include article XXVI. Until
the new pre-printed form is available and distributed to all users, the
Supplement to Consulting Agreement form must be included with all consulting
agreements submitted to the Purchasing Department. To obtain a copy of
the supplement form, visit http://www.miami.edu/purchasing/orderlst/cmdty_listing.htm.
In addition, Policy J030, regarding consulting services, was recently
revised, and a new policy regarding contracting requirements (Policy J028)
has been established. To view these changes, visit the web site above.
If you have any questions, call Carmen Oliva in the Medical Purchasing
Department at 305-243-3666.
FACULTY AND STAFF ELIGIBLE FOR REDUCED FARES AT DOUBLETREE HOTEL
The Doubletree Grand Hotel Miami on Biscayne Bay offers a special discount for School of Medicine faculty and staff through December 30. Rooms are available for only $89 per night. For reservations, call 800-858-3920 and ask for the UM special rate.
QUESTIONS ABOUT MEDICARE BILLING?
CONTACT THE OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE
Address questions regarding Medicare billing and compliance to Third Party Reimbursement/Office of Compliance at 305-243-HELP or 1-877-415-HELP. For more information about the help line or training programs offered by the compliance office, contact Gemma Romillo at 305-243-5842.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFERS COURSE ON PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
Need help in learning how to plan a secure, healthy, and happy future? When you
attend "Planning for Your Future: Money Matters, Health Maintenance, and
Social Security," you will learn key elements of building a safe and satisfying
future. This two-part seminar is presented by the Office of Professional
Development and Training, and will be held October 12 and 16, 8:30 a.m.
to 1:30 p.m., in the Dominion Parking Garage, Suite 155. To register,
call 305-243-3090 or visit http://www.miami.edu/development-training.
JACKSON AND CANCER REGISTRARS ASSOCIATION OFFER ONCOLOGY WORKSHOP
Jackson Memorial Hospital, in conjunction with the Florida Cancer Registrars Association, will present a Regional Oncology Workshop on October 13, 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in Jackson's Diagnostic Treatment Center, conference room 259.
BREAST CANCER WORKSHOP WILL DISCUSS TRADITIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Courtelis Center presents
"Breast Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment: Traditional & Complementary Medicine,"
on October 24. This all-day workshop costs $15 for faculty, staff, and
students, $60 for others, and will address topics ranging from early diagnosis
and prevention to Chinese medicine. Six contact hours will be provided
for nurses, social workers, and mental health counselors. For more information,
call Fariba Ostovary at 305-243-4274 or e-mail fostovar@med.miami.edu.
POSTER DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY SYMPOSIUM
The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology reminds you that the poster
submission deadline for the 2000 Miami Nature Biotechnology Winter Symposium
is November 1. For poster submission instructions, visit http://www.med.miami.edu/mnbws
or call Lillian Castro at 305-243-3597. This year, the conference will
be held at Miami Beach's Raddison Deauville Resort, February 3 through
7. The focus will be "Cell Death and Aging." Registration is $300 for
UM faculty and staff and $195 for students, but waivers are available
for faculty and staff from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology, UM/Sylvester, and the Miami VA. A limited number of graduate
student registration waivers also are available. Visit the web site above
for more information.
BOOKWORMS CAN HELP OUT A GOOD CAUSE AT CALDER LIBRARY
The Calder Library is holding a book sale through the month of October, with proceeds benefitting the United Way. Medical and paperback books are available from $1 to $5. |
