e-Update
October 16, 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
--Miami Herald Features Editorial from Medical School Dean Clarkson
--"Ask the Experts" from UM/Sylvester this Week on CBS Channel Four
--Pediatrics Conferences Address Current Trends in Cardiology
--Be Prepared for Benefits Open Enrollment, October 16 - November 17
--Environmental Work to Tie Up Computer Systems on Saturday Morning
--Contact Risk Management with Claims for Flood Damage
--Where Do You Stand on Health Care Issues in the Upcoming Election?
--Upcoming Calendar Events
DEAN CLARKSON VOICES MEDICAL CENTER'S COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY
John G. Clarkson, M.D., senior vice president for medical affairs and dean of
the School of Medicine, recently addressed South Florida health care issues in
a Miami Herald editorial. In "Half-Penny Just
for Jackson," Dean Clarkson refers to a recent survey conducted by Hispanic Trends
of Coral Gables that revealed the confidence the community has in the School of
Medicine and its partner, Jackson Memorial Hospital. The successful partnership
between these two entities helps fulfill the Public Health Trust's commitment
to provide health care for patients throughout Miami-Dade County. To read the
full editorial, visit www.herald.com/content/mon/opinion/digdocs/095423.htm.
UM/SYLVESTER CANCER EXPERTS AND SURVIVORS ANSWER VIEWER QUESTIONS
ON CBS CHANNEL FOUR
Watch CBS-4 this Thursday, October 19, 4 to 7 p.m., and see UM/Sylvester breast
cancer survivors and healthcare experts answer viewer questions at our phone bank.
Also, keep an eye out for public service announcements featuring cancer survivors
during the entire month on CBS-4.
CARDIOLOGY DIVISION OF PEDIATRICS CELEBRATES SUCCESS OF KEY SEMINARS
The Division of Pediatric Cardiology recently held two successful seminars to address current topics in the field. The first was an International Workshop in Pediatric Echocardiology, which featured lectures and demonstrations by School of Medicine faculty, including Peter Ferrer, M.D., professor in the Department of Pediatrics and director of the event. Dr. Ferrer also organized the IX International Congress of the Latin Society of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, which boasted representation from 26 countries and was conducted in four languages. This joint International Congress, held in conjunction with the Latin Society, was the first of its kind in the United States to address the fields of pediatric cardiology and cardiovascular surgery.
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR BENEFITS OPEN ENROLLMENT PACKETS
Be on the lookout: Benefits Open Enrollment packets are being delivered to your department through next week. Note that the United Healthcare Provider Directory included in your Open Enrollment Packets does not include UM physicians and specialists. The supplemental provider directory that will include these UM physicians and specialists will be mailed in time for the Benefits Fair, November 2 - 3 in Jackson's Cafeteria. If yours is not received by then, you are encouraged to attend the fair to pick one up.
UNIVERSITY SYSTEMS UNAVAILABLE EARLY MORNING OF OCTOBER 21
Due to renovation of the Data Center environmentals, the following University systems will be unavailable from 6:30 to 8 a.m. on October 21: Web, E-mail, Course Web Site, and Name Server (DNS). The Central Server that supports all (PIDMS) University production systems will be unavailable from 6:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., also on October 21.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR FILING FLOOD DAMAGE CLAIMS
Risk Management is committed to serving you as claims are filed due to damage from recent rains and flooding. All who have suffered damage or loss of property and equipment are required to follow the established claims procedures, including submitting a claim form to Risk Management. Do not discard any electronic equipment that was harmed during the storm; it must be inspected by Risk Management before repair or replacement can be approved. The insurance deductible for losses related to flood is $100,000, and will be charged back on a proportional basis to all departments making a claim. For more information, contact Risk Management at 305-284-3163.
HOW SHOULD THE 2000 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES APPROACH HEALTH CARE?
As the 2000 presidential elections approach, candidates are taking a stand on
the country's most crucial issues, including health care. We want to know
where you stand on this issue and how your special perspective from working
at the medical center affects your opinion. The November issue of your
campus newsletter will ask, "Why is health care important to you in the
upcoming election?" E-mail your responses to update@med.miami.edu
or call Deborah Phillips at 305-243-1271. Make your voice heard!
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!
UM/SYLVESTER HOSTS EDUCATIONAL EVENTS FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center presents two events this week. UM/Sylvester Dietician Kathy Yi will speak on "Diet & Breast Cancer," October 20. This event will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. in Sylvester Conference Room 1301. In addition, you can learn the proper techniques for breast self-examination at a "Triple Touch Class," October 25, noon to 1 p.m. or 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., at the Coral Gables campus Wellness Center. To RSVP for this class, call 305-284-LIFE.
SPECIAL CME COURSES SET TO MAKE UM PHYSICIANS COMPUTER SAVVY
Continuing Medical Education will present Computer Training for Physicians, a
series of courses in programs such as Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and
the Internet. The classes are designed to help physicians incorporate
computer programs as medical tools in their practice. Classes begin October
21, 6303 Blue Lagoon Drive, Suite 3, and are $195 each. Four credit hours
are offered for each course. For more a list of classes through December
and registration information, call the Division of Continuing Medical
Education at 305-243-6716 or visit http://cme.med.miami.edu.
ETHICS PROGRAMS CO-PRESENT LECTURES ON END-OF-LIFE DECISIONS
The University of Miami Ethics Programs are co-sponsoring public education forums
on advance directives and organ donations, in recognition of National
Health Care Decisions Week. Six lectures are planned to discuss specific
health care issues, such as living wills, surrogate designation, and organ
donation. The first lecture will be held October 24, 8 to 11 a.m., at
the Stephen Clark Building, Government Center, room 18-3, 111 NW 1st Street,
Miami. A second presentation will be made on October 24 at the South Dade
Regional Library, 10750 SW 211 Street, Cutler Ridge. This lecture will
begin at 6:30 p.m. For additional dates and locations, e-mail atty52@aol.com.
BREAST CANCER WORKSHOP WILL DISCUSS TRADITIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS
The Courtelis Center will present "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.
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS ON-HAND TO ANSWER YOUR FINANCIAL QUESTIONS
Jason Friday, a representative from Fidelity Investments, will be at the Professional Development and Training Office, Dominion Parking Garage, Suite 155, October 26, to conduct individual counseling sessions. He will address financial questions and discuss retirement planning. To schedule an appointment, call 800-642-7131.
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 Radisson 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. |
