e-Update
November 4,
2003
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
--Patient Safety Program Begins
--Free Self Defense Program
--Flu Shots Available
--Changes in Personnel Policies
--Benefits Open Enrollment
--Free Trade Summit Security
--Cardiovascular Center Now Online
--ARNPs/PAs Detail Their Roles
--Continuing Medical Education Opportunities
--Employee Discount on Bascom Palmer Laser Surgery
--Wine and Cheese at the Lowe Art Museum
--Book Sale at Calder Library
--Diabetes Seminar
--Hurricane Athletics Action
--Upcoming Calendar Events
PATIENT SAFETY COLLOQUIUM
The Miami Center for Patient Safety announces the Dean’s Patient
Safety Colloquium, a series of lectures discussing the broader issues
of health care quality and patient safety. This ongoing program began
with Gerald B. Hickson, M.D., director of the Vanderbilt Center for
Patient and Professional Advocacy, discussing “Unsolicited Patient
Observations of Care and Malpractice Risk.” This Thursday, join
Bill Runciman, M.D., Ph.D., chairman of the Department of Anesthesia
and Intensive Care at Royal Adelaide Hospital and executive director
of the Australian Patient Safety Foundation. Dr. Runciman will address “Designing
Effective Adverse Event Reporting Systems in Health Care,” at
the Lois Pope LIFE Center seventh-floor auditorium beginning with a
reception at 3:45 p.m., lecture at 4 p.m. For more information please
contact Roxanna Araya at 305-585-8364 or by e-mail at raraya@med.miami.edu.
SELF DEFENSE PROGRAM
The Department of Wellness and Recreation is offering the Rape Aggression
Defense Program, free to all employees on the medical campus. The
course will be offered on three consecutive Saturdays starting this
week, continuing November 15 and 22, from 9:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. To
join, you must enroll by today. Call 305-243-3209 to enroll or for
more information.
FLU SHOTS FREE TO EMPLOYEES
All School of Medicine employees are encouraged to get a free flu shot.
The shots will be administered in the UM/Sylvester conference room
1301 next week, on Tuesday, November 11, from 7 to 10 a.m. and from
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Thursday, November 13, from 2 to 4 p.m. Please
bring your UM I.D. badge and if you have United Healthcare insurance,
please bring your membership card or I.D. number, which is usually
your Social Security number.
REVISED PERSONNEL POLICIES
The policies that govern vacation, probationary period and discipline/professional
conduct have been revised. Employees are encouraged to review these
policies and become familiar with any changes. If you have questions,
please contact your respective Human Resources Office.
Administrative/Professional Policies:
Vacation
Policy, Probationary
Period, Discipline/Professional
Conduct.
Clerical/Nursing/Technical/Service/Staff Policies:
Vacation
Policy, Probationary
Period, Discipline/Professional
Conduct.
BENEFITS OPEN ENROLLMENT UNDER WAY NOW
The 2004 benefits open enrollment period continues through this Friday.
Open enrollment must be completed online through “Your Benefits
Link” at benefits.miami.edu. You will need a Personal Identification
Number (PIN) to complete enrollment. If you do not have a PIN or
you have forgotten it, log on to “Your Benefits Link” by
using your most recent net pay amount from your paycheck.
PREPARING FOR FTAA SUMMIT
An international summit to discuss the proposed Free Trade Area of
the Americas will be held in downtown Miami the week of Nov. 17-21.
Thousands of people are expected to participate in demonstrations,
mostly on Thursday and Friday of that week, and School of Medicine
security officers are prepared to monitor the situation and ensure
the safety of employees and patients. Plan to avoid downtown Miami
during the conference, and be aware of any street closings that might
affect your route to work. Please have your employee ID badge with
you at all times, and be patient with security as officers meet additional
demands. Special e-Update messages will be sent out as warranted
before and during the event.
CARDIOVASCULAR CENTER LAUNCHES WEB SITE
The University of Miami Cardiovascular Center launched its new site
at cvc.med.miami.edu. This dynamic online resource includes an interactive
human body and details the services offered by this multidisciplinary
center.
LEARN ABOUT NURSE PRACTITIONERS AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS
In honor of Nurse Practitioners’ Week, ARNPs and physician assistants
are presenting information about cancer and HIV/AIDS tomorrow from
12:30 to 3 p.m. in the UM/Sylvester conference room 1301. Stop by and
learn more about bone marrow transplantation, important cancer screening
guidelines and about the roles of ARNPs and PAs in healthcare.
CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
The Division of Continuing Medical Education offers several self-instructional
programs that will fulfill the licensing requirements for Florida,
including an HIV/AIDS update, domestic violence and medical errors
training. For more information visit the CME website at cme.med.miami.edu or call 305-243-6716.
EYE-OPENING DISCOUNT
All employees and students of the University of Miami and Jackson Memorial
Hospital, and their immediate family members, are entitled to a 10%
discount on laser vision correction procedures at Bascom Palmer Laser
Vision Centers. Employees with flexible spending accounts can save
even more by setting aside pre-tax earnings for laser eye surgery.
Appointments are available at both the medical campus location and
in Palm Beach Gardens. For more information call 877-GO-LASIK or
visit bascompalmer.org.
ART EVENT AT THE LOWE
Art, music, wine and cheese… and you. They all come together
at the Lowe Art Museum the first Thursday of every month at “The
Lowe Down.” Join us this Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Lowe,
1301 Stanford Drive, for a fun evening sponsored by Bacardi and Everything
Wine. Admission is $5 but it’s free to members. Call 305-284-3535
or visit lowemuseum.org to learn more.
UNITED WAY BOOK SALE
The Louis Calder Memorial Library is having a book sale from now through
November 19, or until all books sell out. Books are priced from $1
to $5 with proceeds going to United Way. For more information, please
call 305-243-6901.
DIABETES SEMINAR
The Division of Continuing Medical Education presents “Practical
Tools for Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes: Basal/Bolus Insulin
Therapy” this Saturday at the PGA National Resort and Spa, 400
Avenue of the Champions, West Palm Beach. For more information please
e-mail umcme@med.miami.edu or call 305-243-6716.
‘CANES SPORTS ACTION
The Hurricanes volleyball team plays in the Convocation Center for
the first time tonight. Come cheer on the home team against the University
of Central Florida at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for
children.
Full-time UM employees can purchase Hurricane basketball season tickets
for as little as $88 per seat for men’s hoops and $38 per seat
for women’s hoops. See the ‘Canes play in their final year
in the Big East, then be first in line for season tickets for the inaugural
ACC season next year. Sales associates will be on the medical campus
this Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A limited number of tickets remain for the Tennessee football game
this Saturday. Call 1-800-GO-CANES or 305-284-CANE. Tennessee will
have plenty of orange on, so be sure to come decked out in your green
Hurricane gear. Fans who buy the special green tee at the online store
will be entered to win a $300 online shopping spree.
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.
Medicare and billing concerns? Address questions to Third Party Reimbursement/Office
of Compliance at 305-243-HELP or 877-415-HELP. For information about
this helpline or training programs offered by the compliance office,
contact Gemma Romillo at 305-243-5842.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
FOOD, WINE, ENTERTAINMENT AT PARROT JUNGLE ISLAND
Some of South Florida’s finest chefs will share their talents
at Taste of the Tropics at Parrot Jungle Island this Saturday from
6:30 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $75 and patrons who order in advance can
get a self-parking pass worth $5. Proceeds benefit the Transplant Foundation.
To learn more or to reserve a seat, call 305-243-7591 or e-mail mchediak@med.miami.edu.
TONY DANZA LIVE ON LINCOLN 2003
The star of “Who’s the Boss?” and “Taxi” will
perform a song and dance show next Thursday, November 13, at the historic
Lincoln Theatre in an important event to benefit cancer research at
UM/Sylvester. Master of ceremonies will be actress Mindy Sterling,
best known for her characterization of “Frau Farbissina” in
the Austin Powers movies. The performance begins at 8 p.m. with a pre-show
VIP party at 6:30 p.m. Tickets begin at $200. For tickets or more information
please call 305-273-6015.
GERIATRIC TRAINING MODULE
The Miami Area Geriatric Education Center will host the three-day 2003
Intensive Geriatric Training Nursing Module this Friday and November
21 and December 5 at Memorial Hospital in Pembroke Pines. The course
will provide an introduction to nursing and healthcare issues for
the elderly. Full registration for nursing professionals from the
medical campus is $135, which includes all course materials, breakfast,
and nursing CEUs. For more information call 305-243-6270 or visit
http://www.miami.edu/magec.
LUNG CANCER LECTURE IN DEERFIELD BEACH
Luis Raez, M.D., F.A.C.P., and Afonso Ribeiro, M.D., will present “Lung
Cancer, Diagnosis and Treatment” at UM/Sylvester at Deerfield
Beach, from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, November 14. The presentation
is part of the “Conversations about Cancer” series. For
more information call 305-243-1000.
PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING
The Drive against Prostate Cancer, part of the National Prostate Cancer
Coalition, will have a mobile screening unit at three South Florida
Wal-Mart stores this month. The hours will be the same at each location,
8 a.m. to noon and 2 to 6 p.m. On November 17, screeners will be
at 8651 NW 13 Terrace in Miami; November 18, at 9300 NW 77 Avenue,
Hialeah Gardens; and November 19, at 2300 Atlantic Boulevard, Pompano
Beach. For more information visit pcacoalition.org.
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