--Royal Society Honors Dr. Carmen Puliafito for Invention of Optical Procedure
--UMMG Continues Series on Standards with Physician Referral Guidelines
--School of Medicine Releases Winter 2002 Issue of Alumni Magazine
--National and State Recognition Bestowed on Family Medicine and its Chair
--UM/Sylvester Calls for Applications to Participate in Annual Poster Competition
--University Seeks Your Nominations to Honor Community Volunteers
--Reimbursement Claim Forms for Flexible Spending Accounts Due by March 31
--Division of Transplant Has Your Ticket to Ride at the Miami-Dade County Fair
--Upcoming Calendar Events

BASCOM PALMER DIRECTOR DR. CARMEN PULIAFITO
HONORED FOR RETINAL DIAGNOSTIC INVENTION
An invention that will improve detection of early-stage retinal diseases has earned Carmen A. Puliafito, M.D., M.B.A., professor and chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology, the prestigious Rank Prize from the Royal Society of Medicine in London. Dr. Puliafito collaborated with James Fujimoto, Ph.D., of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Eric Swanson, of Sycamore Networks in Massachusetts, to create optical coherence tomography and develop its application to routine eye examinations. The technology provides patients with a retinal screening without discomfort, using light to achieve clear and sharp resolution of cross sectional images of retinal tissue. The Rank Prize is the highest achievement in the field of optoelectronics.

UMMG OUTLINES PRACTICE STANDARDS
FOR PHYSICIAN REFERRAL PROCEDURES
The University of Miami Medical Group (UMMG) highlights regulations on physician referrals this week, continuing its review of the Professional Practice and Patient Access Standards. Referrals to Non-UMMG Physicians: Whenever possible, referrals should remain within the UMMG. Reasons for referrals to physicians outside of UMMG will be communicated to the Medical Director or designee. The purpose is to understand reasons for referrals outside of the UMMG and approve the practice. Communication with Referring Physicians: Written documentation of all patient encounters should be communicated to the referring physician within two weeks. Verbal communication with the requesting physician should take place as soon as is warranted by the nature of the request and the condition of the patient. For questions on physician compliance with these standards, contact Dr. Alan Livingstone at 305-585-1284.

HOT OFF THE PRESSES: KEEP AN EYE OUT
FOR UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI MEDICINE
Watch your mailbox for the Winter 2002 issue of the School of Medicine's biannual alumni magazine, University of Miami Medicine. Faculty and staff will receive a copy at their home addresses, and copies have been distributed to select waiting rooms around the medical center. The current issue features updates on diagnosing elderly patients who present with unusual symptoms, advances in treating respiratory disorders in premature infants, the medical school's collaboration with the Florida Tobacco Pilot Program in working to curb adolescent smoking, and more.

FAMILY MEDICINE RECEIVES ACCOLADES FROM
NATIONAL ACADEMY AND GOVERNOR JEB BUSH
The Department of Family Medicine recently received a grant for study in "Estimating Risk for Type 2 Diabetes in Primary Care Patients and Hispanic Subpopulations." The award was granted by the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation (AAFP) and the Joint AAFP/F-AAFP Grant Awards Council. The department also received another recent honor, as Robert Schwartz, M.D., chairman of the Department of Family Medicine, was appointed to the Community Hospital Education Council (CHEC) by Governor Jeb Bush. This organization advises the Florida Department of Health on state-wide medical education, making recommendations for standards and policies regarding the expenditure of graduate medical education funds appropriated for CHEC. The group also reviews applications from medical institutions requesting grants-in-aid for support of approved programs.

APPLY NOW TO FEATURE YOUR CANCER RESEARCH
IN ANNUAL UM/SYLVESTER POSTER SESSION
The spotlight will be on cancer research early this summer, when the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center presents its annual research poster session/competition on June 13 at Jackson's Diagnostic Treatment Center. First, second, and third place prizes of $500, $300, and $100, respectively, will be awarded to outstanding cancer research projects in each of three categories: resident/fellows, graduate students/post docs, and junior faculty. The deadline for interested participants to submit abstracts for inclusion in the competition is April 2, and application instructions can be obtained by contacting Abby Walker, Office of Education and Training, at 305-243-2287 or abby@miami.edu. The event also will feature the annual Zubrod Memorial Lectureship, given this year by Stanley Korsmeyer, M.D., director of the Program in Molecular Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, at Harvard Medical School.

NOMINATE YOUR COMMUNITY HEROES
FOR UNIVERSITY'S SERVICE AWARDS
Applications are now being accepted for the UM Vice President's Award for Service and the Robert Bates Cole Award for Volunteer Leadership. The Vice President's Award for Service is given out annually to recognize outstanding students, faculty, and staff for volunteerism in the Greater Miami community. Nomination forms can be picked up at the Student Affairs Office in the Rosenstiel Building, Rooms 2102 and 2108. The Robert Bates Cole Award for Volunteer Leadership is given to an undergraduate sophomore or junior student who displays integrity and dedication through exceptional and committed participation in community service activities. Applications are in the Butler Volunteer Services Center on the Coral Gables campus. The deadline to apply for both awards is 5 p.m., March 22. For more information, call 305-284-GIVE.

REMINDER: 2001 FLEXIBLE SPENDING CLAIM
REIMBURSEMENT FORMS DUE BY MARCH 31
Flexible Spending reimbursement claim forms for calendar year 2001 must be submitted to CoreSource for reimbursement and postmarked no later than March 31. You can obtain calendar year 2001 claim forms at
http://www.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/1,1770,2340-1;2335-2,00.html. For
questions on 2001 Flexible Spending claims, contact CoreSource at 1-800-327-5462, ext. 7494.

DIVISION OF TRANSPLANT PUTS THE "FUN" IN
FUNDRAISING WITH TICKETS TO THE COUNTY FAIR
Lend your support to the Minority Transplant Program and treat your family and friends to a day of fun at the Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition. The Division of Transplant within the School of Medicine's Department of Surgery is offering special deals on advance tickets to the fair, with all proceeds benefiting the Minority Transplant Program. You can purchase a book of 36 ride coupons for only $11, general admission tickets for adults are $6, and youth tickets (six ñ 12 years) are on sale for $4 (tickets are not redeemable for school field trips). "POP" tickets, which grant unlimited admission to rides on Monday through Thursday, are available for only $13. To buy your advance tickets and support a good cause, visit Ishmael Sharpe or Anita Edwards at the Professional Arts Center, Suite 202A. These deals will be available through March 13.

QUESTIONS ABOUT COMPLIANCE?
TWO UM HELPLINES CAN ASSIST YOU
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. 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 compliance hotline at 866-YOURCALL.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

CHIEF OF CARDIOVASCULAR DIVISION AT UVA
PRESENTS VISITING PROFESSORSHIP LECTURE
George A. Beller, M.D., chief of the Cardiovascular Division at the University of Virginia, has been named to the tenth annual Miriam Lemberg Visiting Professorship in Cardiovascular Disease and will present "Coronary Artery Disease in the Next 30 Years: Challenges and Vision for Progress," March 6, noon, in the Rosenstiel Building, fifth floor auditorium. In addition to his clinical contributions at the Heart Center, Dr. Beller's research has focused on nuclear cardiology, with an emphasis on developing noninvasive techniques for the detection of coronary artery disease and assessing prognosis.

LEND YOUR SUPPORT TO UM/CANTERBURY
PRESCHOOL'S ANNUAL STROLL-A-THON
The UM/Canterbury Preschool will hold its fifth annual Walk/Stroll-a-Thon on March 8, 11 to 11:30 a.m., at the Schoninger Research Quadrangle on the medical campus. When you sponsor a child or make a donation on the day of the event, you can support the Parent Association Fund for Canterbury Canes, which helps the school fund future in-house field trips and purchase equipment. A luncheon catered by Joy Wallace Catering will be held following the walk, and tickets for lunch can be purchased for $6 at the event or in advance at the preschool, located on the first floor of Dominion Tower. For information on sponsoring a preschool student, contact Chris Rabi, Canterbury campus director, at 305-243-3777.

CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE
FOCUSES ON INFECTIONS AT THE HOSPITAL
The Division of Infections Diseases and the Division of Continuing Medical Education (CME) present "Serious Infections in the Hospital Setting," March 8 ñ 9, at the Hyatt Regency in Miami. This conference will offer an update on the management of common infectious disease problems that require hospitalization or occur in the hospital setting. Attendees will learn current guidelines for addressing these cases. Registration is $45, and 9.5 hours of category 1 AMA PRA credit have been approved. For more information or to register, contact the Division of CME at 305-243-6716 or visit http://cme.med.miami.edu.

LEARN TO EXPRESS YOURSELF AT EAP
ASSERTIVENESS TRAINING COURSE
Do you have trouble asserting yourself? Do you have a hard time expressing your rights and feelings or do you sometimes act too pushy in an effort to make yourself heard? The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) wants to teach you the necessary skills to successfully assert yourself with "Assertiveness Training." This two-session course begins March 11, noon to 2 p.m., at the Dominion Parking Garage, Suite 155. The second installment will be March 18, same time and location. Participants will develop individual styles of communication, learn assertive techniques, and discover how to decrease passivity as well as hostility in various situations. Continuing education credits for nurses and masters-level licensed mental health counselors will be provided. To register or for more information, call 305-284-6604 or visit http://www.miami.edu/development-training.

YOU'RE INVITED TO UNIVERSITY'S
ANNUAL FAMILY DAY PICNIC
You are invited to the University of Miami Annual Family Day Picnic to be held March 16, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the central green near the University Center on the Coral Gables campus. The picnic will include music, games, contests, tournaments, food, and drinks for University employees and their families. You can swim in the University's heated pool, play bingo, or just enjoy the day with your colleagues. Organize a volleyball team from your department and face off against the defending champions from the Department of Otolaryngology. Tickets for you and your family will be available March 7 - 15 in the Human Resources Office on campus, Park Plaza East, Suite L. Volunteers are needed to assist in the soda trailers, and those who help for at least two hours will be given a commemorative t-shirt. For more information on volunteering, contact Cynthia Holcomb at 305-243-6393. To sign up for the volleyball tournament, contact Tianne Macias at 305-585-5224.