e-Update
February 12, 2001
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
--Applications Available for State Grants Supporting Tobacco-Related Disease Research
--Center for Disease Control Awards Cancer Control Initiative Funds to UM/Sylvester
--Dr. Kelvin Lee Appears on CBS to Discuss Studies on Possible Cancer Vaccines
--UM/Jackson Hosts HeartSmart Breakfast and More for National Heart Month
--Reimbursement Claims for Calendar Year 2000 Flexible Spending Due March 31
--Purchasing Card Program Announces Software Providing Expanded Services On-Line
--Shape Up for Springtime with Weight Watchers Program on Medical Campus
--Commuters: Be Aware of Traffic Changes Due to SR 836 Toll Plaza Reconstruction
--Upcoming Calendar Events
STATE TO PROVIDE GRANT FUNDING FOR RESEARCH PROJECTS STUDYING TOBACCO-RELATED DISEASES
The Florida Biomedical Research Program has made $6.8 million available for grant funding on biomedical research programs. Research grants funded through this program must address the prevention, diagnosis, and/or treatment of tobacco-related diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and pulmonary disease. The maximum grant award is $200,000 annually. Investigator-Initiated Research Projects that are hypothesis driven and fully developed with promising preliminary studies or supporting data will be funded for a maximum duration of 25 months, along with New Investigator Research Projects conducted by individuals who have not previously received national research awards (similar to the National Institutes of Health K grants). These projects also must be developed with supporting data and these new investigators should be under the mentorship of a senior investigator. They will be funded for a maximum of 37 months. Call for Grant Applications and application forms are available through February 28, and proposals are due March 23. For more information and application forms, call the Office of Research Administration at 305-243-6232.
UM/SYLVESTER RECEIVES FUNDING
FOR COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CONTROL INITIATIVE
UM/Sylvester's Division of Cancer Prevention and Control was recently awarded a contract from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the Florida Comprehensive Cancer Control Initiative (FCCCI). Florida is now one of several states that receives money for comprehensive cancer control, an approach that emphasizes the integration and coordination of education, prevention, risk reduction, early detection, access to clinical services, and quality of life issues. FCCCI will create a network of regional collaboratives to include organizations involved in cancer control. Edward Trapido, Sc.D, associate director and chief of the division of Cancer Control, is the principal investigator; Francisco Tejada, M.D., professor at UM/Sylvester, is co-principal director of the initiative. The FCCCI's first demonstration project will be the South Florida Minority Cancer Control Initiative to address disparities in late-stage diagnosis in Miami-Dade county. For more information, call 305-243-1120.
CBS-TV CHANNEL 4 HIGHLIGHTS
VACCINE DEVELOPMENT AT UM/SYLVESTER
Kelvin Lee, M..D., associate professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology,
was featured on CBS WFOR Channel 4 regarding vaccine development as a
new biologic approach to cancer treatment. Dr. Lee explained that vaccines
work by stimulating a patient's immune system to recognize and target
cancer cells. Vaccines are a promising therapeutic approach to targeting
cancer because only cancer cells are destroyed, resulting in minimal side
effects. Vaccines also can target dormant cancer cells that may be undetectable.
A vaccine targeting lung cancer is currently in phase one clinical trial
at UM/Sylvester. Kasi Sridhar, M.D., professor in the Division of Hematology/Oncology,
and Eckhard Podack, M.D., professor and chairman of the Department of
Microbiology and Immunology, lead this research initiative. You can read
about the lung cancer vaccine study at http://www.newslibrary.com/deliverdoc.asp?SMH=361214.
TAKE HEART! UM/JACKSON
OFFERS EXCITING ACTIVITIES DURING NATIONAL HEART MONTH
National Heart Month continues this week with free blood pressure screenings at select area Publix stores, February 13 and 15. Public Service Announcements featuring UM doctors will air throughout the month on CBS WFOR Channel 4, informing the community about cardiac health as well as leading the way to the final eventóa Heart-Smart Breakfast at Jackson's Diagnostic Treatment Center, February 24. Free blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, cardiac risk assessments, and evaluations will be provided, along with a healthy breakfast and a morning full of interesting lectures by UM doctors. A few of the topics to be discussed are diagnostic, treatment, and surgical options, women and heart disease, and pediatric cardiology. The event will be hosted by CBS4's news anchor Maggie Rodriguez and is available on an RSVP basis. For additional information, call 585-7213.
DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR
YEAR 2000 FLEXIBLE SPENDING REIMBURSEMENT CLAIMS
Flexible Spending reimbursement claim forms for calendar year 2000 must be submitted to First Benefits no later than March 31 to receive reimbursement. You can contact Benefits Administration at 305-284-2793 to obtain a calendar year 2000 claim form.
NEW SOFTWARE PROGRAM OFFERS
EXPANDED SERVICES FOR PURCHASING CARD PROGRAM
UM's Purchasing Card Program introduces the Purchasing Accounting Reporting Information
System (PARIS 4.1), a software application that provides online access
to PCard transactions. You can now make account number and object code
changes directly from your computer. Access to PARIS will eliminate manual
journal entries and allows access to PCard transactions 48 hours after
posting. If you think your department would benefit from using PARIS,
visit the PCard web site at http://www.miami.edu/pcard.
Contact Debi Markland at 305-243-2417 for more information and a complete
list of services.
TRIM YOUR WAISTLINE AND
EAT HEALTHY WITH WEIGHT WATCHERS
Bathing suit season starts early in South Florida and springtime is fast approaching, so what better time than now to join Weight Watchers? The next session begins February 20 and continues each Tuesday in ACC West room 128, noon to 1 p.m. The eleven-week program costs $113 for new members. If you have any questions or would like to participate, call Frances Kaniewski at 305-243-1052.
TOLL PLAZA CONSTRUCTION
ON STATE ROAD 836 YIELDS CHANGES IN TRAFFIC AND EXITS
Commuters will notice an extensive construction project at the State Road 836 toll plaza. This project will affect traffic until its completion in Spring 2003. Following are the latest notices regarding changes in traffic due to the construction: The N.W. 17th Avenue southbound on-ramp to westbound SR 836 will be intermittently closed between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., February 12 ñ18. The exit ramp for southbound N.W. 17th Avenue will remain closed for the next ten to 12 months. However, the N.W. 17th Avenue northbound exit ramp is now open and will serve as the sole exit ramp for drivers exiting to N.W. 17th Avenue.
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!
SEMINAR TO ADDRESS ABUSE AND WORK AMONG POOR WOMEN
Dr. Mark W. Smith, an economist from MEDSTAT GROUP in Washington D.C., will be on campus to discuss "Abuse and Work Among Poor Women: Evidence from Washington State," February 12 at 12:10 p.m., in the Highland Professional Building Conference Room 316.
SUPERVISORS: BRUSH UP ON
MANAGEMENT SKILLS AT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CLASS
Your Employee Assistance Program presents "Advanced EAP Practice for Supervisors,"
February 13, 1:30 to 4 p.m., Dominion Parking Garage, Suite 155. This
course is an interactive seminar designed to help managers and supervisors
effectively address work problems with their subordinates. For more information
or to register, call 305-284-5110 or visit http://www.miami.edu/development-training.
SCHOOL OF NURSING HOLDS
OPEN HOUSE TO PRESENT FUTURE GOALS
Share the vision of the M. Christine Schwartz Center for Nursing Education and see first-hand what the future holds for nursing education and research at UM at an open house. The event will be held February 13, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the School of Nursing on the Coral Gables campus. RSVP is required. Call 305-284-2875 to reserve your seat.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CELEBRATES
VALENTINE'S DAY IN SUPPORT OF COACHES VS. CANCER
On February 14 at 7:00 p.m., watch the Hurricanes men's basketball team take on the Red Storm of St. John's University at the Knights Sports Complex. In support of Coaches vs. Cancer the women's basketball program will be collecting donations at each of their games. If you're in the Valentine's Day spirit, you can personalize a heart in exchange for your donation. These hearts will be displayed at the Knights Sports Complex on the Coral Gables campus. For tickets to the game call 800-GO-CANES.
SEMINAR TO ADDRESS TECHNOLOGY
IN THE LAB, FEATURING HANDS-ON COMPUTER SESSIONS
The Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Pediatrics, and the Office
of the Vice Provost for Research present "Using Technologies for Research
and Diagnostic Laboratories," February 14, 8:45 a.m., in the Mailman Center's
eighth floor auditorium. This conference is presented on behalf of the
National Center for Biotechnology Information and is designed for anyone
who works with biological sequencing, mapping, and structure data in the
life sciences. There will be various lectures in the morning, followed
by hands-on computer sessions in the afternoon. For more information or
to register, call Paul Shapshak, Ph.D., research professor in the Department
of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, at 305-324-2700 or e-mail pshapsha@med.miami.edu.
CORRECTION: FIDELITY INVESTMENTS
REPRESENTATIVE ON-HAND FOR COUNSELING
A representative from Fidelity Investments will visit the medical campus on February 14 and 15 to conduct individual financial counseling sessions. Last's week's e-Update incorrectly identified TIAA CREF as the on-hand counselor for this session. To schedule an appointment with the Fidelity representative, call 800-642-7131.
DEAN'S TOWN MEETING CANCELLED
FOR THIS FRIDAY
Dean's Town Meetings, including the meeting scheduled for this Friday, February 16, are cancelled until further notice. Stay tuned to campus publications for updates.
AIDS AND UVEITIS TO BE
DISCUSSED AT UPCOMING BASCOM PALMER LECTURE
The Bascom Palmer Eye Institute presents "AIDS and UVEITIS: Trade Secrets," February
17, at the Retter Auditorium. This course meets the Florida requirement
for relicensure. For more information, contact Rosa Bondar at 305-326-6417
or e-mail rbondar@bpei.med.miami.edu.
EMPLOYER SUPPORT SOLUTIONS
VISITS CAMPUS TO DISCUSS RETIREMENT PLAN ISSUES
Charles Cosonas and Wil Hartshorn of Employer Support Solutions, formerly known as Progressions, will be on campus to discuss "Making Important Decisions at Retirement-Retirement Plan Distributions." Learn more about tax consequences regarding lump sum distributions. The lecture will be held at the Professional Development and Training Office, 155 Dominion Parking Garage, February 19 and February 28, 9 to 10 a.m. Seating is limited, so call 305-243-3090 to reserve your space.
REGISTER NOW FOR EASTERN-ATLANTIC
STUDENT RESEARCH FORUM AT SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
The annual Eastern-Atlantic Student Research Forum will be held February 21 -
23 at the School of Medicine. Medical students, residents, and fellows
from the United States and other countries will display oral and poster
presentations of their research projects. This year's forum will include
an Ethics Plenary Session and New Frontiers in Transplant Plenary Session.
The keynote speaker is Robert Sackstein, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor
of surgery and medicine, Harvard Medical School, and director, Translational
Research Programs Bone Marrow Transplant Service, Massachusetts General
Hospital. For more information or to register, call 305-324-4455, extension
3722, or visit http://chroma
TIAA-CREF VISITS CAMPUS
TO ANSWER YOUR FINANCIAL QUESTIONS
Frank del Busto , a representative from TIAA- CREF, will be at the Professional
Development and Training Office, 155 Dominion Parking Garage, February
23, to conduct individual financial counseling sessions. He will address
your financial questions and also discuss retirement planning issues.
To schedule an appointment, visit http://www.tiaa-cref.org/moc
or call Mike Odom at 800-842-2003, extension 3522.
REGISTER NOW FOR TEACHING
CONFERENCE ON HEART AND STROKE
Registrations are now being accepted for the 33rd annual "Teaching Conference in Clinical Cardiology and Stroke," February 23 - 25, at the Hyatt Regency Miami. A reduced fee of $100 is available for UM physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses. Presented by the Center for Research in Medical Education (CRME), in cooperation with the American Heart Association, the conference is a primary care update focusing on needs inherent to managed care, especially related to bedside skills training. UM faculty and CRME director Michael Gordon, M.D., Ph.D., will lecture, along with visiting professors from medical centers around the country. For more information, call 305-243-6491.
MASTERS IN PSYCHIATRY CONFERENCE
TO FOCUS ON PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY ADVANCES
The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, in collaboration with the
Florida Psychiatric Society, presents the third annual Masters of Psychiatry
conference, February 23 - 25, at the Eden Roc Resort & Spa in Miami Beach.
The conference will feature a psychopharmacology update and also offers
a pre-conference course in computer applications. UM faculty may be eligible
for tuition remission. For more information or to register, call Emily
Grimm at 800-521-7465 or visit http://www.mastersofpsychiatry.com.
REGISTRATIONS NOW BEING
ACCEPTED FOR UPCOMING PEDIATRIC NEPHROLOGY SEMINAR
The Division of Continuing Medical Education presents "Pediatric Nephrology Seminar
XXVIII," February 23 - 27, at the Fontainbleau Hilton Resort, Club Atlantic,
in Miami Beach. Conceptual and practical issues will be featured in a
balance of formal presentations and informal discussions. For more information
or to register, call 305-243-6716 or visit http://www.cme.med.miami.edu.
|
