e-Update
August 14, 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 HEADLINES
--Medical School Emergency Medical Professionals Receive Distinguished Awards
--USA Today Features Dr. Thomas Balkany and Siblings with Cochlear Implants
--Area Benevolent Organizations Seek Philanthropy Award Nominees
--Herald Article Features Dr. Robert Myerburg's Call for Student Athlete EKGs
--New On-Line Tool Lets You View Current and Past Purchasing Card Statements
--Upcoming Calendar Events
FLORIDA'S EMERGENCY MEDICAL BUREAU HONORS UM PROFESSOR AND SENIOR PARAMEDIC
The Florida Bureau of Emergency Medical Services recognized two School of Medicine faculty members at the organization's meeting, July 14 in Orlando. David LaCombe, educational programs coordinator of Emergency Medical Skills Training at the Center for Research in Medical Education, was named Florida's EMS Educator of the Year. Mr. LaCombe was honored for his efforts to improve the state's learning and performance standards of excellence. Kathleen Schrank, M.D., professor and chief of the Division of Emergency Medicine, received the Raymond H. Alexander, M.D., EMS Medical Director of the Year Award from the Bureau. Medical Director of the Miami Fire Rescue Department since 1987, Dr. Schrank was praised for demonstrating excellence in quality assurance, medical control, and promotion and utilization of new medical trends and technologies.
USA TODAY FEATURES DR. THOMAS BALKANY AND TRIO OF SPECIAL PATIENTS
Thomas Balkany, M.D., professor and chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology, gained national recognition this week for his work with three siblings -each received cochlear implants from Dr. Balkany to restore their hearing. E-Update brought you this remarkable story last week, featured in the Miami Herald. Now, Dr. Balkany's expertise has been lauded nationwide, thanks to a full page article in USA Today. To read the story, visit
NOMINATE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE PHILANTHROPISTS FOR SPECIAL AWARDS
Do you know someone who always gives their time or talents to benefit others?
Nominate them for a special group of awards to be presented on National Philanthropy
Day, November 14. The awards will honor individuals, corporations, foundations,
and volunteers. In addition, you can sponsor a table at the awards luncheon
to honor a donor or volunteer of your choice. To obtain a nomination packet
or reserve a seat or table at the luncheon, contact Gene Gutierrez of the National
Society of Fund Raising Executives at 305-373-1919 or gutgroup@aol.com.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ATHLETES GIVEN EKG EXAMS, THANKS TO DR. ROBERT MYERBURG AND UMHC STAFF
Robert Myerburg, M.D., professor and director of the Division of Cardiology, has long advocated inclusion of electrocardiograms (EKGs) in student athlete physicals, and his efforts paid off on August 4, as the Monsignor Edward Pace High School football team visited the University of Miami Hospital and Clinics to undergo the test. A recent Miami Herald article, entitled "Tragedy Brings Heart Awareness," focused on the event. The current awareness stems from the death of Brian Bell, the Pace High School students' teammate, who collapsed during practice and died from a congenital heart defect on July 18. Dr. Myerburg and UMHC's cardiology staff coordinated the EKGs for the football team, stating that the standard high school physical is not sufficient. State Representative Eleanor Sobel attended the event, and said she plans to introduce legislation that raises the standards of these physicals, including testing student athletes for heart defects through EKGs. To read the full article, visit http://www.newslibrary.com/deliverffdoc.asp?SMH=55715.
VIEW YOUR PURCHASING CARD STATEMENT ON THE WEB AT "CORPORATE EXPENSE ONLINE"
Purchasing cardholders can now view current and past statements on-line, thanks
to Corporate Expense Online (CEO), a new tool provided by GECapital. Purchasing
card statement cycles close on the fourth of every month (excluding weekends),
and now you will be able to see your current statement the day after closing
by visiting http://www.corpexpense.com.
The site features services such as an order system for duplicate statements
and access to transaction data. For more information, contact Debi Markland,
University Purchasing Card Program, at 305-284-2417 or card@miami.edu.
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!
AIDS RESEARCH FUNDRAISER SEEKS VOLUNTEERS AND PARTICIPANTS
Volunteers are needed for Walgreens Ride 2001, a bicycle ride to raise money
for AIDS research. The ride will travel from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale on March
30 - April 1. For information on participating, attend an informal lunch at
the AIDS Clinical Research Unit, August 16, at noon. General support volunteers,
riders, medical staff, and others are needed. To RSVP, contact Kate Moeller
at 305-243-3852 or e-mail kmoeller@med.miami.edu.
For more information on the event, visit http://www.redribbonride.org.
YOUR HELP NEEDED TO KICK OFF UNITED WAY AND RESTORE A MIAMI-DADE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Miami-Dade County's 2000 United Way Campaign will kick off this year with a volunteer project to restore Allapattah Elementary School. The event is scheduled for August 17, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Community volunteers are needed to paint, landscape, and install playground equipment, among other related tasks. The University will provide transportation via Hurry 'Canes shuttle bus, which will pick up medical campus volunteers at the Diabetes Research Institute, 1450 N.W. 10th Avenue. To join the team and lend a hand, contact the Office of the President at 305-284-5155.
HURRICANE FOOTBALL SEASON TICKETS DISCOUNTED FOR UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEES
Football season tickets for the 'Canes are now on sale, and all full-time University employees can purchase up to four season tickets at a 50 percent discount. A ticket sales representative will be on the medical campus August 17, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., outside Au Bon Pain. For more information, call 305-284-6740.
JOIN UM/JMH CLEFT LIP AND PALATE CLINIC AT UPCOMING MARLINS GAME
The University of Miami JMH Cleft Lip & Palate Clinic invites you to watch the Florida Marlins face the Cincinnati Reds, August 26, 7:05 p.m., at ProPlayer Stadium. Tickets are only $15 each, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the clinic. To purchase tickets, call Maria at 305-243-3248 or Teresa at 305-585-5285. |
