e-Update
March 26, 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
--Your Input and Opinions Encouraged at Medical Curriculum Open Meeting
this Week
--Dean Clarkson Names Dr. Gary Striker to Ross Chair in Vascular Biology
--Select Medical School Programs Can Thank State Legislators for Restored
Funding
--March 31 Marks Deadline for Submitting Calendar Year 2000 Claim Forms
--Attention UM Alumni: New On-Line Service Provides Career and Company
Info
--Upcoming Calendar Events
ATTEND OPEN MEETING ON
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE'S NEW CURRICULUM NEXT WEEK
The implementation
of the School of Medicine's new integrated curriculum for August 2001
is on schedule, and efforts that began in 1996 with the school council's
task force on medical education are coming to fruition. As a medical
school striving for excellence, it is imperative that the school moves
forward with the modernization of its curriculum, promoting integration,
using active adult learning methodologies, and introducing new content
and skills required of physicians in the 21st century. The new curriculum
will be introduced to this fall's entering class of first-year students,
while students currently enrolled will continue to progress through
the existing curriculum. In order to provide updated information and
include interested faculty in this process, there will be monthly open
meetings where information and dialogue will be shared. The steering
committee, module leaders, dean, and associate deans in medical education
will attend these meetings to hear from faculty and answer questions.
The open meetings will be held in the RMSB 5th floor auditorium at 5
p.m., with the next meeting to be held this Wednesday, March 28. Mark
your calendar for subsequent meetings on April 25, May 30, June 27,
and July 18. Your participation in these meetings and in all other aspects
of this exciting and important initiative is strongly encouraged.
DR. GARY STRIKER APPOINTED
TO ENDOWED CHAIR IN VASCULAR BIOLOGY
John G. Clarkson,
M.D., senior vice president for medical affairs and dean of the School
of Medicine, has appointed Gary Striker, M.D., research professor and
director of the Vascular Biology Institute, to the Walter G. Ross Chair
in Vascular Biology. He will hold the position through 2004. Dean Clarkson
chose Dr. Striker for the honor based on the success of the Vascular
Biology Institute since its establishment last year. He also was recognized
for his enthusiasm and commitment to research at the School of Medicine.
LEGISLATORS RESTORE FUNDING
TO SEVERAL PROGRAMS AT THE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Legislators from
Miami-Dade County have been instrumental in restoring funding to several
programs that were originally cut from the School of Medicine's allocation
this year. Representative Ralph Arza (R-Hialeah), a member of the House
Education Appropriations Subcommittee, played a key role in restoring
over $16 million in funding to the First Accredited Medical School program.
Representative Gaston Cantens (R-Miami), also a member of the House
Education Appropriations Subcommittee, was successful in restoring almost
$700,000 to the Regional Diabetes Center. And Senator Ron Silver (D-Miami),
chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Subcommittee, was instrumental
in restoring full funding to the following programs: islet cell transplantation,
Teratogen Information Services, and pediatric liver transplantation.
DEADLINE FOR CALENDAR YEAR
2000 CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT IS THIS WEEK
New flexible spending
medical and dependent care accounts forms can be found online at http://www.miami.edu/benefits/pdf/flexformspage.html.
All 2001 claim reimbursement forms must be submitted for reimbursement
to 6100 Fairview Road, Suite 1000, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28210.
Forms also are available through Fax Warehouse at 305-284-1983. For
any questions on calendar year 2001 flexible spending accounts, contact
CoreSource at 800-327-5462, extension 7494. Any claims incurred in calendar
year 2000 must be sent to the previous administrator, First Benefits,
Inc., using that year's claim forms. All claims for calendar year 2000
must be postmarked no later than March 31 for reimbursement.
GET CONNECTED WITH 'CANE
CONNECTIONS, NEW ALUMNI ONLINE CAREER NETWORK
The UM Alumni Association
is pleased to announce the launch of its new online career network,
'Cane Connections. Share information with other UM alumni on careers
and companies, and get details about specific cities, occupations, and
job skills. This free service is part of MiamiAlumni.net and is a password
protected community. The success of this program depends on active participation
by UM alumni, and we hope you will consider sharing your valuable job
experiences as a 'Cane Contact volunteer. Volunteers may choose how
they want to be contacted (via fax, phone, email, or letter), as well
as how many people they are willing to speak with during the year. For
more information and to sign-up online, visit http://www.miamialumni.net.
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!
MAKE TIME FOR SLEEP DURING NATIONAL SLEEP AWARENESS WEEK
Most people need
about eight hours of sleep each night. But Americans usually get less
than seven. The result is a sleep-deprived nation. Are you being affected
by too little sleep? For your health, safety, productivity, and just
to feel good, recognize that excessive sleepiness means you need to
take action by getting more sleep and making lifestyle changes. To learn
how to "Make Time for Sleep," visit one of the display tables March
26-March 30. A table will be at Bascom Palmer's main lobby March 26,
the UMHC front lobby entrance March 27, and Park Plaza West, the JMH
Breezeway, and Sylvester's front lobby March 28-30, respectively. Displays
will be up at 10 a.m. each morning except Friday, when you can visit
the display beginning at 7:30 a.m. For more information, call David
Gregory, VA Sleep Center, at 305-324-3371.
UM/SYLVESTER TO HOST LECTURE
ON PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF COLORECTAL CANCER
In recognition of
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Marcia Johnson, RN, will present
"Colorectal Cancer: Prevention, Detection, and Treatment," March 27,
noon to 1 p.m., in Sylvester conference room 1301. Lunch will be provided
and you must RSVP to attend. Call 305-243-9192 to reserve your space.
REMINDER: FACULTY SENATE
MEETING NEXT WEEK
There will be a
Faculty Senate Meeting March 28 at 3:15 p.m., in the Faculty Club on
the Coral Gables campus. For more information visit http://www.miami.edu.FacultySenate.
UNITED WAY OFFERS SEMINAR
ON LONG-TERM CARE
Did you know that
the average cost of South Florida nursing home care is around $45,000
a year? The United Way will host a seminar on March 29, 8:30 to 10 a.m.,
Dominion Parking Garage, Suite 155. The seminar will focus on how a
long-term care policy can prevent unexpected obstacles in your retirement
years and how to deal with your parents when it comes to long-term care
planning for them. Breakfast will be provided. For more information,
call Professional Development at 305-243-3090.
DIVISION OF CONTINUING
MEDICAL EDUCATION OFFERS PROGRAM ON HEPATOBILIARY DISEASE
"Hepatobiliary Disease
in Clinical Practice: Update XIV," a program sponsored by the Division
of Continuing Medical Education, will take place March 29-31 at the
Loews Miami Beach Hotel. For more information, call Syria Milligan at
305-243-6716.
BIOLOGIC CAPACITY FOR REPRODUCTION
IS FOCUS OF UPCOMING ETHICS LECTURE
The "Dialogues in
Research Ethics" lecture series continues this week with "Sex, Fecundity,
and Reproduction: Scientific, Social, and Ethical Challenges," on March
30, noon, in the pharmacology conference room, RMSB 6018. The featured
speaker will be Germaine Buck, Ph.D., of the National Institutes of
Health, who will address ethical issues such as paternity and contraception.
Lunch will be provided. For more information, call 305-243-5723.
COMPUTER TRAINING FOR PHYSICIANS
OFFERED BY THE DIVISION OF CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION
The Division of
Continuing Medical Education will offer the program "Computer Training
for Physicians," on March 31, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the NGJ Systems
Institute, 6303 Blue Lagoon Drive, Suite 350. This course will include
Introduction to Computers Using Microsoft Windows 2000, Using the Internet
in Your Medical Practice, and Introduction to Microsoft Powerpoint.
For more information, call Rebecca Frometa at 305-243-6716.
NEUROLOGY EDUCATION DAY
TO FOCUS ON PRODUCTS TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE
Join various vendors
and health organizations to learn about products and services that cater
to the daily living needs of seniors and people with disabilities at
the Department of Neurology's Third Annual Product Education Day. The
event will be held April 7, noon to 4 p.m., at the Miami Beach Convention
Center, Hall D, 128-131. The day's activities include educational seminars,
product demonstrations, raffles, and free giveaways. For more information,
call 305-243-7400.
LEARN ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
ABOUT PATENT LAW AT TECH TRANSFER SEMINAR
The Office of Technology
Transfer invites you to attend the "Patent Law & Technology Transfer
Seminar," April 10, in Bascom Palmer's Retter Auditorium, 11 a.m. to
noon. A representative from the law firm Pillsbury Winthrop, LLP, will
address attendees. Space is limited, so RSVP by April 3 to 305-243-5689.
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