--Dr. Beatriz Fontoura Earns Publication in Science; Uncovers a Key to Fighting Viruses
--Broward Foundation Presents "See the Light" Award to Dr. R. Rodney Howell
--AIDS Researcher Dr. Margaret Fischl Honored at Annual Women of Vision Luncheon
--UMMG and E-Update Bring You Continuing Series on Patient Service Standards
--Voice Your Opinion about Future Scheduling of Employee Support Solutions Seminars
--Forms for Flexible Spending Account Claims Can Be Accessed and Viewed On-line
--Become User Friendly and Computer Savvy at Technology Center Courses
--Upcoming Calendar Events

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL SCIENCE PUBLISHES
BREAKTHROUGH VIRAL STUDY BY DR. BEATRIZ FONTOURA
Researchers moved a step closer this week to understanding one of the mechanisms of cancer and how to treat it, with the publication of a significant discovery by Beatriz Fontoura, Ph.D., assistant professor of molecular and cellular pharmacology. Working with a viral protein involved in some types of leukemia, Dr. Fontoura and colleagues revealed that the protein interferes with the cell's genetic program and halts the flow of molecular information to and from the cell's nucleus. The team also found that interferon, a molecule the body releases to fend off viral attack, can be used to overcome this block in the flow of molecular information. The study results were published in the January 25 issue of the international journal Science.

DR. R. RODNEY HOWELL RECEIVES "SEE THE LIGHT"
AWARD FROM MATHEW FORBES ROMER FOUNDATION
The Mathew Forbes Romer Foundation, Inc., honored R. Rodney Howell, M.D., professor and chairman of the Department of Pediatrics, with the See the Light Award, at the organization's recent annual gala. Dr. Howell was recognized for his leadership in the fight against genetic diseases in children. Among his accomplishments, Dr. Howell played a critical role in the establishment of the Dr. John T. Macdonald Center for Medical Genetics at the School of Medicine.

INSTITUTE NAMES DR. MARGARET FISCHL A "WOMAN OF
VISION" FOR HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO AIDS RESEARCH
Margaret Fischl, M.D., professor of medicine and director of the AIDS Clinical Research Unit, was named one of five Women of Vision at the American Committee of the Weizmann Institute of Science at its annual Women of Vision Luncheon last week. Dr. Fischl, one of the first to sound the alarm, both medically and politically, about the threat of the AIDS virus, was honored for her achievements, commitment, and dedication to her profession and the community. She also was instrumental in securing FDA approval for the use of the drug AZT as a treatment for AIDS.

PATIENT SERVICE STANDARDS OUTLINED BY UMMG
--PART ONE IN A CONTINUING E-UPDATE SERIES
In fitting the pieces of the patient care puzzle together, quality service plays a significant role. Looking to improve the service patients receive at the medical center, the University of Miami Medical Group has developed the Professional Practice and Patient Access Standards. These guidelines will be distributed to all physicians and staff who provide patient care, and also will be outlined in a continuing series in e-Update, beginning with this issue. This week's standards address inpatient admissions: When a non-emergent patient is admitted, a UMMG attending physician must see that patient within 24 hours. When a patient is admitted with a life-threatening condition that requires immediate attention, the UMMG attending physician or the appropriate UMMG consultant must see that patient within one hour. If you have any questions on physician compliance with these standards, contact Dr. Alan Livingstone at 305-585-1288. For staff compliance issues, contact Minor Anderson at 305-243-7100. If you have any questions for the UMMG committee, contact the chairman, Dr. Leo Twiggs, at 305-243-2576. Stay tuned to e-Update for weekly installments of the Professional Practice and Patient Access Standards.

HUMAN RESEARCH SUBJECT MODULES ON CITI
COURSE WEB SITE MUST BE COMPLETE BY FEBRUARY 1
The CITI Course on the Protection of Human Research Subjects will be updated to the most recent version. Therefore, the course web site at http://www.ci4.miami.edu will be down February 1 - 10. If your position at the School of Medicine requires that you take modules in this course, you must complete all the required modules before the site is closed. Although all scores will be archived, prior scores will be cleared from the web site. Users who do not complete required modules will have to re-register and start from the beginning when the site is active again. If you have any questions, contact Katherine Morales at 305-243-2311 or e-mail kmorales@med.miami.edu.

EMPLOYEE SUPPORT SOLUTIONS SURVEY
ASKS FOR YOUR INPUT ON SCHEDULING
The University of Miami Employee Support Solutions program wants your input in efforts to enhance the quality of its services, which include complimentary survivorship and retirement planning. To participate in the survey, visit http://www.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/1,1770,2421-1;12117-3,00.html. You will be asked to designate your preference of time slots for future scheduled ESS seminars. Specific seminar topics will be announced in the future.

DOWNLOAD FORMS FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2002
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS FROM UM WEB SITE
Flexible Spending Medical and Dependent Care Accounts forms can be found online at http://www.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/1,1770,2340-1;2335-2,00.html. The 2002 claim reimbursement forms must be submitted for reimbursement to CoreSource at 6100 Fairview Road, Suite 1000, Charlotte, NC, 28210 (the address on the claim form). Forms are also available through the Fax Warehouse at 305-284-1983. For questions on your flexible spending accounts, contact CoreSource at 1-800-327-5462, ext. 7494.

TECHNOLOGY TRAINING CENTER ON MEDICAL CAMPUS
OFFERS COURSES ON MICROSOFT APPLICATIONS
Gain a better understanding of computer applications you regularly use by enrolling in classes offered by the Technology Training Center. Topics covered include Microsoft Access, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, PC/Windows 2000, and Internet Explorer. These full day courses are offered on a monthly basis free of charge to UM/Jackson employees. Various levels of classes are available. To register or receive a copy of the schedule, contact Yvette A. Garcia at 305-243-3665 or e-mail ygarcia3@miami.edu.

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!

MANDATORY COURSE FOR BLOODBORNE PATHOGEN
AND TUBERCULOSIS TRAINING AVAILABLE THIS MONTH
The "OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens and Tuberculosis Training" course is mandatory for all who have the potential for exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials. The course will be held January 28, 10 a.m. to noon, in the Dominion Parking Garage, Suite 155. You will learn about bloodborne pathogens, biomedical waste disposal, latex allergy, and tuberculosis control measures and regulations. You also will learn how to protect yourself from infection. For more information or to register, call 305-243-3090.

DEVELOPMENT COURSE OFFERS WORKSHOP ON
PROCESSING UNIVERSITY SALARY DOCUMENTS
Professional Development presents a workshop for employees responsible for processing salary documents, which will outline the process of salary transactions and journal entries. Participants will learn the details of time and effort reports and certification, university and federal regulation requirements on salary cost transfers, and more on related topics. The course consists of two sessions and will begin on January 29, 9 a.m. to noon, in the Dominion Parking Garage, Suite 155. The second session will be held January 31, same time and place. For more information or to register, call 305-243-3090.

HUMAN RESEARCH SUBJECTS
ARE TOPIC OF WEEKLY SEMINARS
A program of weekly small-group seminars on topics that pertain to the protection of human subjects in research continues January 29, with "Responsibilities of the IRB Chair," presented by Stephen Richman, M.D., professor of medicine, noon to 1 p.m., at the Mailman Center, Room 3023. Future seminars continue through May, featuring such topics as IRB guidelines and confidentiality. The full calendar of seminars may be viewed at http://www.miami.edu/research/lectureseries. For more information or to register for any of these weekly seminars, call Katherine Morales at 305-243-2311 or e-mail kmorales@med.miami.edu. RSVP is required.

HURRICANES HOOPS HEAT UP WITH BIG EAST
CONFERENCE FACEOFF AGAINST BOSTON COLLEGE
The Hurricanes men's basketball team has improved their record to 18-2 and are undefeated at home. They head back to home court for another exciting game of Big East Conference basketball tomorrow, January 29th, as they take on conference scoring leader, Troy Bell and the Boston College Eagles at the Miami Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. At half-time, Hurricanes Baseball, the 2001 NCAA National Champions, will be honored, featuring head coach Jim Morris and team members. For tickets, call 1-800-GO-CANES.

INTERDEPARTMENTAL ACADEMIC DAY TO
FOCUS ON COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE
Join the Behavioral Science Program of the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, along with several other disciplines, for an Interdepartmental Academic Day to address complementary medicine. A primary aim of this conference is to help physicians and all others who are interested to learn about some of the complementary adjuvants to "traditional" medical approaches. Lectures on herbal remedies, acupuncture, and yoga will be given, and attendees also may participate in a workshop featuring demonstrations of these services. The event will be held January 30, 8 a.m. to noon, in Bascom Palmer's Retter Auditorium, and all are invited. If your department is interested in participating in future academic days, call the event's coordinator Heidi Stanley, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor and director of the Behavioral Science Program, at 305-243-2872 or hstanley@miami.edu.

MIAMI NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY WINTER SYMPOSIUM
ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS FOR FEBRUARY EVENT
The registration deadline for the Miami Nature Biotechnology Winter Symposium is approaching. This year's conference will focus on "The Genome and Beyond -- Genomics and Structural Biology for Medicine," and will be held February 2 - 6, at the Radisson Deauville Hotel Resort in Miami Beach. The cost for the event is discounted to $300 for UM employees, and tuition remission also is available. This conference is a CME credit approved program of the University of Miami. To register and also to find out if you qualify for tuition remission, send your name, department, address, and locator code to mnbws-biochem@miami.edu. For more information, call 305-243-3597 or visit http://www.miami.edu/mnbws.

TOWN MEETING ON CANCER TO OFFER FORUM
FOR CASE DISCUSSION AND COLLABORATION
The Departments of Health Information, Quality Assurance, and Public Relations at Jackson Memorial Hospital are sponsoring a "Town Meeting on Cancer," February 8, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Diagnostic Treatment Center, Room 252. The event is part of the JMH Public Cancer Education Plan, and the focus will be on breast cancer, commemorating the tenth anniversary of the JMH Breast Health Center. Case discussion and interdisciplinary collaboration will be featured. Seating is limited, so you must RSVP if you would like to attend. Call Lizette Acosta at 305-585-6533, extension 2, or e-mail lacosta2@med.miami.edu to reserve your space.

LEARN TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM VIOLENT
CRIME AT WELLNESS SELF-DEFENSE COURSE
Sign up now for the S.A.F.E. National Self-Defense Institute Program and learn the skills to protect yourself from violent crime. The course will be held February 18, noon to 1:30 p.m., and will teach you how to reduce your risk, avoid dangerous situations, and use simple strategies that can help you avoid being attacked. You also will learn life-saving techniques on how to save yourself if you do become a victim. The registration fee is $5 and the deadline for registration is February 15. Call Jennifer Pinto or Zelda Calvert at 305-243-3209 to enroll.

STRETCH YOUR MUSCLES FOR A GOOD CAUSE
AT THE WALK FOR HOPE AGAINST BREAST CANCER
Join the fun for a good cause at the City of Hope's Walk for Hope Against Breast Cancer 5K walk/run. The event also features a "Fun Run" for kids and a Kid Zone with face-painting, clowns, and more. Awards, refreshments, a health expo and massages also will be available. The run will take place February 10, 8 a.m., at the Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise. Registration will begin at 6:30 a.m. To pre-register, contact Darcy Weinman at 305-243-3473.

BASCOM PALMER SCIENTIFIC MEETING TO ADDRESS
MULTIPLE TOPICS WITHIN OPHTHALMOLOGY
Register now for the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute 40th Anniversary Scientific Meeting, February 21 - 23, at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. Topics addressed will include general ophthalmology, cornea and external diseases, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, oculoplastics, pediatric ophthalmology, and retina. UM President Donna E. Shalala will deliver the keynote address at the opening ceremony. Twenty hours of AMA CME credits are available. For more information or to register, call 305-326-6110.