e-Update
March 29, 2005
Weekly News Briefs
e-Update is distributed
weekly to keep faculty and staff at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller 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
--A Tribute to Provost Luis Glaser
--South Florida Model Spinal Cord Injury System Informational Tour
--Race for Relief: A Fun Run/Walk and 5k Race for International Relief
--Town Hall Meetings on Health Plans for Gables One Employees
--Commencement is Approaching—Don’t Forget to Order Your Regalia
--South Florida Paramedic/Firefighters Appreciation Health Fair
--Gail F. Beach Memorial 2004-2005 Visiting Lectureship Series
--Upcoming Calendar Events
--Human Subjects Research Opportunities
A TRIBUTE TO PROVOST LUIS GLASER
A special lecture by Eric N. Olson, Ph.D., entitled "Genetic Control of Heart Development and Disease," will be presented on Friday at 3 p.m. in the Lois Pope LIFE Center seventh floor auditorium. Dr. Glaser mentored Dr. Olson as his postdoctoral fellow at Washington University in St. Louis. Today, Dr. Olson is professor and chairman of the Department of Molecular Biology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. The University community is invited to commemorate this festive event. A reception will follow. For more information, call 305-243-7108, or go to http://www.miamiproject.med.miami.edu/x381.xml.
SOUTH FLORIDA MODEL SPINAL CORD INJURY SYSTEM INFORMATIONAL TOUR
The South Florida Model Spinal Cord Injury System will present an informational tour for participants to learn more about the Spinal Cord Injury Out-Patient Clinic at the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine today (Tuesday). Tour participants will also meet investigators at the Miami VA SCI Center of Excellence, attend a formal presentation on the latest research at The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, and learn more about community outreach programs for individuals with spinal cord injuries. The tour will meet at the Jackson Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Center lobby at 1:15 p.m. For reservations, please contact Mayra M. Miró, Psy.D., at 305-585-1339, or e-mail mmiro@med.miami.edu.
DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION MEDICINE – ROVING SYMPOSIUM
A Roving Symposium, sponsored by the South Florida Model Spinal Cord Injury System, will be held today (Tuesday) from noon to 1 p.m. at the JMH Rehabilitation Center third floor auditorium. Marca L. Sipski, M.D., associate professor of clinical rehabilitation medicine, project director, V.A. R & D Center of Excellence in Spinal Cord Injury, and project director, South Florida Model SCI System, will present “Sexuality Issues and Spinal Cord Injury: Your Questions Answered,” part two of a series of presentations on SCI Issues. For more information, please contact Mayra M. Miró, Psy.D., at 305-585-1339, or at mmiro@med.miami.edu.
ETHICS, LAW, AND MEDICAL LIABILITY
This special series, hosted by the University's Ethics Programs, presents "Patient Safety and Legal Liability: Ethics at the Brink," tomorrow (Wednesday), at 6 p.m. in the Rosemarin Café at the Law School (next to Subway). The speaker is Steven Stark, JD, director, Office of Patient Protection and Risk Prevention. Refreshments will be provided. For more information, call Stephanie L. Anderson at 305-243-5723.
2005 HUMANA HEALTH CARE PLAN DOCUMENTS ONLINE
If you are enrolled in one of the six University Humana health care plans, you should review the detailed plan documents online. The plan document will help increase your knowledge and understanding of the plan you have selected. For detailed health care plan information, copy and paste this address into your browser: http://www.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/1,1770,2340-1;36149-3,00.html.
FACULTY SENATE MEETING
There will be a Faculty Senate meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) at 3:30 p.m. in the Flamingo Ballroom A, Whitten University Center. All faculty members are welcome to attend. Visit the Senate Web page at http://www.miami.edu/FacultySenate for more information.
RACE FOR RELIEF: A FUN RUN/WALK AND 5K RACE FOR INTERNATIONAL RELIEF
Come out for an energizing morning of fun on Saturday at the Race for Relief, a run/walk and 5K race through the Coral Gables campus beginning at 9 a.m. All proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross for International Relief. The run/ walk is an approximately 2.5-mile course, and there is also an optional 5K course, which will be timed. Each entry includes a race T-shirt. Afterwards, enjoy complimentary refreshments from participating sponsors. Registration fees are $10 for students and $15 for non-students, with special prices for teams of five. For more information, e-mail RaceforRelief@gmail.com, or visit http://www.angelfire.com/alt/um_mwm/raceforrelief.htm.
SOUTH FLORIDA PARAMEDIC/FIREFIGHTERS APPRECIATION HEALTH FAIR
The Center for Research in Medical Education and the Friends For Life are sponsoring the South Florida Paramedic/Firefighters Appreciation Health Fair to recognize the people who provide emergency services to the tri-county area. UM and JMH departments are invited to exhibit and provide information on their departments and services at no charge. The event will be held at the International Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum, 300 Gulf Stream Way (west of I-95 at the Griffin Road exit), Dania Beach, from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 10. Admission to the health fair is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Donna Fye at 305-243-6491, or by e-mail to donna@miami.edu.
RAFFLE TO BENEFIT THE MIAMI PROJECT
Take a chance to win a new 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML350--chances are $100 each with a limit of 1,500. All proceeds to benefit The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. The drawing will be held at the NASDAQ-100 Open Men's Semi-Finals, the Village of Merrick Park Fashion Show and Cocktail Reception Friday at 5 p.m. in the Mercedes-Benz Lifestyle Center at the NASDAQ-100 Open in Miami. For more information, go to http://www.miamiproject.miami.edu/x856.xml, or call 305-243-4656.
TOWN HALL MEETINGS ON HEALTH PLANS AT GABLES ONE
Gables One faculty and staff are invited to the upcoming Town Hall meetings hosted by Benefits Administration and Humana. You'll have the opportunity to review the general health plan benefits, get answers to frequently asked questions about the six different plans, and learn more about the specific plan you selected. The meetings are scheduled for 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., Tuesday, April 5, at the Gables One Tower fifth floor conference room.
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT CANCER SERIES
W. Jarrard Goodwin, M.D., director of UM/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and professor of otolaryngology, will discuss “New Developments in the Treatment of Head and Neck Cancers,” Tuesday, April 12, from noon to 1 p.m., at UM/Sylvester at Deerfield Beach, 1192 East Newport Center Drive, Suite 100. A light lunch will be served. Please call 1-800-545-2292 to register. Seating is limited.
Fariba Ostovary, psychiatric nurse practitioner at the Courtelis Center for Psycho-social Oncology, will present issues related to sexuality and cancer for women only on Monday, April 4, from noon to 1 p.m., in UM/Sylvester conference room 1301. Come with your questions and with issues you would like to hear addressed but were afraid to ask. There will be a presentation for men only scheduled at a later date. Call 800-545-2292 to RSVP.
The UM/Sylvester Miami education series will focus on head and neck cancer awareness in April. On Wednesday, April 13, Dr. Donald T. Weed will discuss head and neck cancers, screening, detection, and prevention in recognition of the 7th Annual Yul Brynner Head and Neck Cancer Screening Week, from noon to 1 p.m. in UM/Sylvester conference room 1301. A light lunch will be served, and you must RSVP to 800-545-2292.
ORDER YOUR REGALIA BY FRIDAY
The 2005 University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine commencement will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Convocation Center, 1245 Dauer Drive, Coral Gables. Faculty members who participate in commencement are invited to attend the Dean’s Graduation Brunch, hosted by Dean Clarkson, at 11:30 a.m. in the Hurricane 100 Room located in the Convocation Center. Special faculty awards will be presented again this year. Please remember to fill out your regalia forms and return them to the Office of Community Relations by Friday. For more information, contact Community Relations at 305-243-3453.
APRIL MEDITATION CLASSES
School of Medicine, Department of Wellness, will be offering free meditation classes on Friday, April 1 and 22, and May 13, 20 and 27, from 1 to 1:40 p.m. in the Dominion Tower 10th Floor Conference Room. For more information, please call 305-243-3209.
CHILD CAR SEAT INSTALLATION CHECK
Did you know that most child car seats are not installed correctly? To ensure that your child car seat is installed correctly, a certified child passenger safety technician will be available on the following Wednesdays: April 6 and 20; May 4, 11 and 25; and June 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 in front of the Mailman Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The service is available to everyone who transports children under the age of 12 in their vehicle. For more information, e-mail gstepanian@um-jmh.org, or call 305-243-3928 to set up an appointment. Priority will be given to those with appointments. The Injury Free Coalition for Kids is a division of Holtz Children's Hospital/ Miller School of Medicine.
10TH ANNUAL CANCER SURVIVORS' DAY
The courage and determination of cancer survivors is an inspiration to all. UM/Sylvester will honor cancer survivors who are living with and beyond cancer and will also recognize those professionals who are helping to fight the battle against cancer at the 10th Annual Cancer Survivors' Day, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at CB Smith Park in Pembroke Pines, 900 North Flamingo Road. Over 400 guests will join in this fun-filled event, themed "Live, Laugh, and Love.” If you are or were a UM/Sylvester patient, parent of a Jackson pediatric oncology patient, or a Bascom Palmer Eye Institute patient, please call 800-545-2292 or 305-243-1000 to register for Survivors' Day. You must be registered to attend. If you are interested in volunteering at this year's event, please call Carthy Thomas, at 305-243-4071, or e-mail at cthomas2@med.miami.edu.
GAIL F. BEACH MEMORIAL 2004-2005 VISITING LECTURESHIP SERIES
J.H. Pate Skene, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Neurobiology at Duke University, will present "Activating a Genetic Program for Axon Regeneration," on Wednesday, April 6, at noon in the Lois Pope LIFE Center seventh floor auditorium. For more information, call 305-243-7108 or go to: http://www.miamiproject.med.miami.edu/x381.xml.
PLASTIC SURGERY OPEN HOUSE
Seth R. Thaller, M.D., professor and chief of the Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, will provide complimentary cosmetic consultations at the department’s Open House on Friday, April 8, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., Jackson South Medical Plaza, suite 260. For more information, please call 305-256-5057.
ANNUAL BIOETHICS CONFERENCE
The University’s 13th annual spring bioethics conference is scheduled for April 8 at the Wyndham Miami Beach Resort. The program, "Clinical Ethics: Debates, Decisions, Solutions," in conjunction with the Florida Bioethics Network, is in special collaboration with Florida Atlantic University, Nova Southeastern University, Barry University and The Children's Trust. The program is approved for continuing education credits for nurses, physicians, social workers, psychologists, guardians and lawyers. UM faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission but must pre-register.
For a program and registration form, please visit http://www.ethics.miami.edu/ and follow links to the clinical ethics conference. Please print, complete and return the form. For more information, e-mail ethics@miami.edu.
NEUROSCIENCE CENTER SEMINAR SERIES
Doron Lancet, Ph.D. will present "Human Olfaction: From Molecular Recognition to Genomic Diversity," on Tuesday, April 12, at 1 p.m. in the Lois Pope LIFE Center seventh floor auditorium. Dr. Lancet is The Ralph D. and Lois R. Silver Chair of Human Genomics and the head of the Crown Human Genome Center in the Department of Molecular Genetics at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. This lecture series is sponsored by the Neuroscience Center, the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine and the Office of the Provost. An informal reception will be held at 5 p.m. For more information, call 305-243-6793.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Are Your Children Safe? What Every Parent Should Know
Children are the most vulnerable segment of the population, and the most victimized. Child sexual exploitation is one of the most unrecognized and underreported crimes in our society. Statistics indicate that 1 in 5 females and 1 in 10 males is sexually exploited, yet only 35% of incidents are reported to authorities. Child abduction is another form of child exploitation. Usually, in a one-year period, 800,000 children are missing, abducted, run away or are kicked out of their homes. Because children are inherently vulnerable, keeping children safe is a fundamental responsibility of parents. This seminar, presented Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. in the Medical Campus Professional Development & Training Office, 155 Dominion Parking Garage, will provide parents the tools they need to reduce their children’s risk of being abducted and sexually exploited.
Time Management
The EAP is pleased to bring you a lunchtime seminar on time management. Participants will be able to review time management strategies to help manage their workload, understand the importance of keeping a healthy work/life balance, and clarify values and prioritize time in order to reach personal and professional goals. The seminar will take place on Friday from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Medical Campus Professional Development & Training Office, 155 Dominion Parking Garage.
To enroll in any of these courses, go to http://netlearning.miami.edu. If you have any questions about the online registration system, please call 305-243-3090. For questions about content, call the EAP at 305- 284-6604. Supervisors are encouraged to post this notice for employees who do not have electronic access.
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, FLORIDA DIVISION
2005 SUMMER RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
American Cancer Society, Florida Division, is inviting applications
from qualified medical or undergraduate students, who are residents of Florida or attend a degree-granting Florida institution full-time, to work in a UM/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center laboratory from June 1 to August 31, 2005. Eligible applicants must have completed their sophomore year of college by June 1. Awardees cannot be otherwise employed by the University of Miami during this summer fellowship, and students must identify a sponsor and work on a cancer-related project in the research laboratory of a UM/Sylvester investigator. For more information and an application, please contact Kathy Salce at ksalce@med.miami.edu, phone: 305-243-2287. Applications are due by this Friday. A total of six fellowships are available at $2,500 each for the three-month period.
AIG VALIC PRESENTS “RETIREMENT STRATEGIES IN A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT”
This seminar focuses on the challenges of retiring today, understanding retirement income sources and expenses, Social Security, healthcare and inflation. It takes place from noon to 1:15 p.m. in the Medical Campus Professional Development & Training Office, 155 Dominion Parking Garage, on Friday, April 15. Bring your lunch. To register, call 305-284-5110.
TIAA-CREF VISITS THE MEDICAL CAMPUS
A representative from TIAA-CREF will be on the medical campus on April 5 and 6, May 11, and June 8 in the Human Resources Benefits Office, 901 NW 17th St., suite D, to conduct individual counseling sessions. To schedule an appointment, go to http://www.tiaa-cref.org/moc, or call toll-free 1-800-842-2003 ext. 3522.
SPYWARE
Spyware is a general term used for software that performs certain tasks on your computer, typically without your consent. This may include giving you advertising (called adware) or software that tracks personal or sensitive information. Spyware will make changes to your computer that can be annoying and can cause it to slow down or crash. These programs have the ability to change your Web browser's home and search page by adding components you may not want or need, while making it difficult for you to re-establish your settings. In order to prevent spyware intrusion, end-users need to be very cautious when installing programs onto their computers; avoid installing freeware programs unless they are from a trusted source, and must make sure to read all license agreements prior to software installation. For more information, please contact Medical Information Technology at 305-243-5999 or write to us at help@med.miami.edu.
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS AVAILABLE TO ANSWER FINANCIAL QUESTIONS
A representative from Fidelity Investments will be on the medical campus on March 31, April 20, May 19, and June 29, in the Human Resources Benefits Office, 901 NW 17th St., suite D, to conduct individual counseling sessions. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-642-7131.
QUESTIONS ABOUT COMPLIANCE?
TWO UM HELPLINES CAN ASSIST YOU
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, anonymous compliance hotline at 866-YOURCALL. Billing concerns? Address questions to the Office of Billing Compliance at 305-243-HELP or 877-415-HELP. For information regarding training programs offered by the Office of Billing Compliance, contact Gemma Romillo or Nancy Rivero at 305-243-5842.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
2005 UM/SYLVESTER CANCER CENTER DEVELOPMENTAL RESEARCH GRANTS
UM/Sylvester Cancer Center will be accepting applications for developmental cancer research grants and support for pilot projects in cancer research. UM/Sylvester will consider applications in all cancer research areas from all faculty at the University of Miami. Awards will be made for a period of up to one year for a maximum of $50,000 each. Applications are available from the UM/Sylvester Office of Research Administration, Fox Building, room 403, or via e-mail (dmills@med.miami.edu). Deadline for receipt of applications is April 15. For more information, please call 305-243-6292.
SPONSORED PROGRAMS ROUNDTABLE SERIES
The goal of this monthly one-hour roundtable discussion group is to provide a forum for administrators/staff to discuss topics of interest related to sponsored programs with their colleagues. Presenters deliver a 20-minute talk followed by discussion and/or questions. Topics are announced in advance and registration is required because of space limitations. On Thursday, April 21, Tom Gill, director, research administration, will discuss “Completing the Proposal Transmittal Form… It’s Not As Easy As You Think.” Gill will talk about why the proposal transmittal form is a necessary part of the grant/contract submission process as well as address what the many fields mean and why they need to be completed. This presentation will take place at noon in the Batchelor Building, first floor conference room.
To Register:
1) Logon to NetLearning using your UM ID # (C-Number) at https://netlearning.miami.edu.
2) Search for class by changing the dates at the top to reflect classes offered in March.
3) Scroll to locate the April 21 class and click on Enroll located on the left.
For more information about this, please e-mail Maria Valero-Martinez at mvalero@med.miami.edu.
ZUBROD MEMORIAL LECTURE
2005 UM/SYLVESTER CANCER RESEARCH POSTER SESSION/COMPETITION
The annual Zubrod Memorial Lecture will be held on Thursday, May 19. The event, hosted by the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, will include the Zubrod Memorial Lecture and the 2005 UM/Sylvester Cancer Research Poster Session/Competition, as well as the announcement of the winner of the Sylvester Award for Outstanding Cancer Research for 2005. The poster session for cancer research projects will take place at the Jackson Health System Diagnostic Treatment Center, second floor, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 19.
Rainer F. Storb, M.D., is the 2005 Zubrod Distinguished Guest Lecturer. He will present a lecture on “Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation 1965-2005: Advancing Knowledge, Saving Lives,” from noon to 1 p.m. at DTC, second floor. Dr. Storb is program head of transplantation biology at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle.
The deadline for submission of poster abstracts is Friday, April 29. You are encouraged to submit early, due to limited space and the overwhelming response from participants last year. Please submit all abstracts to Kathy Salce, ksalce@med.miami.edu, or call 305-243-2287 with questions.
HURRICANE SOCCER HOSTS 1ST ANNUAL “KICKS AGAINST BREAST CANCER” TOURNAMENT
In an effort to raise money for cancer research, the UM women’s soccer team will host the first annual “Kicks Against Breast Cancer” tournament on Saturday, April 16, at the Sunrise Hilton. The five-team tournament featuring Miami, LSU, Marquette, Florida Atlantic and the Carmel United club team from Indiana, will showcase six games at the soccer fields adjacent to the Sunrise Hilton. Prior to the tournament, the Claudia Mayer Memorial Banquet featuring keynote speaker Jill Ellis, head UCLA women’s soccer coach, will be held at the Sunrise Hilton on Friday at 6 p.m. Tickets for the banquet and tournament are available to the public for $50 and $10, respectively. For ticket information and sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Hurricane Soccer Office at 305-284-3640.
COMPUTER HARDWARE REQUESTS DUE TO MEDICAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BY MAY 2
May 2 is the cutoff date for information technology hardware/product purchases through the department of Medical IT. This will ensure that all requests are processed, invoiced and billed in a timely manner prior to the end of fiscal year 2005. Every effort will be made to acquire all requested products and process the associated IDRs before May 31. For more information, contact Medical IT at 305-243-6024.
HUMAN SUBJECT RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
Dr. Jorge Armenteros, in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, is taking part in an international clinical research program to investigate the efficacy and safety of risperidone in adolescents with schizophrenia. Risperidone has already proven effective and relatively well tolerated for treating adults with schizophrenia, but there are very few studies of risperidone or other atypical antipsychotics in adolescents. Patients must be between 13 and 17 years of age, otherwise physically healthy, and diagnosed with schizophrenia. For further information about the trial, please contact Dr. Jorge Armenteros at 305-355-7106, or Marisabel Davalos, M.S.Ed,, at 305-355-7273.
The Department of Psychology, Behavioral Medicine Research Center, is recruiting
participants for several studies investigating the impact of psychological factors
such as stress on quality of life and disease progression in several older adult
(> 50 yrs. old) populations. The studies are actively recruiting men and women recently
diagnosed with head and neck cancer, HIV-positive men, and men treated for advanced
prostate cancer. For more information about these studies, please call Dr. Frank Penedo
at 305-575-7122.
The Center for Family Studies, Healthy Families Program, is recruiting HIV-positive women over the age of 18 with a recent history of substance abuse treatment. Women who participate in the study should also be willing to have at least one family member participate in their treatment. The Healthy Families program is a family therapy based intervention for HIV-positive women addressing issues such as HIV risk behavior, drug abuse relapse and HIV medication adherence. Participants will be assigned to either the family therapy based intervention or a women's HIV education group, which will take place over four months. Participants will be interviewed at baseline and then at two month intervals over the course of the 12-month study. Interested women should contact the Healthy Families Program office at 305-243-8149, or via e-mail at ralvarez4@med.miami.edu.
Sara Czaja, Ph.D., is leading a study of spinal cord injury in an aging
population focusing on helping improve the quality of life of the patients
and their caregivers. As Americans live longer, more people are aging with
spinal cord injuries than ever before, presenting new challenges. This
NIH-funded study will examine the value of a home-based program that combines
psychological and social intervention, using technology to help patients
who have difficulty with mobility. For more information about the study,
please call 305-355-9200.
The HPV vaccine has been developed with the goal of decreasing HPV infection
and the persistence of HPV risk types responsible for cervical cancer. We are
looking for healthy women between the ages of 15 to 25 who have not had prior
abnormal pap smears, are not pregnant, are willing to receive the study vaccine,
and are able to commit to a four- year follow up period. For more information,
call Iliana Rivas at 305-243-5832.
The SPARE Study (Soy Phytoestrogens As Replacement Estrogen) is currently
recruiting women between 45-58 years of age to study the role of soy phytoestrogens
given in tablet form to prevent bone loss. Participants will be given a
physical exam at study entry, an annual mammogram and bone density test,
and will be asked to come for 10 study visits over a period of two years
for blood tests and to complete questionnaires about diet, exercise, and
well-being. Interested women should contact the SPARE Study Office at 305-243-4330
or via e-mail at aherrin@med.miami.edu.
The UM Skin Research Group directed by Brian Berman, M.D., Ph.D., professor of dermatology and internal medicine, is conducting several research studies on keloids and chronic idiopathic urticaria. If you are interested in participating please contact us at 305-243-5519 or visit our website at www.skininvestigation.com.
Researchers at the MRI Center need healthy subjects for a magnetic resonance imaging study. For more information please visit
http://midas.med.miami.edu/Research/MRStudies.htm.
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