e-Update
March 13, 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.
THIS WEEK'S NEWS
--Children's Cancer Research Funded by Sylvester Foundation
--CTRADA Begins Study of Group Therapy vs. Family Therapy
--Eastern-Atlantic Student Research Forum Highlights
--UM Physicians Offer Expert Opinions Online
--NBC 6 Colon Cancer Series Features UM Doctor
--Family Medicine Clinic Now on Medical Campus
--What's Your Opinion on Services to Culturally Diverse Patients?
--Upcoming Calendar Events
SYLVESTER FOUNDATION DONATES FUNDS FOR PEDIATRIC CANCER RESEARCH
The Harcourt M. and Virginia W. Sylvester Foundation, Inc. has committed $5 million to the School of Medicine to fund the Sylvester Family Children's Cancer Research Center. The center primarily will be dedicated to pediatric cancer research and housed at UM's newest research building, the Batchelor Children's Center - Comprehensive Research Institute. Construction on the building is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2001.
DRUG RESEARCH CENTER TO STUDY EFFECTIVENESS OF GROUP THERAPY
The Center for Treatment Research on Adolescent Drug Abuse (CTRADA) of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences recently received funding from the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) to study the effectiveness of family therapy versus group therapy for juveniles addicted to drugs. CTRADA will collaborate with The Village, a local substance abuse treatment facility, to investigate differences in treatment outcomes. For more information about CTRADA studies, visit http://www.med.miami.edu/ctrada/ctrada.htm.
STUDENT FORUM DISCUSSES WIDE RANGE OF MEDICAL TRENDS
The 26th Annual Eastern-Atlantic Student Research Forum of the School of Medicine was held February 23 - 26. The focus of this year's conference was "Diet and Cancer," with subtopics ranging from research ethics to the physician-scientist. W. Jarrard Goodwin, M.D., director of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and professor in the Department of Otolaryngology, delivered the opening address to over 90 attendees, emphasizing the importance of both clinical and basic science research in medicine. The forum's keynote speaker was William G. Nelson, M.D., associate professor of medicine, urology, oncology, and pharmacology at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. For more information on the forum, call 305-287-9596 or visit http://spider.med.miami.edu/esrf.
GO ONLINE FOR UMSM DOCTORS' COMMENTS ON NATIONAL NEWS
Alan Delamater, Ph.D., professor and director of the Division of Psychology in the Department of Pediatrics, was recently interviewed on National Public Radio's "Morning Edition" about children and their understanding of life, death, and morality, with regards to the Elian Gonzalez case and the recent classroom shooting in Michigan. Portions of Dr. Delamater's interview can be heard on the web at www.npr.org. Click on the "Morning Edition" archives for March 3. Keyvan Nouri, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, also is quoted online at www.healthscout.com. Dr. Nouri provided comments for an article about vitamins and their effect on sun sensitivity, entitled "Can Vitamins Double as Sunblock?"
CHIEF OF COLON AND RECTAL SURGERY FEATURED IN NBC CHANNEL 6 NEWS SERIES
Michael Hellinger, M.D., assistant professor and chief of the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery in the Department of Surgery, was featured in a medical news series on WTVJ/NBC Channel 6, which aired March 6 - 8. The topic was colon cancer, including information on early detection, prevention, and treatment. The news series ran in support of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
FAMILY MEDICINE OPENS NEW PATIENT CARE FACILITY ON MEDICAL CAMPUS
The Department of Family Medicine & Community Health recently opened its faculty practice in Park Plaza West, Suite G-101. This primary care office serves patients of all ages and will be open Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 305-243-7429.
MEDICAL CENTER UPDATE WANTS YOUR OPINION ON HOW TO BETTER SERVE INTERNATIONAL PATIENTS
"Word on the Street," a new department in the campus newsletter,
Medical Center Update, features opinions from faculty and staff on issues affecting
the School of Medicine. We want your answers to next month's question: What
can faculty and staff do to better meet the needs of South Florida's culturally
diverse community? Answers can include services your department currently provides
or suggestions for the future. Please submit your comments to update@med.miami.edu,
and encourage your colleagues to do the same. Make your voice heard at the medical
center!
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!
VA MEDICAL CENTER LECTURE TO ADDRESS CIVIL WAR AND SLAVERY
The Miami Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center will present a Civil War Lecture, entitled "Lincoln and Slavery," March 14 at 10 a.m. in the VA Medical Center Auditorium. Michael Mintzer, M.D., chief of staff of the VA, will give the presentation, which is open to all UM and VA staff.
CARDIOVASCULAR CENTER TO OFFER FREE CHOLESTEROL SCREENINGS
The Cardiovascular Center will sponsor free cholesterol screenings March 14 - 15 at the Wal-Mart located at 2551 E. Hallandale Beach Blvd. in Hallandale. Free screenings also will be offered March 17 - 18 at the Wal-Mart located at 8651 NW 13th Terrace in Miami. Both events will run from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. UM Cardiovascular Center representatives will be on hand to answer questions and provide information on cholesterol and heart disease. No reservations are required for this free service. For more information, call 305-243-2222.
JOIN FELLOW EMPLOYEES AT ANNUAL UNIVERSITY PICNIC
The UM Annual Employee Family Day Picnic will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 18 at the University Green near the Whitten University Center on the Coral Gables campus. Music, games, food, and contests are just some of the highlights. The swimming pool will be open as well. To compete in the departmental volleyball tournament, call Scott Siegel at 305-243-7669. Tickets to the picnic now are available at the Human Resources Office. For more information, call 305-284-4476.
FAMILY MEDICINE PRESENTS CME COURSE ON PRIMARY CARE
The Department of Family Medicine & Community Health, along with the Miami-Dade County Area Health Education Center (AHEC), will present the Second Annual Lynn P. Carmichael Family Medicine Update March 23 - 26 at the Omni Colonnade Hotel in Coral Gables. This year's conference will present "Principles and Business of Family Medicine Practice." For more information or to register, e-mail Dawn Caccioppo at dawnc@dcahec.org or visit http://www.familymed.miami.edu.
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