--Dean Clarkson Represents AAMC in Washington to Testify on VA Affiliation
--Representatives from Benefits Office Hold Town Hall Meeting for Employees
--Project SHARE Welcomes UConn Professor to Discuss HIV/AIDS Interventions
--Drug Abuse and AIDS Research Center Calls for Research Award Proposals
--Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy Introduces New Web Site
--UM/Jackson Employees Save Big at Bascom Palmer’s Contact Lens Clinic
--Medical Campus Yoga Classes Offer Escape from Workday Stress
--Enjoy Special Offers on Reserved Seats in New Home for Canes Basketball
--Upcoming Calendar Events

DEAN CLARKSON TRAVELS TO WASHINGTON
TO DISCUSS MEDICAL SCHOOL/VA CONNECTION
The President’s Task Force to Improve Health Care Delivery for Our Nation’s Veterans welcomed John G. Clarkson, senior vice president and dean of the School of Medicine, last week in Washington, D.C. Dean Clarkson testified on behalf of the Association of American Medical Colleges regarding the importance of continued affiliations between medical schools and Veterans’ Affairs medical centers throughout the country. You can review the dean’s full testimony at the AAMC Web site when you visit http://www.aamc.org/advocacy/library/washhigh/2002/091302/_1.htm.

TOWN HALL MEETINGS TO ADDRESS
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS QUESTIONS
The Office of Benefits Administration will address your concerns and answer questions regarding changes to University benefits for the upcoming Open Enrollment period. These Town Hall meetings will be held September 18, noon to 2 p.m.; September 19, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.; and September 20, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. All meetings will be held at the Mailman Center, eighth floor auditorium.

UM RESEARCH CENTER WORKS TO "SHARE"
KNOWLEDGE WITH HEALTH CARE COMMUNITY
The UM Drug Abuse and AIDS Research Center and the Miami-Dade County Health Department, Office of HIV/AIDS, have joined forces to bring research innovations to community providers through a campaign called Project SHARE -- Sharing HIV/AIDS Research Efforts. This bimonthly seminar series brings HIV intervention programs to public health clinics, grassroots providers, and social service agencies. An expert panel will discuss how these interventions can be adopted in South Florida. The next speaker in the series is Seth Kalichman, Ph.D., professor of psychology at the University of Connecticut. The seminar will be held September 26, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Founders’ Hall (former location of the Faculty Club) on the Coral Gables campus. Space is limited. Call Laurel Hall at 305-243-6405 to reserve a space and to inquire about details on future installments.

FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR FACULTY INITIATING
RESEARCH ON DRUG ABUSE AND HIV/AIDS
The Drug Abuse and AIDS Research Center of the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health is accepting applications for developmental awards to support new investigator research on drug abuse and HIV/AIDS. Funds will be provided for up to 12 consecutive months of research. These grants aim to support efforts that will lead to National Institutes of Health funding of new research grants. Full-time regular, research, and clinical faculty members who are initiating research in drug abuse and AIDS and have not previously received RO1 or equivalent awards in the field are eligible to apply. Four or five projects will be awarded funding, with a maximum award of $25,000 for an individual project. Applications should be submitted to Kathleen Keck, Highland Professional Building, third floor, locator code D-93, or by e-mail to kkeck@med.miami.edu before 4 p.m. on October 31. For questions and application procedures, contact Kathleen Keck at 305-243-3474 or via e-mail.

CELL BIOLOGY AND ANATOMY PRESENTS
NEW LOOK FOR DEPARTMENT WEB SITE
Go on-line to view a new web site for the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, created by the Office of Graduate Studies. Faculty research, admissions information, and more are accessible when you visit http://chroma.med.miami.edu/cellbio/index.html.

HALF-OFF ON EXAMS, LENSES, AND CARE
PRODUCTS AT BASCOM PALMER CLINIC
UM/Jackson employees receive a 50 percent discount at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute’s Hospital Contact Lens Service, good on professional fees and a wide array of lenses and related products. Family members also can take advantage of the savings. To make an appointment, call 305-326-3095.

STRETCH YOUR MIND AND YOUR
BODY AT DAILY YOGA SESSIONS
Relieve stress or simply improve your posture with yoga classes offered on the medical campus. Classes are held daily and last about 45 minutes. They are held at the Ortho-Rehab Building, third floor conference room, 1 p.m., on Mondays and Tuesdays; at the Mailman Center, room 7046, 1 p.m., Wednesday through Friday; and at the Winn Dixie Hope Lodge, 5:15 p.m., any evening other than Wednesday by appointment. The fee for one class is $11, but you can save when you buy a pass for multiple classes. A pass for 10 classes is $60, 15 classes for $82.50, or 20 classes for $100. All proceeds benefit the United Way. For more information or to register, e-mail vrobles@med.miami.edu or call Sue Radcliffe at 305-243-3663.

RESERVE YOUR SEATS TODAY IN NEW
HOME FOR HURRICANES BASKETBALL
The new Convocation Center will provide a true home court advantage for men's and women's basketball, and University of Miami employees and staff can purchase seats for all of the action. Two special sections have been discounted by 50 percent for UM employees. To purchase your seats today, call Dick Sapara at 305-284-4475 or e-mail rsapara@miami.edu. Special seating is limited, so act now. To view the seats in the Convocation Center log on to http://hurricanesports.ocsn.com/ot/convocation-flash.html

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!

HURRICANES FOOTBALL EMPLOYEE DAY
TICKETS ON SALE AT MEDICAL CAMPUS
Reserve your seat now to be on hand as your national football champion Hurricanes take on Big East rival Boston College for this year’s Employee Day match-up at the Orange Bowl on September 21. One ticket is free to all UM employees, and you can purchase up to four additional tickets for just $1 each. Ticket representatives will be on the medical campus in front of Au Bon Pain from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on September 17 – 19. Dress for success and pick up your Canes gear at the Gables campus bookstore or on-line at http://www.hurricanesports.com. Call 1-800-GO-CANES for further ticket information.

FINANCIAL SEMINARS OFFER OPTIONS AND
STRATEGIES FOR RETIREMENT PLANNING
TIAA-CREF will conduct seminars on the medical campus in coming weeks to educate employees on investments and financial planning. “Understanding Investments” will be held September 17, 10 to 11:30 a.m., in the Dominion Parking Garage, Suite 155. This course will discuss basic investment concepts and methods. A second presentation will be held at 2 to 3:30 p.m. for your convenience. Representatives will return to the medical school to offer “Retirement Distribution Flexibilities,” on October 2, same times and location, to address security and income options to consider when you retire. This course is appropriate for those within 15 to 20 years of retirement. To register for either seminar, call 305-284-5110 or visit http://www.miami.edu/development-training.

CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSE ON
PHYSICAL THERAPY PRESENTED BY MAGEC
The Miami Area Geriatric Education Center (MAGEC) offers a course on physical therapy for health professionals to earn continuing education credits. Remaining sessions of the course will be held September 20 and 27. A second course will address podiatric medicine. Remaining sessions for this class are scheduled for October 2, November 7, and December 7. For time and location information and registration fees, call MAGEC at 305-243-6270 or visit http://www.miami.edu/magec.

JUMP, SET, SPIKE! CANES FACE OFF
AGAINST FIU AT HOME GAME THIS FRIDAY
Cheer on Canes volleyball as the team returns home September 20 to take on Florida Atlantic University at 7 p.m. in the Knight Sports Complex. For tickets or information, call 800-GO-CANES.

FIRST ANNUAL UMSM GOLF TOURNAMENT
TO BENEFIT MEDICAL STUDENT ACTIVITIES
School of Medicine students invite you to the first annual UMSM Golf Tournament, September 21, at the Doral Resort and Spa, to benefit the student body. Proceeds will support initiatives such as International Medicine Experiences, sending students and physicians to third-world countries to provide care; the student-run “DOCS” clinic for Miami residents without access to healthcare; and the Class of 2003 graduation ceremony. Participants will receive breakfast and lunch, entries to contests and an 18-hole tournament, open bar, complimentary gifts, and more. Take a shot at the par 3 hole, where the first hole-in-one will win a new car or car lease. A “million dollar hole-in-one contest” will offer a trip to Las Vegas to shoot for $1 million. For more information, to register, or if you are unable to attend and would like to make a donation, contact Michael Rodriguez, student government president, at 786-423-9798 or umsmgolf@yahoo.com.

EDUCATE YOURSELF AND YOUR PATIENTS
ON COMBINING HERBS WITH MEDICATION
With the rising prevalence of patients using herbal supplements, responsibility falls to their physicians to offer expertise and guidance on safely using these products and avoiding adverse reactions when they are taken along with medications. Registration is now being accepted for “Medications and Herbal Supplements: Dangerous Liaisons?” a seminar presented by the Division of Complementary Medicine, October 5, 8:30 a.m. at the Sieron Building on the medical campus. Participants will learn the effects of over-the-counter supplements taken in combination with specific medications. Tuition remission is available on a limited basis, and six hours of CME credit have been approved. For more information, call 305-243-4751.