e-Update
January 17, 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
--UM President Grants Top Honor to Nathan Slewitt, Parkinson Foundation Chairman
--Greater Miami Chamber Wants to Know: Who's Your Health Care Hero?
--Flexible Spending Accounts Administration Now Handled by CoreSource
--Dependent Students with Tuition Remission Must Apply for Specific State Grant
--DoubleTree Grand Hotel in Miami Offers Special Rates for Medical Center Employees
--Upcoming Calendar Events
PARKINSON'S DISEASE PIONEER
NATHAN SLEWITT AWARDED PRESTIGIOUS HONOR FROM UM
The University of Miami Presidential Order of Merit, one of UM's highest honors, was presented to Nathan Slewitt at a ceremony, January 12. Slewitt serves as volunteer chairman of the board for the National Parkinson Foundation and was instrumental in forging the foundation's close relationship with the School of Medicine. His leadership of the institution has paved the way for neurological research advancements and helped scientists take steps closer to finding a cure for Parkinson's disease. You can read more about Slewitt and the Presidential Order of Merit in the upcoming February issue of Medical Center Update.
HONOR YOUR HEALTH CARE
HEROES WITH AWARD NOMINATION
The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications for the annual Health Care Heroes Awards. These honors recognize individuals, professionals, institutions, students, or volunteers who make a positive impact in the health care community through dedication above and beyond the norm. Last year, John Bowker, M.D., professor in the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation; Walter Lambert, M.D., associate professor and medical director of the Child Protection Team/Child Maltreatment Evaluation Program; and Lois Pope, founder and president of Leaders in Futhering Education, received Health Care Hero awards. You can call the Office of Medical Public Relations at 305-243-3249 for a nomination form. The deadline for submissions is February 26.
UM NAMES CORESOURCE AS
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS ADMINISTRATOR
UM has selected CoreSource
to administer Flexible Spending Medical and Dependent Care Accounts. The new forms
can be found online at http://www.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/1,1770,2340-1;2335-2,00.html.
Claim reimbursement forms for 2001 must be submitted for reimbursement to 6100
Fairview Road, Suite 1000, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28210. Forms also are available
at the Fax Warehouse, 305-284-1983, or Benefits Administration, 305-243-3788.
For questions on calendar year 2001 flexible spending accounts, contact CoreSource
at 1-800-327-5462, ext. 7494. Any claims incurred in calendar year 2000 must be
sent to the prior administrator, First Benefits, Inc., using their forms. All
claims for calendar year 2000 must be postmarked no later than March 31 to ensure
reimbursement.
DEPENDENTS USING TUITION
REMISSION MUST APPLY FOR RESIDENT ACCESS GRANT
All eligible dependents of faculty and staff who use the tuition remission benefit at the University of Miami must apply for the Boyd Florida Resident Access Grant (BFRAG). If the student already received a BFRAG for the academic year 2001-2002, a repeat application is not necessary. If a dependent qualifies for the BFRAG and does not apply as required, tuition remission will be reduced by the amount of the grant. The employee and dependent will then be responsible for the remaining tuition costs. To find out if you are eligible for the BFRAG, learn details, or obtain an application, contact the Financial Assistance Office at 305-284-5212.
UM EMPLOYEES CAN STAY AT
THE DOUBLETREE FOR A REDUCED PRICE
The Doubletree Grand Hotel Miami on Biscayne Bay is offering special discounts for School of Medicine faculty and staff. Rooms are available for only $129 per night through the end of March, and only $89 from April through the end of the year. For reservations, call 800-858-3920 and ask for the UM special rate.
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!
MEDICAL STUDENT CONVENTION TICKETS ON SALE THIS WEEK
Tickets for the 18th Annual Medical Student Convention will be on sale January 16-18 in the Student Lounge, second floor, RMSB. The seminar is scheduled for February 1, at the Hyatt Convention Center, and will feature discussions on trauma and critical care, the "abortion pill," religion in medicine, and more. Tickets are $10 and include workshops, breakfast, lunch, and a raffle entry. For more information, contact Ana Shaw at 305-856-4690 or Jason Taylor at 305-695-4999.
TIAA-CREF REPRESENTATIVE
WILL ADDRESS RETIREMENT PLANNING AND FINANCIAL WOES
Financial questions will be
the talk of the day January 18 and 19, when Frank del Busto, a representative
from TIAA-CREF, visits the School of Medicine. He will hold individual counseling
meetings in the Dominion Parking Garage, Suite 155. To schedule an appointment,
call Mike Odom at 800-842-2003, extension 3522, or visit http://www.tiaa-cref-org/moc.
EARN HEALTHCARE SERVICES
CERTIFICATION WITH CONTINUING STUDIES PROGRAM
Advanced training in health
care administration is now available from the School of Continuing Studies. Courses
beginning January 29 and running through late spring will provide participants
with a Certificate in Business in Healthcare Services. The first class, "Introduction
to Healthcare Administration," begins January 29, and will provide an overview
of the health services system, along with its historical evolution. Other courses
in the program will touch on healthcare law, human resources consideration, and
technology, among others. Courses are $375 each, but a 20 percent discount is
offered for UM employees. Faculty and staff also qualify for tuition remission
with a department head's approval. For more information or to register, call 305-649-6000
or e-mail koubek.cstudies@miami.edu.
LOOK GOOD, FEEL GOOD FOR
THE NEW YEAR WITH HEALTHY LIVING
Start the new year with a new, healthy lifestyle. Attend "Healthy Lifestyle: Feeling Good, Feeling Fit," a program presented by Professional Development and Training, designed to provide participants with information on a healthy lifestyle and how to adopt a personal plan toward healthier living. You'll learn basic wellness components, nutrition guidelines for maintaining proper weight, body fat and heart health, and the benefits of exercise, as well as how health risks such as tobacco, alcohol, and stress affect overall wellness. Each participant will receive a workbook to keep. The program is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., January 24, at the Max Orovitz Professional Development Training Room, Coral Gables campus. A healthy lunch will be provided. Registration is limited to 30 participants, so call 305-284-5110 today to register.
UPCOMING CME SEMINAR TO
DISCUSS ADVANCES IN NEUROLOGY
Register now for "Neurology Update 2001," a course designed to provide clinicians with the most recent developments in the diagnosis and management of neurologic disorders. The seminar will be held January 31 - February 3, at the Shelborne Beach Resort, Miami Beach. For questions or to register, call the Division of Continuing Medical Education at 305-243-6716.
BIOTECHNOLOGY WINTER SYMPOSIUM
NOW ACCEPTING EARLY REGISTRATIONS
Register now for the Miami Nature Biotechnology Winter Symposium, February 3 - 7, at the Radisson Deauville Hotel in Miami Beach. This year's conference will address "Cell Death and Aging," and will feature distiguished speakers, poster presentations, and vendor workshops. Registration is $300 for UM faculty. Waivers are available for graduate students, faculty and staff of the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the Miami Veterans Affairs Hospital. For more information, call Lillian Castro at 305-243-3597.
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