e-Update
January 8, 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
--Florida Keys Health Fair Lets Students Reach Out to UM's Southern Neighbors
--Lung Transplants May Offer New Lease on Life to Cystic Fibrosis Patients
--Disbursements Office Increases Mileage and Relocation Reimbursement Rates
--Join Weight Watchers on Medical Campus and Shed Unwanted Holiday Pounds
--Resolve to Quit Smoking with Wellness Department's Smoking Cessation Program
--UM Employees Pay Half-Price for Services and Products at Contact Lens Clinic
--Upcoming Calendar Events
STUDENTS COMBINE QUALITY
PATIENT CARE AND COMMUNITY SERVICE AT 31st ANNUAL FLORIDA KEYS HEALTH
FAIR
-- VOLUNTEERS WELCOME
UM medical students bring goodwill and good health to the Florida Keys on January 27, when they present the annual Florida Keys Health Fair. This event provides a number of free medical services to Keys residents, many of whom live in rural areas and count on the Health Fair for their only access to health care each year. Services at no cost include full physical examinations, blood tests for cholesterol, dermatologic and mental health screenings, and pediatric evaluations, among others. Standard blood testing costs $15 and prostate screening costs $5. Optional pre-registration will be held January 13 at Big Pine Senior Center, Big Pine Key; Key West High School, Key West; and Marathon High School, Marathon. Services for adult health care will be held at the high schools on the day of the fair and also at Big Pine Methodist/Big Pine Baptist Churches in Big Pine Key. Children's clinics will be located at the high schools as well, in addition to a facility at Roosevelt Sands Clinic in Key West. You can lend a hand, too! Students are looking for faculty physicians, residents, nurses, or PAs to join them in the Keys as volunteers. Those interested should call the Florida Keys Health Fair office at 305-243-6533.
NEW LUNGS BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO UM CYSTIC FIBROSIS PATIENTS, SAYS HERALD
Thanks to lung transplants last summer, Scott Bass and Michael Horgan have a new weapon in their arsenals to fight lifelong battles with cystic fibrosis. "The Long Road Back from Cystic Fibrosis," a recent Miami Herald article, chronicles the ups and downs of living with the disease through the experiences of Bass and Horgan. Both men have been treated at UM's Cystic Fibrosis Center since childhood. Si Pham, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Surgery and director of CardioPulmonary Transplantation, is quoted in the article, which you can view on-line at http://www.newslibrary.com/nldownload.asp?DBLIST=mh00&DOCNUM=82463&TERMV=36626:2:36628:1:36630:4:.
AUTOMOBILE TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT
RATES INCREASE IN THE NEW YEAR
The mileage reimbursement rate for automobile business travel has increased to 34¢, and applies to driving done after January 1, 2001. The rate for miles driven as part of relocation expenses incurred after January 1, 2001, also increased to 12¢ per mile. Mileage reimbursement requests should be submitted on the Business Expense Reimbursement Form (BERF) using object code 3611. Call the Disbursements Office at 305-284-2287 with any questions.
HOLIDAY CALORIES WEIGHING YOU
DOWN? WEIGHT WATCHERS CAN HELP
Season's greetings often turn into season's eatings, so what better time than now to join Weight Watchers? The group meets from noon to 1 p.m. each Tuesday on the medical campus, ACC, Room 12. If you have any questions or would like to participate, call Frances Kaniewski at 305-243-1052.
"KICK THE HABIT" FOR THE
NEW YEAR AND QUIT SMOKING
Did you know that the average pack-a-day smoker spends $1,095 each year on cigarettes? Save your money and your health by participating in the Smoking Cessation Program, presented by the Department of Wellness and Recreation. Anyone can participate, including friends and family of UM employees. Classes begin January 31, so reserve your space and call 305-243-3209 to register.
EYE INSTITUTE OFFERS DISCOUNTED
SERVICES FOR UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEES
The Hospital Contact Lens Service at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute is offering a permanent discount to UM faculty, staff, students, family members, and dependents. The discount covers contact lenses and services and is 50 percent less than private patients would be required to pay. All patients seen through this offer will be treated during private clinic hours by the chief of the Contact Lens Service. For appointments, call 305-326-6095. Most contact lens prescriptions are filled the same or next day. Also offered: bifocal, astigmatic, disposable, and color lenses, and the clinic specializes in difficult-to-fit cases. Bausch and Lomb two-week disposable soft lenses are now $15 a box or just $13 a box when you buy a one-year supply of eight boxes. Upon request, mailing service and videography of your fitting can be provided, as well as artificial eyes and prosthetic shells for those in need.
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!
GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE AT MEDICAL
CAMPUS BLOOD DRIVE THIS WEEK
Help save a life this week by donating blood at the School of Medicine's January blood drive. Donation stations will be set up January 9 in the Student Lounge, RMSB, second floor; as well as outside the Retter Auditorium in Bascom Palmer. Sylvester's courtyard and the Mailman Center courtyard will host the blood drive on January 10.
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS ON-HAND
TO HELP YOU WITH MONEY MATTERS
Jason Friday, a representative from Fidelity Investments, will be at the Office of Professional Development and Training, Dominion Parking Garage, Suite 155, to conduct individual financial counseling sessions on January 9. He will address your questions and also discuss retirement planning. To schedule an appointment, call 800-642-7131.
LEARN TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR
TEENAGER IN EIGHT-WEEK SESSION
Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (S.T.E.P.) is an eight week course, presented by Professional Development, that teaches a realistic and practical approach to parenting. The upcoming session begins January 9, noon to 1 p.m., and focuses on the challenges of raising teenagers. Classes will continue on consecutive Tuesdays through February 27 and will be held in the Dominion Parking Garage, Suite 155.
MAGEC PRESENTS NURSING
COURSE ON GERIATRIC MEDICINE
The Miami Geriatric Education Center offers part B of Intensive Geriatric Training 2000 on January 11 and 18, as well as February 2. This course is geared toward nurses and will provide 20 continuing education credits. The cost is $125, but group rates are available, and UM and Jackson employees will receive reduced prices. For more information or to register, call 305-243-6270.
BECOME A BETTER LISTENER AT
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE CLASS
The Employee Assistance Program presents "Listening: The Active Ingredient," January 16, 2 to 4 p.m., in the Dominion Parking Garage, Suite 155. This interactive class will teach you how to practice active listening skills for better communication. To register, call the Office of Professional Development and Training at 305-243-3090.
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.
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.
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