--Standards Outlined for Proper Quality Service in Calling Back UMMG Patients
--School of Medicine Research Center To Fund Projects on Drug Abuse and AIDS
--Comprehensive AIDS Program Calls for Applications to Ryan White Title I Funding
--Current University of Miami Medicine Alumni Magazine Now Available On-line
--Special Delivery from Merck ñMedco Helps You Save on Medication Costs
--Outpatient Diagnostic Services Conducted at Hospital Incur $50 Copayment
--Upcoming Calendar Events

UMMG CONTINUING E-UPDATE SERIES ADDRESSES
GUIDELINES FOR RETURNING PATIENT PHONE CALLS
Standards for customer service over the telephone continue this week with the following call back procedure guidelines from the University of Miami Medical Group: Staff taking telephone messages from patients will ask the patient for a mutually agreeable and convenient time frame. Staff also will ask for appropriate telephone numbers for a return call. Every attempt should be made to promptly return phone calls to patients. Return phone calls should be made by the requested physician or a nurse designee. For questions on physician compliance with these standards, contact Dr. Alan Livingstone at 305-585-1284. For staff compliance issues, contact Minor Anderson at 305-243-7100.

FUNDING AWARDS AVAILABLE FOR
RESEARCH ON DRUG ABUSE AND AIDS
The Drug Abuse and AIDS Research Center (DAARC) of the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health is accepting applications for developmental awards to support new investigator research on drug abuse and AIDS. Funds will be provided for up to 12 consecutive months of research. These grants aim to support the collaborative efforts within the University that will lead to National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding of new research grants. A condition of the awards will be a commitment to apply for an NIH research grant within one year of the end of the UM-funded project period. Full-time University of Miami 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 Sarah Messiah, Highland Professional Building, room 335, locator code D-93, or by e-mail to smessiah@med.miami.edu before 4 p.m. on May 1. Awards will be announced June 15. For questions and application procedures, contact Sarah Messiah at 305-243-3488 or via e-mail.

NEW RFP NOW AVAILABLE FOR AIDS CARE
FUNDING FROM RYAN WHITE TITLE I PROGRAM
The new Ryan White Title I RFP 357 is now available. This program is the largest source of funding for AIDS care in Miami-Dade County. If you would like to apply for funds and obtain a copy of the RFP, contact Ann D. Carter, director of administration for the Comprehensive AIDS Program, at 305-243-6535.

VISIT THE WEB FOR THE CURRENT ISSUE OF
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI MEDICINE MAGAZINE
Keep up with the latest advances at the School of Medicine when you go on-line to view University of Miami Medicine, the medical school's semiannual alumni magazine. The Winter 2002 issue is now posted on the Web at http://www.miami.edu/ummedicine-magazine/, featuring spotlights on the challenges of diagnosing elderly patients, research geared toward improving respiratory disorders in premature infants, the school's contributions to eliminating adolescent cigarette smoking, and more.

ORDER YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS THROUGH U.S.
MAIL AND SAVE ON HEALTH CARE EXPENSES
Don't let rising health care costs keep you from the best treatment and medication available. School of Medicine faculty and staff can save money through the Merck-Medco Mail Order Prescription benefit, available through United Healthcare. Used regularly for maintenance prescriptions, this benefit can help you save up to one-third of your standard out of pocket medication expenses. For important safety information regarding the Mail Order Prescription benefit visit http://www.miami.edu/benefits/pdf/merckmedco.html

BENEFITS EXPLAINS COPAYMENT FOR OUTPATIENT
DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC SERVICES
An outpatient diagnostic service refers to a test conducted when an individual is not admitted to a hospital for treatment. These tests can be rendered in hospitals or "free-standing" diagnostic facilities. Faculty and staff who prefer the hospital facility setting will incur a single $50 co-payment for the services. For more details on the 2002 $50 copayment for outpatient diagnostic services visit http://www.miami.edu/benefits/pdf/outpatient.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!

FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CONDUCTS INDIVIDUAL
SESSIONS TO ANSWER FINANCIAL QUESTIONS
A representative from Fidelity Investments will visit the medical center on April 16 to conduct individual financial counseling sessions and address your financial concerns. Appointments will be held at the Dominion Parking Garage, Suite 155. To schedule a session, call 800-642-7131.

DISCUSSION OF HUMAN TISSUES IN RESEARCH
MARKS LATEST INSTALLMENT OF ETHICS SERIES
The UM Ethics Programs continue the Dialogues in Research Ethics lecture series this week with "Banked Tissue Research," presented by Jeffrey Botkin, M.D., professor of pediatrics and medical ethics and adjunct professor of human genetics at the University of Utah. Current research on genetic and environmental disease factors has benefited from the value of more than 300 million human biological specimens that are held for research and clinical initiatives in the U.S. Dr. Botkin will discuss the emerging ethical, legal, and policy concerns regarding the use of these human tissues in research. The lecture will be held April 18, noon, in the Mailman Center, Room 4004A. Lunch will be provided. For more information, call the UM Ethics Programs at 305-243-5723 or e-mail ethics@miami.edu.

LEARN HOW WOMEN HAVE HELPED
SHAPE HISTORY AT LUNCHTIME LECTURE
The UM Women's Commission and the Institute for Women's Health invites you to a special presentation by Pam Deroian, Ph.D., assistant director of the University's Counseling Center and adjunct assistant professor of psychology and women's studies. Dr. Deroian will discuss why "Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History," highlighting women in historical moments and how the efforts of women's movements from the1920s through the 1990s have affected today's society. The lecture will be held April 19, noon, in the Lois Pope Life Center, seventh floor auditorium. A light lunch will follow. RSVP is required. Respond to womenshealth@med.miami.edu.

CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSE PREPARES YOU
FOR POTENTIAL THREAT OF NUCLEAR TERRORISM
The Department of Radiation Oncology presents "Nuclear Terrorism: Are you Ready?," a free conference for School of Medicine faculty, students, and residents. This continuing medical education activity will address the nature and potential danger of radiation contamination, presenting various scenarios for participants to manage. The course not only will familiarize attendees with standard handling procedures, but also will provide the knowledge required to make appropriate and impromptu decisions on-site. The conference will be held April 19 - 20, at the Miami Airport Marriott. AMA, AOA, and APA credit will be provided. For more information, contact the Division of Continuing Medical Education at 305-243-6716, email oreyes@med.miami.edu, or visit www.cme.med.miami.edu.

SHOW YOUR STAMINA
FOR BREAST CANCER RESEARCH
Challenge yourself and celebrate life April 19 - 21, at the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day walk from Boca Raton to Miami. While walking and camping for three days and two nights, participants will be raising dollars to fund access to care and find a cure for breast cancer, which is the mission of the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade. The park opens and registration begins on April 19 at 8 a.m., followed by an opening ceremony at 9 a.m. Walkers pay a $75 participation fee, while crew members, who eat and camp overnight with the walkers, pay $150. There is no cost to half- and full-day volunteers, whose help primarily is needed at the opening and closing ceremonies. If you want to join the UM/Sylvester team as a walker, or sponsor one of the walkers, call Susan Martin at 305-243-4909. If you are willing to serve as a crew member or volunteer, call Sue Radcliffe at 305-243-3663 for more details. UM/Sylvester will pay the fees for all crew members.

BALANCE YOUR WORKLOAD EFFICIENTLY
WITH EAP SEMINAR ON TIME MANAGEMENT
Do you have a hard time keeping up on the job? Does your inbox keep piling up with no end in sight? You could benefit from learning some time management skills. The Employee Assistance Program offers relief with "Time Management," April 22, 12:30 to 2 p.m., in the Dominion Parking Garage, Suite 155. Participants will learn how to use values in setting priorities, decision-making techniques, and how to use time to the best advantage. To register, call 305-284-6604.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HELPS YOU
GET READY TO CLOSE OUT THE FISCAL YEAR
Are you ready for year-end closing? The Office of Professional Development and Training presents "Year-End Survival Kit Training" to enhance your understanding of the University's year-end process. Obtain important information on year-end closing procedures, general deadlines, tools to reconcile your accounts, dates for subsystem deadlines, and year-end key contacts. The course will be held April 25, 9 a.m. to noon, in the Dominion Parking Garage, Suite 155. A second presentation of the course will be held April 30, same time and location. For more information or to register, call 305-243-3090, or visit www.miami.edu/development-training.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR GOLF CLASSIC
TO BENEFIT UM PEDIATRIC RESEARCH
The Department of Pediatrics will host the second annual Children's Million-Dollar Celebrity Golf Classic at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa, April 26 - 28. This tournament is geared toward business and professional leaders in the community to generate support for clinical and medical research programs housed in the School of Medicine's Batchelor Children's Research Institute. Hundreds of volunteers are needed for the event's Nike Golf Ball, a fashion show and related auctions, as well as for both days of the tournament. If you are interested in volunteering, contact the Department of Pediatrics Development Office at 305-243-3956 or e-mail Evntures@aol.com.

TEAM UM RECRUITS YOU TO JOIN PRESIDENT
SHALALA FOR THE 2002 CORPORATE WALK/RUN
Join Team UM for fitness and fun at the 18th annual Corporate Walk or Run. Mark your calendar and plan to attend this fun event on May 2, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Bayfront Park in downtown Miami. This is a great teambuilding opportunity for you and your co-workers as well as a chance to "rub elbows" with University President Donna E. Shalala. The department with the most participants (family and friends are welcome) will win a pizza party, compliments of Pizza Hut. The cost is $16 if registration is received on or before April 12. Your entry fee includes the race, two T-shirts, and a post-race party. All proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. If you have not received an application, logon to http://www.miami.edu/wellness or call 305-243-3209.