e-Update
February 1, 2005
Weekly News Briefs
e-Update is distributed
weekly to keep faculty and staff at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller 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
--University President Hosts Faculty Senate Meeting
--UM Donor Screens Documentary at International Film Festival
--Gail F. Beach Memorial 2004-2005 Visiting Lectureship Series
--EAP Investment Seminar
--Miami Nature Biotechnology Winter Symposium
--UM/Sylvester Conversations about Cancer Series Continues
--Celebration of Life Walkathon and Health Fair
--South Florida Environmental Ethics Conference
--Upcoming Calendar Events
--Human Subjects Research Opportunities
PRESIDENT HOSTS FACULTY SENATE MEETING
President Shalala will be hosting the Faculty Senate meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) at 3:30 p.m. at James W. McLamore Executive Center, Jenkins School of Business Administration Annex, third floor dining room. All faculty members are welcome to attend. Visit www.miami.edu/FacultySenate for more information.
UM DONOR SCREENS DOCUMENTARY AT MIAMI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
One of the Miller School of Medicine’s top donors will be screening her documentary film at this month’s Miami International Film Festival. Kimberly Green, president of The Green Family Foundation, will be presenting “Once There Was a Country: Revisiting Haiti,” at 4 p.m. Sunday, February 13, at the Regal South Beach Cinema. The documentary will also be shown at 6 p.m. Thursday, February 10, at UM’s Cosford Cinema. This film, narrated by Dr. Maya Angelou, exposes the country’s health care crises, particularly HIV/AIDS and infectious diseases, while emphasizing the beautifully rich culture of Haiti. The Green Family Foundation granted UM $2.5 million in the spring of 2003 to support pediatric infectious disease research and education locally and in Haiti through the Green Family Foundation Health Initiative. For more information on the film, please visit www.oncetherewasacountry.com. For more information on the film festival, please visit www.miamifilmfestival.com.
GAIL F. BEACH MEMORIAL 2004-2005 VISITING LECTURESHIP SERIES
John H. Martin, Ph.D., professor of Clinical Neurobiology and Behavior at Columbia University in New York, will present “Bridge over Troubled Waters,” tomorrow (Wednesday) at noon in the Lois Pope LIFE Center seventh-floor auditorium. For more information, call 305-243-7108 or click http://www.miamiproject.med.miami.edu/x381.xml.
Dennis D. M. O'Leary, Ph.D., professor, Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory at The Salk Institute, will present “Genetic Specification of Primary Areas of the Mammalian Neocortex and Influence on Sensorimotor Behaviors,” Wednesday, February 9, at noon in the Lois Pope LIFE Center seventh-floor auditorium. For more information, call 305-243-7108 or click http://www.miamiproject.med.miami.edu/x381.xml.
CREDIT STRATEGIES TRAINING SEMINAR
In conjunction with EAP, a specialist from Consumer Credit Counseling Service will present “Money Wise Credit Strategies for Consumers,” a seminar designed to provide practical financial information on the use of credit, the cost of credit, building personal wealth and spending guidelines. The seminar will be held tomorrow (Wednesday) from 12:30 to 2 p.m., in the UM/Sylvester conference room 1301. To register for this program, go to http://netlearning.miami.edu. If you have any questions on using this new system, please contact 305-243-3090. For questions about content, call the EAP at 305-284-6604.
MIAMI NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY WINTER SYMPOSIUM
"SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION IN CANCER"
Don’t miss the opportunity to hear about the latest breakthroughs
in signal transduction in cancer as we celebrate 50 years of
signaling in the Radisson Hotel Miami Downtown, 1601 Biscayne Boulevard, on February 5-9. Featured presenters include Nobel Laureates
Alfred Gilman, Edmond Fischer, and Edwin Krebs. Students are encouraged to attend. To receive tuition remission, e-mail: sblack@miami.edu with
your UM ID # and your contact information. To register, or for more information, contact Sandy Black at 305-243-3597.
BASCOM PALMER CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION PRESENTATIONS
“Uveitis for the (Other) Subspecialist” will be held in the Retter Auditorium at Bascom Palmer on February 4-5. Registration fee is $190. “Update in Pediatric Ophthalmology” will be February 12, with a $35 registration fee. Aimed at pediatricians, family practitioners, and comprehensive ophthalmologists, the pediatric meeting will present a comprehensive update in pediatric ophthalmology that will be relevant in the evaluation and management of children with ocular disease. For more information on these or other Bascom Palmer courses, please contact the Continuing Medical Education office at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, 900 NW 17th St., or by calling 305-326-6110, fax 305-326-6518, or e-mail bpeicme@med.miami.edu. Visit the Bascom Palmer Web site at www.bascompalmer.org.
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY YOUNG INVESTIGATOR WORKSHOP
Christopher C. Widnell, Ph.D., scientific program director, extramural grants, for the American Cancer Society National Home Office, will present “American Cancer Society Funding Opportunities and Tips for Successful Grant Writing,” on Friday, February 11, from noon to 1 p.m. in UM/Sylvester conference room 1301. Lunch will be served. The American Cancer Society’s extramural grants program seeks to support and promote high impact and innovative cancer-related research across a wide range of disciplines to meet critical needs in the control of cancer. The purpose of this seminar is to share new approaches for obtaining research funding. Dr. Widnell will discuss the various funding opportunities for both junior and senior investigators, as well as describe some of the characteristics that translate a good idea into a funded grant. RSVP to Diane Dames at 305-243-2287, or e-mail Ddames@med.miami.edu.
CANCER INFORMATION SERVICE JOB FAIR
The Cancer Information Service is the National Cancer Institute’s communications network providing cancer information to patients and their families, the public, and health professionals. The CIS has been awarded a new, significantly expanded contract and is looking to hire 12 Information Specialists to respond to cancer inquiries via the Cancer Information Service Telephone Service (1-800-4-CANCER), the Smoking Quitline (1-877-44U-QUIT) and the LiveHelp instant messaging service. A job fair will be held on February 8 at the Lois Pope LIFE Center seventh-floor auditorium from 8 a.m. to noon. A bachelor’s degree or a valid Florida RN license with 3+ years experience in social services, counseling or teaching required; medical, oncology or healthcare field preferred. Administrative positions are also available. For immediate consideration, or if you are unable to attend, please e-mail your resume to duptgrow@miami.edu.
PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT MANAGEMENT
The Performance Improvement Management training series is a highly interactive series of four half days and one 2-hour follow-up session. It is open to all managers and supervisors. The goal of the series is to set the expectations for leaders at the University of Miami and develop the knowledge and skills required to effectively manage your employees’ performance. The course is composed of three modules - Role of the Manager, The Performance Improvement Management Process and Documentation. Morning sessions are 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Afternoon sessions are 1 to 5 p.m. You must register for all five parts of the session you select. To register, go to http://netlearning.miami.edu/ and follow the instructions to enroll in the session you want. Sessions are held in the Dominion Parking Garage building. Space is limited, so register early.
PICK UP YOUR MOMENTUM DVD
Limited quantities of the Momentum campaign DVD are available through the Office of Medical Communications. The DVD tells the exciting story of the School of Medicine’s campaign objectives through the words of our physicians, research scientists, students, and grateful patients. Contact Mark N. Levine, director of capital campaign communications, at 305-243-2557 for your copy.
MIAMI LITE, A WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES
The Diabetes Research Institute is starting a new session of Miami Lite, a weight loss program for individuals with Type 2 diabetes. This program is open to the public and will last 12 weeks. It will help participants with weight loss, nutrition, controlling portion sizes, diabetes education, weight management techniques and guidelines for exercise. The program will start on Thursday, February 10, at 8 a.m. at the DRI, 1450 NW 10th Ave., first floor. Participants will meet every Thursday from 8 to 10 a.m. If you would like more information, please contact Anna P. Fraker at aperez4@med.miami.edu, or call 305-243-3455.
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT CANCER SERIES
Talia Donenberg, M.S., C.G.C., board certified genetic counselor at the School of Medicine, will discuss “Genetic Cancer Syndromes” on Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. in the UM/Sylvester conference room 1301. Reservations are required. Please call 1-800-545-2292 to reserve your space.
Arnold M. Markoe, M.D., Sc.D., professor and chairman, Department of Radiation Oncology, will present “Ask The Doctor About Radiation Therapy and Cancer Treatment,” on Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. at UM/Sylvester at Deerfield Beach, 1192 East Newport Center Drive, Suite 100. A snack will be served. Please call 1-800-545-2292 to register. Seating is limited.
David Pitcher, M.D., associate professor, Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, will present “How and Why Cancer Invades Our Bones,” Monday, February 7, from noon to 1 p.m. at UM/Sylvester at Deerfield Beach, 1192 East Newport Center Drive, Suite 100. A light lunch will be served. Please call 1-800-545-2292 to register. Seating is limited.
FINANCIAL ADVICE FROM LINCOLN FINANCIAL GROUP
A representative from Lincoln Financial Group will be at the medical campus to conduct individual financial counseling sessions on February 22 and March 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Human Resources Benefits Office, 901 NW 17th St., suite D. To schedule an appointment, contact Aimee Hugdahl toll-free at 866-524-2443, or via e-mail at ahughdahl@lnc.com, or contact Theresa Yong at 866-772-4163, e-mail at tmyong@lnc.com.
CELEBRATION OF LIFE WALKATHON AND HEALTH FAIR
The Papanicolaou Corps for Cancer Research will hold its annual Celebration of Life Walkathon and Health Fair on Saturday, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at UM/Sylvester at Deerfield Beach, 1192 East Newport Center Drive. At 10 a.m., UM/Sylvester will sponsor a free health fair featuring health screenings, presentations, and exhibits. Entry fee for the walk is $15 and includes a light breakfast, t-shirt, and refreshments. All proceeds will be donated to UM/Sylvester for cancer research. You can also support the event and remember or honor loved ones and friends who have battled or are currently battling cancer by purchasing a marker in their name for $15. The markers will be displayed at the Walkathon and Health Fair. To register, purchase a marker, or for more information, please contact the Pap Corps at 954-425-8100.
SOUTH FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS CONFERENCE
“Living on the Edge: South Florida's Environmental Future,” is the theme of the Fourth Annual South Florida Environmental Ethics Conference on Friday, February 11. The conference, held at the Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, is sponsored by the University of Miami Ethics Programs, Florida Atlantic University, the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust and the Florida Bioethics Network. APA continuing professional development credits and continuing legal education credits will be available. Tuition is $45 in advance and $55 at the door, and includes conference materials, continental breakfast and lunch. To register, please call 954-462-0222 or visit http://www.browardcenter.org/. University students may attend for free but must register in advance at www.fau.edu/environment.
UM/SYLVESTER DISTINGUISHED LECTURE SERIES
Michael Karin, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology, University of California,
Los Angeles, will present “At The Crossroads of Inflammation and Cancer:
The IKK-NF-kappaB Axis and its Role in Tumor Development
and Progression,” as part of the UM/Sylvester Distinguished Lecture Series. The lecture will be from noon to 1 p.m. Friday in UM/Sylvester conference room 1301. Lunch will be served. For more information, please call Diane Dames at 305-243-2287, or e-mail DDames@med.miami.edu.
CHILD CAR SEAT INSTALLATION CHECK
Did you know that most child car seats are not installed correctly? To ensure that your child car seat is installed correctly a certified child passenger safety technician will be available on the following Mondays: February 7, 14, 21 and 28; March 7, 21 and 28; and April 11, 18 and 25 in front of the Mailman Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The service is available to everyone who transports children under the age of 12 in their vehicle. For more information, e-mail gstepanian@um-jmh.org, or call 305-243-3928 to set up an appointment. Priority will be given to those with appointments.
WEAR GREEN FOR MEN’S BASKETBALL
The Hurricane men’s basketball team will host the Virginia Tech Hokies tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7:30 p.m. in the Convocation Center. As a special promotion, all fans who wear green in support of the Hurricanes can purchase a discounted general admission ticket for $12. This discount is only available on game day. Single-game tickets start at just $15. To order, call 305-284-CANES, visit www.hurricanesports.com or purchase at the Hecht Athletic Center Ticket Office.
RECALL OF DELL AC ADAPTERS
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Dell announced a recall for certain AC adapters that were sold for use with some models of Latitude, Precision and Inspiron notebooks. It is possible for the adapters to overheat, which could pose a risk of fire or electrical shock.
Potentially affected adapters were sold with the following models of Dell notebooks:
Latitude CP, CPi, CPiA, CPtC, CPiR, CPxH, CPtV, CS, CSx, CPxJ, CPtS, C500, C510, C600, C610, C800, C810, V700, C-Dock, C-Port; Precision M40; Inspiron 2500, 2600, 3700, 3800, 4000, 4100, 4150, 5000, 5000e, 7500, 7550, 8000, 8100, Advanced Port Replicator, Docking Station
The adapters were shipped to customers between September 1998 and February 2002.
End users with affected adapters are urged to contact Medical Information Technology and schedule a replacement. Please contact 305-243-5999 or e-mail us at Procurement2@med.miami.edu.
QUESTIONS ABOUT COMPLIANCE?
TWO UM HELPLINES CAN ASSIST YOU
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, anonymous compliance hotline at 866-YOURCALL. Billing concerns? Address questions to the Office of Billing Compliance at 305-243-HELP or 877-415-HELP. For information regarding training programs offered by the Office of Billing Compliance, contact Gemma Romillo or Nancy Rivero at 305-243-5842.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
EAP SEMINAR ON BRINGING OUT STRENGTHS
Unfortunately, most of us have little sense of our personal strengths, much less the ability to build our lives around them. However, when people become aware of and tap into these strengths, they can achieve powerful results. Based on the popular book, “Now, Discover Your Strengths,” this seminar will show people how to develop their unique talents and strengths -- and those of the people they influence. Participants will learn to discover their talents and build them into strengths, to bring out the unique strengths in the important people in their lives, and to manage their work and relationships based on those insights. The course will be held in the UM/Sylvester conference room 1301 on Wednesday, March 2, from 1 to 2:30 pm. To enroll, go to http://netlearning.miami.edu. If you have any questions about the online registration system please call 305-243-3090. For questions about content call the EAP at 305-284-6604. Supervisors are encouraged to post this notice for employees who do not have electronic access.
THIRD MIAMI INTERNATIONAL REVASCULARIZATION SUMMIT
The Third Miami International Revascularization Summit will be held Friday, February 25, through Sunday, February 27, at Wyndham Miami Beach Resort, 4833 Collins Ave. This course includes real patient cases and is designed to provide interactive education on the advances in percutaneous, peripheral and surgical interventions, cardiac imaging and prevention. It offers a maximum of 19.5 category 1 credits toward the AMA PRA. For more information please contact the Division of Continuing Medical Education at 305-243-6716, or e-mail umcme@med.miami.edu.
NAVIGATING INFOED SPIN PLUS
Looking for funding opportunities? Searching for a collaborator? Learn to navigate InfoEd SPIN Plus to locate funding opportunities or to find potential collaborators during a session on Monday, February 28, at the Lois Pope LIFE Center seventh-floor auditorium, from 3 to 4 p.m. Learn about SPIN (Sponsored Program Information Network), a funding database designed to provide up-to-date information on federal, non-federal and international funding opportunities; Global Expertise Network for Industry, University and Scholars (GENIUS), an extensive database listing potential collaborators from over 600 institutions; and SMARTS (SPIN Matching and Research Transmittal Service), an electronic matching and funding opportunity notification system. To register, log on to NetLearning using your UM ID # (C-Number) at https://netlearning.miami.edu. Search for the class by changing the dates at the top to show classes offered in February. Scroll to locate the February 28th class and click on Enroll located on the left. For more information about this workshop, please e-mail Maria Valero-Martinez at mvalero@med.miami.edu.
NEW CONCEPTS IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY CONFERENCE
The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology will be presenting a conference on New Concepts in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Alexander Hotel in Miami Beach March 2 through 5. This program is designed to provide a comprehensive update of problems encountered in obstetrics and gynecology and its subspecialties. New information will be presented that can be used in daily gynecological practice, and participants will also be able to determine when more advanced technologies are necessary. Participants are encouraged to bring clinical problems for discussion. For more information, please contact pmundy@med.miami.edu, or call 305-585-5131. You can also register on-line at http://www.ob-gyn.med.miami.edu/events.asp.
ALUMNI WEEKEND 2005
School of Medicine alumni are invited to share in three days of fun, camaraderie, learning and reminiscing during Alumni Weekend 2005, March 4-6. The weekend’s events promise to engage both the mind and the heart, including faculty-led continuing medical education sessions, alumni achievements, and a variety of social engagements that will provide an opportunity to reconnect with former classmates and meet renowned faculty and medical students. For details and to register, visit the Medical Alumni Association Web site at www.miami.edu/medical-alumni.
HEPATOBILIARY DISEASE IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
Sponsored by the School of Medicine and the Center for Liver Diseases/Division of Hepatology, this March 10-12 conference will present an update of knowledge in the diagnosis and management of liver and biliary disease. This course is directed toward internists, alimentary tract surgeons and other physicians, residents, nurses and allied health professionals who deal with these complex patients and issues. It offers a maximum of 12 category 1 credits toward the AMA PRA. For more information, please contact the Division of Continuing Medical Education at 305-243-6716, or e-mail umcme@med.miami.edu.
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, FLORIDA DIVISION
2005 SUMMER RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
American Cancer Society, Florida Division, is inviting applications from qualified medical or undergraduate students, who are residents of Florida or attend a degree-granting Florida institution full-time, to work in a UM/ Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center laboratory from June 1 to August 31, 2005. Eligible applicants must have completed their sophomore year of college by June 1. Awardees cannot be otherwise employed by the University of Miami during this summer fellowship, and students must identify a sponsor and work on a cancer-related project in the research laboratory of a UM/Sylvester investigator. For more information and an application, please contact Kathy Salce at ksalce@med.miami.edu, phone: 305-243-2287. Applications are due by April 1. A total of six fellowships are available at $2,500 each for the three-month period.
HUMAN SUBJECT RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
The Department of Psychology, Behavioral Medicine Research Center, is recruiting
participants for several studies investigating the impact of psychological factors
such as stress on quality of life and disease progression in several older adult
(> 50 yrs. old) populations. The studies are actively recruiting men and women recently
diagnosed with head and neck cancer, HIV-positive men, and men treated for advanced
prostate cancer. For more information about these studies, please call Dr. Frank Penedo
at 305-575-7122.
Sara Czaja, Ph.D., is leading a study of spinal cord injury in an aging
population focusing on helping improve the quality of life of the patients
and their caregivers. As Americans live longer, more people are aging with
spinal cord injuries than ever before, presenting new challenges. This
NIH-funded study will examine the value of a home-based program that combines
psychological and social intervention, using technology to help patients
who have difficulty with mobility. For more information about the study,
please call 305-355-9200.
The HPV vaccine has been developed with the goal of decreasing HPV infection
and the persistence of HPV risk types responsible for cervical cancer. We are
looking for healthy women between the ages of 15 to 25 who have not had prior
abnormal pap smears, are not pregnant, are willing to receive the study vaccine,
and are able to commit to a four- year follow up period. For more information,
call Iliana Rivas at 305-243-5832.
The SPARE Study (Soy Phytoestrogens As Replacement Estrogen) is currently
recruiting women between 45-58 years of age to study the role of soy phytoestrogens
given in tablet form to prevent bone loss. Participants will be given a
physical exam at study entry, an annual mammogram and bone density test,
and will be asked to come for 10 study visits over a period of two years
for blood tests and to complete questionnaires about diet, exercise, and
well-being. Interested women should contact the SPARE Study Office at 305-243-4330
or via e-mail at aherrin@med.miami.edu.
The UM Skin Research Group directed by Brian Berman, M.D., Ph.D., professor of dermatology and internal medicine, is conducting several research studies on keloids and chronic idiopathic urticaria. If you are interested in participating please contact us at 305-243-5519 or visit our website at www.skininvestigation.com.
Researchers at the MRI Center need healthy subjects for a magnetic resonance imaging study. For more information please visit
http://midas.med.miami.edu/Research/MRStudies.htm.
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