If you made a New Year's resolution to improve your health and fitness, then make registering for the Walking Canes program your first step. Online registration is available through this Friday, January 27. The program begins on Monday, February 6. To register, please visit www.miami.edu/walkingcanes. You must reserve your space online; on-site registration will not be accepted. For more information, please visit www.miami.edu/walkingcanes, or e-mail medwellness@med.miami.edu.

Ready to become a member of the Medical Wellness Center? More information is on the way regarding the upcoming “Membership Kickoff” scheduled for early March. If you have any questions, please e-mail medwellness@med.miami.edu.

S.T.E.P. (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting) Teen is an eight-week, midday discussion group conducted by the Employee Assistance Program. This course offers parents a realistic and practical approach to meeting the challenges of raising adolescents today. It helps parents learn effective and enjoyable ways to communicate with their teens and to achieve the goal of raising responsible children. The classes will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on February 1, 8, 15 and 22, and on March 1, 10, 15 and 22, in Dominion Parking Garage, room 155. You may register online at http://netlearning.miami.edu (be sure to register for all eight sessions). If you have any questions on using the online registration system, call 305-284-5110 or 305-243-3090. For questions about content, call 305-284-6604.

Join the Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Miami on Tuesday, February 14, for the inauguration of the Injury Free Mobile. The kick-off event will take place at Alamo Park, 1611 N.W. 12th Avenue, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.  Participants will be entered into a raffle to win a free car seat. For more information, call 305-243-8838 or e-mail ldeus@um-jmh.org. The Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Miami is a division of Holtz Children's Hospital at Jackson Health System in partnership with the Department of Pediatrics.

The Miami Lite program helps participants with weight loss, nutrition, controlling portion sizes, weight management techniques and guidelines for exercise. It is open to the public and is offered every Thursday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Diabetes Research Institute, first-floor Education Center. The cost is $20 per class or $150 for ten sessions. If you would like more information, please contact Anna M. Fraker at aperez4@med.miami.edu or call 305-243-3455.

The University of Miami’s Families First Network, funded by the Children’s Trust, is offering free parenting groups for parents of newborns and children through age 5. Parents will discuss ways to manage behavior, build stronger families and help their children grow and develop. Parents will receive free items related to the topics discussed and lunch will be served. Classes will be held at the Debbie School. For more information or to register, call 305-243-8425 or e-mail mastacio@med.miami.edu.

Performance Improvement Management is a highly interactive series of four half-day training sessions and one two-hour follow-up session. The goal of the series is to set expectations for University of Miami leaders and develop the knowledge and skills required to effectively manage employee performance. The course includes three modules: role of the manager, performance improvement management process and documentation. After the sessions, participants should be able to conduct an effective performance conference, explore the impact of non-performance improvement management, assess and analyze performance gaps and develop appropriate interventions, develop and implement action plans to ensure performance change, and document performance issues appropriately.

All classes take place in Dominion Parking Garage, room 155. Morning sessions are from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Afternoon sessions are from 1 to 5 p.m. You must register for all five parts of the session you select. Seating is limited. Visit http://netlearning.miami.edu to register. The schedule is as follows:

UM/Sylvester’s Pharmacy Department presents “Things to Know about Research.” All lectures will be held in UM/Sylvester, room 1301. Displays and give-aways take place from 11:30 a.m. to noon. The lectures are presented by Ollie Anum, Pharm.D., from noon to 1 p.m., and are worth one contact hour for nursing and pharmacy. Lunch will be served. Please reserve your space with Joannys Cortinas at 305-243-9192.

This year’s performance evaluations are to be forwarded to departmental human resources representatives and entered into DHRS by May 1. For Bascom Palmer Eye Institute employees, medical human resources will enter the overall evaluation rating for evaluations received prior to May 1. For UMHC employees, evaluation ratings will be transferred electronically from Halogen to DHRS. Staff that do not have performance evaluations entered in DHRS by May 1 will not receive a merit increase in their June paychecks. Delayed merit increases will be retroactive to the effective date of the new rate.

To ensure that your child car seat is installed correctly, a certified child passenger safety technician will be available on Wednesdays 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. The Injury Free Coalition for Kids is a division of Holtz Children's Hospital/ Miller School of Medicine.

A representative from Lincoln Financial Group will be at the medical campus on February 14 and March 21 to conduct individual counseling sessions. To schedule an appointment, contact Theresa Yong at 305-245-7332 or tmyong@lnc.com.

• University Compliance (anonymous hotline): 866-YOURCALL
• Billing (anonymous hotline): 305-243-HELP or 877-415-HELP
• Research Integrity and Compliance: 305-243-6415
• Financial Improprieties: 305-284-2605
• Privacy Office/HIPAA: 305-243-5000 or 1-866-366-HUSH
• University Ombudsperson: 305-284-4922

Any University of Miami employee reporting or deciding whether to report activity that may be in violation of a law, rule, or regulation is protected against retaliation by the Whistleblower Protection Statement. For more information, visit the Office of Compliance site.

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Leonidas G. Koniaris, M.D., associate professor of surgery and Alan Livingstone Chair in Surgical Oncology, will present “A Molecular Basis for Organ Dysfunction in Chronic Diseases and Cancer” today (Tuesday) at noon in the Rosenstiel Medical Science Building, fourth-floor auditorium.

“Recruitment/Applicant Pool for Administrators, Hiring Managers, and HR Liaisons” will take place today (Tuesday) from 9 to11 a.m., and tomorrow (Wednesday) from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute’s Retter Auditorium. The discussion topic is the applicant pool and ways to improve it.

The Office of Technology Transfer will offer a special seminar today (Tuesday) entitled “Is Your Discovery an Invention and Should You Patent It?” The seminar takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the University of Miami Wellness Center, 1241 Dickinson Drive, room 227. The presentation will be given by Janet E. Reed, Ph.D., J.D., of Woodcock & Washburn, LLP. Refreshments will be served. For more information, please call 305-243-5689, or e-mail fvillago@med.miami.edu

The Sponsored Programs Education Workshop will be held today (Tuesday) in the seventh-floor auditorium of the Lois Pope LIFE Center from 3 to 5 p.m. The workshop is a requirement for all individuals who would like to be listed as key personnel on sponsored programs, to educate them about the fiscal and compliance issues of pre- and post-award management. The workshop covers the most recent information on the grant process, explains established policies and procedures and reviews the PI’s role and responsibility for administering sponsored projects. A listing of other available dates and locations can be found at http://www.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/1,1770,2425-1;36662-2;34960-2;38799-3,00.html. Log onto NetLearning at https://netlearning.miami.edu to register. For more information, please contact mvalero@med.miami.edu.

This seminar is designed to help attendees understand their credit report and credit score. Participants will learn how to dispute incorrect information and improve their credit score. It takes place tomorrow (Wednesday) and Tuesday, January 31, from noon to 2 p.m. in Dominion Parking Garage, room 155. To personalize this experience, each participant is asked to complete an authorization form to enable Consumer Credit Counseling Service to obtain his or her credit report and score, which will be reviewed during the seminar. Visit www.miami.edu/eap/seminars and scroll down to “Understanding Your Credit Report” to download the authorization form. Complete and fax the signed authorization to Bonita Cales at 305-284-5097 by the deadline indicated. Reports will be destroyed for those individuals who request a credit report but are unable to attend the seminar. To register, visit http://netlearning.miami.edu. If you have any questions about the online registration system, call 305-284-5110 or 305-243-3090.

The 2006 Neurological Update meeting will be held tomorrow (Wednesday) through Saturday at The Alexander Hotel, Miami Beach. This course is aimed at adult and pediatric neurologists, neurosurgeons and psychiatrists, although internist and general practitioners may also find the topics timely and useful. The course is designed to provide clinicians with the most recent developments in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders. For more information, please contact the Division of Continuing Medical Education at 305-243-6716, or umcme@med.miami.edu.

Warren Leonard, M.D., chief of the Laboratory of Molecular Immunology at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, will present “The Biology and Molecular Regulation of Gamma-C-Dependent Cytokines” on Thursday at noon in the Rosenstiel Medical Science Building, room 3109. This seminar is sponsored by the Department of Microbiology and Immunology.

The Department of Purchasing will sponsor a supplier expo on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of the Calder Library. You will have the chance to view e-Net demos, receive money saving tips and promotional items, and meet vendor representatives. Visit https://www.miami.edu/purchasing/UMeNET/Supplier-Expo.pdf for a complete listing of the vendors. For more information, contact the Purchasing Department at 305-284-5751.

Carol Isaacson Barash, Ph.D., founder and principal of Genetics, Ethics & Policy Consulting, Inc., will discuss "Navigating Ethical Challenges in Biomarker Research" as part of the Dialogues in Research Ethics series on Friday at noon in the Rosenstiel Medical Sciences Building, room 3109. Lunch will be served. No RSVP required. For more information, please call 305-243-5723 or send e-mail to ethics@miami.edu.

Get wild in the jungle at the Third Annual Taste of the Tropics wine and food festival at Parrot Jungle Island, Saturday, from 6:30 p.m. to midnight. Experience the culinary delights of more than 25 of South Florida's premier restaurants and wineries. Other festivities include a cocktail reception by Marky's Caviar, entertainment by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line singers, silent auctions and a visit by some of the Parrot Jungle animals.

The following presentations all take place from noon to 1 p.m. in UM/Sylvester conference room 1301. They are free and open to the public. A light lunch will be served. Please call 305-243-1000 or 800-545-2292 to reserve your space.

The Division of Continuing Medical Education will be presenting a one-day grant seminar entitled “Write Winning Grants,” on Friday, February 24, in the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute’s Retter Auditorium. The seminar will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Seating is limited. To apply, please contact the Division of CME at 305-243-6713, or e-mail umcme@med.miami.edu to receive an application. You must submit your application by January 30.

Kelly Insignares will present “Update on HSRO and Changes with IRB” on Tuesday, January 31, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Mailman Center, eighth-floor auditorium. Advance registration is required as room capacity is limited. Log on to Net Learning at https://netlearning.miami.edu to register. For more information e-mail Maira Abraham at Mabraham@med.miami.edu.

The South Florida Spinal Cord Injury Model System presents “Introduction to Assistive Technology” with guest speaker Johanna Lindsay from the Florida Alliance for Assistive Technology. This presentation will take place on Tuesday, January 31, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Center on Aging/Mental Health Building, room 3208A. Consumers, family members, healthcare professionals and students are all invited. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP before January 30 with Mayra M. Miró, Psy.D., at 305-585-1339 or mmiro@med.miami.edu.

The Bascom Palmer Eye Institute will host “Angiogensis 2006” on February 3 and 4 at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami. Registration is $300. For more information, please contact the Continuing Medical Education office at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at 305-326-6110, by fax at 305-326-6518 or by e-mail at bpeicme@med.miami.edu.

“Quarterly Departmental HR Meeting for HR Liaisons” will take place on Friday, February 3, at 10 a.m. in the Mailman Center, eighth-floor auditorium. The primary agenda item is the new evaluation and merit process.

Scripps Florida will sponsor the annual Miami Nature Biotechnology Winter Symposium, along with the University of Miami and Nature Publishing Group. The 2006 Symposium, “Angiogenesis in Cancer and Vascular Disease,” takes place in the Wyndham Miami Beach Resort from February 4 through February 8.  Full-time employees of the University of Miami can register using tuition remission. Send an e-mail to sblack@miami.edu with your UM ID# and full UM address if you wish to register. Graduate students can register in the same way and receive a registration waiver.

The Department of Pathology will be conducting its 31st Annual Review and Recent Practical Advances in Pathology course at the Fontainebleau Resort from February 6 through February 10. This popular annual conference is attended by many pathologists from the United States and abroad. Courses will be conducted by renowned guest speakers and University of Miami faculty. For information and assistance, please contact Linda Hung at 305-585-6103, by fax at 305-243-5929, or by e-mail at lhung@med.miami.edu. To view the brochure and registration form, and for a complete listing of conference topics, please visit http://pathology.med.miami.edu.

Robert Kirsner, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of dermatology, will present “ABCDs of Skin Cancer” on Monday, February 6, from noon to 1 p.m. at UM/Sylvester at Deerfield Beach, 1192 East Newport Center Drive, suite 100. It is free and open to the public. A light lunch will be served. Dr. Kirsner will also provide free skin cancer screenings from 9:30 a.m. to noon, and from 1:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Screenings are by appointment only. Please call 1-800-545-2292 for an appointment or to register for the seminar. For additional information, contact Joanne Leahy at 954-571-0107 or jleahy@med.miami.edu.

The Fourth Miami International Revascularization Summit will be held February 9 to 12 at The Alexander Hotel, 5225 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach. This course includes patient cases and is designed to provide interactive education on the advances in percutaneous, peripheral and surgical interventions, cardiac imaging and prevention. Continuing medical education credits for physicians and nurses will be offered. For more information please contact the Division of Continuing Medical Education at 305-243-6716, or e-mail umcme@med.miami.edu

This two-part personal development seminar, offered by the EAP, includes a computer-based learning prerequisite. All University faculty, staff and administrators are welcome to attend. At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to demonstrate active listening skills, including labeling speaker's emotions, using voice tone to convey meaning, paraphrasing, recognizing difference between empathetic and sympathetic statements, understanding the value and use of pauses, and prompting with open-ended questions. The workshop will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Friday, February 10, in room 155 of the Dominion Parking Garage. If you do not have access to the Internet, please contact the EAP to obtain the pre-work materials. For more information about content, contact Mary Remon at the EAP at 305-284-6604. To register, visit http://netlearning.miami.edu. For questions about registration, call the Professional Development and Training Office at 305-243-3090.

On February 10, David Carbone, M.D., Ph.D., Harold L. Moses Chair in Cancer Research, Ingram Professor of Cancer Research and director of Specialized Program of Research Excellence in Lung Cancer, Vanderbilt University Cancer Center, will present “Molecular Signatures of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer,” as part of the UM/Sylvester Distinguished Lecture Series. The lecture begins at noon in UM/Sylvester, room 1301. Lunch will be served. For more information, please call Diane Dames at 305-243-2287, or e-mail DDames@med.miami.edu.

Publications

Rafael E. Campo, M.D.,  associate professor of clinical medicine and a member of the Division of Infectious Diseases, was one of the authors of a study published in the January 19 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine that compared antiretroviral regimens for HIV infection.  The study found that the combination of tenofovir DF and emtricitabine plus efavirenz suppressed viral loads more effectively than the combination of zidovudine and lamivudine plus efavirenz.  The latter has been considered the “gold standard” of antiretroviral therapy over the last few years.  The difference in outcome was attributed to the new treatment having fewer side effects than the older one.

 The AIDS Clinical Research Unit, directed by Margaret Fischl, M.D., is recruiting subjects for an investigational smallpox vaccine in patients with HIV and without HIV. The vaccine uses a modified vaccinia virus, which is not as strong as the smallpox virus and cannot grow well enough in human cells to cause disease. Participants must be 18 to 34 years of age, have never received smallpox vaccinations, and have no history of heart or skin problems. HIV patients must be taking antiretroviral therapy and have a viral load of less than 50,000 and a CD4 cell count greater than 200. Up to $275 provided and free HIV testing is done. For more information, contact Juan at 305-243-3838 or Leslie at L.Thompson@miami.edu.

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