The University of Miami's Intensive Language Institute is offering six-week Spanish courses beginning on Saturday, April 15. The courses are offered at four levels of proficiency. Prospective students can take a free online Spanish placement test at www.educationmiami.com/alc. Saturday classes meet from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from April 15 through May 27 (no classes on May 13). Qualified UM employees may receive tuition remission on a space available basis. Dependents of UM employees may qualify for a 15% tuition discount.

Today’s children quickly become skilled web surfers, but kids’ technical proficiency and enthusiasm isn’t always matched by an appropriate appreciation of the dangers, putting both them and you at risk. Visit http://it.med.miami.edu/x700.xml#kids to find web resources for parents and children, including safe surfing guidelines and lists of recommended web sites.

University employees and families are now eligible to receive discounts and express appointments with the University of Miami Dental Implant Center. The Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and General Dentistry offers state-of-the-art dental implants. It is Miami’s only dental practice staffed by expert academic surgical dentistry professionals. The center is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and is located on the second floor of ACC East. Call Tara Ashley at 305-585-6407 for a free evaluation or to make an express appointment.

William J. Whelan, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, is the recipient of the 2006 Faculty Senate Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award. This award recognizes his distinguished career in scientific research, which has focused on the field of polysaccharides of the starch/glycogen family. All faculty are invited to attend the award ceremony, reception, and lecture by Professor Whelan entitled “It Was There All the Time” tomorrow (Wednesday) at 4 p.m. in the Storer Auditorium of the School of Business Administration.

Be one of the first 2,000 members to join the Medical Wellness Center and you will be entered in the raffle to win two round-trip airline tickets to anywhere in Florida or the Bahamas compliments of Continental Airline Connection.

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 to conduct individual counseling sessions from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 16 and June 20. To schedule an appointment, contact Theresa Yong at 1-866-772-4163 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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All faculty and staff who are interested in the appointment, promotion and tenure process are invited to attend a faculty workshop on “Policies and Procedures for Promotion and Tenure.”

H&R Block will be providing on-site tax preparation at the Miller School of Medicine and Jackson Memorial Hospital today (Tuesday) through Friday, and again April 10 through 14 in the Alamo Courtyard. Applications will also be available for Florida KidCare, an umbrella health insurance program for children birth through 18. For more information on the tax return service, please call Kathleen Blenke at 305-899-0961, or visit www.hrblock.com. For information about Florida KidCare Health Insurance, please call Ebenezer Boakye at 305-358-8800.

The 2006 University of Miami Alpha Omega Alpha Visiting Professor, Mark Siegler, M.D., FACP, will present "What is Clinical Medical Ethics Research and Can It Improve Patient Care?" tomorrow (Wednesday) at noon in the Rosenstiel Medical Science Building, fifth-floor auditorium. Dr. Siegler is the Lindy Bergman Distinguished Service Professor of Medicine and Surgery and director of the MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics at the University of Chicago.

Eng H. Lo, Ph.D., professor at Harvard Medical Center and head of the Neuroprotection Research Laboratory for the Department of Neurology & Radiology at Massachusetts General Hospital, will present "Neurovascular Pathophysiology in Brain Injury” tomorrow (Wednesday) at noon in the Lois Pope LIFE Center, seventh-floor auditorium. For more information, please call 305-243-7108 or visit www.themiamiproject.org/Lectures.xml.

S.T.E.P. (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting) is a discussion group that offers parents of children under age six a realistic and practical approach to meeting the challenges of raising kids today. As a participant, you will learn how to understand your child’s behavior, how to listen to and talk to your child, and how to use discipline that makes sense. Classes begin tomorrow (Wednesday) and will be held every Wednesday through May 24 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Dominion Parking Garage, room 155. You may register online at http://netlearning.miami.edu (be sure to register for all sessions). For step-by-step instructions on how to register, please visit http://www.miami.edu/eap/HowToRegister.doc. 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.

AIG VALIC presents two opportunities to attend the “Tax Advantage Strategies for After Tax Dollars” seminar on Thursday in room 155 of the Dominion Parking Garage. This seminar will cover 529 college plans, universal life insurance and tax-deferred annuities. The first session is from 9:30 a.m. to noon and the second presentation is from 3 to 5 p.m. To register for either session, please call 305-284-6834.

Susan G. Amara, Ph.D., Detre Professor and chair, Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, will present “Neurotransmitter Transports: New Reasons for Excitement” on Friday at 1 p.m. in the Lois Pope LIFE Center, seventh-floor auditorium. This seminar is sponsored by the Neuroscience Center, the Miller School of Medicine, and the Office of the Provost. For more information, please call 305-243-7108, or visit www.themiamiproject.org/Lectures.xml.

The Florida Bioethics Network’s annual spring conference will be held on Friday at the Wyndham Miami Beach Resort, 4833 Collins Avenue. Keynote sessions will feature presentations on social work ethics, women’s health and bioethics and political conservatism. Other sessions will address issues in ethics committee operations, end-of-life care and children with disabilities, among other topics. The program is in conjunction with the University of Miami Ethics Program’s 14th annual “Clinical Ethics: Debates, Decisions, Solutions” conference. The program is approved for continuing education credits for nurses, physicians, social workers, psychologists, guardians and lawyers. UM, JMH and VA faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission or a courtesy tuition waiver but must pre-register. For more information, please visit http://www.ethics.miami.edu or e-mail ethics@miami.edu.

Joseph S. Pagano, M.D., professor and director, Molecular Virology, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, will present “Tumor Viruses Dysregulate the Ubiquitin/Proteasome System” on Friday at noon in UM/Sylvester, room 1301. For more information, please e-mail d.dames@med.miami.edu.

Penny Fisher, M.S., R.N., clinical instructor, Department of Otolaryngology, will present “Promising Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer Using Photodynamic Therapy” on Tuesday, April 11, from noon to 1 p.m., at UM/Sylvester at Deerfield Beach, 1192 East Newport Center Drive, suite 100. Dr. Fisher is also the clinical facilitator of the Mort Silverblatt Head and Neck Cancer Support Group, which meets monthly at UM/Sylvester at Deerfield Beach. This presentation is offered free of charge and a light lunch will be served. Seating is limited. Please call 1-800-545-2292 to register.

The following classes are offered by The Leadership Academy and take place from 9 a.m. to noon in Dominion Parking Garage, suite 155. Seating is limited. To register for a session, visit http://netlearning.miami.edu.  For more information about the Leadership Academy, visit www.miami.edu/development-training/la, or call the Professional Development Training Office at 305-243-3090 or 305-284-5110.

Harry R. Moody, Ph.D., director of academic affairs, American Association of Retired Persons, will discuss "Reimaging Aging: Positive Prospects for an Aging Society” on Friday, April 14 from noon to 1 p.m. in the Hurricane 100 room at the BankUnited Center, 1245 Walsh Avenue, Coral Gables. Reservations are required. To RSVP, please send an e-mail to spurcell@med.miami.edu, or call 305-355-9080.

It seems that there are never enough hours in the day to do what matters most and this can leave us feeling off-balance. This seminar reveals how time management and stress management go hand-in-hand and will help participants find ways to prioritize time, reduce stress and achieve balance. It will be held on Friday, April 14 from noon to 2 p.m. in Dominion Parking Garage, room 155. You can register on-line at http://netlearning.miami.edu. For step-by-step instructions on how to register, please visit http://www.miami.edu/eap/HowToRegister.doc. If you have any questions on using the online registration system, please call 305-243-3090, or call 305-284-6604 for questions about content.

The Sponsored Programs Education Workshop will be held on Wednesday, April 19 from 3 to 5 p.m. in room 502 of the Flipse Building on the Coral Gables campus. The workshop is a requirement for all individuals who would like to be listed as key personnel on sponsored programs. The program will focus on the fiscal and compliance issues of pre- and post-award management, the most recent information on the grant process, explain established policies and procedures and review the PI’s role and responsibility for administering sponsored projects. The goal is to have all key personnel attend an educational session by June 30. 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.

Investigators, research coordinators, IRB members and IRB administrators/staff members are invited to a half-day conference sponsored by the Human Subjects Research Office on Friday, April 21 in the Lois Pope LIFE Center, seventh-floor auditorium. Connie Lewin, M.D., and Marian Serge from the Food and Drug Administration will address regulations regarding the use of investigational drugs and devices. Topics will include the use of investigational drugs and devices in research and other situations such as emergency, humanitarian and compassionate uses, expanded access and custom devices. For further information and to download the registration form, please visit https://eprost.med.miami.edu/eprost/Rooms/DisplayPages/LayoutInitial?Container=com.webridge.entity.Entity%5BOID%5BF406D0453607BA47BA5559A623971A72%5D%5D. Please e-mail the completed registration form to Amanda Coltes-Rojas at acoltes@med.miami.edu, or fax it to 305-243-3328. Please contact Ms. Coltes-Rojas at 305-243-6494 with any questions. Reservations will be on a first come first serve basis.

Join Team UM for fitness and fun at the 21st Annual Corporate Walk/Run. Mark your calendar and plan to attend this fun event on Thursday, May 11. UM festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Bayfront Park in downtown Miami. This is a wonderful teambuilding opportunity for your department as well as a chance to enjoy camaraderie with fellow co-workers during the post-race party. The department with the most participants (family and friends are welcome) will win a pizza party, compliments of Pizza Hut. The cost is $20 if your registration is received on or before April 19, or $25 if you register between April 20 and May 5. Your entry fee includes participation in the race, two t-shirts and the post-race party and raffle prize drawing. Proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America. If you have not yet received your application via interoffice mail, log on to www.med.miami.edu to print the registration form and event details, or call 305-243-7600.

Presentations

Tomas Salerno, M.D. , chief of the division of cardiothoracic surgery, addressed the annual meeting of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons regarding the key role of stenting. He was then featured in a front-page story in the March/April 2006 issue of Thoracic Surgery News, the official newspaper of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery.

 The Center for Research and Education on Aging and Technology Enhancement is conducting research with family caregivers of dementia patients who speak English and are 50 years of age or older. If you are not a caregiver but are interested in participating, you may be able to help as well. Participants will receive basic training on how to use the Internet and will be asked to look for information about care-giving and dementia. If you are interested in being a part of this research study, please call 305-355-9200. You will be paid for your time and effort.

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is conducting a clinical research study evaluating an investigational vaccine for human papillomavirus. Participants should be healthy women over the age of 26 who are not breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant during the next eight months and who will be in the area for the next three years. Qualified participants will receive study related tests, physical and gynecological exams, information on women’s health issues, family planning and compensation for travel and time. Please contact Iliana Rivas at 305-243-5832 for more information.

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