The deadline to apply is March 30. For an application and additional information, please contact Cristina Llanos at 305-243-6292 or via e-mail at: cllanos@med.miami.edu.

A directory of BPECN optometrists can be found at http://www.miami.edu/benefits/pdf/Optometrists.pdf. A referral is not required to see a BPECN optometrist and you may call the BPECN optometrist directly to schedule a visit. Please note that eye wear (contacts, glasses) is not covered under this benefit. In order to see an ophthalmologist, please review your health care plan.

For more information on the vision care benefit, contact the BPECN at 305-243-9999.

In Miami-Dade County alone, there are over 4 million people over 60 years old and almost 500,000 of them suffer from some type of dementia. The MetLife Foundation awarded grants to 15 science museums throughout the United States totaling $1 million as a part of this program, the Partnership for Intergenerational Learning. The purpose of the Partnership is to increase educational opportunities across the age spectrum and encourage exhibitions that promote a better understanding of aging, brain health and healthy lifestyles.

This 1-mile walk benefits the Humane Society of Greater Miami and Adopt-a-Pet. Come out and join other UM animal lovers and bring your dog to share in the fun, fellowship and food. To sign up or for more information, contact the Office of Community Relations, 305-243-3453 or communityrelations@med.miami.edu.

Performance evaluation ratings will be submitted in DHRS by the HR reps by no later than May 1. Evaluation ratings must be submitted in order for employees to receive merit increases. 

As we have previously communicated, new for 2006-07, the UM Miller School of Medicine has implemented one template evaluation form for all employees. Miller School employees (AO1, AO3 and AO6) must be evaluated utilizing the new performance evaluation templates. An additional form was developed for management positions, which includes a set of leadership core competencies. 

Both hospitals will be utilizing Halogen’s on-line e-appraisal system.

Attached are the links to the new evaluation templates. The forms are also located on the Medical Human Resources website under “Forms.”

Staff Performance Evaluation Form:  http://www.med.miami.edu/hr/forms/PerfEval_Final.doc

Leadership Performance Evaluation Form:  http://www.med.miami.edu/hr/forms/LeadPerfEval_Final.doc

 If you have any questions about the performance evaluation process or the new evaluation forms, please e-mail kstimmell@med.miami.edu or call 305-326-6090.

The Miller School of Medicine designates this for a maximum of 18.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credits. View the brochure online at http://www.med.miami.edu/med/education/cme/documents/OBGYNbrochure-FINAL.pdf. For more information, call 305-585-5131 or e-mail dscott2@med.miami.edu.

Register for the program by visiting the Medical Wellness Center and ask at the front desk. The final deadline for registration is this Friday.

An initial $10 registration fee is required, but that will be reimbursed to each individual who participates for 12 weeks. The top ten walkers who register the most daily miles will have lunch with President Shalala compliments of Chartwells. All participants who finish the program will have an opportunity to win an iPod and other prizes.

For more information, call 305-243-7600 or e-mail wellness@med.miami.edu.

Deadline for receipt of applications is February 28. For guidelines and application forms please contact Zulema Rivero at 305-243-9528 or by e-mail at zrivero@med.miami.edu.

The program will include didactic coursework, both required and elective, experiential learning and self-learning activities, both conventional and web-based. The pathway will be spread over the four years of medical school and will include an international experience and a research project.  Michel Dodard, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, will be the Pathway Director.

Applications are now available, both on www.jayweisscenter.org, and in the Office of Medical Education. Again, today (Tuesday) is the deadline to apply. Ten first-year students will be chosen to participate in the program.

For more information, please contact mpieiga@med.miami.edu or call 305-243-8893.

UM Ethics Programs expect to award from three to six Arsht Ethics Research Grants for as much as $50,000 each. A university-wide ethics review board has been formed to review applications. Faculty-student teams are requested to submit proposals.
 
For more information, including the full Call for Proposals and a list of ethics advisory board members, visit www.miami.edu/ethics and follow links for "Arsht Initiatives" and "Research," or e-mail ethics@miami.edu. The deadline for applications is Feb. 21.

The event is sponsored by the UM Chapter of the Christian Medical & Dental Association and Miller School students will raise funds and purchase medications to use on the trip. Last year, they treated more than 1,200 patients during the three days of clinics.
 
For more information or to volunteer, please contact Scott Haake at 863-370-1803 or shaake@med.miam.edu.

As part of the UMatter Wellness Initiative Program, a newly developed vaccine that prevents cervical cancer is available to UM Humana Plan members at no cost. The vaccine is available for girls and women ages 9 to 26. Seventy percent of cervical cancer cases and 90 percent of genital warts are caused by certain types of the human papillomavirus, HPV. 

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Even if you are not in the vaccine-eligible age group you can still help prevent cervical cancer. According to the CDC, the single most common factor associated with invasive cervical cancer is women not being screened. Here is what you can do to help protect the health of your family and our community:

• Continue to get regular Pap Tests as recommended by your health care provider
• Attend the upcoming UMatter lectures (dates to be announced)
• Look for letters with raffle entries if you or your dependents are vaccine-eligible
• Talk to your family, friends and health care provider
• Get vaccinated
 
For additional information, visit these websites:

http://www.cervicalcancercampaign.org/
http://www.cdc.gov/women/
www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/hpv-vaccines

 For more information or to make an appointment, contact Peter Raposo at 305-243-6783 or visit our website at http://calder.med.miami.edu/biomed/.

The classes will begin when enough people have enrolled. Prices range from $26 for students to $34 for non-members for Salsa and Latin dance, and from $74 to $99 for belly dance. Call 305-243-7606 to be placed on a waiting list or for more information.

Liz Caravia has appeared on Oprah, 60 Minutes and Despierta America as a trainer to the stars. For more information, call 305-243-7600.

For additional information, please call 305-243-5909.

This event will take place this Thursday at 4 p.m. in the Molecular & Cellular Pharmacology Conference Room, Rosenstiel Medical Science Building, room 6018.

For further information, please call 305-243-5909.

Physicians can earn 1 AMA PRA Category 1 credit for attending the session.

Please contact Marie Corrales at 305-243-2576 or mcorrales2@med.miami.edu  if you have any questions.

Dr. Tseng will present “Ex-Vivo Expansion of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells on Human Amniotic Membrane for Future Transplantation,” this Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in the Retter Auditorium at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. It is not necessary to RSVP and the presentation is open to the public. For more information please call 305-326-6047 or e-mail jshum@med.miami.edu.

Continuing medical education credits are available for this lecture, with 1.5 CMEs or CEUs for practicing physicians, psychologists, and social workers.

For more information, please contact Carmen Bou-Crick, 305-355-9073 or cbou@med.miami.edu.

Please call 1-800-545-2292 to register. A light lunch will be provided.  Seating is limited. 

Continuing medical education credits are available for this lecture, with 1.5 CMEs or CEUs for practicing physicians, psychologists, and social workers.

For more information, please contact Carmen Bou-Crick, 305-355-9073 or cbou@med.miami.edu.

For information, please call Stephanie Sayfie Aagaard at 305-243-4656 or e-mail at saagaard@miami.edu.

The day’s events are focused on the next generation of scientists and the faculty who are currently training them. To register, send an e-mail to ScienceAlliance@nyas.org with Miami in the subject line and include your name and affiliation in the body of the e-mail.

For more information visit www.nyas.org/events/eventDetail.asp?eventID=7593&date=2/16/2007%208:30:00%20AM.

If any faculty members have interest in judging oral or poster presentations for both clinical and basic science research conducted by M.D. and Ph.D. students, contact Isabel Perez at 305-575-7000 ext. 3722 or via e-mail at iperez4@med.miami.edu.

Please RSVP by March 1 to mcoombs@law.miami.edu if you wish to attend.

To learn more visit http://peds2.med.miami.edu/mailman/mailman.htm and click on Medical Issues and the Growing Child Conference – Part B. For more details please call Wanda Denise Castro at 305-243-4466 or wcastro@med.miami.edu.

 The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences is conducting a federally funded HIV behavioral intervention research study for women and their partners, the New Opportunities for Women 2 (NOW 2) Project. The project will address topics related to safer sex, sexual risk reduction, STDs and communication skills. The NOW 2 Project is currently recruiting English-speaking couples, in which one or both individuals must be HIV positive. Participants must be 18 years or older, willing to be tested for STDs, and answer personal questions in a confidential interview. Women and men who participate may each receive compensation of up to $360 for an entire year of participation (this includes attendance at all interviews, examinations and sessions). If interested, please contact Arnetta Phillips or Jackie Gomez, at 305-243-2103, or (aphillips@yahoo.com / jgomez4@med.miami.edu).

The Center for Liver Diseases is recruiting participants for the following studies:

• Patients with chronic liver disease
This studies the correlation between liver histology and elasticity measured in patients with chronic liver disease using a device known as Fibroscan. This is a painless, non-invasive test. Qualifying patient must have received a laparoscopic liver biopsy within the past two months or scheduled a laparoscopic liver biopsy within the next two months by their PCP at Cedars Medical Center-Miami. This is a one time visit. Liver cancer patients are excluded. Contact: Zvi Leibovici at 305-243-2330 or zleibovici@med.miami.edu.

• Determining the relation of an elevated HBV DNA in hepatitis B patients
This is a chart review on hepatitis B subjects to determine the relation of an elevated HBV DNA and normal liver function tests to the histological findings of the liver biopsy. The study requires the subject has a previous liver biopsy between 2003-2006. They must also see the research team to obtain a hepatitis B serology panel, liver function tests (ALT and AST), and HBV viral load. Subjects must be more than 18 years old, have a documented laboratory diagnosis of HBV infection of at least six months, treatment naïve patient, and a documented HBV DNA. For further information, contact Zvi Leibovici at 305-243-2330, or e-mail at zleibovici@med.miami.edu.

• Patients with cirrhosis of the liver as a result of hepatitis B 
This is a phase III b protocol comparing entecavir vs. adefovir in chronic hepatitis B subjects with evidence of hepatic decompensation. Subjects must have cirrhosis because of hepatitis B infection, never been treated for hepatitis B or treated with lamivudine (epivir) only, and do not have HIV, hepatitis C or D. For further information please call: 305)-243-6939, or e-mail the study  coordinator, Connie Higgins at: chiggins@med.miami.edu.

• Patients with hepatic encephalopathy
This study will compare Lactulose and Rifaximin to determine the benefit of either drug, or a combination of both. We will be enrolling patients with cirrhosis of the liver and a history of a previous hospitalization for hepatic encephalopathy. Patients will be followed for six months and a one-month post-treatment. Contact Macy Ho, CRC 305-243-4648 or e-mail Mho@med.miami.edu.

• Vaccine test in patients with chronic hepatitis C
The Center for Liver Diseases is conducting a phase I, double-blind, placebo controlled, dose escalation, multi-center trial of a therapeutic vaccine in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. Subject must be > 18, have no hypersensitivity to baker's yeast, non-cirrhotic, compensated liver disease, and must have received a liver biopsy within the past two years or be willing to have one performed. Subjects can be naïve to previous treatment, or a relapser or partial responder to an interferon-based treatment. Must meet other criteria as well. Contact Macy Ho at 305-243-4648 or mho@med.miami.edu.

• Study of three treatments
The Center for Liver Diseases is conducting a phase 2, double-blind, multi-center, randomized research study in HBV decompensated subjects. Adult subjects with CPT score of 7-12 and no history of HCC will be assigned to one of the three treatment arms: tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), emtricitabine plus tenofovir disprocil fumarate (FTC/TDF) or entecavir (ETV). Patients can be on lamivudine or adefovir dipivoxil. Must meet other criteria. Contact clinical research coordinator Karina Herrera at 305-243-2148 or at kherrera@med.miami.edu.

• Study of liver diseases
The Center for Liver Diseases is conducting a Phase II study for men and women, investigational oral medication for liver scarring caused by chronic hepatitis C. Subjects must be between 40 and 70 years old, have been diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C, have failed prior hepatitis C therapy with interferon and ribavirin treatments, which must have been discontinued at least 12 months ago. Study staff will review additional criteria if you are interested in learning more. The study should last approximately 56 weeks with 14 clinic visits. Contact Macy Ho, CRC 305-243-4648 or Mho@med.miami.edu

Do you or does someone you know experience pain related to spinal cord injury? Eva Widerström-Noga, Ph.D., and her colleagues are conducting research into the nature and treatment of pain associated with spinal cord injury. Studies are enrolling now.  Eligible participants will be 18 to 70 years of age and at least two years post-injury.  If you are interested in enrolling, please call The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at 305-243-8132 for information.

Heather Woolery-Lloyd, M.D., of the Division of Cosmetic Dermatology, is looking for people between the ages of 18 and 39 who have mild to severe acne to participate in a research study to determine whether use of an investigational topical treatment will improve acne.  If you are interested, please contact a member of the research staff at 305-531-5788.

The Department of Psychology is recruiting participants for the following studies:

• A schizophrenia family study 
Have you or one of your relatives been diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder? Are you in regular contact with this person? If so, you and your family may be eligible to participate in a free family-focused treatment research study. During the treatment, clinicians will provide factual information about schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. In addition, techniques to assist the family in coping with mental illness will be presented. Treatment is available in English and Spanish. If interested, please contact the Schizophrenia Family Project at 305-284-5455.

• A family factors and autism study
The aim of this project is to better understand families’ emotional reactions to autism spectrum disorders. We seek the participation of adults with high-functioning autism or Asperger’s and one of his or her parents. Participation will involve one hour-long telephone call. If you would like to help with this study or if you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Wasserman at 305-284-2307.

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.

Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are being recruited for a study of effects of sildenafil on exercise and breathlessness. Participants must have a firm clinical diagnosis of IPF, be 40 to 85 years of age, and not be on medication for IPF. Interested patients or physicians wishing to refer patients should call 305-575-3548, fax 305-575-3126, or e-mail rjackson2@med.miami.edu.

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is testing experimental medications and therapies for the treatment of cervical dysplasia, a pre-cancerous condition that can lead to cancer if left untreated. Current treatments are surgical or invasive. This study is testing an investigational gene therapy to see if it safely and effectively treats HPV medicated cervical lesions as a result of dysplasia. If you are between 18 and 25 and have had an abnormal PAP test, you may be able to take part in this research study. Qualified participants will receive all study-related care and study therapy. To find out more, call Iliana Rivas at (305) 243-5832 or i.rivas@miami.edu

The Department of Psychology and the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control is conducting a quality of life research intervention with advanced prostate cancer patients. Participants should have Stage III or IV prostate cancer and have recently or currently been treated with hormone therapy. Eligible participants will take part in a ten-week cognitive behavioral stress and affect management program or a health promotions program. Three psychosocial/medical assessments are also required. If you are interested in this study or would like more information, please contact Frank Penedo, Ph.D., at 305-243-3329, or fpenedo@miami.edu.

Daniel Santisteban, Ph.D., of the Center for Family Studies in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, is currently conducting a research program that would provide adolescents and/or their family treatment for free. Participants must be 14 to 17 years old, have a parent or legal guardian willing to participate, meet DSM criteria for both substance abuse disorder and borderline personality disorder, and be willing to participate in four separate but paid evaluations. If interested, please contact Maite Mena, Psy., at 305-243-3658, or mmena@med.miami.edu for details. 

Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine is seeking patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) for phase III protocol that will assess the impact of pirfenidone on IPF. Subjects must be between 40 and 80, and have a confirmed diagnosis of IPF within 48 months of randomization. For more information please call: 305-243-3728, or e-mail Emmanuelle Simonet at esimonet@med.miami.edu.

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.

Jennifer B. Marks, M.D., is currently recruiting patients ages 18 through 40 with type 1 diabetes mellitus with a recent diagnosis for participation in a research study to test the safety and effectiveness of an investigational medication. Patients must be taking multiple insulin injections daily and in good health. Those who are interested should contact Rogelio Suarez at 305-243-6573 or rsuarez2@med.miami.edu.

The AIDS Clinical Research Unit, directed by Margaret Fischl, M.D., is recruiting participants for the following studies:

• A phase I IL-7 study (IL-7 is a cytokine that aids T-cell development and improves T-cell survival). Participants must be 18 to 50 years of age, receiving antiretroviral therapy for at least 12 months, have an HIV-1 RNA level less than or equal to 50,000 copies/ml, and have a CD4 cell count of 100 cells/ccm or higher. Participants must be willing to do 12-hour IL-7 blood level monitoring. Up to $200 in food certificates provided.

• An investigational CC-chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) entry inhibitor for patients with HIV. The study will look at single dose, dose escalations of a study drug (0.5 mg, 2.0 mg and 5.0 mg) and a placebo. The study will determine how well the study drug blocks CCR5 receptors and is tolerated. Participants must be 18 and older, not taking antiretroviral therapy for at least three months and have a viral load greater than 5,000 and a CD4 count greater than 250. Must be willing to do six-hour drug level monitoring. Up to $250 provided.

For more information on studies conducted by the AIDS Clinical Research Unit, contact Juan at 305-243-3838 or Leslie at L.Thompson@miami.edu.

The SPARE Study (Soy Phytoestrogens As Replacement Estrogen) is currently recruiting women 45 to 60 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 University of Miami Skin Research Group, directed by Brian Berman, M.D., Ph.D., is looking for people with acne, atopic dermatitis (eczema), and keloids. Participants should be 18 or older for the acne and keloid studies and ages 2 to 17 for the atopic dermatitis studies. If interested, please contact the research staff at 305-243-5519 or visit our website at http://www.skininvestigation.com/.

Bruce Rubin, M.D., is currently performing a study on trigeminal neuralgia (TN) treatment with subcutaneous injections of BOTOX® to evaluate the effectiveness of treating facial pain associated with TN. Patients must have a diagnosis of TN for more than three months and be at least 18 years of age.
 
Dr. Rubin is also seeking patients for a research study on the treatment of tightness/spasticity in the wrist, fingers, and elbow caused by a stroke while evaluating the effect of BOTOX® on pulmonary functioning. Patients must be 18 years of age, have had a stroke six months ago or longer, have a pulmonary/breathing problem and cannot have used BOTOX® or any other botulinum toxin previously for any condition. Please contact Amy L. Kaye, ARNP, at 305-243-6223 for additional information on either of these studies.