“We plan to build on our already existing strengths in HIV/AIDS to provide the infrastructure for the NIH-funded research activities, and promote and mentor new research aimed at fulfilling the CFAR mission,” said Savita Pahwa, M.D., professor of microbiology and immunology, medicine and pediatrics and principal investigator for the new center. “This is an important milestone in the Miller School's already substantial HIV/AIDS research portfolio, and we are now poised to rise to new heights.  We are grateful to our many colleagues across various UM departments for their input and substantial contribution to the development of the DCFAR application.”

Currently there are 18 Centers for AIDS Research located at academic institutions across the country. This is the first NIH-funded AIDS research center in Florida, a state with the second highest number of HIV-infected people in the U.S.
The proposal for the new center was developed by a team of HIV/AIDS researchers from the Miller School and is designed to include five cores: administrative, developmental, clinical sciences, laboratory sciences, and behavioral/social sciences and community outreach.

“A structure such as this one will finally enable us to work together in collaboration between not only the traditional basic science and clinical arms of research, but also in the behavioral and social sciences area that will also include members of the HIV/AIDS community,” said Margaret Fischl, M.D., professor of medicine and associate director of the center. “By all of us working together, we can expand ongoing research, develop new research and, most importantly, bring a benefit to our patients.”

The administrative core will be in charge of the overall functioning of the center, while the developmental core will offer training, mentoring and research support to help new and young investigators at the Miller School identify new areas to be explored. The developmental core will be under the direction of Gwendolyn Scott, M.D., professor of pediatrics, and Gail Shor-Posner, Ph.D., professor of epidemiology and public health.

The aim of the clinical sciences core is to facilitate HIV/AIDS translational research by providing biostatistical support, and to develop a repository for clinical samples. The laboratory sciences core will provide immunovirologic assays for HIV research and translational studies under the direction of Dr. Pahwa and co-director Andreas Baur, M.D., associate professor of microbiology and immunology. Collaboration between behavioral and biomedical scientists at the center and community organizations in South Florida will be facilitated through the behavioral and social sciences core, directed by Lisa Metsch, Ph.D., associate professor of epidemiology and public health, and Neil Schneiderman, Ph.D., professor of psychology, medicine, psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and biomedical engineering.

“From the earliest days of the AIDS epidemic, the Miller School has been at the forefront of research into this terrible disease,” said Pascal J. Goldschmidt, senior vice president for medical affairs and dean of the Miller School. “This new support from the NIH will help us to further our mission, and build on what is already a highly regarded research and treatment program in the field of HIV infection and AIDS.”

Also, Coreen Rodgers will assume duties as hospital director for the Anne Bates Leach Eye Hospital while retaining her role as assistant chair for the Department of Ophthalmology. Dean Cocchi, who has served as director of finance for the hospitals division since 2002, becomes the chief financial officer of Anne Bates Leach Eye Hospital.

Congratulations to all!

For more information, please call 305-243-7600.

Tomorrow, fourth-year resident Robson Capasso, M.D., will discuss the relationship between psychiatry and sleep disorders and sleep neurophysiology. He will also explain the interaction between psychopharmacology and sleep architecture. His lecture, "Sleep and Psychiatry: An Overview," will be held in the Mailman Center for Child Development eighth-floor auditorium from noon to 1 p.m.

Thursday, Claudio N. Soares, M.D., Ph.D., F.R.C.P.C., associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral neurosciences at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, will present "Menopausal Transition and Depression: A Closer Look at this Window of Vulnerability," in the Mailman Center for Child Development eighth-floor auditorium from noon to 1 p.m. Dr. Soares will examine the mechanisms by which wide fluctuations in sex hormones may contribute to the risk of depressive episodes in middle-aged women, identify the menopause-related symptoms that affect functioning and quality of life during this transition and discuss how to manage hormonal and non-hormonal strategies for the treatment of symptomatic menopausal women.

Physicians, psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists and mental health workers will receive one CME or CEU credit for attending.

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

Stansberry first came to work on the Miller School campus in 1992. He likes to tell people he came to UM for three months as a consultant and ended up staying for 15 years, at the urging of dean emeritus Bernard Fogel, M.D. "I've considered other opportunities in the past," said Stansberry. "But what always made me stay was the people."

Everyone is invited to a celebration in David's honor tomorrow, from 3 to 5 p.m., at the Hope Lodge.

UM employees will receive a 10-percent discount. To see current schedules, please go to www.kaptest.com/college.
For more information regarding pre-college initiatives at UM, please call Dana Render, assistant director of high school programs, at 305-284-5078.

To read the complete update including steps to protect yourself from identity theft please visit: http://med.miami.edu/hipaa/public/x54.xml.

For additional questions related to this or any other HIPAA Privacy or Security related issue, please contact the Office of HIPAA Privacy & Security (OHPS) at hipaaprivacy@med.miami.edu.

For more information call 305-243-7108 or visit www.miamiproject.med.miami.edu/x381.xml.

Please call Jean Constant-Edma at 305-243-5632 or Jennifer Bunyan at 305-243-4002 to make an appointment.

For more information or to make this service available to your international patients please contact the IHC at 305-243-9100.

The pain management team treats patients with back and neck pain, cancer pain, head and facial pain, joint pain, pain after trauma or surgery, and reflex sympathetic dystrophy. They will see patients Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To make an appointment, please call  the Physician Referral Office at 305-243-8500 or 1-888-4UM-NOPAIN. For more information please contact Robert Chavez at 305-243-8500 and choose option five, or e-mail rchavez@med.miami.edu.

The workshop will be held at the Max Orovitz Building, room 139 on Monday, June 18, from 9 a.m. to noon, and on the medical campus Thursday, June 21, from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Dominion Parking Garage, suite 155.

For more information please contact Sally Philips at 305-284-6604. To register, visit http://netlearning.miami.edu. 

If you need help with registration, please call the Professional Development and Training Office at 305-284-5110 or 305-243-3090.

Tax exempt items include radios, flashlights and other emergency lighting, fuel tanks, generators, coolers, tarps, batteries, tie-down kits, shutters and carbon monoxide detectors.

For more information visit www.grainger.com/taxfree or call 305-284-4337.

Taken from the recent Financial Research Administration VIII conference, this highly regarded session will examine key stakeholders' roles and responsibilities involved in subrecipient monitoring and explore the basic requirements prime awardees must have in order to address subrecipient monitoring beyond collecting their A-133 audit reports. This session is intended for the newer administrator or those unfamiliar with Circular A-133.

The web conference will be shown on Monday, June 21, in the Mailman Center for Child Development eighth floor auditorium from noon to 2 p.m.

To register, please visit netlearning.miami.edu. For help with registration, please e-mail saymerich@med.miami.edu.

He will also present case reviews and lectures on Thursday, June 21 and Friday, June 22 at 12:30 p.m. in Jackson Memorial Hospital, West Wing room 279. For more information, please contact Carol Lamarre at 305-585-7500, or clamarre@med.miami.edu.

The course includes a computer-based learning prerequisite. If you do not have access to the internet and need to obtain the pre-work materials or need further information on the content of the workshop, please call 305-284-6604. To register visit http://netlearning.miami.edu.

The first opportunity will be held today from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Dominion Parking Garage, suite 155. For help with registration, call the PDTO at 305-243-3090. A second course will be held on Thursday, June 28 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Max Orovitz Building on the Coral Gables campus, room 139.

For help with registration, call PDTO at 305-284-5110.

Gift cards are available and if you book today you will receive a 10 percent discount on facials and microdermabrasions. Customized packages are also available throughout the year. For more details, please call 305-243-3223.

Team building is a method of building positive business relationships, helping you and your colleagues face challenges together, developing new and innovative ideas and improving the decision-making process. This leadership academy course has been developed to help frontline supervisors increase their own effectiveness and the effectiveness of their teams in achieving top levels of operational and relational performance through collaboration and mutual respect. Participants will practice diagnosing and improving team issues and dynamics using the team performance model as well as create team development plans. Participants will also define and demonstrate appropriate team dynamics and learn to utilize new methods for working in teams.

Setting goals is a vital part of personal and business planning. Circumstances may force one to modify previously set goals, or priorities may change over time. However, goal setting remains an important part of achievement. This leadership academy online and live course will help emerging leaders identify their values, set principle-based goals and develop an appropriate action plan to achieve these goals. Participants will apply the concepts of developing long-term vision and motivation and also explore the role that organizing time and resources plays in effective goal setting.

Behavioral interviewing is a technique used to match the best candidate with the best position. This technique postures that an individual’s future behaviors may best be predicted based on past behaviors. The purpose of using a behavioral-based interviewing technique is to increase the success rate of the selection process by hiring the most qualified candidates, reducing turnover for new hires and maintaining a stable and high-performing team.

All courses will be held in the Professional Development and Training Office, Dominion Parking Garage, suite 155.

To view a course description, see specific course time, or register for a session, go to NetLearning at http://netlearning.miami.edu. Some courses have a computer-based learning module that must be completed before participants can attend the live classroom session. Participants must register for both the CBL as well as the live sessions in NetLearning. Please register early as seating is limited.

Snapshot of Survival was launched in 2006 to highlight the widespread impact of colorectal cancer. Advancements in prevention, screening and treatment have increased chances for survival for thousands of colorectal cancer patients. Although colorectal cancer is often presented in terms of data and statistics, Snapshot of Survival invites people living with the disease, their families and friends, to express cancer survival through art.

The artwork can be anything two-dimensional (ie. photograph, collage or painting). Hospital staff are allowed to participate. The deadline for submissions is this Thursday.

For more information please visit www.gildasclub.org or call 1-888-GILDA-4-U. You can also contact Giselle Salzmann at 305-243-3663 or stop by the Volunteer Services office for an entry form. Volunteer Services is located on the ground floor in the UM/Sylvester lobby near the courtyard entrance.

A representative from Fidelity Investments will be on the medical campus June 27 to answer financial questions about its retirement plans. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-642-7131.

A representative from Lincoln Financial Group will visit the medical campus June 19 and July 17 to conduct individual counseling sessions. To schedule an appointment, contact Theresa Yong toll free at 866-772-4163 or e-mail tmyong@lnc.com.

All meetings will take place in the Human Resources Benefits Office, 901 NW 17th St., Suite D.

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

For more information please call 305-326-6047 or e-mail jshum@med.miami.edu.

For more information, please contact Coretha Davis at 305-585-1431 or cdavis@med.miami.edu.

 The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is recruiting patients for the following clinical studies:

• Cervical Dysplasia

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.

• Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Do you experience heavy menstrual bleeding on two to five days of your regular menstrual period? Does heavy menstrual bleeding keep you from your normal social and work activities? If you answered yes to these questions, you may qualify for a research study of an investigational drug for heavy menstrual bleeding. This investigational drug is not a hormone. You must be a generally healthy woman between ages 18 and 49, have regular menstrual cycles with heavy bleeding, and not have any other bleeding disorder.

Qualified participants will receive the study drug and study-related procedures including physical exams, electrocardiograms, eye exams and laboratory tests at no cost. They will also receive compensation for time and travel. For more information, please contact Marisol Sloane at 305-243-1616.

• Hot Flashes

Are hot flashes making you miserable? You’re not alone. As many as 85% of postmenopausal women experience the discomfort of hot flashes -- sudden sensations of heat, often accompanied by sweating, racing pulse, and anxiety. If you’re suffering from hot flashes, the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is conducting a clinical research trial studying a non-hormonal investigational drug to see if it may relieve hot flashes. If you are a postmenopausal woman experiencing bothersome hot flashes with sweating every day you may be eligible to participate. Qualified participants will receive at no charge study-related medical examinations, laboratory tests, electrocardiograms, investigational medication and compensation for travel costs to doctors’ visits. For more information, please contact Marisol Sloane at 305-243-1616.

Jay Skyler, M.D., and Jennifer Marks, M.D., from the Diabetes Research Institute, are currently recruiting patients 18 years of age and older with type 1 diabetes mellitus for participation in research studies to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of inhaled insulin. Patients must be taking multiple insulin injections daily, be non-smokers and in good health. Those who are interested should contact Rogelio Suarez at 305-243-6573 or rsuarez2@med.miami.edu.

Robert Kirsner, M.D., Ph.D., vice chairman of the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, is looking for people with foot ulcers as a complication of diabetes or venous insufficiency. Please contact Carol Kittles at 305-243-8485 for additional information on these studies.

Do you experience food cravings? The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the UM Miller School of Medicine is conducting a pilot study of food craving using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Interested volunteers can contact Karin Esposito, M.D., Ph.D., at 305-243-4710.

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.

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.

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.

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:

• An investigational polyclonal caprine IgG, HRG214, for HIV patients not responding to antiretroviral therapy. HRG214 contains antibodies that targets HIV infected CD4 cells and specific regions on HIV. Laboratory/animal studies suggest these antibodies are capable of killing or disabling HIV and preventing further infection.  Participants must have HIV RNA < 5000 copies/ml and CD4 cells < 200 cells/cmm. The study will evaluate 3 increasing dose of HRG214 in part I and compare HRG214 to optimized antiretroviral therapy in part II. HFG214 is given IV over about 30 minutes three times a week for up to 26 weeks. $100 provided each completed week of HRG214 treatment and $25 each completed week of observation

 • A phase II study of investigation use of recombination human keratinocyte growth factor (rHuKGF, palifermin) for patients with incomplete immune recovery on HAART.  rHuKGF may enhance thymus production of lymphocytes and increase CD4 cell counts. Participants must be 18 years and older, receiving antiretroviral therapy for at least 6 months with HIV RNA <200 and CD4 cell count <200 cells.  The study will evaluate 3 doses (20, 40 60 mcg/kg) of rHuKGF compared to placebo.  rHuKGF given IV bolus daily for 3 days. Follow up study visits at weeks 1,2,4,8 12 and 24 with thymus CT scans at entry and week 12.

 • A phase II of an investigational glycosylated recombinant human IL-7 (CYT017, a cytokine that aids T-cell development and improves T-cell survival). Participants must be 18 years of age, receiving HAART for at least 12 months and have an HIV-1 RNA level < 1,000 copies/ml and CD4 cell count of 101– 400 cells/ccm. The study will evaluate three increasing doses (10, 20, 30 Fg/kg) of IL-7 given by SQ injection once a week for 3 weeks. Up to $275 in food certificates 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 rosacea, 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.