“I’m fascinated by it," said Senator Harkin, who has been an advocate for safer medical practices nationwide.

Joined by UM President Donna E. Shalala and Miller School Dean Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D., Dr. Birnbach walked Senator Harkin through a series of learning stations, including the recreation of a hazardous materials scenario, where emergency responders wearing protective gear practiced performing common resuscitative procedures like intubation on mannequins. Lt. Col. Donald Robinson, D.O., director of the Army Trauma Training Center at the Ryder Trauma Center, greeted the Senator and explained that every two weeks he brings his forward surgical teams to the patient safety center for training before they are deployed.

“We are committed to excellence in our patient safety practices across the medical campus, which now includes the University of Miami Hospital," said Dean Goldschmidt. "As we establish ourselves as a medical destination, we are determined to become the safest health system anywhere."

In a nearby conference room, the Senator watched as assistant professors of anesthesiology Daniel Castillo, M.D., and Ricardo Martinez-Ruiz, M.D., debriefed anesthesiology residents and medical students following a mock operating scenario involving anaphylactic reaction.

From there, the group moved past the glass doors of a small computer lab, where medical students and nurses wearing headphones listened intently as they watched a video that recreates a fatal scenario resulting from hospital infection. "We want them to see the human side of it, so they’ll think, ‘I’ve got to wash my hands because it’s the right thing to do,’" explained Dr. Birnbach, before continuing on to a station supervised by Joshua Lenchus, D.O., program director for the center. With the help of former intern Laura Erben, M.D., Dr. Lenchus recently created a new rotation for the internal medicine residents during which they learn invasive procedures from attendings in a variety of departments over a two-day period at the center.

“The use of simulators has transformed medicine," said President Shalala, while watching a student insert a central line in the neck of a mannequin with the help of an ultrasound and Dr. Lenchus’ instruction. "You don’t do it on a patient until you’ve practiced it here."

Across the hall, obstetrics residents performed a delivery using forceps on a pregnant mannequin under the guidance of Salih Yasin, M.D., interim associate chair of obstetrics and gynecology.

The Senator finished the tour in the "brains" of the center -- a computer control room equipped with state-of-the-art video equipment that records activities within the center and allows physicians and medical students to watch their performance played back to them. "They learn more by watching themselves than they ever could from observing an instructor," said Birnbach.

“The progress here has been incredibly impressive," said Senator Harkin.

The center will continue to grow and evolve with the help of a $400,000 federal grant funding research on how to build and renovate safer hospitals. "Safety is everything," said David Lubarsky, M.D., M.B.A, Emanuel M. Papper Professor and Chairman of the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management. "We want to lead the way in first proving what initiatives work and then being at the forefront of implementation."

Each year, the ESRF selects medical, graduate and M.D./Ph.D. students, and resident physicians from the United States, Canada, Europe, Central and South America to present original basic science and clinical research in multiple biomedical fields.

The goals of the ESRF extend beyond formal presentations and include the informal exchange of scientific ideas among students and faculty preceptors, the encouragement of student-initiated research, and the professional development of future leaders in biomedical research.

Registration will take place tomorrow at 6 p.m. at the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay hotel, 1633 North Bayshore Drive, followed by a welcome reception from 8 to 11 p.m. The conference will begin with breakfast on Thursday morning at 8:45 at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Retter Auditorium with opening remarks by Dean Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D.
 
Guest speaker Maria I. New, M.D., professor of pediatrics and human genetics, and director of the Adrenal Steroid Disorders Program at Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, will present a special lecture on the "Update of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia" at noon this Thursday at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Retter Auditorium. David Lubarsky, M.D., professor and chairman of anesthesiology, will conclude the symposium at the awards banquet on Saturday, March 1, at 7 p.m. at the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay hotel.

For more information, please contact Isabel Perez at IPerez4@med.miami.edu or 305-575-7000 ext. 3722. The complete schedule can be found at http://esrf.mededu.miami.edu/.

A special presentation on "Cardiovascular Disease and Visions of Interdisciplinary Training, Research and Patient Care" will be presented by guest speakers James N. Weiss, M.D., chief of cardiology at the University of California, Los Angeles, and John Solaro, Ph.D., chairman of physiology and biophysics at the University of Illinois, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Lois Pope LIFE Center, seventh-floor auditorium. Commentary will be provided by Miller School Dean Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D.; William O'Neill, M.D., executive dean for clinical affairs; Bart Chernow, M.D., vice president for special programs and resource strategy and senior executive advisor to the dean; Steven Lipshultz, M.D., chairman of pediatrics and associate executive dean for child health; Ralph Sacco, M.D., chairman of neurology; and Joshua Hare, M.D., chief of the Cardiovascular Division.

Finally, a brief award ceremony will take place at 6:30 p.m. for best oral and poster presentations. The awards ceremony will conclude with a wine and cheese reception.

Abstract applications are being accepted online until the end of February. Detailed information can be found at www.cdfmiami.com. For more information, please contact Dylan Steen, M.D., at dsteen@med.miami.edu or Shannon Haliko at shaliko@med.miami.edu.

Employees of the University of Miami specialty hospitals will continue to use Halogen’s online e-appraisal system. The new staff performance evaluation template can be found at http://www.med.miami.edu/hr/forms/PerfEval_Final.doc and the leadership performance form at http://www.med.miami.edu/hr/forms/LeadPerfEval_Final.doc. The forms are also located on the Medical Human Resources Web site at www.med.miami.edu/hr under "Forms."

If you have any questions about the performance evaluation process or the new evaluation forms, please call 305-326-6090 or send an e-mail to kstimmell@med.miami.edu. For questions about Halogen’s online evaluation process please contact the Halogen Help Desk at 305-243-8171.

Anyone with a flair for cooking is welcome to enter a dish in the competition for a chance to win a great prize. For more information, please contact Eileen Bernal at EMBernal@med.miami.edu or Nidhi Avashia at NJAvashia@med.miami.edu.

To register please visit http://cme.med.miami.edu. For more information, please call 305-243-6716 or e-mail umcme@med.miami.edu.

Lunch will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, please contact Sheela Dominguez at 305-243-4889 or SDominguez@med.miami.edu.

For more information please call 305-243-6005.

The lecture will take place this Friday at noon in the Rosenstiel Medical Science Building, fifth-floor auditorium. Lunch will be served. For more information, please contact Tanyika Stephenson at 305-243-7482.

If you wish to meet with the speaker, contact Sylka Perez at 305-243-6265 or sperez6@med.miami.edu.

Lunch will be provided; no RSVP is required. For further information, contact Diane Dames at ddames@med.miami.edu.

It is possible that a significant percentage of your future patients, friends and family will not be heterosexual. Please join us as we discuss the many health disparities that exist between lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and heterosexual individuals. Claude Earl Fox, M.D., research professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, will present the lecture. 

Lunch and refreshments will be provided. For further information, please contact Fernando Suarez or Richard Coia at medicout@gmail.com.

This project is supported by a grant from the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Projects Fund at the Dade Community Foundation.

Register online now at www.splitsecondtiming.com. If you have any questions, please call 954-384-7521.

Study to Compare the Methods of Collecting Urine Samples for the Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Infections
The Institute for Women's Health is conducting a research study for the treatment of urinary tract infection (UTI), a very common problem in young, healthy women that afflicts approximately one-half of women by their late 50's. Urine specimens collected for the diagnosis of urinary tract infection are often contaminated with organisms and the major purpose of this study is to compare the methods (voided versus catheter) of collecting the urine samples for the diagnosis of UTI. If you are a female between the ages of 18 to 49, currently experiencing painful urination for less than seven days and frequent trips to the restroom, you may be able to take part in this study. To find out more, call Wisvline Labrousse, Ph.D., A.R.N.P., at 305-243-2576.

Urinary Tract Infection Antibiotic Treatment  Study
The Institute for Women's Health is conducting a research study for the treatment of urinary tract infection (UTI), a very common problem in young, healthy women that afflicts approximately one-half of women by their late 50's. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and tolerance of a three-day regimen of standard antibiotics currently used for the treatment of UTI. If you are female between the ages of 18 to 45, currently experiencing painful urination and frequent trips to the restroom, you may be able to take part in this study. To find out more, call Wisvline Labrousse, Ph.D., A.R.N.P., at 305-243-2576.

Pregnant Women Needed for Urinary Tract Infection Study
The Institute for Women's Health and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Miller School are seeking the participation of pregnant women at least 18 years of age and over to help in a clinical research study on urinary tract infection and its treatment during pregnancy. The study involves screening pregnant women in the early stages of pregnancy and following them at their regular scheduled visits until delivery. We will also determine the optimal duration of treatment of asymptomatic urinary tract infection in pregnancy. Research study visits will include completion of a questionnaire, health history, and collection of urine samples at scheduled visits until delivery. All study-related visits, lab work and medications will be free; participants will be compensated for the completed study visits. For more information, please call Wisvline Labrousse, Ph.D., A.R.N.P., at 305-243-2576

Melasma Study
Heather Woolery-Lloyd, M.D., of the Division of Cosmetic Dermatology is looking for female subjects between the ages of 18 and 50 who have melasma, brown spots on the face, to participate in a research study to determine whether an oral sunscreen is safe and effective in the treatment of melasma. If interested, please contact a member of the research staff at 305-531-5788 or cosmeticresearch@med.maimi.edu.

Keloid scars
Heather Woolery-Lloyd, M.D., of the Division of Cosmetic Dermatology, is looking for men and women between the ages of 18 and 65 who have keloid scars to participate in a clinical research study. The study will determine whether use of an investigational treatment known as Apligraf®, a product with an epidermis and dermis layer like skin, will reduce recurrence of keloids. The study duration is 52 weeks and requires up to 13 visits.  If interested, please contact a member of the research staff at 305-531-5788 or www.derm.net.

Leslie Baumann, M.D., professor and director of the UM Cosmetic Center, is recruiting for studies on photoaging, fine lines, wrinkles, crow's feet, sun damage, brown spots, uneven pigmentation, acne, keloids, scars and loose skin on the abdomen or upper arms. If you are interested in any of these studies, please call our research team at 305-531-5788 or visit the Web site at www.derm.net. Studies will take place at the University of Miami Cosmetic Center located in the Miami Heart Institute, 4701 N. Meridian Avenue, Nichol Building, Suite 7450, Miami Beach.

UM/Sylvester is currently recruiting for the following studies:

• Smoking Cessation in Women
Noella Dietz, Ph.D., is recruiting Caucasian and Hispanic heterosexual women, current smokers, ages 18 to 60 in an established relationship, to participate in focus groups with the aim to better understand the relationship between feelings and behaviors, and how they affect smoking cessation attempts among women. Volunteers will receive $25 for being part of a one-hour meeting. For more information, please call 305-243-8285.

The Center for Liver Diseases is looking for volunteers with liver (hepatic) disease who are 18 years or older to test the safety of a new drug. For more information, please call Sachin Nalin Vyas, Ph.D., research unit manager, at 305-243-4649.

The Islet Cell Transplant Center at the Diabetes Research Institute is recruiting subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus to participate in research studies that involve transplantation of islets, the insulin producing cells of the pancreas. For more information and eligibility criteria, call the department at 305-243-5321 or view the clinical trials section of the Web site www.diabetesresearch.org.

The Department of Psychology and the UM/SCCC Division of Biobehavioral Oncology and Cancer Epidemiology are conducting an NCI-funded quality of life research study with patients recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Participants are eligible if they have been diagnosed with prostate cancer within 3 months and have not begun treatment. All participants will be followed for two years and will undergo psychosocial and medical assessments. Participants will be reimbursed up to $250 for their time and effort. If you or someone you know may be interested in more information about this study, please contact Natalie Escobio at 305-243-3329 or nescobio@med.miami.edu.  

The Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine is seeking patients with COPD for phase III protocol that will determine whether a once-a-day dose of an investigational medication, bronchodilator, will effectively improve breathing for 24 hours. You will be paid for your time and effort. For more information, please call 305-243-2568 or e-mail Eliana Mendes at emendes@med.miami.edu.

Robert M. Jackson, M.D., from the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, is seeking idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients for an ongoing phase II clinical trial of vasodilator therapy (sildenafil). The objectives will be to assess possible therapeutic benefits of a vasodilator, sildenafil, on exercise tolerance and dyspnea in IPF patients and to observe changes in post-exercise markers of oxidant stress. The investigators seek patients with mild to moderate IPF and who have been diagnosed clinically. The study is open to at least ten additional patients. For more information, please contact Robert M. Jackson, M.D. or IPF program coordinator Carol Ramos at 305-575-3548 or by e-mail at rjackson2@med.miami.edu. This trial is funded by the Veterans Administration Research Service and is open to non-veterans of both genders. More information can be found at http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00359736?order=2.

The Department of Psychology and the Division of Biobehavioral Oncology, Prevention, Epidemiology and Control at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center are conducting an NIH-funded intervention study to examine the effects of stress management on health and quality of life in women recently diagnosed with breast cancer (stages 0-III). Participants must have recently had surgery for breast cancer, have not yet begun chemotherapy or radiation treatment, and have fluency in English. Eligible women will participate in weekly group sessions over a period of five weeks and be compensated for completing three assessments (questionnaire packet, saliva collection, and blood draw). If you are interested in participating or would like further information about this study, please contact the study coordinator, Janny Rodriguez, at 305-284-2220 or jannyr@miami.edu.

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.

Jennifer 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.

 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.

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).

Do you or 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, paid evaluations. If interested, please contact Maite Mena, Psy.D., at 305-243-3658, or mmena@med.miami.edu for details. 

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 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.

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.