As part of its comprehensive package of benefits, the University will be instituting a new program to bring a significant reduction in the cost of monthly public transportation passes to the University.  Monthly passes include the Miami-Dade Transit Metropass, which covers Metrorail, buses and transfers, and the Tri-Rail pass. Effective June 1, 2008, faculty and staff with annualized salaries greater than $35,000 but less than $100,000 can receive a 50 percent savings on the monthly cost of public transportation passes. Staff earning less than $35,000 annually will receive free monthly public transportation passes. Faculty and staff will not be able to obtain these discounted passes and still hold a campus parking permit.

Parking has long been a challenge for many of the University’s employees. Many solutions to the parking dilemma have proven to be too costly or inconvenient, and they also failed to adequately resolve an increasingly scarce parking availability, a growing reality particularly on the Miller School campus due to the growth of the clinical enterprise. As result, under the leadership of Paul Hudgins, associate vice president for Medical Human Resources, the University looked at devising a program that would help address the broader transportation issue, which includes the cost of parking, gas, and vehicle maintenance as well as commuting time.

“This initiative is consistent with two top goals of the University -- helping faculty and staff cope with the high cost of living in South Florida and promoting environmentally sensitive programs in all that we do," says Joe Natoli, senior vice president of business and finance and chief financial officer. "Through this new benefit, we hope to help many employees with their transportation needs while also reducing traffic congestion and associated air pollution."

As one of South Florida’s green leaders in adopting environmentally sensitive practices, the University concluded that it should focus on encouraging the use of public transportation, which would save faculty and staff money and reduce the time and stress of commuting.  Additional news on this program, including enrollment information, will soon be announced.

The Miller School has also devised a hybrid vehicle rebate policy.  Full-time faculty, staff and students who drive hybrid vehicles to work and park in UM-owned garages can get a 50% parking rebate up to $215 per year. In order to claim a rebate, one must comply with the policy and register your hybrid vehicle with the Security Department. After paying to park for one year, you may apply for the rebate by completing the rebate request form. To view the hybrid vehicle rebate policy, please visit http://ummcsd.med.miami.edu/SECURITY/Forms/Hybrid%20Vehicle%20Parking%20Policy.pdf. To access the hybrid vehicle registration form, please visit http://ummcsd.med.miami.edu/SECURITY/Forms/HybridVehicleRegistration.pdf.

Pinning Ceremony Officially Welcomes Students to the Miller School

The cheers were long and loud as the members of the Miller School’s Class of 2011 -- white coat-clad and led by society leaders carrying flags celebrating their 15 academic societies -- marched into a white tent pitched on the lawn of the Schoninger Research Quadrangle. As they took their seats, parents, friends, faculty, staff and other students rose to their feet and officially welcomed the 179 freshmen to the University of Miami’s medical "family."

The eighth annual ceremony, officially renamed the John G. Clarkson Freshman Pinning Ceremony in 2006 for the former dean, was held March 7 to honor the class whose members have been studying at the Miller School since August. Students helped plan the ceremony that was chaired by second-year student Melissa Diamond.

Before getting the pins that symbolize the mission of the Miller School, students were congratulated by Dean Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D., encouraged by guest speaker Myron "Mike" L. Weisfeldt. M.D., chairman of the Department of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and urged to emulate the qualities of Mark T. O’Connell, M.D., Miller School senior associate dean for medical education who received the evening’s Humanism Award. Dean Goldschmidt also acknowledged former Dean Clarkson, telling him, "John, we’ll never be able to salute you enough." For more on this story, please click here.

Student Research Recognized at International Forum

Student researchers representing the Miller School, Harvard Medical School, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Albany Medical College, Jefferson Medical College, the University of Toronto and a number of other institutions from around the world gathered on the Miller School campus from February 27 to March 1 for the thirty-fourth annual Eastern-Atlantic Student Research Forum.

The annual symposium, sponsored in part by the American Medical Association Foundation, brings together medical, graduate and M.D./Ph.D. students to formally present original basic science and clinical research in multiple biomedical fields.

Maria I. New, M.D., professor of pediatrics and human genetics and director of the Adrenal Steroid Disorders Program at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, presented "Update on Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia" as the event’s keynote address.

UM award winners included Kavita Desai, who shared her first place prize for Outstanding Basic Science Poster Presentation with Matthew Witek from Jefferson Medical College; Vivek Kalra and Dan Ilkovitch, who each received honorable mentions for their basic science presentations; and Lana Jones, who received an honorable mention for her neurology/neurosurgery presentation.

Tim Love and Mike Gorin were honored with the best UM presentation and Seth Miller and Christine Dinh were recipients of the first Drs. Carl and Barbara Alving Endowed Biomedical Research Award, made possible by a $100,000 gift from the Alvings in recognition of the outstanding medical student research of the year.

To pick up your Employee Day tickets, download and complete the registration form at http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mifl/sports/m-basebl/auto_pdf/clemsonbaseballform.pdf. Qualified employees must bring the completed form and a valid UM employee ID to receive tickets.

Tickets will be sold and distributed, while they last, on the Miller campus, outside Au Bon Pain, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today; Thursday, March 13; Tuesday, March 18; and Thursday, March 20.  Tickets will also be distributed at the UM Hospital from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow and Wednesday, March 19.  You may also pick up tickets at the Hecht Athletic Center ticket office, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Please visit www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=RIK3XWqdEzC6YuuTWMJVvA_3d_3d to share your thoughts.

The registration fee is $450.  For more information, please call 305-326-6110, fax 305-326-6518, or e-mail bpeicme@med.miami.edu.

The new center has 3,500 square feet of office space available for interviewing, counseling, interventions and laboratory work. The lobby is equipped with a flat-screen television with satellite service. There is an intervention room able to accommodate 15 people for group sessions and a conference room that can hold up to 20 people. The space also has a phlebotomy office that is equipped for testing urine, drawing blood and ORASURE rapid HIV testing. One full-time UM security officer is on duty from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, contact Sam Comerford at 305-243-7266 or oac@med.miami.edu or visit www.cdrc.med.miami.edu/x105.xml <http://www.cdrc.med.miami.edu/x105.xml>.

UM Ethics Programs expect to award three to six Arsht Ethics Research Grants for as much as $50,000 each to faculty-student teams. A University-wide Ethics Advisory Board will review the applications.

For more information, including the full call for proposals and a list of Ethics Advisory Board members, visit www.miami.edu/ethics or e-mail ethics@miami.edu. The deadline for applications is Friday, March 28.

Applicants should submit their curricula vitae and an abstract (no more than 1,000 words) that describes the project's aims, background, preliminary study, and methods by this Saturday. Selected investigators will be invited to submit a five-page application and will be offered methodological and technical support for developing their pilot applications, which will be due on May 15. Selection criteria will include: the study’s potential for advancing a culturally tailored intervention, soundness of the methodology, clinical framework and analysis, the investigator’s ability to carry out the plan within the funding limit, and the study and investigator’s potential to develop the pilot study into an application for independent funding.

Funding for the one-year pilot studies is anticipated to begin on July 1 with a maximum of $40,000 per study. Applications are only being accepted from UM faculty members.

For more information, call Tania Lopez at 305-284-6207or tlopez1@miami.edu.

Financial Wellness Week's broad range of topics includes: learning more about your University retirement plan, learning how to take advantage of free investment advice with LTSave, the ins and outs of credit score ratings, and how to handle the current mortgage crisis. In addition to the free valuable advice and information, the University is also catering each session -- breakfast, lunch or healthy snacks.  Raffle prizes will also be distributed.  You can fill out your raffle ticket and drop it in the raffle box at each seminar.  The more seminars you attend, the greater chance you have to win!  Seats will fill quickly.

Visit http://www6.miami.edu/benefits if you would like to view and print the Miller School of Medicine schedule.

For more information or questions about the events, visit www.miami.edu/benefits/ask and complete the online form.

In order to gain access to this library of courses, you must complete two ULearn computer-based learning modules -- Contact Hour Library - Module I and Contact Hour Library - Module II. Please visit http://umiami.intellinex.com/miami/lang-default/SYS_login.asp to access the modules.

Participants must complete some training within the first 90 days. Failure to complete any training within that period will result in your department being charged a $35 fee. In order to receive contact hours credit, all training must be self-reported in ULearn by May 15.

Please note that access to this contact hours library is limited and will be granted on a first come, first served basis.

If you have any questions contact customer service at Jackson Memorial Hospital at 305-585-1430.  You may also direct questions to a UM Benefits expert by completing the form located at www.miami.edu/benefits/ask.

UM/Sylvester at Deerfield Beach will continue to host free educational events through the popular "Conversations About Cancer" series.

Space is limited, so please register online at http://ulearn.miami.edu/.  If you have any questions please contact Sofia Aymerich by e-mail at saymerich@med.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.

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.

Last year, the Miller School of Medicine implemented one template evaluation form for all employees.  The forms have been modified for 2008.  All employees (AO1, AO3 and AO6) must be evaluated utilizing the new performance evaluation templates.  There is a separate form for employees in management positions, which includes a set of leadership core competencies. Employees of the University of Miami Hospitals and Clinics and Anne Bates Leach Eye Hospital will continue to use Halogen’s online e-appraisal system.

The new staff performance evaluation form 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.

All UM employees receive a 20% discount. If you need additional information or would like to make an appointment, please call 305-482-4888.

Due to space limitations, please RSVP to dfernandez4@med.miami.edu or ytabraue@med.miami.edu.

For more information, please contact Karen Del Rio at 305-243-5682 or kdelrio@med.miami.edu.

For more information on this lecture, contact Ledi Figueroa at lfigueroa@med.miami.edu or 305-243-6725.

This program will provide one CME/CEU credit to physicians, psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and mental health counselors. It has also been approved to provide one contact hour for nurses by the Jackson Health System Department of Education and Development.

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

Lunch will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. For additional information, please contact Wanda Castro at 305-243-4466 or wcastro@med.miami.edu.

Lunch will be provided. For more information, e-mail Katie Houghton at Khoughton@med.miami.edu or visit www.jayweisscenter.org.

The lecture, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m., is eligible for one hour of CME or CEU credit. Lunch will be provided.
 
Following Dr. Freund’s lecture, two poster awardees will be announced. All faculty and staff are welcome to participate in as much of the day as possible. The full agenda can be found on the Institute’s Web site: http://womenshealth.med.miami.edu/x28.xml.

To RSVP for the keynote lecture and CME or CEU credit, please contact Marie Corrales at mcorrales2@med.miami.edu or Patti Stauffer at pstauffer@med.miami.edu. You can also call: 305-243-2576.

Lunch will be provided. Licensed clinical social workers, licensed mental health counselors and licensed marriage and family therapists will receive 1.5 continuing medical education credits.

Please RSVP by this Friday to Sheila Findlay, LCSW, at 305-495-8273 or sfindlay@med.miami.edu.

For more information, contact Karen Hamilton at 305-243-6612 or khamilton@med.miami.edu.

One CME credit will be offered to attendees. For further details, please contact Coretha Davis at 305-585-1431.

At the end of this workshop, participants will be able to discuss basic principles of cash management, identify and maximize discretionary income, describe a financial blueprint and detail one way to overcome a financial roadblock. 

To register, please visit http://ulearn.miami.edu or call the Professional Development and Training Office at 305-243-3090.

To RSVP, call 305-284-3004 or e-mail Victor Agramonte at vagramonte@miami.edu. If you are unable to attend, you may e-mail your questions at www.miami.edu/benefits/ask.

For more information, please contact Sylka Perez at 305-243-6265 or sperez6@med.miami.edu.

For more information on this lecture, contact Ledi Figueroa at lfigueroa@med.miami.edu or 305-243-6725.

To register, please visit http://ulearn.miami.edu. For questions, or for more information, please contact Sofia Aymerich at saymerich@med.miami.edu.

For more information, please contact Sylka Perez at 305-243-6265 or sperez6@med.miami.edu.

Attendees will receive an educational handout, healthy recipes and a healthy lunch. Please RSVP via e-mail to vagramonte@miami.edu.

The VIP reception is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and the street festival is from 7 to 9 p.m. For ticket or event information, please contact the American Lung Association at 1-800-LUNGUSA or 954-524-4657, or visit www.coralgableswineandfood.com.

For more information on this lecture, contact Ledi Figueroa at lfigueroa@med.miami.edu or 305-243-6725.

Lunch will be served and parking will be validated for those parking at UM/Sylvester. You must RSVP to attend.

For more information, please contact Carthy Thomas at 305-243-1000 or 800-545-2292, or c.thomas@miami.edu.

There will be many special presentations by world-renowned speakers.  Guest speakers include Antonio Calafiore, M.D., professor of cardiac surgery at University of Catania, Italy; Didier de Canniere, M.D., associate professor of cardiac surgery, Hospital Erasme, Belgium; and Miller School speakers Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D., senior vice president for medical affairs and dean; William O'Neill, M.D., executive dean for clinical affairs; Eduardo de Marchena, M.D., director of the International Medicine Institute and UM Cardiovascular Center; Joshua Hare, M.D., chief of the Cardiovascular Division; and Alan Heldman, M.D., clinical chief of the Cardiovascular Division.

Abstract applications are being accepted through e-mail until this Saturday, March 15.  For more information, please call the UM Cardiovascular Center at 305-243-2720 or e-mail Milen Gonzalez, administrator, at mileng@miami.edu.

Ticket holders will be able to customize their day by choosing several breakout sessions to learn the latest about a wide variety of topics ranging from genetics, cancer prevention, and clinical trials, to the power of mind over matter and men’s and women’s health.  Many sessions will feature UM/Sylvester’s top physicians and scientists, providing the latest information and resources.

The Well Being/Being Well inaugural conference will be held at the Intercontinental Miami Hotel, 100 Chopin Plaza, Miami, on Tuesday, April 22, at 7:30 a.m.  Registration is open and tickets are available for $100 per person.  For more information, please contact UM/Sylvester at 305-243-9949 or www.sylvester.org/wellbeing/

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.

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 Carlos Quintero at 305-243-2854.

The Center for Liver Diseases is also conducting a research study on patients with hepatitis C viral infection (HCV). Patients must be at least 18 years of age with resistance to prior treatment. Qualified patients will receive treatment without cost. If you or someone you know is interested in participating in this study, please call Carlos Quintero at 305-243-2854.

Carlos Hernandez-Cassis, M.D., and his group from the Diabetes Research Institute are currently recruiting patients 18 to 70 years of age with diabetic neuropathy for participation in research study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a new, phase II medication. Patients must be diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus, and taking medication to control symptoms. Those interested should contact George Mejia-Galvis, Ph.D., at 305-243-6573 or Gmejia2@med.miami.edu

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.

Carlos Hernandez-Cassis, M.D., from the Diabetes Research Institute, is currently recruiting patients 18 years of age and older with type II diabetes mellitus for participation in a research study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of inhaled insulin. Patients must be taking multiple oral medication daily for more than 2 months and be non-smokers. Those who are interested should contact George Mejia-Galvis at 305-243-6573 or Gmejia2@med.miami.edu.

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.