But both would find fulfillment in educating, training and pushing students to excel. O’Connell discovered that even more than research, he loved preparing new generations of physicians and scientists and soon gave his full attention to education, ascending to senior associate dean for medical education in 1999. Dee switched jobs and became the University’s athletic director in 1993, a position he will vacate on June 1 and join the faculty.

On Monday, April 28, O’Connell’s and Dee’s friends, family, colleagues, and Dean Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D., stood to their feet and applauded the men’s long careers and praised their dedication as O’Connell received the Faculty Senate’s prized annual Outstanding Teaching Award, the second of three distinguished honors the Senate awards annually. Dee was presented with a special achievement award. Faculty Senate Chair Stephen Sapp and Executive Vice President and Provost Thomas LeBlanc presented the awards.  For more on this story, click here.

His one-minute song-and-dance act, performed at the University of Miami’s Excellence in Teaching Award ceremony, elicited smiles and quite a few chuckles from the audience. His musical merrymaking, however, wasn’t intended to amuse but to inform.

Morgan, director of the Social Work Division in the Miller School’s Department of Pediatrics, and Panagiota Caralis, M.D., J.D., professor of medicine, were two of the seven UM faculty members honored at the April 28 ceremony where award recipients shared their unique teaching styles and philosophies.

The award is given by the Office of the Provost and the Instructional Advancement Center, and includes a developmental grant for research and scholarly activity. For more on this story, click here.

Pictured Above: The Miller School's Robert H. Morgan, Ed.D., and Panagiota Caralis. M.D., J.D., are two of seven University of Miami faculty members to receive Excellence in Teaching Awards.

For her service to the community through her position as director of the Roxcy Bolton Rape Treatment Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, Dr. Simmons was recognized last month at events held to observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
 
The first honor came on April 21, at a luncheon hosted by the Office of the Attorney General at the Rusty Pelican Restaurant. In partnership with the Victim/Witness Unit of the Coral Gables Police Department and the Crime Victim Resource Network, the attorney general’s office presented a proclamation declaring Friday, April 25, 2008, Karen Simmons Day.

The proclamation lauded Dr. Simmons for spending 14 years at the Bolton Rape Treatment Center where she provided exemplary, quality services to victims in the community.

Pictured Above: Karen Simmons, M.D., was honored for her many years spent working with sexual assault victims. Dr. Simmons received her plaque from Salih Yasin, M.D., right, during an event held at Alamo Park in observance of National Crime Victims Rights Week.

•  Removing the GPS unit and the suction-cup mount/holder from the windshield and storing it out of sight. Do not simply detach the GPS unit as the empty suction-cup mount can signal there is a device inside the vehicle, possibly leading to a search of the vehicle and theft of the device.

•  Wiping off the inside of the windshield where the device was mounted. When you remove the suction-cup it usually leaves a telltale circle (another "signal") on the windshield.

These precautions are not limited to GPS units. Take the time to also remove and/or store out of sight other valuables such as CDs, mobile phones, laptops, backpacks, bags, loose coins, etc. The extra minute or two it takes to do these things can make your vehicle significantly less inviting to thieves.

The 5-Star Award, for the top 10 percent of clinics nationally deemed excellent based on responses on “overall quality of care,” went to three Bascom Palmer Eye Institute clinics – General Optometry (third floor), Ocular Plastics, and the Ambulatory Surgical Center in Palm Beach Gardens.

In the 4-Star Award category, for the top 25 percent of clinics nationally rated excellent based on “overall quality of care,” the UHealth winners are the Macular Center and Pediatric Ophthalmology, both Bascom Palmer Eye Institute clinics; and Radiation Oncology at UM/Sylvester.

These awards recognize clients for achieving high levels of patient satisfaction when compared to about 1,800 PRC outpatient clinic clients across the country. The rankings are based on 2007 data for clinics with a minimum of 50 completed patient satisfaction surveys.  This is UHealth’s second year to be eligible for the PRC Patient Perception Awards and the first year achieving the 5-Star distinction.  Recognition events are being planned to honor the winners for providing outstanding customer service and dedication to UHealth patients.

PRC uses a telephone survey methodology, calling patients within 7-14 days of their UHealth visit and asking them to rate their satisfaction with various aspects of care, including their satisfaction with the physician, scheduling and registration processes, courtesy and consideration of staff, and clinic processes. 

Several clinic managers, administrators and physicians have been monitoring survey results and implementing specific performance improvement plans to increase patient satisfaction and loyalty.  As use of this tool and other service improvement efforts increase, UHealth expects to have many more clinics joining the ranks of the 4-Star and 5-Star Award Winners for 2009.  Congratulations to the 2008 recipients.

To find out how you can use the powerful PRC EasyView tool to improve your clinic’s service performance, please contact Helen Scarr, director of service excellence, at 305-243-7240 (hscarr@med.miami.edu).

For more information on the Faculty Senate, including Senate activities, a list of members, and meeting dates, please contact Robyn Hardeman at 305-284-3721 or visit www.miami.edu/faculty-senate.

Please note that you must visit your physician for a mammogram prescription. These screenings are held as a UMatter awareness event. If you cannot attend this event, you can schedule your free annual mammogram any time throughout the year. To schedule an appointment at either location call 305-243-7783 or 305-243-5512.

Benefits Administration would also like to remind you to schedule your annual physical. It is important to get periodic evaluations to detect diseases and conditions early before they cause symptoms or major damage. Also, scheduling your annual physical allows you to build a relationship with your doctor so you can discuss your personal health habits and plan for prevention of chronic illnesses. If you have not already scheduled your free annual physical, contact your physician today.

The American Cancer Society Institutional Grant is providing funds for meritorious cancer research that cannot be readily supported through other funding mechanisms. The primary purpose of the ACS grant is to provide seed funds for the initiation of promising new projects or novel ideas by junior faculty members. Applicants should be within six years of their first independent research or faculty appointment and must not currently hold any peer review funding. Awards of $45,000 are available for a one-year period. The application deadline is Friday, May 30.

For guidelines and application forms, please contact Kathy Salce at 305-243-2287 or ksalce@med.miami.edu.

For more information, please contact Sylka M. Pérez at 305-243-6265.

The day will include brief presentations from engineering faculty with research interests in imaging and a panel discussion with engineering and Miller School faculty focused on challenges in biomedical imaging and the engineering methodologies and approaches that can overcome these challenges. Lunch will be provided. 

For more information, please contact Dr. Jennifer McCafferty-Cepero at jmccafferty@med.miami.edu or 305-243-6129.

Please join us for a lively dialogue on these and related issues, led by UM President Donna E. Shalala and distinguished philosophers Norman Daniels, Mary B. Saltonstall Professor of Ethics and Population Health at Harvard University, and Jonathan Wolff, professor and chair of the Department of Philosophy at University College London.

A reception will take place at the Ashe Building, room 735 following the discussion.

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

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

At the workshop, you will learn how to use the InfoEd Proposal Development System to prepare and submit proposals electronically to the NIH. InfoEd streamlines the process, is Web-based and accessible almost anywhere by Mac and PC users without additional software.

Register through Ulearn at http://Ulearn.miami.edu. For more information, please contact Sofia Aymerich at saymerich@med.miami.edu.

For pricing and registration, please call 954-964-4040 or 1-800-321-3437.

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

Presentations will take place on Thursday, May 15, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Gordon Center for Research in Medical Education's Broad-Bussel Auditorium on the first floor of the Clinical Research Building. Speakers will address logistics and results of TB multi-drug resistance survey studies, TB social mobilization, sociocultural issues with HIV counseling, HIV health care delivery models and the evaluation of HIV program models. There will also be a special focus on Microscopic Observation for Detection and Susceptibility (MODS) in a lecture by David Moore, M.D., reader in infectious diseases and tropical medicine at the Imperial College London and visiting professor at the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Peru.

The conference will continue on Friday, May 16, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. also in the Broad-Bussel Auditorium at the Gordon Center, with an intense workshop on TB research in the Americas headed by Michael Lauzardo, M.D., principal investigator at the Southeastern National Tuberculosis Center at the University of Florida. The workshop will cover research methods, international collaborations, operational factors, social/cultural research and practice implications.

Physicians who attend both days of the conference can earn 13.25 continuing medical education credits. There is no registration fee. Seating is limited to 100 people. For more information or to obtain a registration form, please visit http://www.med.miami.edu/fogarty/x18.xml or contact Victoria Elf at velf@med.miami.edu or 305-243-3210.

For more information, please contact Elisa Arguelles at 305-585-1280 or earguelles@med.miami.edu.

Six training sessions are available. Participants only need to attend one session. Four of the sessions will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Clinical Research Building, seminar room 988 on Thursday, May 15, 28, 29 and June 11.

Two additional sessions will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the Coral Gables campus at the Helen Donn Flipse Building, room 502 on Wednesday, May 14, and Wednesday, June 12. Lunch and snacks will be provided.
 
Please register at http://Ulearn.miami.edu. For more information, please contact Sofia Aymerich at saymerich@med.miami.edu.

Please register online at http://Ulearn.miami.edu. For more information, please contact Sofia Aymerich at saymerich@med.miami.edu.

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

For more information, please contact Mitsuko Tanaka at 305-243-6694 or mtanaka@med.miami.edu.

Please register online at http://Ulearn.miami.edu. For more information, please contact Sofia Aymerich at saymerich@med.miami.edu.

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

Sleep Maintenance Insomnia
Robert Schwartz, M.D., is recruiting subjects who are 18 years or older and have trouble sleeping through the night. Subjects must have insomnia for at least one month and have clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning. Those interested should contact Linda Cenci or Luis Roque at 305-243-1247, lcenci@med.miami.edu or lroque@med.miami.edu. 

The Division of Geriatrics is recruiting men and women age 65 and older to take part in a study of vitamin D in the prevention of frailty. Participants are asked to come for six visits over six months for blood and urine tests. If you or someone you know are interested, please call Silvina Levis, M.D., at 305-243-4330.

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.