UM/Sylvester will host a Pledge Day on Friday from noon to 4 p.m. Don’t miss your opportunity to give to United Way. Workstations will be set up on the courtyard level and in room 1301 of UM/Sylvester for quick and easy online donations. There will be dessert and giveaways for everyone. 

Medical Information Technology has negotiated a price of $544 for a basic Dell Optiplex 170L desktop computer (without monitor) suitable for use on our campus network. If you’re using an older PC—especially if it is running the Windows 95, 98, or NT operating systems—we strongly recommend that it be replaced. These older operating systems are no longer supported by Microsoft. New PCs, like this basic system that runs the Windows XP Professional operating system, offer substantial improvements in speed, stability and security. For details on this Dell system, and on how to purchase a computer through Medical Information Technology, see our web site at http://it.med.miami.edu/x875.xml.

UM Canterbury Preschool is selling Sally Foster Gift Wrap & Gifts to raise money for new tricycles and baby buggies before the holidays. Anyone in the UM community can help by visiting www.sallyfoster.com and purchasing through the Internet. Please use account number 426555; the preschool will get 50 percent credit for the sale. All Internet orders will be shipped to your door just in time for the holidays! Items purchased through January 15 will be credited to our account.

The 2006 Open Enrollment edition of the Benefits Administration Update is online in Adobe Acrobat format. Visit www.benefits.miami.edu http://www.benefits.miami.edu/ to view the newsletter. All faculty and staff will receive a print copy. Information in the Open Enrollment newsletter includes:
• 2006 health care plan highlights
• New prescription option for 2006 – RxImpact
• Faculty/staff monthly premiums
• In-network and out-of-network benefit plan comparison
• New flexible spending account administrator for 2006
2006 dental plan highlights

All faculty and staff are required to enroll online at https://myum.miami.edu during Open Enrollment in order to have University health care coverage in 2006. You will not be able to enroll in health care coverage without the election of both a medical plan and a pharmacy plan. Open Enrollment runs through Friday. You can locate an HMO Primary Care Physician (PCP) number in two locations:

Full-time faculty members are invited to submit nominations for this year's Distinguished Scholar Award. The award acknowledges either a single outstanding scholarly achievement or a lifetime of distinguished accomplishment in any area of research or creative activity. Nominations are due to the Faculty Senate office by tomorrow (Wednesday). To view nomination criteria and more detailed information, visit http://www.miami.edu/faculty-senate/Awards/05-06facnomltr.pdf.

The University of Miami Pediatric South Dade Practice has a new location at the UM Kendall Campus. The new address is 8932 S.W. 97th Avenue, suite 10. It is next to CVS Pharmacy and is easily accessible via the 874 turnpike extension. The phone number is 305-270-5050. We have been renovating and decorating our new space and we are proud to finally share it with all of our patients and their families. We look forward to seeing you at our new location. Doctors at the South Dade Practice include Eugene R. Hershorin, M.D., Cecilia Valdes Morales, M.D., C. Anna McConnell, M.D., and Andrea Assantes, M.D.

Business Services announces the launch of the annual Silent Auction web site featuring iPod nanos, digital cameras, a custom UM football package, a Circle K shopping spree, a generator and much, much more.  Please visit the website www.miami.edu/business-services-silent-auction and bid on your favorite items. Winners will be announced Monday, December 12. All proceeds will benefit the University of Miami’s United Way campaign.

The Medical Library’s book sale runs through November 22. Proceeds will benefit the United Way. The prices for medical and non-medical books range from $1 to $5.

“Sponsored Programs Administration 101” was created to provide an overview of sponsored programs. With the increased number of awards and the complexity of government regulations, we must expand the knowledge of these regulations to everyone involved in sponsored programs administration. This on-line course will review the institutional and federal policies for submitting and managing sponsored programs. Learn about the pre-and post-award process in the 90-minute course. After reviewing the course material, participants will take a brief test. This course will be a pre-requisite for staff interested in attending the Special Seminar Series that will be offered later this year. Log onto NetLearning at http://netlearning.miami.edu to enroll. For more information, contact mvalero@med.miami.edu.

The following training classes will be held at the medical campus in room 155 of the Dominion Parking Garage. Visit NetLearning at http://netlearning.miami.edu to register. Some courses have an online component—a computer based learning (CBL) module—that must be completed before participants attend the live classroom session.  Seating is limited. For more information about the Leadership Academy, visit www.miami.edu/development-training/la or call 305-243-3090.

To ensure that your child car seat is installed correctly, a certified child passenger safety technician will be available on Wednesdays in front of the Mailman Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The service is available to everyone who transports children under the age of 12 in their vehicle. For more information, e-mail gstepanian@um-jmh.org, or call 305-243-3928 to set up an appointment. Priority will be given to those with appointments. The Injury Free Coalition for Kids is a division of Holtz Children's Hospital/ Miller School of Medicine.

A representative from Lincoln Financial Group will be at the medical campus November 23 and December 13 to conduct individual financial counseling sessions. To schedule an appointment, contact Theresa Yong at (305) 245-7332 or via e-mail at tmyong@lnc.com.

• University Compliance (anonymous hotline): 866-YOURCALL
• Billing (anonymous hotline): 305-243-HELP or 877-415-HELP
• Research Integrity and Compliance: 305-243-6415
• Financial Improprieties: 305-284-2605
• Privacy Office/HIPAA: 305-243-5000 or 1-866-366-HUSH
• University Ombudsperson: 305-284-4922

Any University of Miami employee reporting or deciding whether to report activity that may be in violation of a law, rule, or regulation is protected against retaliation by the Whistleblower Protection Statement. For more information, visit the Office of Compliance site.

• Please note that submissions are due no later than 5 p.m. Thursday for publication on Tuesday.
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• Please use URL addresses in your announcements rather than hyperlinks.
• Event announcements should include the time, date, location, speaker, topic and cost if applicable. All events should have a contact phone number or e-mail address for further information. We will run event announcements for three weeks only.
• Information must be written in paragraph form. PDFs, Publisher files and flyers are not accepted.
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Do you have a co-worker, friend or family member who you wish would stop smoking? “Adopt” them for a day and get a free turkey feast to boot. The Great American Smoke-out is a nationwide event designed to encourage smokers to kick the habit for one day. UM affiliates can adopt a friend, family member or co-worker who smokes and treat them to a hot turkey dinner with all the trimmings. The luncheon serves as preparation and an educational opportunity to get participants ready for the actual “Great American Smoke-out Quit Day,” which is Thursday. Quit kits loaded with substitutes such as stress balls, slinkies and chewing gum will be distributed and participants will be educated on how to provide support for their friends as well as practical tips for quitting successfully. The luncheon will take place today (Tuesday) from noon to 1 p.m. on the second floor of the Sieron Building, 1425 N.W. 10th Avenue, rooms A and B.

Karon Rzad, R.D., L.D.N., C.D.E., clinical nutrition manager and complementary medicine practitioner, UM/Sylvester, will present “Complement to Your Health Part I – Eating the Natural Way,” at UM/Sylvester at Deerfield Beach, 1192 East Newport Center Drive, suite 100, tomorrow (Wednesday) from noon to 1 p.m. This presentation is free and a light lunch will be served. Please call 1-800-545-2292 to register.

The “Error of the Month Journal Club” will meet tomorrow (Wednesday) and will focus on “Wrong Side Procedures.” The meeting will discuss the article, “Wrong Disc Space Level Surgery: Medicolegal Implications” by Goodkin R., Laska, LL, Surg Neurol 2004; 61: 323-42.  Visit http://patientsafety.med.miami.edu and click on the “center events” tab to view the publication. Participants will receive one CME, CLE, or CEU credit. Open discussions will follow the presentation. The meetings will be held on the third Wednesday of every month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the UM-JMH Center for Patient Safety conference room, located on the fourth floor of the Institute. The Journal Club is a multidisciplinary collaboration that focuses on the ethical, legal and social issues relevant to patient safety and human error.  Healthcare providers, academics from the realms of law, social sciences, and healthcare, and students are encouraged to attend this important program. With the goal to expand patient issues, the meetings will use real life de-identified examples of mishaps or near misses, which will be debated from legal and ethical perspectives in light of current relevant literature or legislation. For more information, contact Igal Nevo, M.D., or Roxanna Araya at 305-585-8364.

The Department of Rehabilitation Medicine will present the 4th Annual South Florida Model Spinal Cord Injury System Conference on “Wellness and Fitness” on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Jackson Memorial Diagnostic Treatment Center, room 259. Experts in their fields will discuss:

Antonieta Sauerteig, director, Research Administration, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, will present “Preparing a Realistic Grant Budget” on Thursday at noon. The workshop will be held in the Baxter conference room of the Batchelor Building. Participants will learn how to develop a budget for a funding agency that truly reflects the proposed work. Key points of the workshop are what should be included in a budget, how much detail is needed for the budget and a highlight of items that reviewers look for when examining proposed budgets. Log onto NetLearning at https://netlearning.miami.edu to register. Registration is required. For more information, please e-mail Maria Valero-Martinez at mvalero@med.miami.edu.

Jessica MacIntyre, RN, BSN, OCN, will discuss “Pancreatic Cancer,” on Monday, November 21,  from noon to 1 p.m. in UM/Sylvester, room 1301. This presentation is free and a light lunch will be served. Please call 1-800-545-2292 to register.

The Human Subjects Research Seminar will feature Lora E. Fleming, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., M.Sc., speaking on “Confidentiality – Secondary Subjects.” The seminar will be held on Tuesday, November 29, at the Mailman Center, room 3023, from noon to 1 p.m.  Advance registration is required as room capacity is limited. Log on to NetLearning https://netlearning.miami.edu to register. For more information about this seminar, e-mail Maira Abraham at Mabraham@med.miami.edu.

Participants will learn to focus on setting personal goals, monitor progress toward goals, make plan correction and maintain commitment in the face of obstacles. This is a two-part course, which includes a computer-based learning prerequisite. All University faculty, staff and administrators are welcome to attend. The workshop will be held on Wednesday, November 30, from noon to 1:30 p.m., in the Dominion Parking Garage, room 155. This course was developed by the EAP and is part of the Leadership Academy offered through the Professional Development and Training Office. For more information, contact Mary Remon at 305-284-6604. Visit http://netlearning.miami.edu to register.  For questions about registration, call the Professional Development and Training Office at 305-243-3090.

The Bascom Palmer Eye Institute will sponsor “Retinal & Glaucoma Imaging 2006: Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT) Applications and Future Technology” on December 2 and 3 at The Breakers, 1 S County Rd, Palm Beach. The registration fee is $190. For more information, please contact the Continuing Medical Education office at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at 305-326-6110, 305-326-6518 (fax) or bpeicme@med.miami.edu.  Visit the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute’s webpage at www.bascompalmer.org.

May A. Wahab, M.D., will discuss “Radiation as a Treatment in Prostate Cancer,” on Monday, December 5, from noon to 1 p.m. in UM/Sylvester, room 1301. This presentation is free and a light lunch will be served. Please call 1-800-545-2292 to register.

The Sponsored Programs Education Workshop will be held at the medical campus on Wednesday, December 14, in the seventh-floor auditorium of the Lois Pope LIFE Center from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.  The workshop is a requirement for all individuals who would like to be listed as key personnel on sponsored programs. The goal is to educate key personnel about the fiscal and compliance issues of pre- and post-award management.  The workshop covers the most recent information on the grant process, explains established policies and procedures and reviews the PI’s role and responsibility for administering sponsored projects.  Preferably all key personnel will attend an educational session by June 30, 2006.  A listing of other available dates and locations can be found on the research tools web page at http://www.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/1,1770,2425-1;36662-2;34960-2;38799-3,00.html.  Log onto NetLearning at https://netlearning.miami.edu to register. For information or questions, please contact mvalero@med.miami.edu.

Scripps Florida is now a sponsor of the annual Miami Nature Biotechnology Winter Symposium, along with the University of Miami and Nature Publishing Group.  The 2006 Symposium is entitled “Angiogenesis in Cancer and Vascular Disease” and takes place in the Wyndham Miami Beach Resort February 4-8, 2006.  Full-time employees of the University of Miami can register using tuition remission.  Send an e-mail to sblack@miami.edu with your UM ID# and full UM address if you wish to register.  Graduate students can register in the same way and receive a registration waiver. 

The 4th Miami International Revascularization Summit will be held February 9 to 12 at The Alexander Hotel, Miami Beach. For more information, please contact the Division of Continuing Medical Education at 305-243-6716, or e-mail e.perez6@med.miami.edu.

Carlos Hernandez-Cassis, M.D., is currently recruiting people ages 18 through 80 with Type 2 diabetes for participation in a research study to test the safety and effectiveness of an investigational  medication. Patients must be taking daily at least 1500 mg. of Metformin (glucophage) to qualify. Those who are interested should contact Roegelio Suarez at 305-243-6573, or via e-mail at rsuarez2@med.miami.edu.

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