More...

Around Campus
arrow new  Miller School Scientist Receives Prestigious Research Award
arrow new  Gordon Center for Research in Medical Education Collaborates with Mexican Red Cross
arrow new  Miller School Expands Reach of Educational Programs
arrow new  Division of Continuing and International Education's Koubek Center Offers Summer Courses
arrow new  Employee Benefits at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
arrow New UMMG Group Long-Term Disability Policy
arrow Center for Computational Science Hands-On "High Performance Computing" Workshop
arrow UM's BeSmokeFree Program to Host "Quit Smoking Now" Classes
arrow CPR Training Available at the Medical Wellness Center
arrow e-Update Holiday Schedule
arrow Velos Patient Management Module
arrow Questions about Compliance? UM Helplines Can Assist You
arrow e-Update Submission Guidelines

Stimulus Funding Information
For current information on stimulus funding and how it affects research at UM, click here.

Human Subjects Research Opportunities
For information on current Human Subjects Research Opportunities, see the listings below.

Feedback

Faculty and staff submissions should be e-mailed to the Office of Communications, at update@med.miami.edu.


Events
arrowTODAY
  Tuesday, June 30, 2009, 8 a.m.
Pediatric Grand Rounds: "Reducing Substance Use and HIV Health Disparities Among Hispanic Youth: The Familias Unidas Program of Research"
  Tuesday, June 30, 2009, 9 a.m.
Professional Development and Training Office Seminar: "Customer Service for the Professional"
  Tuesday, June 30, 2009, Noon
Human Subjects Seminar: "Retrospective Controls in Newborn Screening Research: The Challenge of Informed Consent"
  Tuesday, June 30, 2009, Noon
Cardiovascular Grand Rounds: "The Future of Heart Failure Diagnosis and Treatment"
arrowTOMORROW
  Wednesday, July 1, 2009, 11:45 a.m.
new  Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery Grand Rounds: "First-Year Residents' Research Projects"
arrowUPCOMING
  Wednesday, July 8, 2009, 8 a.m.
Gordon Center Educational Workshop: "Health Care Simulation: Instructor Development"
  Wednesday, July 8, 2009, 11:45 a.m.
new  Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery Grand Rounds: "In Vivo Reflectance Confocal Microscopy: Evaluation of Melanocytic Lesions”
  Thursday, July 8, 2009, 2 p.m.
Professional Training and Development Office Seminar: "Business Writing"
  Thursday, July 9, 2009, Noon
new  Epic is Coming: Celebrate at an Afternoon Ice Cream Social on the Quadrangle
  Thursday, July 9, 2009, 2 p.m.
new  Professional Development and Training Seminar: "Career Development"
  Wednesday, July 15, 2009, 11:45 a.m.
new  Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery Grand Rounds: "Pemphigus Patient Lessons"
  Thursday, July 16, 2009, Noon
new  Sponsored Programs Roundtable/Brown Bag Lunch Series: "Update on Velos eResearch Deployment and Functionality Q&A Session"
  Thursday, July 16, 2009, 12:30 p.m.
new  Employee Assistance Program Seminar: "Managing Life Stressors"
e-update.med.miami.edu

 Back to top
Eduardo C. Alfonso, M.D., Named Chairman of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute

For only the fifth time in its 47-year history, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute has a new chairman.  Eduardo C. Alfonso, M.D., known for his clinical expertise and  research in eye diseases, corneal surgery and ocular microbiology, has been named chairman of the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, which serves as the Department of Ophthalmology for the Miller School.

Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D, senior vice president for medical affairs and dean of the Miller School and CEO of UHealth, the University of Miami Health System, announced the appointment today.

“I am honored to lead this extraordinary organization that is known worldwide for its innovation and excellence,” says Alfonso.  “It is a privilege to work with Bascom Palmer’s outstanding faculty and staff who are committed each day to delivering exceptional patient care, cutting-edge research and the finest ophthalmic education.”

For more on this story, click here.

Miller School Names New Chair of Pathology

Richard J. Cote, M.D., a nationally recognized expert on the cellular and molecular markers of tumor progression in cancer patients, has been named chair of the Department of Pathology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and the University of Miami Health System, and chief of pathology for Jackson Memorial Hospital. He will also start and direct the University of Miami Biomedical Nanoscience Institute.

Cote had been at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California for the past 18 years, where he was professor of pathology and urology and director of the Genitourinary Cancer Program at USC/Norris Cancer Center.  He also directed the Laboratory of Immuno and Molecular Pathology. In 2005 he started and was the director of the Biomedical Nanoscience Program at USC.

For more on this story, click here.


Around CampusBack to top
new  Miller School Scientist Receives Prestigious Research Award

Lina Shehadeh, Ph.D., research assistant professor of medicine at the Miller School, has won the prestigious Young Investigator Award from the International Society of Heart Research. She received the honor during the organization’s North American Section Meeting in Baltimore on May 28.

Dr. Shehadeh was among a large pool of scientists who submitted their unpublished manuscripts for consideration. The field was winnowed down to four finalists who made presentations at the meeting, with the winner announced two days later.

The winning presentation, titled “Regulation of Compensatory Angiogenesis During Cardiac Hypertrophy by a p300-miR-17~92 Feedback Loop,” examined the regulatory role of microRNA in halting the growth of blood vessels during the development of heart failure. The research was conducted in the laboratory of Nanette H. Bishopric, M.D., professor of medicine in the Cardiovascular Division.

“I feel very honored to receive this award and it speaks to the incredible research we are doing in Dr. Bishopric’s lab in a truly collaborative atmosphere,” said Dr. Shehadeh. “I truly believe that microRNAs are the future of medicine and that the synergistic use of bioinformatics and molecular biology techniques is the way to translational research.”

Dr. Bishopric added, “Lina has done a terrific job pulling this story together. She and Salil Sharma, a graduate student in the lab, have likely solved a longstanding mystery about why the hypertrophic heart eventually gets weak and fails. We expect to take this work forward into larger animals and eventually develop a microRNA-based therapy for clinical use.”

The International Society of Heart Research is a worldwide organization of scientists and clinicians dedicated to the discovery and dissemination of knowledge in all areas of cardiovascular biology and medicine.

Pictured Above: From left, Donald Bers, Ph.D., president of the International Society for Heart Research, Lina Shehadeh, Ph.D., and Jeffrey Molkentin, Ph.D., from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, at the award ceremony.


new  Gordon Center for Research in Medical Education Collaborates with Mexican Red Cross

The Gordon Center for Research in Medical Education hosted representatives from the Mexican Red Cross June 10 through 12, beginning a collaboration to integrate the center’s curricula into the agency’s training of all paramedics in Mexico. 

In Miami to be trained as instructors, the 13 representatives completed the Gordon Center's hands-on, simulation-based courses, Emergency Management of Acute Coronary Syndromes and Advanced Stroke Life Support, programs already used by many EMS systems and hospitals throughout the United States.

Cruz Roja Mexicana is the country’s only provider of emergency medical services and runs the national paramedic education program. 

    



Pictured: Paramedics from the Mexican Red Cross treat a "patient" experiencing chest pains during a realistic scenario to put into practice what they learned through a course at the Gordon Center and will teach to colleagues back home.


new  Miller School Expands Reach of Educational Programs

Antonio Marttos, M.D., assistant professor of surgery and director of telemedicine at the William Lehman Injury Research Center, teamed up with Andrew Colin, M.D., professor of clinical pediatrics, to present a live video conference on May 30. Through a Miller School collaboration between the International Medicine Institute and Assistencia Medica Internacional Ltda. (AMIL), the second largest insurer in Brazil, an audience of more than 100 attendees in Rio de Janeiro was able to participate in a program designed to present the latest topics in pediatric allergy and asthma including case studies showing the newest advances.

The work of physicians like Colin and Marttos expands the reach of the University’s educational programs, putting the wealth of education and experience at the fingertips of practitioners worldwide.


new  Division of Continuing and International Education's Koubek Center Offers Summer Courses

The Division of Continuing and International Education's Koubek Center will offer summer courses for a certificate in health care management. The first two classes will be "KBK268 Health Care Finance and Contractual Operations" and "KBK267 Operations Management and Service Quality." The full certificate consists of eight courses at $525 per course. This non-credit program was designed for people who work or want to work in a health care setting.

The program also offers training in health care service administration. For additional information, please visit http://www.educationmiami.com/en/packagedetail.aspx?p=12, call 305-284-6001 or send an e-mail to ebedoya@miami.edu.


new  Employee Benefits at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute

The Optical Department at Bascom Palmer is once again offering its 20/20 Vision Club eyewear benefits to all University of Miami and Jackson Health System employees, family and friends. You can choose from an expanded collection of metal or plastic frames with single vision or bifocal plastic prescription lenses starting at $40. Progressive lenses start at $135.

You can also save $10 on your second pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses. For more information, please call 305-326-6092.


New UMMG Group Long-Term Disability Policy

A new UMMG Group Long-Term Disability (LTD) policy went into effect on June 1, 2009. Premiums for this new policy are being paid by the University. You do not need to take any action to be covered by the new group LTD policy. Coverage under the policy is automatic for all UMMG members. For more information on this new policy, please click here. For a list of Frequently Asked Questions, click here.

You recently received preservation letters in the mail regarding your previous individual disability policy. The letters outline payment options and the deadline of July 31 for retaining your individual LTD policy. You should only remit payment to these carriers if you wish to continue your individual LTD policy in addition to the new group UMMG LTD policy. 

If you are considering retaining your previous individual LTD policy, please note that you cannot collect from both the individual and the group policies at the same time; however, there are some situations in which retaining these policies may be advisable. For more information, please click here.

Information sessions will take place tomorrow (Wednesday) from noon to 1 p.m. and on Wednesday, July 8, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Retter Auditorium.

If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Cohen, executive director of health plan administration, at 305-243-7172 or jcohen1@miami.edu.


Center for Computational Science Hands-On "High Performance Computing" Workshop

UM's Center for Computational Science will offer a hands-on "High Performance Computing" workshop tomorrow (Wednesday) and Wednesday, July 8, 15 and 22, on the Coral Gables campus in the Ungar Building, room 426. All sessions will run from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The workshop will include an introduction to using the Ares and Kronos clusters, open multi-processing for multicore and shared memory programming, the message passing interface for distributed memory programming, and example applications. 

Please RSVP to Pat Wedderburn at pwedderburn@med.miami.edu or for information, contact Ashwanth Srinivasan at asrinivasan@rsmas.miami.edu.


UM's BeSmokeFree Program to Host "Quit Smoking Now" Classes

UM's national award-winning smoking cessation program BeSmokeFree will offer "Quit Smoking Now" classes today (Tuesday) at 6:30 p.m., tomorrow (Wednesday) at 12:30 p.m. and this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Medical Wellness Center. The program will continue to run at these times every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until the end of the year.

Classes will be led by BeSmokeFree Program director Scott Irwin, a nationally certified tobacco dependency treatment specialist. The program offers an extensive range of traditional, complementary and alternative tobacco education and treatment services to help smokers improve physical, emotional and spiritual wellness in addition to learning vital self-management skills needed to quit smoking for life. Free nicotine replacement gum, lozenges and patches will be available.

For more information, please contact Scott Irwin at 305-243-3537 or http://wellness.med.miami.edu/x81.xml.


CPR Training Available at the Medical Wellness Center

You can become CPR- and AED-certified at the Medical Wellness Center today (Tuesday) or Thursday, July 9, from noon to 3 p.m.

For more information, please contact Mark Howell at mhowell@med.miami.edu. To sign up, call 305-243-7604 to receive payment information.


e-Update Holiday Schedule

Please note that the deadline for the July 7 issue of e-Update will be tomorrow (Wednesday, July 1) at 5 p.m. Any changes or requests received after 5 p.m. tomorrow will not be included in the July 7 issue. The University will be closed on Friday, July 3, for Independence Day.


Velos Patient Management Module

The Office of Research Information Management will offer a "Velos eResearch Patient Management Workshop" this Thursday and Thursday, July 9, from 4 to 5 p.m. at Dominion Tower, room 1003. Come learn how the Velos eResearch system can help you manage patients. At the workshop, you will learn how to use the different components of the system such as patient enrollment, status and calendars.

Velos eResearch is a web-based, clinical research management application that is designed specifically for investigators and their research teams. The system allows all study-related information to be centralized and easily accessible.

Registration is required through ULearn. For more information, please send an e-mail to ResEDU@med.miami.edu.


Questions about Compliance? UM Helplines Can Assist You
  • 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.


e-Update Submission Guidelines

  • Please note that submissions are due no later than 5 p.m. Thursday for publication on Tuesday.
  • We are unable to include attachments.
  • 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.
  • Human Subject recruitment announcements must be IRB approved.
  • Events to be listed should be either held on the medical campus, sponsored or hosted by the Miller School of Medicine, or affect all or most of the employees on the medical campus.
  • Please be sure to e-mail items to e-Update at update@med.miami.edu. Submissions to other e-mail addresses run the risk of being missed.


EventsBack to top
Pediatric Grand Rounds: "Reducing Substance Use and HIV Health Disparities Among Hispanic Youth: The Familias Unidas Program of Research"
June 30, 2009, 8 a.m., Mailman Center for Child Development, eighth-floor auditorium

Please join us for Pediatric Grand Rounds today (Tuesday) from 8 to 9 a.m. in the Mailman Center for Child Development, eighth-floor auditorium. Guillermo Prado, Ph.D., associate professor of epidemiology and public health, and Hilda M. Pantin, Ph.D., clinical associate professor of epidemiology and public health at the Miller School, will present "Reducing Substance Use and HIV Health Disparities Among Hispanic Youth: The Familias Unidas Program of Research."

For more information, please contact Javier Salazar at 305-585-6042 or jsalazar@med.miami.edu.


Professional Development and Training Office Seminar: "Customer Service for the Professional"
June 30, 2009, 9 a.m., Dominion Parking Garage, suite 155

The Professional Development and Training Office will host a seminar titled "Customer Service for the Professional today (Tuesday) from 9 a.m. to noon in Dominion Parking Garage, suite 155. The seminar will provide participants with an opportunity to align customer service skills and techniques with best practices and examine how to improve these skills within your current role.

You must complete the corresponding computer-based learning modules prior to enrolling in the course. To complete the modules and register for the session, visit ulearn.miami.edu. For more information, call 305-243-3090.


Human Subjects Seminar: "Retrospective Controls in Newborn Screening Research: The Challenge of Informed Consent"
June 30, 2009, Noon, Mailman Center for Child Development, room 3023

Jeffrey Brosco, M.D., Ph.D., professor of clinical pediatrics, will present a Human Subjects seminar titled "Retrospective Controls in Newborn Screening Research: The Challenge of Informed Consent" today (Tuesday) from noon to 1 p.m. at the Mailman Center for Child Development, room 3023.

Ethicists have been interested in public dialogue about research in newborn screening programs, especially because the old models of informed consent are very difficult to implement in population-based research. For example, can specimens collected for a mandatory state newborn screening program be used later for research? The answer to this question is critical for opportunities to understand and treat diseases that have grown with new technology that allows detection of hundreds of conditions from a single specimen collected at birth. In this interactive session, Dr. Brosco will discuss a hypothetical study and add to the public dialogue about research in newborn screening.

Please register through ULearn. For more information, send an e-mail to ResEDU@med.miami.edu or call 305-243-5092.


Cardiovascular Grand Rounds: "The Future of Heart Failure Diagnosis and Treatment"
June 30, 2009, Noon, University of Miami Hospital, Seminar Center

The Cardiovascular Division will host Grand Rounds today (Tuesday) from noon to 1 p.m. at University of Miami Hospital, Seminar Center. Joshua M. Hare, M.D., Louis Lemberg Professor of Medicine and director of the Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, will present "The Future of Heart Failure Diagnosis and Treatment."

For more information, please contact Yanay Tabraue at 305-243-1998 or ytabraue@med.miami.edu.


new  Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery Grand Rounds: "First-Year Residents' Research Projects"
July 1, 2009, 11:45 a.m., Rosenstiel Medical Science Building, room 2090

Please join us for Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery Grand Rounds tomorrow (Wednesday) from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Rosenstiel Medical Science Building, room 2090. First-year residents Lisa Sterling, M.D., and Ron Sulewski, M.D., will present their research projects.

For more information, please call 305-243-4472.


Gordon Center Educational Workshop: "Health Care Simulation: Instructor Development"
July 8, 2009, 8 a.m., Michael S. Gordon Center for Research in Medical Education

The Michael S. Gordon Center for Research in Medical Education, located on the first floor of the Clinical Research Building, will hold an educational workshop titled "Health Care Simulation: Instructor Development." The three-day workshop, created in collaboration with WISER at the University of Pittsburgh, is designed to provide an introduction to fundamental skills and abilities for delivering simulation-based health care education through a variety of techniques and technologies. The program will also include hands-on activities and active participation to maximize skill acquisition.

The event will take place at the Gordon Center Wednesday, July 8, through Friday, July 10, starting at 8 a.m. All medical professionals with a background in health care education or who are interested in improving their simulation-based instructional skills are encouraged to attend. Registration is $1,695 and includes all learning materials, continental breakfast, lunch and breaks. For more information or to register, visit   www.gcrme.med.miami.edu. If you have any questions, call 305-243-6491 or send an e-mail to gmiller@med.miami.edu.


new  Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery Grand Rounds: "In Vivo Reflectance Confocal Microscopy: Evaluation of Melanocytic Lesions”
July 8, 2009, 11:45 a.m., Rosenstiel Medical Science Building, room 2090

Please join us for Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery Grand Rounds on Wednesday, July 8, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Rosenstiel Medical Science Building, room 2090. Shasa Hu, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology and cutaneous surgery, will present “In Vivo Reflectance Confocal Microscopy: Evaluation of Melanocytic Lesions."

For more information, please call 305-243-4472.


Professional Training and Development Office Seminar: "Business Writing"
July 8, 2009, 2 p.m., Domionion Parking Garage, suite 155

Improve your writing skills for the workplace by attending the Professional Development and Training Office seminar, "Business Writing." Whether writing is your responsibility or a part of your daily routine, the seminar is designed to help you identify your writing strengths and weaknesses, improve sentence construction and paragraph development, examine proper e-mail etiquette for the workplace, and write effective business communications. You will also learn strategies to ensure your message is clear, concise and easily understood by your readers.

This is a blended learning course. There are four computer-based learning modules that must be completed prior to registering for the live session. The live session will be held on Wednesday, July 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Dominion Parking Garage, suite 155. To complete the modules and register for the session, visit ulearn.miami.edu. For more information, call 305-243-3090.


new  Epic is Coming: Celebrate at an Afternoon Ice Cream Social on the Quadrangle
July 9, 2009, Noon, Schoninger Research Quadrangle

All Miller School/UHealth employees are invited to a special ice cream social to learn about Epic, the integrated clinical and revenue cycle information system recently purchased for the Miller School and UHealth. Vanilla ice cream will be served as a way to emphasize our commitment to implementing the new system without any special customizations - it will be a standard product with incredible functionality already built in. 

Epic will optimize our ability to access patient information by allowing the University to maintain a complete, up-to-date record of each patient’s medical history in one electronic file. It will also transform billing and revenue cycles by helping to reduce costs and simplify the scheduling and registration process.

The ice cream social will be held  on Thursday, July 9, from noon to 2 p.m. on the Schoninger Research Quadrangle. For employees who work at University of Miami Hospital, ice cream will be delivered floor-by-floor during the same hours.

At the event, there will be an opportunity to provide suggestions for renaming Epic, with a prize for the person with the best suggestion.

For more information, please contact Leah Bamford at 305-243-1102 or lbamford@med.miami.edu.


new  Professional Development and Training Seminar: "Career Development"
July 9, 2009, 2 p.m., Dominion Parking Garage, suite 155

The Professional Development and Training Office will present a seminar to help you take charge of your career. "Career Development" is designed to help you explore the steps involved in developing one’s career and planning for future opportunities, while maximizing current and past experiences. You will be guided through the process of conducting a self-assessment, exploring career options, setting career goals and creating and implementing an individual career development plan.

The seminar will take place on Thursday, July 9, from 2 to 4 p.m. in Dominion Parking Garage, suite 155.

To register for the session, visit ulearn.miami.edu. For more information, call 305-243-3090.


new  Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery Grand Rounds: "Pemphigus Patient Lessons"
July 15, 2009, 11:45 a.m., Rosenstiel Medical Science Building, room 2090

Please join us for Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery Grand Rounds on Wednesday, July 15, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Rosenstiel Medical Science Building, room 2090. George Elgart, M.D., professor of dermatology and cutaneous surgery and vice chair of education, will present "Pemphigus Patient Lessons."

For more information, please call 305-243-4472.


new  Sponsored Programs Roundtable/Brown Bag Lunch Series: "Update on Velos eResearch Deployment and Functionality Q&A Session"
July 16, 2009, Noon, Dominion Tower, twelfth-floor conference room

Join us for a Sponsored Programs Roundtable/Brown Bag Lunch Series, "Update on Velos eResearch Deployment and Functionality Q&A Session" on Thursday, July 16, from noon to 1 p.m. at Dominion Tower, twelfth-floor conference room. Velos eResearch, UM’s enterprise clinical research management system, now contains over 1,600 UM studies and interfaces with IDX for patient demographics. This session will give an update on system deployment status and rollout, process transformation and overview of functionality with a brief demonstration, as well as make the project team available to answer questions.

The presentation will be a great opportunity for investigators, departments and study coordinators to learn more about Velos eResearch and how it is used.

Please register at http://Ulearn.miami.edu. For more information, please send an e-mail to ResEDU@med.miami.edu or call 305-496-3950.


new  Employee Assistance Program Seminar: "Managing Life Stressors"
July 16, 2009, 12:30 p.m., Dominion Parking Garage, suite 155

The Employee Assistance Program is pleased to offer a seminar titled “Managing Life Stressors” for those interested in improving their capacity to manage stress. The seminar will focus on helping participants become more aware of the factors that influence levels of stress, troubleshoot difficulties encountered when addressing stressors, and practice effective stress management techniques. The seminar will be held on Thursday, July 16, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Dominion Parking Garage, suite 155.

To register, go to http://ulearn.miami.edu. For help, call the Professional Development and Training Office at 305-284-5110.


Stimulus Funding InformationBack to top

Interested in a Recovery Act opportunity?
If you are interested in a Recovery Act opportunity, please submit your proposal(s) to Jill Tincher at jtincher@med.miami.edu or Tom Gill at Tgill@med.miami.edu at least five business days prior to the submission deadline. Remember to review the request for applications carefully for specific budget and reporting requirements.

For more information, visit the stimulus funding Web site at www.miami.edu/research/recovery or subscribe to the research listservs at http://www.med.miami.edu/orim/x20.xml.


Human Subjects ResearchBack to top

Issues in Newborn Screening

The University of Miami-Child Protection Team research group would like to invite medical professionals to participate in a study that aims to increase understanding of issues in newborn screening. For the purposes of this study medical professionals include faculty, medical residents and nurses working in pediatric practices within the Department of Pediatrics and the Division of Medical Genetics. The study is estimated to take 15 minutes to complete and participants will be compensated with $20. If you have any questions about the study or would like more information before deciding whether to participate, please contact the Principal Investigator of this study, Jason Jent, Ph.D., at 305-243-7550 or jjent@med.miami.edu.



The Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child Clinical Psychology at the Mailman Center is currently enrolling participants for a research study that is validating a pediatric measure of acute stress disorder (ASD) in English and Spanish.  Participants are children between the ages of 8-17 who have experienced or witnessed potentially traumatic events such as car accidents, fires, frightening/painful medical procedures, and/or have been victims of community violence. Participants will be followed for 3 months after initial enrollment, will receive clinical referrals as needed and a thank-you gift certificate for their participation. For more information, please contact Dr. Anai Cuadra at 305-243-6562 or acuadra@med.miami.edu.




Hispanics and Circumcision
If you are a healthy, pregnant, HIV negative Hispanic female and/or male partner 18 years or older, you may be eligible to participate in this project (one session only) and assist with the evaluation of benefits of male circumcision as a possible HIV preventative measure by identifying attitudes of pregnant Hispanic women and her partners about circumcision of the unborn male child, explore the challenge of circumcision as an HIV prevention strategy and increase awareness in the Hispanic community regarding male circumcision. If eligible, you could earn up to $25 in compensation for your time (60 minutes) and effort. Please contact us today for more information at 305- 243-2103.



Tai Chi for Health and Smoking Cessation
The University of Miami Division of Complementary and Integrative Medicine in conjunction with the Medical Wellness Center is conducting a research study to determine if Tai Chi exercise is effective for helping people to stop smoking. Patches, gum, hypnosis...if you've tried everything and still can't quit smoking, Tai Chi may provide the ideal mind-body awareness to help you put out that last cigarette. Tai Chi combines deep breathing with postures that flow from one to the next through a series of slow, continuous movements to help you focus and reduce the stress and cravings typically associated with smoking.

Tai Chi engages all of your senses during the exercises, so you don't have time to notice that you want a cigarette. The conscious breath in Tai Chi practice is also known to help regulate the respiratory system and lessen the severity of asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis; all of which can afflict smokers. The course will focus on improving muscular strength and flexibility, heart and lung capacity, posture, balance, and the integration of mind and body.

If you qualify for this study, you will be assigned to a group of 8-12 people to participate in the Tai Chi exercise program three times per week for 12 weeks at the UM Medical Wellness Center. Classes are one hour long and will start the beginning of January. After the initial 12 weeks, you will also participate in a session once per week for the next 12 weeks. Master trainer Jef Morris will lead the Tai Chi course. Jef has been featured in articles in the Miami Herald and New York Times. The course cost is $84, which is the same cost as participating in the existing UM smoking cessation program. Upon successful completion of the program, Benefits Administration will reimburse the full amount to you if you are a UM employee. If you are not a UM Employee, then you will not be reimbursed for participating in the study.

To find out if you are eligible for the study or if you have any questions, please contact John Lewis, Ph.D., at 305-243-6227 or jelewis@miami.edu.



Is your child anxious or depressed?
The Child and Adolescent Mood and Anxiety Treatment (CAMAT) lab at the Psychology Department on the Coral Gables campus is now offering a free cognitive behavioral treatment program for teenagers ages 12-17 who have an anxiety or depressive disorder. After an initial phone screening a diagnostic assessment will be scheduled with one of our clinicians in order to understand each child’s feelings and behavior. If eligible, the study treatment will be offered.

If you would like to learn more about how you can get help and hear more about our program, please contact the CAMAT lab at 305-284-9852 or anxietylab@psy.miami.edu.



Racial Differences in Phosphorus Metabolism
The Division of Nephrology and Hypertension is interested in studying how the body gets rid of phosphorus in Black people compared to White people, because this may help explain racial differences in chronic kidney disease. Study volunteers will be given an infusion of a hormone called parathyroid hormone for six hours. During the six hours, blood and urine tests will be collected. A total of four study visits over approximately three weeks will be required.
They are looking for healthy black or white volunteers 18 years of age or older. You will not be able to participate if you have problems with your kidneys or liver, or if you are pregnant. Compensation will be provided for participation.

This study will be conducted in the general clinical research center at the University of Miami. To learn more about the study, please call Kelsey Smith at 305-243-4782.

This research is conducted under the direction of Orlando Gutierrez, M.D.



Are you having twins?  
The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine is conducting a twin birth study under the direction of Victor Gonzalez-Quintero, M.D., M.P.H., and in collaboration with Sunnybrook Health Science Center and the University of Toronto in Canada. For more information please call Pam Uharriet, RN, M.P.H., at 305-243-2168.



The Department of OB/GYN, Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery
(Urogynecology) at the Miller School is conducting a research study on Bulkamid, an investigational urethral bulking agent for minimally invasive treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). You may be eligible for this study if you are seeking treatment for urinary stress incontinence (involuntary leakage of urine during physical activity such as sneezing, coughing, or laughing). For more information, please contact Diann C. Fernandez, A.R.N.P., at 305-243-4805.



Have you been diagnosed with bipolar disorder? Do you have problems with alcohol or cocaine? Do you wish you could stop? Let us guide you on your way to recovery. Researchers at the Miller School are conducting a clinical study to see if an FDA approved medication for bipolar disorder offers any benefit in reducing alcohol and cocaine use and cravings. You may be eligible if you are between the ages of 18 and 65, have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, are dependent on alcohol or cocaine and do not have other major health problems. Study medications, laboratory studies, EKG and study procedures are provided at no cost to participants and you may be compensated for your time. To learn more, call 1-866-RECOVERY or 305-243-1571. All calls are confidential.




Do you have extremely oily or dry skin?
Leslie Baumann, M.D., of the University of Miami Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute, is looking for Caucasian women ages of 20 to 40 who are willing to participate in a research study to investigate whether there is a gene that can be identified to determine oily or dry skin types. You will be compensated up to $335.00 for your time. If you are interested in participating, contact a member of the research staff at 305-531-5788 or cosmeticresearch@med.miami.edu.





Mild to Moderate Acne
Leslie Baumann, M.D., of the University of Miami Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute, is looking for men and women ages 12 to 45 who have moderate acne and are currently not on any treatment medication to participate in a research study to determine whether a new product significantly improves acne. The study consists of five visits spread over a three-month period. You will be compensated $35 for each visit. If interested, please contact a member of the research staff at 305-531-5788, cosmeticresearch@med.miami.edu or www.derm.net.





Leslie Baumann, M.D., professor and director of the Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute, 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 Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute located in the Miami Heart Institute, 4701 N. Meridian Avenue, Nichol Building, Suite 7450, Miami Beach.



The Department of Neurology, Cerebrovascular Division is conducting a research study to validate a Functional Outcome Measure in patients that suffered visual field loss after brain injury. For more information and eligibility criteria, please contact Iszet Campo-Bustillo at 305-585-1851 or icampo@med.miami.edu.



The Departments of Neurology and Radiology are conducting research studies examining age-related changes in cognitive and motor function, along with new brain imaging techniques. Participants should be healthy adults over age 40 with no history of major neurologic or psychiatric disease. Eligible participants will be asked to participate in activities to assess verbal/non-verbal skills and motor function. Some studies include an MRI at no cost. If you are interested in participating, please call 305-243-7529 to speak to the study coordinator.



The Departments of Neurology and Radiology are conducting research studies to examine changes in cognitive and motor function, along with new brain imaging techniques. Participants must be between the ages of 40 to 79 with Parkinson’s disease. Eligible participants will perform activities to assess verbal/non-verbal skills and motor function. MRI's, if conducted, will be done at no cost. If you are interested in participating, please call 305-243-7529 to speak to the study coordinator.



Physician-Patient Relationship Study
The Center on Aging is conducting a study on the impact of patient-acquired Internet health information on physician-patient relationships. The study will explore how this information affects office visits and the overall positive and negative outcomes that result from patients using the Internet for health information. If you are a physician who sees patients and are interested in participating in a brief interview study, please contact Jessica Hirth at 305-355-9020 or jhirth@med.miami.edu.



El Centro, Center of Excellence for Hispanic Health Disparities Research, is recruiting participants for the following studies:

 •Project VIDA (Violence, Intimate Relationships & Drugs Among Latinos)
Elias Vasquez, Ph.D., and colleagues are recruiting Hispanic men ages 18 to 55 for a pilot study exploring substance abuse, violence, risky sexual behaviors and associated conditions among this population. The results from this study will be used for interventions to reduce these conditions among Hispanic men in South Florida.



Preventing HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Hispanic Women
Nilda Peragallo, Dr.P.H., is recruiting Hispanic women ages 18 to 50 for a randomized trial of a group intervention to reduce sexual risk behaviors and intimate partner violence. To be eligible, women must have been sexually active during the 3 months prior to enrollment.



Treating Behavior Problems and Promoting Healthy Development in Hispanic Adolescents
Daniel Santisteban, Ph.D., is recruiting Hispanic adolescents ages 11 to 14 and their families for a randomized trial comparing family-based and individually-based treatments to reduce current behavior problems and prevent future substance use and risky sexual behaviors in adolescents. To be eligible, the adolescent must be Hispanic and have difficulties in two of the following four areas: conduct, depression, attention deficit, or family conflict. 

For more information on studies conducted by El Centro, contact Tania Lopez at 1-888-262-9481 or tlopez1@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.



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.



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.



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:

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.


The Department of Psychology and the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Division of Biobehavioral Oncology 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 three 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 call 305-243-3329 or e-mail madeline@miami.edu.


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. Participants will be reimbursed for time and effort. Three psychosocial/medical assessments are also required. If you are interested in this study or would like more information, please call 305-243-3329, or e-mail madeline@miami.edu.

• 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 AIDS Clinical Research Unit, directed by Margaret Fischl, M.D., is recruiting participants for the following studies:

• 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 ug/kg) of IL-7 given by SQ injection once a week for 3 weeks. Up to $275 in food certificates provided.

• An investigational HIV treatment vaccine, Vacc-4x, for adults with HIV on antiretroviral therapy. The study vaccine is made in the laboratory and includes four protein copies from the HIV virus. It is given with Leukine a blood cell growth factor used to help improve one’s response to the vaccine. Participants must be taking antiretroviral therapy for at least 12 months, have an HIV RNA <50 copies/ml and CD4 cells > 400 /cmm and be 18 to 55 years of age. Six vaccinations with Vacc-4x and Leukine or placebo over 18 weeks will be received with a two out of three chance of receiving Vacc-4x, followed by up to 24 weeks of antiretroviral therapy interruption following vaccinations. The Study includes 16 study visits over 52 weeks with monthly visits during therapy interruption and safety guidelines for restarting therapy. Study visits include a medical history, physical examination and immune studies. Vaccinations may cause skin reactions and flu like symptoms. Each participant will receive $25 in food certificates for each completed study visit.

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.

 


e-Update is a service of the Office of Communications at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine.
To view current and past issues, visit http://e-update.med.miami.edu.
The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action University.

Copyright © 1997-2007 University of Miami, All Rights Reserved.
Term of Use | Privacy Statement | Contact Us
 Medical Disclaimer
Web Technology