Strengthening Latin American Partnerships The University of Miami Center for Hemispheric Policy (CHP) launched its new Latin American cities initiatives program at a conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil last Monday. Co-sponsored by Fecomercio, Brazil’s premier business and services organization, “Forum Brazil – United States” presented several panel discussions on current issues of significance to both countries and the region, including commerce, the economy, energy, agriculture, the environment, and the U.S. presidential election. Seen at the event are, from left, President Donna E. Shalala, Mario Marconini, president of the Council of International Relations at FECOMERCIO and president of ManattJones Marconini Global Strategies, and U.S. ambassador to Brazil Clifford Sobel.   The event, as well as a second conference also organized by CHP director Susan Kaufman Purcell, was part of a UM outreach mission to Latin America to promote new strategic partnerships with educational, business, government, and social service organizations in the region. Visits to São Paulo, Brazil, and Buenos Aires, Argentina also provided opportunities for deans from the School of Business Administration, the School of Education, and the College of Engineering to strengthen relationships with their colleagues at institutions of higher learning in these cities. The University of Miami Alumni Association also reached out to alumni in the area with special “meet and greet” events. To learn more about the mission, click here.

A survey of 1,077 adults in Florida from May 1 to May 19 was fielded by Knowledge Networks, using a representative, online research panel.

“Floridians believe global warming will have serious consequences here at home and are growing increasingly concerned about the issue,” said Kenny Broad, associate professor at the Rosenstiel School.

To learn more, click here.

Communicating for results
The Employee Assistance Program offers this course and curriculum to supervisers, assisting with basic concepts of verbal communication with a focus on active listening skills. These skills are the essential foundation for the supervisory functions of delegation, feedback, and staff empowerment. Attend a session on the Miller School campus on Thursday, July 10 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Dominion Parking Garage, Professional Development and Training Office, suite 155. A second session will be held on Tuesday, July 15 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Max Orovitz Building, Professional Development and Training Office, suite 139. You must complete the corresponding online CBL prior to enrolling in the course. To register for the sessions, visit ulearn.miami.edu and follow the instructions to logon. For more information, call 305-243-3090.

A unique procedure: Raymond J. Leveillee, M.D., right, chief of the Division of Endourology, Laparoscopy and Minimally Invasive Surgery, explains the radiofrequency ablation technique he used to excise a cancerous kidney tumor from, left, State Senator Steven A. Geller.

UM physician garners politician’s praise, anonymous $1.5 million donation
Six months after undergoing an innovative cancer treatment, Florida State Senator Steven A. Geller returned to the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center on June 20 for a checkup and to sing the praises of his surgeon. Raymond J. Leveillee, chief of the Division of Endourology, Laparoscopy, and Minimally Invasive Surgery at the Miller School, performed a unique procedure to remove the cancerous tumor embedded deep in Geller's left kidney.

After the checkup, Geller and Leveillee met with journalists to discuss the surgery, which not only eradicated the politician’s tumor but enabled him to avoid chemotherapy and radiation.  The two men also revealed that an anonymous philanthropist has made a $1.5 million donation that will enable Leveillee to continue to conduct his surgical research.

To learn more, click here.

Healthcare Management courses in July
The Division of Continuing and International Education - Koubek Center offers summer courses for the Certificate in Healthcare Management beginning this month. Healthcare Trends (KBK277) runs from Monday, July 28 to Monday, August 25 and Introduction to Healthcare Administration (KBK265) runs from Wednesday, July 30 to Wednesday, August 27. The full certificate consists of eight courses at $525 per course. Designed for people who work or want to work in hospitals, managing healthcare organizations, medical offices, nursing agencies, nursing homes, etc., this certificate offers training in healthcare service administration.  For additional information, visit www.educationmiami.com/koubek, call 305-284-4000 or 305-284-6001, or e-mail ebedoya@miami.edu.

M.A. in International Administration hosts question-and-answer session
The Master of Arts in International Administration (MAIA) hosts a question-and-answer session for prospective applicants from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8 at 102 McKnight Building. MAIA is a university-wide professional international relations program that combines theory with practice and coursework in administration, management, and economics. It is a 30-credit program that can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis, with core courses generally offered weekday evenings. Reservations are required by sending an e-mail to maiaprogram@miami.edu or calling 305-284-8783. For information about the MAIA program, visit www.miami.edu/maia.

Don't forget new UM dialing procedures
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute locations join the University's five-digit dial plan effective today, Monday, June 30. This includes Anne Bates Leach Eye Hospital, the Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Vision Research Building, and satellite locations in Naples, Palm Beach Gardens, and Plantation. The last four digits of all existing Bascom Palmer numbers will remain the same. To call within the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute locations or from the Coral Gables, Miller School, or Rosenstiel campuses, dial “7” and the last the four digits of the telephone number.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this change, please call 8-6565 or e-mail telecomhelpdesk@miami.edu. 

Performance Improvement Management series offered
Performance Improvement Management is a highly interactive series of four sessions and three computer-based learning (CBL) modules. The goal of the series is to set expectations for UM leaders and to develop the knowledge and skills required for effective employee performance management. Sessions occur on Fridays, July 11 (PIM I), July 18 (PIM II), July 25 (PIM III), and September 19 (PIM IV) at the Dominion Parking Garage, Medical Professional Development and Training Office, suite 155. Individuals must complete each corresponding online CBL prior to enrolling and must register for all four parts of the session to receive credit. To register for the sessions, visit ulearn.miami.edu and follow the instructions. For more information, call 305‐243‐3090.

Preparing for Stormy Times With the start of the Atlantic hurricane season on June 1, planning is well under way at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) for the peak months that lie ahead. Bill Read, new NHC director, discussed his agency’s preparations and the dissemination of hurricane forecasting information among scientists, local and international media, and the community at a lecture last Thursday at the University’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. The lecture was co-sponsored by the Greater Miami chapter of the American Meteorological Society (AMS). Seen at the event are, from left, Otis Brown, dean of the Rosenstiel School; Neal M. Dorst, president of AMS, Greater Miami Chapter; Read; and Derek Ortt, UM student and executive director of the AMS, Greater Miami Chapter.

UM/Sylvester launches lymphoma and multiple myeloma support group
UM/Sylvester and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society have partnered to offer a bilingual support group to Miami for leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma patients and their caregivers. The facilitators for the group will be Marcier Escalon and Denise Pereira, both assistant professors of clinical medicine at the Hematology Oncology Group. Also, Rosa Caiseda, a third facilitator, is the oncology social worker at UM/Sylvester’s Courtelis Center. Attend a meeting on Thursday, July 10 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at UM/Sylvester, room 1301. Registration is required in advance and light refreshments will be served. To register, call 305-243-4071 or e-mail c.thomas@miami.edu.

Register for Basic Chinese for Business and Culture course
On Tuesday, July 1, the Intensive Language Institute's Basic Chinese for Business and Culture course begins. The six-week evening course focuses on survival language skills in Chinese, including communication, comprehension, and cultural tips for successful interactions. UM employees are eligible for a 40 percent discount on the course tuition. For more information and to register, visit the course Web site, call 305-284-2752, or e-mail alc.cstudies@miami.edu. Be sure to request the employee discount when you call.

Enhance your skills with free computer software training
The End User Support group offers free software training to University of Miami employees. Courses include Microsoft’s Office applications such as Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook. Training is also offered for Adobe’s popular Photoshop and InDesign applications. To register for a course, visit eustraining.miami.edu or call 305-284-2944. Some upcoming courses in July include:

Are you submitting electronic applications to NIH?
Submitting an electronic NIH proposal soon? Learn how to use the InfoEd Proposal Development System to prepare and submit NIH proposals electronically by attending an upcoming Special Summer InfoEd Proposal Development Walk-in Session in July and August. InfoEd streamlines the proposal development process and is Web-based, making it accessible almost anywhere on both Mac and PC computer platforms. The tool pre-fills agency forms and includes built-in agency validations, stores proposals in a secure environment, and provides a database of all proposals that have been submitted. This session will help participants create, route, submit, and track proposals using the system. Trainers will be available to answer specific questions and demonstrate how PD can facilitate your electronic submission. They will explain federal electronic proposal submission and provide tips for avoiding common errors. The team will be available on Mondays from 2 to 4 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Dominion Towers, tenth floor, room 1007F. Please make reservations by calling 305-243-5092. For more information, e-mail saymerich@med.miami.edu.

Donate blood: Get a free T-shirt and sandwich
The Community Blood Bank will offer a Subway sub sandwich and a thank-you pack with a T-shirt to individuals who donate blood at the Wellness Center on Monday, July 7 and Tuesday, July 8 from 4:30 to 9 p.m. For more information, call 786-573-7241.

Wellness Center summer golf league
Play a round of golf at Biltmore Hotel Golf Course for only $21. Join the Coral Gables Wellness Center summer golf league. Play is every Thursday (except July 3) through July 31, with tee times at 4 and 4:09 p.m. Individuals must register on or before the Monday prior to the Thursday they wish to play. For more information, call 305-284-8518 or e-mail intramurals@miami.edu. To register, visit room 210 on the second floor of the Wellness Center.

Coral Gables Wellness Center closed on Independance Day
The Wellness Center will close on Friday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day. Normal operations will resume Saturday, July 5 at 8 a.m.

Share a healthy recipe with colleagues
e-Veritas is running a new column during the summer, UM á la carte, which features healthy recipes submitted by members of the UM community. Lisa Dorfman, a UM sports nutritionist and lecturer for the Department of Exercise Science at the School of Education, will provide nutritional notes for each of the recipes we feature. If you have a recipe you would like to share, send it to e-veritas@miami.edu.

Wellness engagement survey
Wellness is the most effective way to control health care costs and benefit employees’ and their families' well-being.  In an effort to become a truly “healthy” workplace, UM continues to seek opportunities to engage faculty and staff.  Wellness initiatives for 2008 include a Health Fair, Weight Watchers at Work, the Cardiovascular Wellness Program, ongoing Lunch and Learn Information Sessions, Gables Wellness Center extended morning hours starting at 6 a.m., Medical Wellness Center programs, and more. Please take a moment to participate in an anonymous online wellness engagement survey. Feedback from the survey will be used to enhance our current wellness programs and develop future programs. To access the survey, click here. The online wellness engagement survey will remain open until Friday, July 18. Opinions matter, and feedback is given serious consideration. The more information we have from you, the better equipped we are to meet your needs.

Enrolled in a Flexible Spending Account? Unsure about how to use it?
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are valuable benefits to UM employees. Learn how to get the most out of your Health Care and/or the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account in 2008. Remember, FSA pre-tax dollars can be used to pay for everyday expenses such as doctor’s visits, prescription drugs, deductibles, out-of-pocket expenses, day care, and more. Topics  will include a discussion on approved health care and dependent care expenses, how to use your health care HumanaAccess  Visa  card, FSA deadlines, and how to file claims, among other topics. To attend one of the sessions below, R.S.V.P. by e-mailing vagramonte@miami.edu. Lunch will be served. 

Coral Gables campus: Today, Monday, June 30 from 12 to 1 p.m. at the Max Orovitz Building, Professional Development and Training Office.

Miller School campus: Tuesday, July 1 from 12 to 1 p.m. at the Dominion Parking Garage, Professional Development and Training Office Training Room.

Canadian Olympian: UM sophomore Reuben Ross will represent Canada at the 2008 Olympic Games in August. UM diver makes it to Olympics University of Miami sophomore diver Reuben Ross will represent Canada in the three-meter springboard and 10-meter platform events at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, after earning a spot on the team at the Canadian trials in Victoria, B.C., last weekend. Ross won the trial's three-meter event with a score of 915.55, edging out Eric Sehn who came in with a mark of 901.10. He opened the finals with a score of 72.85 before back-to-back scores over 80 on his second and third dives. Scores of 76.50, 83.30 and 78.75 on his last three dives were enough to secure the first-place finish and berth on Canada's three-meter springboard team. To learn more, click here. Two Hurricanes named to USA Baseball National Team Freshman left-handed pitcher Chris Hernandez and sophomore shortstop Ryan Jackson were recently named to the 2008 USA Baseball National Team, a squad composed of the top non-draft-eligible college players in the United States. The 20-man roster consists of nine pitchers, nine position players, and a pair of two-way players. The 2008 USA Baseball National Team will compete next month in the Haarlem Baseball Week in the Netherlands and at the FISU World Championships in the Czech Republic. To learn more, click here.

Weight Watchers at Work: new 12-week session
The next Weight Watchers at Work 12-week session begins Wednesday, July 2 at the Miller School campus. Four sessions will be held every Wednesday starting at 12 p.m. at the Wellness Center Instructional Classroom. The courses will be held every hour at 12, 1, 2, and 3 p.m. To enroll, pay in full on or before Wednesday, July 2 at any of the sessions. The cost is $123 for new members and $109 for continuing members. The price is prorated for those who join later.

First-time registrants who attend all 12 weeks are eligible for 100 percent reimbursement. Second-time registrants are eligible for 50 percent reimbursement for perfect attendance. For more information, e-mail mariesvbd@yahoo.com or sheri.lee@miami.edu.

Understanding and building your credit score
The Employee Assistance Program offers a seminar that can help individuals better manage their credit profiles. At the end of the seminar, participants will have a better understanding of what appears on a credit report and for how long, what doesn’t appear on a credit report, how to dispute erroneous information, how credit scores are used, major factors used in credit scoring, and how to raise a credit score. To register, visit www.miami.edu/ulearn. For help with registration, call 305-284-5110 or 305-243-3090. Attend at the Coral Gables campus on Tuesday, July 8 from 12 to 1 p.m. in the Max Orovitz Building, room 139. Attend on the Miller School campus on Wednesday, July 9 from 12 to 1 p.m. in the Dominion Parking Garage, room 155.

If you have questions about any of your UMatter Benefits, visit www.miami.edu/benefits/ask and complete the online form.

Keeping things confidential “I don't see it so much as an ethical problem for the newspaper as a practical problem for the government agency. And if the person is leaking confidential information that ought not be repeated, it's up to the public agency to mind their own shop.” Sam Terilli, assistant professor of journalism in the School of Communication, on the ethical and legal responsibility of a government organization's employees who published confidential information on the News-Press Web site forum. News-Press June 20 Saving Florida fish “We were starting to look like a Third World nation in regards to having blitzed our resources.” Jerald Ault, professor of marine biology and fisheries at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, on the worthiness of nearly 140 square miles of no-fishing zones off the coast of Key West that have been established in recent years to provide a haven for fish to feed, grow, spawn, and migrate. The New York Times June 26 Perilous procedure “Sometimes the silicone is industrial grade, from lubricants. Lord knows how much they put in or what they put in. It must be a good-sized needle. How can anybody let people without credentials inject something in them?” Seth Thaller, professor and chief in the Division of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery at the DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, on a man with no medical license who was recently arrested for setting up a shop in a hotel room and offering to pump an unknown substance into women's backsides for "buttocks enhancement.'' Miami Herald June 20

Wednesday, July 2 “What Every Woman Needs to Know About Breast Imaging.” UM/Sylvester at Deerfield Beach will present a Conversations About Cancer seminar featuring Monica Yepes, assistant professor of clinical radiology and breast imaging, and is a member of the Breast Cancer Site Disease Group at UM/Sylvester, Miller School of Medicine. The event occurs from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Best Western Deerfield Beach Hotel and Suites, 1050 East Newport Center Drive, Deerfield Beach. Reservations are required by calling 1-800-545-2292.

Wednesday, July 9 An Educational Forum on Cosmetic Enhancements. The UM Division of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery presents Seth Thaller, professor and chief of the Division, who will be present along with para-medical aestheticians to discuss skin care procedures and products. Representattives from Allergan Medical and Mentor Corporation skin care lines will be available to discuss their products. The event occurs from 12 to 2:30 p.m. at UM Hospital, South Building, Seminar Center A and B. R.S.V.P. before Monday, July 7 by calling 305-585-5237 or e-mailing tshipman@med.miami.edu.

The work of Grant Bloodgood: On display at the Wynwood Project Space through July 5.

Through Saturday, July 5 Exhibit: The Work of Grant Bloodgood. Describing his work as "fundamentally about transformation" and "intended to imply a reintegration of the human mind, body, and spirit into its proper relationship with nature," this exhibit by Grant Bloodgood is at the Wynwood Project Space, 2200 N.W. 2nd Ave. in Miami. For more information, call 305-284-2542 or e-mail logan@miami.edu.

Through Friday, July 11 Ceramics League of Miami: 58th Annual Members' Exhibition. Attend this exhibition featuring art from members of the Ceramics League of Miami. The exhibit is on display at the CAS Gallery. For more information, call 305-284-2542 or e-mail logan@miami.edu.

Saturday, July 12 Opening Reception: Painter Barry Sparkman.
The Wynwood Project Space presents a solo exhibit by Miami-based artist Barry Sparkman, who will present works from his recent Hypnea series. Sparkman, who has been making non-narrative, abstract paintings and collages since 1983, has found himself increasingly drawn to the possibilities of printmaking. Over the past five years, Sparkman has been experimenting with a range of techniques, including block printing, silk screen, lithography, etching, and monotype. The opening reception runs from 6 to 10 p.m. The exhibit continues through August 2. Wynwood Project Space is at 2200 N.W. 2nd Avenue, Miami. For more information, call 305-284-2542 or e-mail: logan@miami.edu.