Education and Training

In Memory of William Harrington, Jr., M.D.

William Harrington. Jr. M.D., a world-renowned expert physician-scientist in viral-induced malignant disease, died unexpectedly in January 2009.  His life and work continue to be an inspiration to those who worked alongside him. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Miami and was a Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology.  Dr. Harrington initiated and maintained several NIH (RO1) funded collaborations with Latin American academic institutions involving clinical and basic research interactions focused on Epstein Barr Virus, Burkitts lymphoma and Human T Lymphotrophic Virus Type I associated Adult T Cell Leukemia.  He was principal investigator for the NCI AIDS Malignancy Consortium in Miami and co-directed the Harrington Medical Training Programs Programs for Latin America and the Caribbean. 

Juan A. Asensio, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.C.C.M.
Director, International Medicine Institute Education and Training
Director, Trauma Clinical Research, Training, and Community Affairs
Director, Trauma Surgery and Surgical Critical Care Fellowship
Professor of Surgery, Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma Surgery and Surgical Critical Care

Dr. Asensio is the Director of the Trauma Clinical Research, Training and Community Affairs and the Director of the Trauma and Surgical Critical Care Fellowship in the Department of Surgery of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He is a tenured Professor of Surgery and a Senior Attending Surgeon at Jackson Memorial Hospital. In that capacity, he serves as the Director of the International Visiting Scholars/Research Fellowship for the Division of Trauma, and also directs the Trauma Outreach Program and Community Affairs Program. An internationally recognized expert in the area of Trauma, his main interests are cardiovascular, thoracic, and complex abdominal and peripheral vascular injuries and has published extensively in these areas.

J. Donald Temple, M.D.
Director, William J. Harrington Medical Training Programs
Co-Director, Office of Professional Development and Career Guidance
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology

Dr. Temple is the director of the William Harrington Medical Training Programs for Latin America and the Caribbean. He was born and raised in Miami and attended the University of Miami School of Medicine and completed his Internal Medicine residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital. He served as a clinical instructor for one year and completed three years of training in hematology and oncology. He is board certified in internal medicine, hematology and oncology. Throughout his medical training, he worked closely with Dr. William Harrington and became intrigued by Dr. Harrington’s program. He assisted in the administration of the program from 1985 to 1992, when he was named program director. Dr. Temple is also active in the education of medical students at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, teaching general internal medicine, hematology and oncology.

Olivia Cata
Programs Director, William J. Harrington Medical Training Program

Ms. Cata is a University of Miami alumna and long time employee.  She has worked for the Univeristy of Miami Miller School of Medicine for over 33 years.  In her role as Assistant Director of Postgraduate Courses in Continuing Medical Education for the Department of Medicine's annual conferences, she spearheaded international conferences, providing continuing education to thousands of physicians for all over the world.  As co-coordinator of the Harvard Medical School/University of Miami CME Conferences “Current Clinical Issues in Primary Care” (Pri-Med), Ms. Cata organized all aspects of the lectures, logistics and travel making the Pri-Med courses available world-wide.  She brings her talents, experience and strong leadership to the International Medicine Institute William J. Harrington Medical Training Program.