Eduardo C. Alfonso, M.D. Named Chairman of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
6/29/2009

Eduardo C. Alfonso, M.D.

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.”

Miller School Names New Chair of Pathology
6/29/2009

Richard J. Cote, M.D.

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.

Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute Holds Open House
7/1/2009

Left to right, Shoshana Schecter, LeRoy Schecter, Joshua Hare, M.D., director of the Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, and Max Eaton at the institute’s open house.

On Thursday, June 25, the incandescent future of medicine was on proud display on the eighth floor of the Biomedical Research Building, during an open house for the Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute (ISCI).

Putting an excited buzz in the air at the event were forward-looking ISCI donors, patients who have benefitted from the institute’s futuristic treatments, and staffers extended the privilege of rewriting medical history on a daily basis.

The Miller School of Medicine and Jackson Memorial Welcome 200 New Residents
6/25/2009

Jeanette Mladenovic, M.D., M.B.A., senior associate dean for graduate medical education addresses the new residents at University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital.

As he sat in the auditorium listening to administrators and veteran physicians welcome him and 199 other new residents to the practice of medicine at University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, Stephen George felt he was ready to serve and ready to save lives. The countless hours beating books, taking exams and working with physicians had led to this moment, to this place, this venerable medical campus where he would first don a white coat with his name neatly embroidered—with the letters M.D. after it.

New resident: Stephen George, M.D., graduate of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.

“It’s a very refreshing experience and I’ve worked a long time toward this,” Dr. George said. “In choosing a residency program I looked very carefully for a place where I would get good trauma experience. I am going into orthopaedic surgery with a special interest in spine and I wanted to be at a place where I would be able to see a lot of degenerative diseases and orthopaedic trauma, and a place with a strong neurosurgery department. I thought I could really thrive here where there is a real emphasis on education and teaching.

Center for Patient Safety simulation: In this view from the control room, new residents make decisions about how to treat a severely ill “patient” while faculty physicians observe and take notes from afar.

“It’s also a bit daunting having the M.D. after your name and have the layman think you are the same as your attending,” added George, who graduated this year from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. “Most people don’t know the hierarchy of medicine. It will take me a while to get used to the fact that these are my new responsibilities and switching roles from medical student to medical doctor, but I’m confident that I’m ready.”

George and his new resident colleagues at UM/Jackson, and 24 new residents at JFK Medical Center and the West Palm Beach VA (both in Palm Beach County), attended a day of orientation sessions on Monday, June 22, designed to officially welcome them to the hospitals where they will survive their first work days and work nights as medical doctors under the guide of experienced attending physicians.

Miller School Scientist Receives Prestigious Research Award
6/29/2009

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

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.

Scrubs Ceremony Named for Legendary Miller School Professor, Cardiac Surgeon
6/25/2009

Attending the inaugural Bolooki Junior Scrubs Ceremony are, left to right, Dean Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D., Joanne Bolooki, Tomas Salerno, M.D., chief of cardiothoracic surgery, and William O’Neill, M.D., executive dean for clinical affairs.

Over the course of a lengthy Miller School career that began when President Johnson was in the White House, Hooshang Bolooki, M.D., invariably gave 110 percent to students and patients, till the day of his death in 2008.

On Monday, June 22, the cardiac surgeon who performed South Florida’s first heart transplant got something back. From now on, whenever new Miller School juniors receive their surgical scrubs, they’ll do so at the annual Bolooki Junior Scrubs Ceremony.

Founding Chair of Family Medicine Dies at 80
6/23/2009

Lynn Carmichael, M.D.

The Miller School mourns the passing of a giant, in light of news that Lynn Carmichael, M.D. -- who created the medical school’s Department of Family Medicine and Community Health and is widely renowned as a founding father of family medicine – has died at the age of 80.

Carmichael passed away June 19 in Tucson, where he had been suffering from chronic illness. He became the Miller School’s founding chair of family medicine, and its associated family medicine residency program at Jackson Memorial Hospital, in 1965. Carmichael led family medicine for 31 years, and was a pioneer in establishing community health centers throughout South Florida.

Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute Scientists Discover Mechanism That Promotes Cell Mobility
6/24/2009

Seth Wander, M.D./Ph.D. student and teaching assistant, Dr. Joyce Slingerland, director of the Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute, and Dr. David Helfman, professor of cell biology and anatomy.

For some time, researchers have known that protein p27 is an important inhibitor of the cell division that spreads cancer.  Understanding the full mechanism and extent of that role has taken much longer.  Now, scientists at the Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center have solved part of the puzzle, discovering that p27 can severely misbehave when in bad company. In fact, it can lose its restraining action on cell growth and bind to other molecules to promote cell motility, one of the first steps in the spread of cancer.  In other words, Dr. Jeckyl becomes Mr. Hyde.

Joyce M. Slingerland, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute at Sylvester at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, led a team of researchers in collaboration with David Helfman, Ph.D., professor of cell biology and anatomy at Sylvester.  Their findings were published in the May 19 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) journal.

Grace Zhai, Ph.D., Named a 2009 Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences
6/22/2009

Grace Zhai, Ph.D.

The Pew Charitable Trusts has named Grace Zhai, Ph.D., assistant professor of molecular and cellular pharmacology, a 2009 Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences. The prestigious honor, which recognizes early-career scientists who display “outstanding promise in research relevant to the advancement of human health,” comes with a $240,000 award over four years to support her research.

Dr. Zhai is among 17 scientists nationally who were chosen for the award that encourages collaboration and the exchange of ideas. The Miller School’s first “fly person,” Dr. Zhai studies Drosophila, or fruit flies, which, because most of their genes are homologous to human genes, can provide scientists a glimpse of some of the most complex diseases.

Associate Professor Robert Gailey, P.T., Ph.D., and Miller School Department of Physical Therapy Students Win National Awards
6/22/2009

Robert Gailey, P.T., Ph.D., associate professor of physical therapy and this year’s APTA Henry O. and Florence P. Kendall Award for Excellence in Practice, with Sherrill Hayes, P.T., Ph.D., professor and chair of physical therapy.

Miller School associate professor Robert Gailey, P.T., Ph.D., a leader in the field of physical therapy, and a group of UM students who won first place for raising the most money nationally to aid physical therapy research, were recognized with national honors by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at the group’s annual meeting in Baltimore on June 11.

Dr. Gailey, a faculty member since 1986, was honored with the American Physical Therapy Association’s Henry O. and Florence P. Kendall Award for Excellence in Practice. The award, named for two stalwarts of the physical therapy profession, is given annually to “a physical therapist who has made outstanding enduring contributions to the practice of physical therapy as exemplified in the professional careers of Henry O. and Florence P. Kendall.”

Miller School Teams up With Microsoft to Test Online Care
6/17/2009

Patients from the Jefferson Reaves Sr. Health Center will participate in the pilot project.

The Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the Miller School has joined forces with Microsoft and Resolute Solutions Corporation to conduct a unique pilot study to determine if technology can play a role in providing primary care.  Twenty-five patients from the Jefferson Reaves Sr. Health Center in Overtown will participate in the first phase of the project, which will focus on diabetes management.

“It is our hope that this pilot will be able to fundamentally change the way that family practice is implemented — moving from a low-tech, high-touch model to a high-tech, high-touch model,” said Robert Schwartz, M.D., professor and chairman of family medicine and community health.

UM Researchers Find Psoriasis is Associated with Cardiovascular Disease and Increased Mortality
6/17/2009

Robert Kirsner, M.D., Ph.D.

A team of researchers from the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the Miller School of Medicine have found an association between the skin disease psoriasis and atherosclerosis, which is a buildup of plaque in the arteries.  In particular, the researchers found the association applies to coronary artery, cerebrovascular and peripheral vascular diseases and results in an increased risk of death.  The new findings are published in the June issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Psoriasis affects two to three percent of the world’s population, including seven million Americans.  In addition to its effects on the skin, psoriasis is associated with arthritis, depression and a lower quality of life. “More recently, psoriasis has also been shown to be a systemic inflammatory condition, with similarities to other inflammatory immune disorders,” the authors write. “Since the risk of myocardial infarction is increased in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, which are both inflammatory conditions, attention has been focused on the association between psoriasis, cardiovascular risk factors and myocardial infarction.”

Florida State Senator Ted Deutch Helps Sylvester Make Major Strides in State Funding
6/11/2009

W. Jarrard Goodwin, M.D., director of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Joan Scheiner, Chairman of Sylvester Board of Governors,), and Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D., (far right) senior vice president for medical affairs and dean, present State Sen. Ted Deutch (D-Boca Raton) with an award for his leadership and advocacy in Tallahassee, passing the tobacco surcharge and helping allocate money toward cancer research.

The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami has a powerful new ally in the fight against cancer.  The work of State Senator Ted Deutch (D-Boca Raton) will help Sylvester pull in millions of dollars more through state-funded competitive cancer research grants for years to come.

Senator Deutch visited the Miller School campus to attend the Sylvester Board of Governors meeting on Wednesday, June 10, during which he was recognized for his commitment to fighting cancer.  Calling him a “hero in the community,” W. Jarrard Goodwin, M.D., director of Sylvester, presented Senator Deutch with a glass inscription honoring him for his leadership and advocacy as a “true legislative champion.”

UM Breast Cancer Researchers Win Prestigious Department of Defense Grant to Expand Study of African-American Women
6/15/2009

Co-principal investigators Mark Pegram, M.D., professor of medicine and associate director for clinical and translational research at the Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute at Sylvester, and Lisa Baumbach, Ph.D., associate professor of pediatrics, with Merce Jorda, M.D., Ph.D., professor of clinical pathology, Carmen Gomez, M.D., associate professor of pathology at Sylvester, and Jennifer L. Clarke, Ph.D., assistant professor of epidemiology and public health, who will all be working on the Synergistic Idea Award.

Breast cancer researchers at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine have been awarded a prestigious Department of Defense Synergistic Idea Award, one of just 12 such grants in the United States.  The $725,000 research grant over two years will allow Lisa Baumbach, Ph.D., associate professor of pediatrics at the Miller School, and Mark Pegram, M.D., professor of medicine and associate director for clinical and translational research at the Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute at Sylvester, to expand their work examining the genetic differences found in African-American breast cancer patients.

This work is critical to understanding why African-American women suffer more devastating forms of breast cancer and have a higher death rate from the disease, and will lead to more effective prevention and treatment.

Miller School Cardiologist Receives AHA Cor Vitae Award
6/4/2009

William O’Neill, M.D., (left) executive dean for clinical affairs, presented Eduardo de Marchena, M.D., professor of medicine and surgery, with the American Heart Association’s 2009 Cor Vitae award at the annual Miami-Dade Heart Ball.

For the second year in a row, a University of Miami Miller School of Medicine cardiologist is the recipient of the American Heart Association’s Cor Vitae award.  Eduardo de Marchena, M.D., professor of medicine and surgery in the Cardiovascular Division, was presented with the award at the American Heart Association’s 41st annual Miami-Dade Heart Ball, on Saturday, May 30.

Dozens of colleagues, supporters and philanthropists were on hand at the Eden Roc Resort and Spa on Miami Beach for the presentation.  This is just the second year for the Cor Vitae award, which is given to recognize an outstanding physician in Miami-Dade County whose focus is in cardiovascular medicine or stroke.  De Marchena said it was “humbling and a great honor to be recognized by the American Heart Association and to be nominated by such excellent cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and neurologists.”

Construction Update: The “Big Dig” Continues to Bring State-of-the-Art Utilities to the Miller School Campus
5/22/2009

Construction zones, such as the one pictured above, will remain part of the Miller School campus scene for the next nine months as the University continues to modernize and upgrade utilities.

After about two years, hundreds of construction workers, teams of technicians, and the laying of nearly 6,000 feet of pipe, the “Big Dig” on the Miller School campus is — not yet over. While there appears to be a lull in activity, work is still going on at night and more daytime construction is on the horizon.

Meanwhile, the Department of Facilities and Support Services wants to make sure faculty, staff and students know the digging and temporarily inaccessible areas – including a section of the southwest side of the Rosenstiel Medical Science Building and the rear entrance to Jackson’s Park Plaza West garage – are all part of a plan to provide better air conditioning and other utilities to all Miller School buildings via the campus’ new state-of-the-art chiller plant. The Big Dig is necessary to lay the thousands of feet of underground pipes that connect the campus buildings to the chiller plant. The underground water pipes are needed because the cooling system operates by chilling water to produce cool air.

Miller School Welcomes Zipcar Program to Campus
5/22/2009

The Mazda 3 will be one of the Zipcars available on the Miller School campus beginning June 1.

After a successful debut on the Coral Gables campus last year, Zipcar will hit the medical campus starting Monday, June 1. The innovative car-sharing program is designed to help relieve congestion and provide economical transportation for faculty, staff and students by allowing them to reserve cars online or by phone for an hourly rate of $8.

Zipcar is already popular on college campuses across the nation and was practically an overnight sensation on the Coral Gables campus, according to Richard Sobaram, director of parking and transportation services, who led the 2008 initiative. “It’s the convenience of having a car without the responsibility of car ownership,” said Sobaram. “It’s a great option if you only need a car occasionally, but it’s wise to book your reservation at least a week in advance, because they are so popular.”

Miller School Graduates 171 New Physicians at the 2009 Commencement
5/18/2009

Class of 2009 student speaker Shara Volk, M.D. delivers her speech at the Miller School commencement on Saturday, May 16.

At the Miller School of Medicine’s 54th commencement ceremony on Saturday, 171  graduating seniors marked the beginning of their careers as medical doctors.  Thirty students from the regional campus at Florida Atlantic University were in the class receiving their doctor of medicine degrees at the BankUnited Center on the Coral Gables campus.

“From this day forward,  life will no longer be just about you and your loved ones, but it will be about the patients you will encounter, those people who will put their trust and well being in your hands,” Miller School Dean Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D., told the new doctors.  “And wherever you are, whenever you need him, the Dean of our great Miller School of Medicine family will always be there for you.”

Miller School of Medicine Commencement Ceremony
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