Veritas, Vol. 43, No. 02, October 2000

              School of Medicine to establish genetics research center
ven with all his brilliance, William Bateson—the English biologist who founded and named the science of genetics—surely didn’t envision this: Doctors using gene therapy to treat hemophilia, heart disease, and certain cancers. Gene-based drugs that treat diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
Scientists growing replacement organs and new blood vessels to replace clogged ones. People controlling their own evolution by replacing selected genes.
With the mapping of the first draft of the human genetic code by researchers last summer, such medical breakthroughs are all within the not-too-dis-tant future. But they will take some exhaustive research.
In a bold move toward that end, the School of Medicine is establishing what it envisions will become a world-class genetics research center with half of a $12.5 million grant from the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation of Coral Gables. “This extraordinary commitment will enable us to build upon our significant strengths in genetics research and to enrich our understand-
ing of genetics in a way that will change the way we practice medicine,” says John G. Clarkson, senior vice president for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine.
The Dr. John T. Macdonald Center for Medical Genetics will be one of
the first comprehensive genetics initiatives at a U.S. university since the completion of the Human Genome Project in June. Its mission: groundbreaking genetics research with the potential of discovering totally new ways of healing the sick and preventing disease.
From left to right: John G. Clarkson; Kim Greene, executive director of the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation; R. Rodney Howell; and George D. Mekras gather after the news conference announcing the $12.5 million grant that will fund a genetics research center at the School of Medicine.
“We knew the magnitude of what was coming with the announcement of the first draft of the human genome sequence earlier this summer,” says R. Rodney Howell, professor and chairman of the Department of Pediatrics and president of the American College
of Medical Genetics. Howell will serve as interim director of the new center.
“We have been working closely with the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation for some time now to develop a strategy for initial funding of what we are sure will become the preeminent center for genetics research in this country,” he says.
The grant for the new center includes funding to recruit a nationally recognized expert in cancer genomics, stem cell research, the genetics of
prematurity, or the genetics of birth defects. It also provides funding for additional faculty members in both clinical and basic science research; a fellowship, The Dr. John T. Macdonald Fellow in medical genetics; education programs in medical genetics; and new equipment and supplies.
The other $6.25 million of the grant will be used to create a signature program in public school health that will provide comprehensive health services to students.
The Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation, founded in 1951, is perhaps best-known as the organization that owned and operated Doctors Hospital in Coral Gables for many years. When the hospital was sold in 1992, the foundation retained its name and was converted to a 501.3c grant-making philanthropic organization.
“We wanted to make a profound statement by funding major new initiatives,” says George D. Mekras, chairman of the board of the foundation. “We are delighted to provide the initial capital that will enable the University of Miami to make a quantum step forward in the new and exciting horizons of the evolving medical genetics field.”
"We knew the magnitude of what was coming with the announcement of the first draft of the human genome sequence earlier this summer."
-R. Rodney Howell
University strives to meet United Way 2000 Challenge
The fresh coat of paint on Allapattah Elementary Schools cafeteria walls had barely had a chance to dry before the University of Miami employee started scraping paint particles from her fingernails.
“And I just had a manicure,” she said. “Oh well, I really don’t mind. It’s all for a good cause.”
And a good cause it was. She and 91 other University volunteers— including students, faculty, and staff— rolled up their sleeves and donned work gloves recently to help renovate the school before the start of fall classes.
Called “Abracadabra, Allapattah,” the makeover marked the 10th consecutive year the United Way of Miami-Dade has launched its annual fundraising campaign with a community service project. UM volunteers joined more than 3,000 others who participated in the effort.
But while the work may have stopped at Allapattah, the University’s own United Way 2000 campaign is just getting underway. Employees and students from across the University have united to raise funds for United Way of Miami-Dade, which provides support for its 67 member agencies.
“Our goal for United Way 2000 is
to convince 100 percent of University of Miami employees that being involved in the United Way effort is worthwhile,” says Vice President for Government Relations and Executive Assistant to the President Cyrus Jollivette, who is leading this year’s United Way Campaign. “That’s a tremendous challenge for us, one that I’m calling the United Way 2000 Challenge.”
More than 87 ambassadors and many more coordinators—representatives of all academic, administrative, and support units—are soliciting colleagues and spearheading campaign efforts that range from book fairs and jewelry sales to rummage and bake sales from which proceeds are donated to the United Way. These activities raised $70,000 of last year’s more than $672,000 generated in support of United Way.
“What is important to know about that $672,000 is the fact that there are 307 members of the Community Leadership Club [employees who contribute one percent or more of their salary to the United Way] who provided $266,375 of that support,” says
Jollivette. “The workplace campaign effort to solicit payroll deduction contributions is the core of the United Way effort, and our effort to get 100 percent participation is vital.”
Catherin Curry, a staff associate at the Center for the Study of Mergers and Acquisitions in the School of Law
and a regular one-percent contributor, says everyone benefits when they give to the United Way. “And the one percent campaign really makes it easy and painless,” she says.
For Pat Grewe, medical development coordinator for the Department of Medical Development, this is the ninth consecutive year she has been
involved in the United Way effort as the campaign ambassador for the medical campus. “We have a very dedicated partnership in this community,” says Grewe. “Many of our patients who come through our various programs are referred to us from United Way agencies.” Michele Rowand, administrative assistant for research and administration in the Office of the Dean at the Rosenstiel School, knows firsthand what it is like to be in need. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew destroyed what was then Rowand’s home—a sailboat at Dinner Key Marina. But with the help of United Way member agencies, she and her family got back on their feet. Now Rowand, United Way ambassador for the Rosenstiel School, supports the fundraising effort as much as she can. “You don’t realize how easily your life can be turned upside down until it happens,” says Rowand. “So being a part of the United Way effort is a way for me to give back.”
So extensive is the University’s effort with the United Way that UM annually ranks as the largest per capita giver among universities and colleges nationwide. This year, through United Way 2000, the University’s goal is to exceed substantially last year’s giving.
It is a challenge that all intend to meet.
From left to right: Catherin Curry, Michele Rowand, and Pat Grewe are only three of the hundreds of employees who are actively taking part in the University's United Way 2000 campaign.