By Robert C. Jones Jr.
UM News

MIAMI, Fla. (February 8, 2015)—The pain shooting down Celia Schieffelin’s left ankle was only a minor distraction. Inspired by the courageous battle her mother fought but ultimately lost against cancer, the 19-year-old University of Miami student seemed impervious to just about anything during a 25-mile bike ride from Fort Lauderdale’s Esplanade Park to Sun Life Stadium in Miami.

But Schieffelin didn’t complete the marathon-length journey to shine a spotlight on herself. “It’s about the cause,” she said.

Schieffelin was one of the more than 2,700 cyclists who took to the streets February 7-8 for Dolphins Cycling Challenge V. The two-day charity event, which culminated Sunday with hundreds of cyclists riding to Sun Life Stadium, raises funds for the lifesaving treatment and research programs of UM’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.

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Former Miami Dolphins tight end Jim “Mad Dog” Mandich helped start the fundraiser five years ago while he was battling bile duct cancer, a disease that took his life in April 2011 at the age of 62. The event, which features rides of various lengths over three counties, has raised close to $10 million since it began in 2010, with more than $3.4 million being raised for this year’s DCC.

Several UM employees and students rode as members of Team Sylvester. Schieffelin formed her own team. “We all feel very strongly and passionate about wiping out cancer, and that’s why we united to form Team Barb,” she said, referring to the group of cyclists she organized to honor her late mother, Barbara Burg, and raise funds for Sylvester’s research initiatives.

On Sunday, Schieffelin crossed the finish line about two hours after she departed Fort Lauderdale—other members of Team Barb riding alongside her or following closely behind. Wearing hot pink jerseys with the slogan “Team Barb: Family Is Forever” on the front, they included Schieffelin’s aunts and uncles, who flew in from New York to ride with her, as well as fellow UM students and a group of friends who traveled from California. Thirty-two riders strong, Team Barb has raised more than $100,000 for the cause.

It was Schieffelin’s second DCC. She rode in DCC IV in November 2013 as a freshman, completing a 13-mile ride even as her mother battled colorectal cancer that had spread to other parts of her body. The finance and management major almost missed this year’s ride, tearing two ligaments in her left ankle last semester. But the injury, while not completely healed, improved enough so that she could train on a stationary bike to prepare for the event.

Like Schieffelin, Lynette Estrada’s reason for riding hits close to home. Her teenage son, Lucas, in addition to having autism, has battled brain cancer for most of his life. “We draw strength from each other,” said Estrada. “Despite his autism, he understands why I ride. When I tell him or remind him, he answers, ‘Oh yeah!’ And he puts up both fists as if he’s fighting someone. Lucas is my biggest fan.”

Lucas came down with a persistent cough days before the DCC. So instead of riding the 72-mile “Perfect Season Ride” from West Palm Beach to Miami, as she had planned, Estrada hooked up her Specialized road bike to a trainer and pedaled for five hours inside her home on Sunday, stopping only for water breaks and to administer medication to her son.

It was Joe Natoli’s fourth Dolphins Cycling Challenge. UM’s senior vice president for business and finance and chief financial officer rode 170 miles—from Sun Life Stadium to West Palm Beach on Saturday, with the return ride on Sunday. He called Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center “a hugely important community asset.”

“It needs to be—and is on its way to being—one of the finest cancer centers in the world,” said Natoli. “The DCC, by providing significant funds for unrestricted cancer research, addresses one of the most critical needs for achieving world-class status. I’m thrilled with the growth in the DCC over its first five years, but we have just scratched the surface of its potential—and Sylvester’s potential for greatness.”

Among the other prominent riders: Stuart A. Miller, chairman of the UM Board of Trustees; Pascal J. Goldschmidt, senior vice president for medical affairs, dean of the Miller School of Medicine, and CEO of UHealth; and Stephen D. Nimer, director of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.

This year’s event included a 5K run/walk, held in the early-morning hours on Sunday at Sun Life Stadium before the cyclists started to arrive.

The UM Women’s Commission is once again sponsoring a drive to collect donations for Safe Space, a shelter for women escaping from domestic violence. Suggested items include gently used clothing, toiletries, gift cards, baby products and unwrapped toys for children. Donations will be accepted through Monday, December 15.  Collection boxes can be found at the following locations: University Center lobby, Ashe Building lobby, Herbert Wellness Center atrium, Newman Alumni Center (2^nd floor break room), and Gables One Tower, Suite 1050. A collection box is also located in the UHealth Fitness and Wellness Center lobby on the Miller School of Medicine campus.

If you have any questions, email Patty Swift at [email protected].

The Division of Finance and Treasury’s 2014 United Way Silent Auction is now officially open. Visit www.miami.edu/silentauction to bid on spectacular prizes such as brand-name electronics, airline travel vouchers, and more. There’s sure to be something for everyone. The auction, which is open to faculty, staff, and students, ends November 10. For more information, contact Travel Management at 305-284-6585 or [email protected].

By Robert C. Jones Jr.
UM News

At UM’s Whitten Learning Center, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen greets one of the more than 130 students participating in Breakthrough Miami College Bound.

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (July 7, 2014) – A former teacher who once took the advice of a parent and ran for elected office, U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen told a group of ninth-grade students on the University of Miami campus Monday that Congress should mirror the racial and ethnic diversity of the nation and urged the youngsters to consider entering the political arena after college to help solve problems. Read the full story

Dr. Michael S. Gordon, center, revolutionized medical education with Harvey, the first cardiopulmonary patient simulator, who he has introduced to countless students.

Over his long and distinguished career at the University of Miami’s Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Michael Gordon, M.D., Ph.D., revolutionized medical education around the world. He created Harvey, the world’s first cardiopulmonary patient simulator, and UMedic, an innovative computer- and Web-based program, to train physicians, emergency responders and military personnel to save countless lives.

“Our University has given me every opportunity to apply my ideas to education and supported these innovations,” says Gordon, the founder and director emeritus of the Michael S. Gordon Center for Research in Medical Education. “I will always be grateful to the U.”

With his wife, Lynda, Gordon provides ongoing financial support to the Gordon Center and raised funds to endow a chair for its director, S. Barry Issenberg, M.D., associate dean for research in medical education and the Michael S. Gordon Professor of Medicine.

A donor for all seasons, Gordon also has funded scholarships for medical students, and contributed to the Richter Library, Frost School of Music, Jerry Herman Ring Theatre, Department of Athletics and other programs.

“My mother, Dorée, was a leading lady on Broadway at age 17 who gave up her career to marry my father, Lee,” Gordon recalls. “By supporting the University’s theater and music programs, we honor her memory. I also love watching the ’Canes play football and bought the best season tickets as soon as I could afford to do so.”

A native of Chicago, Gordon planned to become a research biochemist and earned his doctorate before training with renowned cardiologist, Proctor Harvey, M.D., his mentor and the “godfather” of the patient simulator. Robert Boucek, M.D., the chair of cardiology at the time, invited Gordon to join the UM faculty in 1966, launching his remarkable academic career.

Gordon’s first cardiology patients included several airline pilots who had honed their piloting skills on flight simulators. Recognizing that simulators also could help medical students improve their bedside cardiac examination skills, Gordon built his first version of Harvey in 1968. Today, at the touch of a button, the life-sized mannequin realistically simulates nearly every cardiac disease by varying blood pressure, pulses, heart sounds, murmurs, and breathing.

In the 1980s, Gordon went on to develop a computer-based learning system, now called UMedic, which provides Web-based training for cardiology, neurology, and emergency medicine skills worldwide. Through the Gordon Center, the University also trains thousands of paramedics, Army field surgeons, and other personnel in many advanced life support procedures.

Last year, Gordon received the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s most prestigious health care honor, the AXA Advisors Lifetime Achievement Award.

“By helping those who serve and protect our citizens and our country, we have been able to reduce mortality tremendously,” says Gordon, who stepped down as director in December. “The Miller School of Medicine plays a unique role in medical education, and it is a privilege and pleasure for me to give back to our University.”