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The Miami Herald, Fl. Posted on Sun, May. 11, 2003 'Now what?' Michael J. Fox challenges new docs at UM BY ADRIANA CORDOVI [log in to unmask] 'CARE DEEPLY': Michael J. Fox advises UM Medical School graduates Saturday. WALTER MICHOT/HERALD STAFF As they prepared to begin their careers as doctors, more than 130 University of Miami Medical School students listened to the words of a patient Saturday during their graduation ceremony -- one well known around the nation. Actor and Parkinson's disease advocate Michael J. Fox challenged the new group of medical doctors with the same question that he confronted after being diagnosed with the neurological disorder in 1991: ``Now what?'' ''In the last few years, I've gone from talking to my agent on my cellphone to discussing cell biology with leading physicians,'' said the 41-year-old actor, whose past roles include Alex P. Keaton in Family Ties and Marty McFly in the Back to the Future trilogy. As he spoke to the roomful of doctors at the UM Convocation Center, Fox did not present himself as an actor, but as a patient and medical research advocate. He stressed the importance of supporting medical research that will advance the treatment of incurable diseases. ''I urge you as physicians to care deeply about these issues and add your voice and your vote into the public debate,'' he said. In 1998, Fox made his Parkinson's public and dedicated himself to raising awareness about the disease, caused when nerve cells deep within the brain start to degenerate. It afflicts 1 ½ million Americans, including former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno and boxing legend Muhammad Ali. When Fox, who is married to actress Tracy Pollan and has four children, was diagnosed with Parkinson's, he says none of his doctors could answer the question, ``Now what?'' But he said they did assure him that with the advancement of medical research, he would be dancing at his children's weddings, and he realized his ''Now what?'' had turned into action. ''I was forced to make the decision . . . of how to embark on life's journey,'' Fox said. After the ceremony, the medical school graduates praised the speech, saying they appreciated listening to a patient as they prepare to launch their medical careers. Fox ''has been involved with medical doctors treating his disease,'' graduate Preeti Jois-Bilowich said. ``If anyone can emulate what a medical doctor has to do, it's him.'' Said graduate Chancellor Donald: ``He completed the circle -- students who were about to become physicians, established physicians and a well-known patient with a severe disease.'' Fox, who has testified on Capitol Hill in favor of stem-cell research and increased federal funding for Parkinson's, in 2000 founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, which has provided more than $20 million for Parkinson's research. UM President Donna Shalala, a board member of Fox's foundation, presented him with the president's medal -- the first one awarded during her tenure at the university. When Fox received the medal, he joked that he was probably also the tallest person given the president's medal during the diminutive Shalala's tenure. ''Michael, you will always be the tallest person ever to receive the president's medal,'' Shalala said after his speech. SOURCE: The Miami Herald, Fl. http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/2003/05/11/news/local/5834040.htm * * * Congratulations Mike! ... murray ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn