Mini-med school offers public chance to learn about health, medicine

Published Aug 02, 2007 by
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GREENVILLE, N.C.  —   The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University is opening its doors to the public for six evenings this fall as it hosts its “mini-med school.”

Part of the university’s centennial celebration, mini-med school gives the public an opportunity to learn about health issues affecting eastern North Carolina, state-of-the-art tools and techniques to save lives and improve health status, and the science behind medicine. The sessions, scheduled for each Monday from Sept. 10 to Oct. 15, are led by ECU faculty members. Participation is free.

“Mini-med school is an exciting educational opportunity for ECU faculty to share information about the major health concerns in our region and how we are contributing to improved heath through research and teaching,” said Dr. Kathryn Kolasa, a professor of family medicine, registered dietitian and mini-med school co-chairwoman. “More than 400 community leaders participated between 1998 and 2002. Folks have been asking when the school would do it again. There are so many exciting things happening at BSOM, we decided it was time.”

Mini-med school includes 18 hours of presentations about medical developments, hands-on learning with new technology, and question-and-answer sessions. Participants learn how their bodies work and how to take an active role in maintaining their health. Among the goals are for participants to learn a skill, such as how to search the Web for evidence-based answers to medical questions or think through the ethics of a medical problem, at each session and become “ambassadors” for health care and the medical school. Evenings begin with light refreshments at 6 p.m. followed by educational sessions from 6:30-9 p.m.

Mini-med school is for adults 18 years or older who want to learn more about medicine, health care and the body. It’s not meant to be an introduction to medical school or a recruiting tool for students. Class size is limited to 90 participants.

For more information or to register, visit www.ecu.edu/minimedschool or call (252) 744-3078.

Individuals with disabilities requesting accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the Department for Disability Support Services at (252) 328-6799 (V) or (252) 328-0899 (TTY).