DES MOINES, IA (01/24/2011)(readMedia)-- This year's Mini Medical School at Des Moines University (DMU) will give you some insight on food, nutrition and global health as well as filling you in on exactly what "neuroplasticity" means. Beginning February 8, the five classes will be held each Tuesday evening, 7-8:30 p.m., in the DMU Student Education Center, 3300 Grand Avenue.

The goal of this year's course theme - Medical Fact or Fiction- is to focus on some hot topics in the healthcare world and answer questions many people wonder about.

"This year's topics will be interesting for everyone. Who doesn't wonder how real the threats of pandemic are or how effective TV commercials about medicine are?," asked Melissa Wilder, DMU's manager of community relations.

This is the eighth year Des Moines University has offered Mini Medical School. The course is appropriate for middle-school students through senior citizens. Mini Medical School was launched as a community initiative so the general public could learn about medical and health issues. The curriculum is based on attendee feedback and topics that are timely. Attendance has increased each year and DMU officials expect more than 300 attendees.

The full five-class session is $10 for students (middle through grad school) and $25 for the rest of general public. You can register at www.dmu.edu/minimed or at the door before the first session. For more information or to sign up, call 515-271-1374 or visit www.dmu.edu/minimed. Most of the Mini Medical School speakers are DMU faculty.

"Part of our purpose at DMU is to increase community awareness and understanding about health issues," explains Wilder. "Mini Medical School helps us do that and is a great way for our faculty to give back to the community."

Des Moines University is the only private medical school in Iowa offering graduate-level, professional degree programs in osteopathic medicine, podiatric medicine, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, health care administration and public health. Founded in 1898, the institution offers superior academics in a collaborative environment. DMU students' pass rate on national examinations and board certifications is consistently higher than the national average and the rates at similar institutions.

What are the topics?

Feb. 8, DRUGGED: what's the truth about prescription drug commercials and sales tactics? Do they affect what drugs your clinician prescribes?

Feb. 15, NEUROPLASTICITY: can people grow back senses and nerves they lost in a stroke or other event?

Feb. 22, FOOD: what is food and what isn't? Learn about nutrition, food and other things we consume.

March 1, GLOAL HEALTH: in our interconnected global world, how close are we really to a pandemic? What's the truth about bioterrorism?

March 8, HERBAL MEDICINE: are alternative treatments effective? What should you kno

Posted Monday January 24, 2011 at 10:15 am by Des Moines University
Last Updated Tuesday July 24, 2012 at 04:51 pm