(LITTLE ROCK, AR) - Mini Medical School, possibly the most popular community education program in the College of Medicine's history, will return again this spring.  The seventh Mini Medical School will be held on six consecutive Thursday evenings, March 23- April 27, in the Education III Building on the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences campus. The program, “Women’s Health—Mind, Body, Spirit,” is a free lecture and discussion series, which will begin at 7 p.m.

Here’s the lineup of topics and UAMS faculty presenting them:

View Photos. March 23
Why Focus on Women’s Health 

“The State of Women’s Health—A National Concern”
Former State Representative Josetta Wilkins, Ph.D.

 “Women’s Health in Arkansas—Back to the Future”
Suzanne Klimberg, M.D.

March 30
The Most Dangerous Thing(s) A Woman Can Do

"How to Have a Healthy Body and a Healthy Baby "
Nancy Andrews, M.D.

"Making Progress in Making Babies—Advances in Research to Promote Healthy Babies "
Curtis Lowery, M.D., Ph.D.

April 6
Health or Consequences

“Healthercize”
Bill Evans, M.D.

“Preventive Maintenance”
Arlo Kahn, M.D.

April 13
Hope when Health isn’t an Option—Diseases Common to Women

“Cancervive”
Ronda Henry-Tillman M.D.

“Autoimmune Disease—A Lot Can Go Wrong When a Woman No Longer Recognizes Herself”
Eleanor Lipsmeyer, M.D.

April 20
Science Adds Years to Life—How Can I Add “Life” to Years?

“Depression—An Equal Opportunity Problem”
Linda Worley, M.D.

“Spiritual Roots in Human Health”
Sandi Pope

April 27
Aging—A Matter of Time and Now of Opportunity

“I Can’t Remember What I Was Supposed to Worry About”
David Lipschitz, M.D., Ph.D.

“Hormones--Here Today/Gone Tomorrow”
Rosie Sequin, M.D.

Comments from past typical students were truly encouraging to continue this annual series.  A Benton biology teacher wrote, "These sessions keep me informed of changes that are occurring in medicine.  It is great!"

Fifty-five-year-old Dick Marendt, who owns ARCA, a radio production company, and his wife, Judy, have attended all past five years.  They wrote, "We especially appreciated getting a chance to ask the speakers questions during breaks and after the lectures and to benefit from their perspective on the leading edge of the medical field.  We need to know what our bodies can and cannot do, so we can take better care of ourselves and work with our doctors."

Charlotte Miles Font, an extension health education specialist for the Cooperative Extension Services, noted, "Thanks for show-casing the UAMS faculty.  Any time I work with them, I'm amazed and impressed with their credentials."

Mini Medical School is coordinated by Jim Pasley, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Physiology, and Robert Burns, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Anatomy.  Every lecture lasts about 45 minutes, with a refreshment break in the foyer of the Education III Building.  Classes will then reconvene for a 30-minute wrap-up session with questions.

Each year, Mini Medical School students receive a spiral notebook containing materials provided by the professors.  Teachers can earn continuing education credits by attending.  All students who attend three or more sessions will receive certificates imprinted with their names.

UAMS is located on the near West Side of Little Rock.  It is conveniently accessible from I-630 or West Markham Street. 

During Mini Medical School, free on-campus parking is available at the parking deck.  To enter, turn toward the campus at the intersection of Markham and Elm Streets at the site of a Little Rock fire station.  At the "Parking" sign on Elm Street, turn right toward the parking deck, using any open space on Levels C or D levels, ascend by elevator or stairs to Level A and follow the signs.  Medical students will greet you at the deck and direct you toward Education III Building.

To register, please call 686-8520.

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Media contact:  Bonnie Brandsgaard 501-686-8013