UB to Launch Mini-Medical School; Lectures to Be Geared to A General Audience

BUFFALO, N.Y -- This is not your doctor's medical school. In fact, it's for just about anybody but doctors.

On Tuesday, May 6, the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences will launch its Mini-Med School, a series of lectures dealing with subjects covered in traditional medical school but geared to a general audience.

The faculty will be composed of several of the most dynamic teachers and accomplished scientists on the medical-school faculty. Lectures will be held from 7-9 p.m. on six consecutive Tuesdays through June 10 in Butler Auditorium in Farber Hall on the UB South (Main Street) Campus.

There will be no prerequisites for enrollment other than a lively curiosity. Class size will be limited only by the auditorium's 280-some seats. And unlike traditional medical school, enrollees won't need to go into debt to attend. Cost for the full curriculum is $25 per person, with special rates for couples, seniors and students.

The mini-medical school concept has been tried at more than 30 U.S. medical schools and has been wildly successful. Harry Sultz, D.D.S., M.P.H., UB professor of social and preventive medicine, director of UB's Health Services Research Program and "dean" of the Mini-Med School, said the idea is to help people understand the science behind medicine.

"Most people are intensely interested in health issues and medical advancements," said Sultz. "This program will address the public's desire for better understanding and knowledge about health and disease and make them better informed consumers of health care. We also want to show the public the more approachable side of physicians and scientists."

The six lectures will be devoted to anatomy, physiology, neurology, pharmacology, microbiology and immunology. Courses to be presented are:

€ May 6 -- Cardiology 101: "The Heart is a Wonderful Organ" and "Sometimes It Needs Repair." Lectures will be delivered by Perry Hogan, Ph.D., professor of physiology, and Susan Graham, M.D., associate professor of medicine.

€ May 13 -- Neuroanatomy/Neurosurgery 101: "Stroke Can Currently Be Treated In A Variety of Ways" and "New Methods Are Emerging For Dealing With Stroke." Lecturers by Linda Hershey, M.D., Ph.D., professor of neurology and research assistant professor of pharmacology and toxicology, and L. Nelson Hopkins III, M.D., professor and chair of the Department of Neurosurgery.

€ May 20 -- Immunology 101: "Your Body is A Hero." Lecture by Roger Cunningham, Ph.D., associate professor of microbiology and immunology and director of the Ernest Witebsky Center for Immunology.

€ May 27 -- Microbiology/Infectious Diseases 101: "The Microbes Are Out There: It's a War" and "New Diseases Are Emerging: Old Ones Re-emerging: The War Continues." Lectures by Alan M. Reynard, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology and toxicology, and Alan J. Lesse, M.D., associate professor of medicine and pharmacology and toxicology.

€ June 3 -- Oncology 101: "Genes Give Us Life; Genes Give Us Cancer" and "Slowly, But Surely, We Find Ways to Combat This Disease." Lectures by Peter Aplan, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics, microbiology and immunology, and Daniel Green, M.D., professor of pediatrics.

€ June 10 -- Psychiatry/Psychotherapy 101: "The Chemistry of the Brain" and "Therapeutics of the Mind." Lectures by Jerold C. Winter, Ph.D., and Cedric M. Smith, M.D., professors of pharmacology and toxicology.

Each session will begin with a basic science lecture, followed by a presentation on research and treatment advancements in the area. Lectures will build on each other, so continued attendance is important. Questions will be encouraged and refreshments will be served following the lectures, offering opportunities for further interaction with the faculty.

All students must register, and all registrants will receive an identification card for admittance to the lectures. Enrollees also will receive a loose-leaf binder and lecture materials. Everyone completing the curriculum will receive a certificate.

All faculty lecturers are donating their services, while costs of developing the Mini-Med School and lecture materials are being covered by a UB Faculty Development Public Service Initiative award and support from Millard Fillmore College.

Persons interested in registering for Mini-Med School should call 716-829-2196.