September 6, 2001

Contact: Bob Hallinan, KU Med, 913-588-7284

KU to offer Mini Medical School; rural residents may participate via television

KANSAS CITY, Kan. Ü The University of Kansas School of Medicine will present its third Mini Medical School starting Sept. 11 on its Kansas City, Kan. campus. Residents of Garden City, Hays, Pittsburg and Coffeyville will be able to participate by live teleconference.

Each Tuesday evening for eight weeks, participants will hear presentations by KU School of Medicine faculty, distinguished researchers, teachers and clinicians who will talk about the topics and specialties typically studied by KU medical students.

Topics will include cardiovascular disease and advancements in heart surgery, how to communicate with your doctor, hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, the growing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics and an insiderÿs view of trauma medicine. Other new topics this year include what to do about ALS, the appropriate use of pain medicine and an amazing demonstration of how to build a brand new blood vessel.

Hard-core science will be presented in a lively, understandable format. When finished, participants will know the basic concepts and terms needed to understand news stories on medical research, how to assure good health, and will better understand how biomedical research is applied in medical practice.

"We see this program as a real partnership with the community," says Dr. Deborah Powell, executive dean and vice chancellor for clinical affairs. "People are becoming more and more knowledgeable and sophisticated about their health. We want these programs to give them a perspective on medicine they don't always have."

The Mini Medical School will be held in the Rieke Auditorium at KU Medical Center, and by live teleconference from facilities in the cities mentioned earlier. Classes will begin at 7 p.m. and last approximately two hours. Refreshments will be served. Tuition is $95.

To register, call 913-588-1227 or register on line at www.kumc.edu/som/minimed/

Program dates are Sept. 11, 18, 25, and Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30.