2011 Mini Medical School, Oct. 4-25

 
The Alaska WWAMI School of Medical Education, in partnership with Providence Alaska Medical Center, University of Washington School of Medicine and South Central Area Health Education Center, will offer the 2011 Mini Medical School during the month of October. This evening lecture series addresses medical topics that concern all Alaskans, ranging from national health reform, chronic pain issues, health information dissemination and the rising problem of diabetes and hypertension.
 
Four of Alaska's premier physicians will demonstrate innovations in medical science through lectures and interactive case examples. Lectures will be held every Tuesday in October, beginning on Tuesday, Oct. 4. All lectures will be held from 7-9 p.m. in the East Auditorium at Providence Alaska Medical Center (3200 Providence Drive).

NATIONAL HEALTH REFORM, DEBT CEILING CUTS!
Tuesday, Oct. 4 | Presenter: Dr. Ward B. Hurlburt
Ward B. Hurlburt, M.D., M.P.H., Chief Medical Officer and Director of Public Health for the State of Alaska, will discuss what the future holds for health care in Alaska. This is arguably the most dramatic time for health care in Alaska and the country since Medicare/Medicaid was introduced in the mid-1906s. Dr. Hurlburt is the chair of the Alaska Health Commission and has had a distinguished 30-year career working in Alaska as a surgeon in the Tribal Health System, after which he worked for managed care organizations in Utah, Washington and Oregon.

 

CHRONIC PAIN... WHAT CAN BE DONE AND WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?
Tuesday, Oct. 11 | Presenter: Dr. Lawrence Stinson
Chronic pain is a disabling condition and can be devastating for the patient, their family and friends. There is now hope and more coming in the future. Dr. Stinson is co-founder of Advanced Pain Centers of Alaska and is a graduate of the Alaska WWAMI program.

 

JUST THE FACTS PLEASE!
Tuesday, Oct. 18 | Presenter: Dr. Thad Woodard
With all the promotion of various drugs, treatments and diet and weight loss plans, what is scientifically proven and what is misleading? Dr. Woodard hosts KSKA's Line One: Your Health Connection. At the end of this session, guests will have a better understanding of how to evaluate what we hear, see and read in the flood of health information to which we are all exposed.

 

DIABETES AND HYPERTENSION
Tuesday, Oct. 25 | Presenter: Dr. Jeremy Gitomer
Both diabetes and hypertension are increasing plagues, most frequently associated with weight gain and lack of exercise. Thirty-one percent of folks who die after 85 will have hypertension mentioned as one of the causes of death. Dr. Jeremy Gitomer will delve into the science and physiology behind the disease and how they interact.

 
The lecture series will be moderated by Tom Nighswander, M.D., M.P.H. Dr. Nighswander has been active in health care in Alaska for nearly 40 years through his work in family medicine and in the emergency room at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage, where he continues to see patients. He is currently the regional assistant clinical dean and professor of family medicine for Alaska WWAMI. He also serves as president of Commonwealth North, a nonprofit public policy advisory organization in Alaska.
 
Pre-registration is required due to limited seating. Registration fees are $7.50 per lecture or $30 for the series. Scholarships are available for students. To register, visit the WWAMI website.
 
For more information about the Mini Medical School, contact Michelle Devine at (907) 786-4747 or mjd3@uw.edu. More information about the Alaska WWAMI School of Medical Education can be found online.
 
NOTE TO MEDIA: If you plan to attend a lecture on Providence's campus, please call the 24-hour media line at (907) 212-6083 to arrange to be escorted to the event.