Medical School for the Public focuses on women's health The annual "Medical School for the Public," presented by the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, begins March 20. The series is open to everyone and will explore issues concerning women's health. "Women's Health through the Lifespan" is the theme of the six-week course presented by UND medical school faculty members to audiences at UND facilities in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks and Minot. The sites will be connected via videoconferencing; presentations will originate from the different locations depending on the faculty presenter. Class sessions run from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, March 20 to April 24. Cost is $30 per person; enrollment is limited. For the first evening only, participants are asked to arrive at 6:30 p.m. to complete the registration process. For more information or to pre-register, contact: Bismarck - Lonna Augustadt, 328-9579, msp-bismarck@medicine.nodak.edu Fargo - Kristi Hofer, 293-4108, msp-fargo@medicine.nodak.edu Grand Forks - Faye Aker, 777-3800, msp-grandforks@medicine.nodak.edu Minot - JoDee Nielsen, 858-6774, msp-minot@medicine.nodak.edu "Our sessions will look at various aspects of women's health, including issues that challenge women today," said Elizabeth Burns, professor of family and community medicine, who is coordinating this year's program. "From the possibility of cancer prevention with the new Gardasil vaccine to infertility or incontinence, we will bring up-to-date basic and clinical science information to our participants. "Our outreach experience through our work at the UND medical school's National Center of Excellence in Women's Health Demonstration Project has guided us in our topic selection." UND medical school faculty members who are recognized, many of them nationally, as leading teachers, physicians, allied health professionals and researchers in their respective fields will teach all sessions. Class sessions are: March 20: Menopause and Hormone Therapy Sort through information and options to find out what's best for you (originating from Grand Forks) March 27: Fibromyalgia/Human Papilloma Virus and the New Vaccine Learn useful details on these issues of concern to men and women of all ages (originating from Grand Forks and Bismarck) April 3: Infertility and Pregnancy Discover how experts help when pregnancy doesn't "just happen" (originating from Fargo and Grand Forks) April 10: Eating Disorders and Obesity/Depression and Anxiety Understand current approaches to these aspects of mental and physical health (originating from Fargo) April 17: Incontinence Hear about practical approaches to addressing this common problem (originating from Grand Forks and Bismarck) April 24: Cancer Screening and Preventive Practices Get the whole story on getting and staying healthy (originating from Minot) Medical School for the Public is "an excellent way to give people insight into the complexities of medical school and learn from our outstanding faculty members," said H. David Wilson, dean of the UND medical school. "Participants are in for a real treat!" This spring's Medical School for the Public is the fifth to be offered by the medical school; the first was presented in the fall of 2002. The program is patterned after "mini-medical school" programs conducted by other medical schools around the country. Organizers praise such programs as an effective means of offering the public a view into how medical education is delivered, and conveying the newest information and knowledge about human health. -- Shelley Pohlman, Assitant to the Director, Public Affairs, spohlman@medicine.nodak.edu, 701-777-4305