Medical School for the Public begins in April "Drugs and Bugs: Medical Education from Lab to Community" is the theme for this year's Medical School for the Public, presented by the School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Free and open to everyone, the classes are set for 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, April 1, 8, 15 and 22. People may participate in person at the UND medical school's facilities in Grand Forks, Fargo, Bismarck and Minot or online. The sites will be connected via video-conferencing; presentations will originate from the different locations depending on the faculty presenter. For more information, and to pre-register, visit: www.med.und.nodak.edu/msp . Pre-registration is requested by Tuesday, March 25. Sessions are: * April 1, Informed Decision-Making about Substance Abuse * April 8, Women and Alcohol Abuse and Tobacco Abuse and Cessation – A Community Approach * April 15, Influenza: A Virus of Many Coats and Common Flu, Avian Flu and Pandemic Flu: What's the Difference? * April 22, Community Response to Pandemic Influenza, North Dakota's Readiness Plan Participants will learn about what's happening in the body that leads to drug addiction and contracting viruses, as well as public health approaches to tobacco cessation and responding to the threat of a pandemic influenza outbreak. In the session on pandemic flu, "I hope participants will come away with an awareness that North Dakota has a good plan in place," said Linda Olson, director of special projects in the Office of Medical Education at the UND medical school. "We'll lead them to other informational resources on how to prepare" for such an event. Participants will also gain insight into web-based resources for health information and public health initiatives. They will have the opportunity to take an online learning module, similar to the case-based medical education. UND medical school faculty presenters are recognized, many of them nationally, as leading teachers, physicians, allied health professionals and researchers in their respective fields. Elizabeth Burns, professor of family and community medicine, is coordinating this year's program. Medical School for the Public is "an excellent way to give people the most current information concerning their health and to learn from our outstanding faculty members," said H. David Wilson, dean of the UND medical school. "Participants are in for a real treat!" For additional information, participants may also check with the School of Medicine and Health Sciences in: * Bismarck, Lonna Augustadt, 751-9579 * Fargo, Kristi Hofer, 293-4108 * Grand Forks, Faye Aker, 777-3800 * Minot, Jodee Nielsen, 858-6774 -- Shelley Pohlman, Admin Secretary, Public Affairs, spohlman@medicine.nodak.edu, 701-777-4305