News & Events

University of Maryland School of Medicine Wraps Up Its 12th Annual Mini-Med School

Thursday, October 11, 2012

More than 230 Baltimore-area residents participated this year in the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s 12th annual “Mini-Med School,” a series of free courses aimed at helping our neighbors in West Baltimore learn ways to improve their health. The program - which runs every Wednesday from 6-8pm during five weeks each fall - is conducted by top physicians and researchers from the School of Medicine and is offered free to anyone from the local community.

A wide range of health issues were covered in this year’s series:

Sept. 12:  Sleep Disorders — Dr. Steven Scharf; Lyme Disease — Dr. Ray Flores
Sept. 19:  Lupus — Dr. Violeta Rus; Lead Poisoning — Dr. Laura Finkelstein
Sept. 26:  Complementary Medicine — Dr. Delia Chiaramonte; Taking Medications Propery/Drug Interaction — Dr. Cherokee Layson-Wolf
Oct. 3:   Childhood Obesity — Dr. Jay Perman; Child Abuse Prevention — Dr. Howard Dubowitz
Oct. 10:  Eating Disorders — Dr. Samra Blanchard; Graduation

The Oct. 10 session was also graduation night, where each participant who attended four of the five classes was called to the stage to receive a “diploma.”

Mini-Med School attracts Baltimore-area residents of all ages who are interested in gaining a clearer and more complete understanding of diseases, symptoms and treatments. Past participants have said that after attending the free sessions, they became empowered to make a difference in their own lifestyles and health care. Many also share the information with their family and friends in hopes of inspiring them to make changes.

Since its inception in 2001, Mini-Med School has provided health information to more than 1,500 people. Because of its popularity, the University of Maryland School of Medicine has expanded Mini-Med School to programs on the Eastern Shore and in southern and western Maryland. There is also a Spanish-language version in Montgomery County.

Want to get in on the fun? Find out how you can join us next year by checking out our Mini Med School site at http://medschool.umaryland.edu/minimed/