News Release

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December 8, 2005

‘Idaho Mini Medical School’ for the General Public Focuses on the Digestive System; Registration Ends Jan. 20

“The Gut: New Insights Into a Neglected Organ” is the topic of the fourth annual Idaho Mini Medical School, a series of five evening programs in January and February geared toward the general public. Boise State University is a primary sponsor for the community service program.

The series, which will provide up-to-date information on all aspects of the digestive system from basic anatomy to specific functions of each organ, is presented by the University of Washington School of Medicine, in conjunction with the WWAMI (Idaho) Office for Clinical Medical Education and the first-year WWAMI medical student program. The series aims to bring understanding of medical issues to the general public and to individuals interested in pursuing health-care careers. (WWAMI is the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho medical school program coordinated by the University of Washington.)

Registration is $35 and the deadline for registration is Jan. 20. The Idaho Mini Medical School program will be held on five consecutive weeks from 7-9 p.m. at St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center’s Anderson Center — Jan. 25, Feb. 2, 9, 16, and 22. Register at callstlukes@slrmc.org: include your name (first and last), date of birth, mailing address, daytime phone and e-mail. Scholarships are available.

Each session will open with a short presentation by an Idaho WWAMI medical student describing medical school training. Topics will then be presented by University of Washington School of Medicine physician faculty, area health professionals and professors from University of Idaho, Boise State University and Idaho State University. Weekly topics will include: anatomy and physiology; esophagus and stomach; small intestine; pancreas and liver; and large intestine. A new segment to the program, titled “What’s New,” will highlight the latest research on each topic.

A separate undergraduate pre-med focus group will be held prior to each session, from 6:30- 7 p.m. All high school and undergraduate students are invited to attend. For those interested in receiving college credit, there will be an additional fee and an application form will be provided at the event.

In addition to providing updates on digestive system issues, the program is intended to encourage interest in health-care fields, explain the training and instruction received by medical students, discuss pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options, and encourage the general public to take responsibility for their own health and disease management.

This is the fourth year of this very popular Idaho Mini Medical School program. Registration is limited to about 100 people and is expected to fill up quickly, so pre-registration is required. The first three years’ themes were heart disease, lung diseases and mental health. Participants were members of the general public, students and health-care practitioners.

In addition to University of Washington, Saint Alphonsus and St. Luke’s regional medical centers and the three Idaho universities, program sponsors include Ada Canyon Medical Education Consortium, Ada County Medical Society, Blue Cross of Idaho, Central District Health Department, Family Medicine Residency of Idaho, Idaho Academy of Family Physicians, Idaho AHEC, Idaho Hospital Association, Idaho IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence, Idaho Medical Association, Regence Blue Shield of Idaho, and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center-Boise.

For more information, call (208) 327-0641 or e-mail danae@u.washington.edu.

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Contacts: Dana L. Ellis or Dr. James Blackman, WWAMI (Idaho) Office for Clinical Medical Education, (208) 327-0641, danae@u.washington.edu 
Media Contacts: Kathleen Craven, (208) 426-3275, kcraven@boisestate.edu


Boise State University is the largest institution of higher education in Idaho with about 18,600 students and 2,200 faculty and staff. More than 190 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and technical degrees are offered within eight colleges. A metropolitan university located in the capital city, Boise State is committed to life-enhancing research, teaching excellence and public service.

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Last reviewed on Wednesday, February 01, 2006