Something is missing from our Mini Medical School: You

Since 2002, more than 2,500 adults of all ages eager to learn secrets to healthy aging have enrolled in the UC Davis School of Medicine’s remarkable tuition-free Mini Medical School. “Medical Science and Aging: A Mini Medical School to Prepare for Life’s Second Half,” consists of dynamic, interactive discussions on a broad range of topics relevant to the aging process, including memory, brain function, cardiovascular health, vision, hearing, and fitness for adults beyond the age of 50.
On six successive Saturdays, top-caliber researchers and clinicians volunteer their time to lead lively discussions. They present and analyze the latest medical findings and offer frank recommendations about healthful living and successful aging. The program has had broad intergenerational and intercultural appeal.

“We established our Mini Medical School to increase community awareness about healthy aging and to empower people over age of 50 to become much more engaged in their own health and medical care,” said Michael McCloud, a clinical professor of internal medicine who is founder and course director of the Mini Medical School.

The Mini Medical School curriculum encompasses practical techniques for self-directed health care. The program is presented free of charge, but at considerable expense. We look to the community to help offset those costs.

•  Serve as a corporate sponsor for an upcoming Mini Medical School session. Sponsors are invited to host display tables in the lecture hall lobby and will receive prominent recognition throughout the school and in the program syllabus.. Contact  Ms. Tiffany McMurray at tiffany.mcmurray@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu or via (916) 734-4961 to learn more.
• Make an individual financial donation. Checks may be made to:  “U.C. Regents” designated to “Mini Medical School” in the memo and mailed to:  Development Office, U.C. Davis Department of Internal Medicine, 4150 V Street, Suite 3100, Sacramento, California 95817-1460.
• Assist as a volunteer registrar during class sessions. Contact Robert Porter or Sandra Edwards at (916) 734-7264.
• Discuss Mini Medical School on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and other social media, and invite your friends to enroll in the program.
• Tell your colleagues, your physician and news media representatives about the UC Davis Mini Medical School, so they can help spread the good word about our good work.
• If you’re a graduate of the Mini Medical School, display your bumper sticker proudly.
• Consider giving a presentation about your experience to your place of worship, service club or other community organizations.

We would appreciate anything you would care to do to help us.

Whether or not you can make an individual financial contribution, serve as a sponsor or volunteer your time, we’d love you to participate as an enrollee. But don’t delay. The large classroom in which we hold our sessions on the Davis campus has a capacity of 400 students. Class size is limited. The next Mini Medical School session is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, 6 February 2010, in Sciences Lecture Hall 123 at UC Davis. It will conclude with a graduation and celebration on 13 March.

• Learn more about it at www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/minimed/ on the Web.
• To apply for enrollment, please call (916) 734-7264 or email Bob Porter at robert.porter@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu

The Department of Medicine is honored to be associated with the Mini Medical School and its founder, Michael McCloud, M.D. We hope you will enjoy the Mini Medical School which offers dynamic, valuable learning experiences for participants who are preparing to age healthfully.

Timothy E. Albertson, M.D., Ph.D.
Chair, UC Davis Department of Internal Medicine