January 29, 2005

(DAVIS, Calif.) — Eye care, physical fitness, osteoporosis, heart disease and other topics related to aging will be explored during a Mini Medical School entitled “Aging and Medical Science” beginning Saturday, March 5 at the UC Davis campus.

Mini Medical School is a free, seven-week series of classes presented by faculty physicians from the UC Davis School of Medicine. The series is sponsored by the UC Davis Department of Internal Medicine and the UC Davis Center for Healthy Aging , and hosted by geriatrician Michael McCloud, assistant clinical professor of general medicine. Classes will be held on Saturday mornings, from 9-10:30 a.m., in the Chemistry Lecture Hall and Main Theater/Wright Hall.

The first class, “Anatomy of Aging,” will cover variations in aging and the influence of lifestyle choices. Normal aging will be distinguished from diseases associated with aging and the presenter will describe ways to promote vibrant health into the 90s. All classes will allow ample time for direct discussions with the faculty.

Mini Medical School is open to anyone over age 18, but organizers request that attendees make a commitment for the entire seven-week series of lectures. A graduation ceremony will be held at the final session, when honorary diplomas will be awarded to participants.

Class enrollment is limited to 425, and students must attend at least six classes to receive the Mini Medical School Diploma.

Introduced 10 years ago by the National Institutes of Health , the Mini Medical School concept has grown in popularity throughout the United States. The intent is to bring local communities together with medical schools to improve community health and prevent disease. The UC Davis Mini Medical School is the only one in the nation dedicated to the topic of successful aging.

Last year, more 225 enrollees ranging in age from 20 to 91 attended Mini Medical School. McCloud said the program was one of the most successful of its kind in the nation.

Mini Medical School is supported with a grant from Pfizer, Inc. For more information, go to the Web at http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/minimed. To register, call (916) 734-6441 or e-mail sledwards@ucdavis.edu .