UNMC, Distance Learning Partners Present Free Mini-Medical
Series for Public on Breakthroughs in Cardiovascular Research & Treatment
The heart is one of the strongest and most vital organs of the body.
Disease or lifestyle choices weaken the heart and its circulatory network.
Left unchecked, the result could be fatal.
The public is invited to attend the University of Nebraska Medical Centers
free Mini-Medical School series, When the Beat Goes Wrong: Breakthroughs
in Cardiovascular Research & Treatment, a four-part program on heart
disease to be held Thursdays, May 4, 11, 18 and 25, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
CDT. The series will be held in Omaha at the UNMC College of Nursing Cooper
Auditorium at 42nd St. and Dewey Ave. and will be broadcast live through
Distance Learning Center partners in Norfolk, Lincoln, Grand Island, Kearney,
North Platte and Scottsbluff (see last page for details).
UNMC researchers and physicians will highlight the strides being made
in cardiovascular research and treatment with the goal of finding better
ways to diagnose, treat and prevent heart disease. The series is tailored
to the lay audience.
More death and disability is due to cardiovascular disease than all
other causes of illness combined, said Irving Zucker, Ph.D., Theodore
F. Hubbard, M.D. Professor of Cardiovascular Research and chairman of physiology
and biophysics. This year, the economic cost of treatment and lost productivity
will be more than one third of a trillion dollars. Great new strides are
being made in the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of people suffering
from cardiovascular disease.
Even greater advances will be made if we have an informed public. This
Mini-Medical School is targeted at empowering people to take charge of
their cardiovascular health.
The satellite broadcast can be received by anyone across Nebraska who
has NebSat (Net 2) on TeleStar5 satellite downlink capability. For the
channel number, call UNMC at (402) 559-5190.
UNMC Mini-Medical School dates, topics and presenters:
May 4 Heart Failure
The Beating Heart — Learn the basic principles of heart function
from muscle to pump, what happens when the beat goes wrong and what’s new
in cardiovascular research, Irving Zucker, Ph.D., Theodore F. Hubbard,
M.D. Professor of Cardiovascular Research and chairman of physiology and
biophysics.
The Failing Heart — Examine the inner workings of the heart when
it begins to fail and why; learn how physicians diagnose and treat heart
failure, Monique Kusler, M.D. assistant professor of cardiology.
May 11 High Blood Pressure
Chronic Hypertension, Causes and Consequences — Discover what factors
produce an increase in blood pressure and how these changes contribute
to heart disease, William Mayhan, Ph.D., professor of physiology and biophysics.
Hypertension: Preventing Complications — Compare hypertension treatments
diet and medication and learn why some medications are better for some
people than others, Michael Hammeke, M.D., associate professor and chief
of the nephrology section.
May 18 — Vascular Disease
Unclogging Your Arteries — A look at what UNMC researchers have
learned about homocysteine, a newly identified risk factor for atherosclerosis
and learn how to prevent damage to blood vessels, Tom Rosenquist, Ph.D.,
Von Housen Professor and Chairman, Cell Biology and Anatomy, and director
of research development.
The Cholesterol Story– Explore the world of LDL, HDL and triglycerides
and how they can be controlled through diet and medication, Scott Shurmur,
M.D., assistant professor of cardiology.
What Mice Have Taught Us About Aneurysms — Learn how the use of
special mice have contributed to aneurysm research, what causes aneurysms
in people and what medical treatments are available, Tim Baxter, M.D.,
professor of surgery.
May 25 — Arrhythmia
When the Beat Goes Wrong — Understand what happens when the hearts
electrical system short-circuits and causes arrhythmia, George Rozanski,
Ph.D., associate professor of physiology and biophysics.
Managing the Irregular Heartbeat — Examine the various treatments
of arrhythmia, from medications to implantable devices to catheter-based
procedures, John Windle, M.D., associate professor of cardiology.
Seating is limited. Call to register (see attached) or learn more about
Mini-Med School and register through the internet at www.unmc.edu/publicaffairs/minimedspring2000.
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the state.
Through its commitment to research, education, outreach and patient care,
UNMC has established itself as one of the country’s leading centers for
cancer research and treatment, solid organ transplantation and arthritis.
During the past year, nearly $31 million in research grants and contracts
were awarded to UNMC scientists, and UNMCs funding from the National Institutes
of Health increased by 28 percent, going from $16.2 million to $20.7 million.
UNMCs educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals
practicing in Nebraska than any other institution.
For more information and registration:
Omaha
UNMC College of Nursing, Cooper Auditorium, 42nd Street and Dewey Ave.
To register, call (402) 559-4353 or via internet at www.unmc.edu/publicaffairs/minimedspring2000
Lincoln
UNMC College of Dentistry, 40th & Holdrege Streets, Room 11
To register, call (402) 472-3657 or via internet at www.unmc.edu/publicaffairs/minimedspring2000
Sponsored by the UNMC College of Nursing and UNMC College of Dentistry
Norfolk
Northeast Community College, Lifelong Learning Center, University Classroom
(southwest corner of campus), 601 East Benjamin Ave.
To register, call (402) 370-4000 or via internet at www.unmc.edu/publicaffairs/minimedspring2000
Sponsored by the Lifelong Learning Center, Northeast Community College
Grand Island
College Park, Fonner Room, 3180 W. Highway 34, parking available on
south and north end of building
To register, call (308) 385-5015 or via internet at www.unmc.edu/publicaffairs/minimedspring2000
Sponsored by College Park Partners
Kearney
Rural Health Education Distance Learning Research Center, Communications
Center Building, Room 101
University of Nebraska at Kearney, 1918 University Drive, Park in Lot
#22
To register, call (308) 865-8065 or (308) 865-6055 or via internet
at www.unmc.edu/publicaffairs/minimedspring2000
Sponsored by the Rural Health Education Distance Learning Research
Center and UNMC College of Nursing
North Platte
Nebraska Plains Higher Education Center
University of Nebraska West Central Research and Extension Center,
West State Farm Road
To register, call (308) 532-3611, ext. 167 or via internet at www.unmc.edu/publicaffairs/minimedspring2000
Sponsored by the Nebraska Plains Higher Education Center at North Platte
Scottsbluff
UNMC College of Nursing, University Complex Panhandle Station, Room
201
4502 Ave. I, park in the south parking lot
Call (308) 632-0410 or via internet at www.unmc.edu/publicaffairs/minimedspring2000
Sponsored by the UNMC College of Nursing West Nebraska Division