UNMC and eight sites across Nebraska invite the public to attend UNMC Mini-Medical School, a free health educational series for three consecutive Thursdays beginning April 11.
The three-part series, titled, “Taking Charge of Your Health,” will focus on the changing health-care provider/patient relationship. Patients, thanks in large part to the Internet, now are more educated about their health and health products, which has created a new dynamic in the patient-health provider relationship.
The series will discuss the changing roles and expectations of patients and health providers, as well as educate participants on topics such as sources of legitimate health information, participating in research studies, complementary alternative medicine and herbal medicine.
The free series will be April 11, 18 and 25, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (CDT), or 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. (MDT). It will be broadcast live from Omaha via satellite to: Columbus, Grand Island, Kearney, Lincoln, Norfolk, O’Neill, Red Cloud and Scottsbluff. Anyone with NebSat2 can downlink the series, including hospitals and schools. Register here .
The goal of Mini-Medical School is to educate Nebraskans on health issues that affect them, as well as highlight the strides being made in research and treatment at UNMC. The series is geared for the public. This is the 13th series. Previous topics included the immune system, the brain, cancer, women’s health, genetics, heart disease, geriatrics, diabetes and the respiratory system.
“The relationship between patients and health-care providers has changed as patients are playing a more active role in their health,” said Mike Sitorius, M.D., Waldbaum Professor of Family Practice, UNMC College of Medicine. “The Internet has played a role in providing information that makes people better educated about their health conditions. This Mini-Medical School will help educate people about how they can get more from their health visit and where to seek legitimate health information.”
UNMC Mini-Medical School dates, topics and presenters:
April 11 – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (CDT)
The Changing Patient/Provider Partnership — Learn how the roles and expectations of patients and health care providers. Presented by Joel Bessmer, M.D., assistant professor of internal medicine & general medicine, UNMC College of Medicine and Joyce Black, Ph.D., assistant professor, UNMC College of Nursing.
Panel Discussion — Moderator Michael Sitorius, M.D., will lead a panel discussion on successful strategies from patients who participate in the health-care process. Panelists include: Anne Ivey, Wayne Naro, and Wayne Houston.
April 18 -6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (CDT) 
Hopes and Hoaxes: Separating Fact from Fiction — Learn to verify whether information is reliable and where to find good sources of information, as well as when and how messages should be evaluated. Presented by Sandra Salverson, Pharm.D., adjunct instructor, UNMC College of Pharmacy and drug information specialist, Nebraska Health System.
Clinical Trials: Who Benefits from Medical Research? — Learn the ins and outs and what you need to know about participating in medical research programs. Presented by Christopher Kratochvil, M.D., assistant professor of psychiatry, UNMC College of Medicine.
April 25 – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (CDT) 
The Mind/Body Connection: What is Complementary Alternative Medicine? — Learn how lifestyle changes and relaxation therapies, when combined with traditional medicine, can enhance the quality of your life and promote health. Presented by Diann Greener, program coordinator, UNMC complementary alternative medicine program.
Herbal Medicine: They may be “natural” but are they safe? — Learn how herbal medicines interact with other medications and when they can be dangerous. Presented by Tony Ranno, PharmD., UNMC assistant professor of pharmacy practice.
Anyone can register for the series via website: www.unmc.edu/takecharge. Seating is limited, registration is required.
While the program is free to the public, Nebraska and Iowa nurses who wish to receive six contact hours of continuing nursing education credits can do so at a cost of $30 through the UNMC College of Nursing. The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing Continuing Nursing Education is accredited as a provider of continuing education in nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. Iowa Provider # 78.