MWU Alumni Visit Napa for CME Program

More than 25 members of the MWU family headed to Napa Valley the first weekend of November for the inaugural MWU Alumni Senate Interdisciplinary Symposium. The academic program on Metabolic Syndrome was excellent, and the group had a wonderful time exploring wine country.

Photo: Drs. Cole, Caleel, and Goldfinger with heart-healthy red wine.

The Alumni Senate is a group comprised of representatives from all of MWU colleges--osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, health sciences, and, soon, dentistry and optometry. This group decided to host a continuing education program in a primary care topic that would be of interest to a great number of alumni. Metabolic syndrome fit the bill, since it affects so many patients and is treated by a team approach that includes physicians, PAs, pharmacists, physical therapists, and others. The first day of the symposium included a team-taught course that covered everything from the pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome to the pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments to how to establish a diabetes patient care center at your practice. The agenda the next day included program moderator Dr. James Cole reviewing metabolic disease in Guatemala and MWU's annual medical mission trip with DOCARE. Dr. George Caleel provided an endocrinology focus on metabolic syndrome. Dr. Tedd Goldfinger concluded the program with an interesting review of the cardiovascular benefits of moderate wine intake. At each session, the participants asked many questions and appreciated the speaker's insightful presentations.

Photo: Jim, Beth, Annie, KJ, Kevin, Dana, and Kathy on a tour of the wine castle.

Of course, we also had a bit of fun exploring Napa. There were mud baths, winery visits, and fabulous dinners. Several groups rented limos to tour around the area and enjoy the sights and sounds and tastes of wine country. The evening concluded with a celebratory dinner at Merryvale Winery, where the group dined in the Cask Room amongst barrels of aging wine. Friends--new and old--shared experiences and made new connections. As we got off the bus for our last night at the Villagio Resort, we all shared hugs and promised to stay in touch.

The inaugural MWU Alumni Senate Interdisciplinary Symposium was a great success in every way. Thanks to all of our alumni senators who helped to plan and then supported this event; thanks to our wonderful faculty who worked so hard to prepare interesting and timely presentations; and thanks to Barb W for so carefully planning every detail and logistic. We hope that this program grows over the years, as we would like to make it an annual trip!