Mini Medical School

Osteopathic Medicine in Downers Grove

Register Today!

Mini Medical School is a four-week medical education program is open to anyone in the community interested in personal and public heath care issues. It is an opportunity to learn about topics discussed in medical school.

Each lecture is presented by a health care professional at Midwestern University in Downers Grove, Illinois. Midwestern University is the home of the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Chicago College of Pharmacy, and the College of Health Sciences.

Mini Medical School welcomes students from the community of all ages (adult, college, and high school) who are interested in learning about interesting and important health care topics.

Dates and Topics ::: Spring 2009

All sessions will be held on MONDAY evenings March 30, and April 6, 13, and 20 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

March 30

Understanding and Overcoming Depression

This session of the Mini Medical School will help the attendee learn the basics about depression, understand how depression is assessed, and identify the kinds of treatments that are available for this condition. Depression has devastating effects on a person's relationships with family and friends, on the ability to do productive work, and on the ability for a person to enjoy life. Whenever professionals use the word "depression," they're referring to an illness that deserves care and treatment. Some depressive disorders are mild, others severe. There are many possible triggers for depression including unusual stressors, difficult family relationships, career setbacks, deaths in the family, and various kinds of losses. Personal factors from childhood and genetic makeup can play a role in the development and course of depression. Depression may emerge with other medical conditions such as heart disease and cancer. Fortunately, depression can be treated effectively with medications and psychotherapy.

Speaker: Frank J. Prerost, Ph.D.
Dr. Prerost is the Chair of the Behavioral Medicine Department and Program Director for the Doctor of Clinical Psychology Program. He is a full professor in the College of Health Sciences, and a clinical professor in the Department of Family Medicine in the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Prerost lectures on a variety of topics in Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatric Principles, and serves as a resource person on interviewing techniques, patient compliance, psychopathology, child and elder abuse, stress management, gerontology, rural practice issues, and a variety of other mental health issues. As an active researcher and clinician, Dr. Prerost has authored over sixty-five journal articles, book chapters, and instructor manuals. His publications cover a wide range of topics from reporting on empirical outcomes of research studies to the development of clinical procedures in the practice of clinical psychology.

april 6

Treating Low Back Pain using OMT

The presentation will address the issue of low back pain. The main focus of the talk will be to discuss and demonstrate how to use osteopathic manipulative techniques to treat a patient with low back pain.

Speaker: Kurt Heinking, D.O., F.A.A.O
Dr. Heinking is a 1994 graduate of CCOM / MWU. He trained at both Chicago Osteopathic Hospital and St. James - Olympia Fields Hospital. He completed a general rotating internship, family practice residency and sports medicine fellowship. He is board certified in family medicine, sports medicine and neuromusculoskeletal medicine. He currently holds the position of Chair and associate professor of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. Dr. Heinking sits on numerous committees and is deeply involved with all phases of Osteopathic medical student education. He is a published author in Osteopathic manipulative medicine and sports medicine. Dr. Heinking owns and operates a private practice in Willowbrook, IL. He has a wife Laura and two children, Kyle and Samantha.

April 13

Making a Stronger Body

This presentation will include a review of the stimuli responsible for producing skeletal muscle strength. We will discuss adaptations to chronic and acute bouts of exercise that affect both neurological and muscular systems, how to make the most of out of a workout, and exercise myths. The presentation will also include information about the different responses to various types of muscle contractions, what causes muscle damage and soreness, if it is necessary for muscle growth, and the effects of inflammation on hypertrophy and repair. The presentation will be followed by a practical discussion of the efficacy of various exercises, equipment, and manufacturers' claims.

Speaker: Dana M. DiPasquale, M.S. has been an exercise physiologist working in academia and the health and fitness industry for 14 years. She is a published researcher, educator, and personal trainer and is currently finishing her doctorate in exercise biology. Her areas of expertise include thermoregulation and skeletal muscle growth, damage and repair.

april 20

HIV and STD Update

This will be a talk about the current HIV pandemic and new treatment and prevention strategies. In addition we will talk about the STD/STI incidence in the US and it's
relation to HIV.

Speaker: Tom Barrett, M.D.
Dr. Barrett is the Chief Medical Officer at Howard Brown Healthcare clinic in Chicago. Dr. Barrett has been a medical provider at Howard Brown since 2000, and has been instrumental in the development and implementation of many programs including the HIV/Hepatitis C co-infection treatment protocol, the transgender health program, and Institute for Healthcare Improvement initiatives in HIV and depression. In addition, Dr. Barrett is the sub-investigator on all clinical studies at Howard Brown, and primary investigator on several ongoing research studies, including Rapid HIV Testing sponsored by the CDC. Dr. Barrett is an Illinois Licensed Physician and Surgeon, and an HIV Specialist, certified by The American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM). Dr. Barrett has been published in the Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care, and has received numerous awards including the Ravenswood Hospital Community Service Award and the Bristol-Meyers Squib Mead Johnson Award.

Location

All classes are held on the campus of Midwestern University at 555 31st Street in Downers Grove, IL. Free parking is also available. Visit Mapquest for directions.

Cost

The cost for the four-week program is $25. Participants are accepted on a first-come-first-served basis. Sign up today.

Need more information?

Call 630/515-6048 and ask for Lisa, or e-mail us at minimed@midwestern.edu