Duluth Hosts Mini Medical School

Market Wire, 20050229

Medical science from the University of Minnesota will make its way to Duluth Tuesday, Jan. 18, for a traveling version of the university's Mini Medical School. The event is free and open to the public.

Harry Orr, professor of genetics, cell biology and development at the university, will give participants a basic understanding of genetic research in his lecture, "Jumping into Your Gene Pool." He will also describe how medicine is changing due to advances in molecular and cellular biology. Changing genetic sequences or growing new tissus may someday cure diseases that are traditionally treated with surgery or other therapies.

When the university launched Mini Medical School in October, it was met with overwhelming popularity. More than 3,000 inquiries were received in the first three days after the six-week course was announced. Co-sponsored by the Minnesota Hospital and Healthcare Partnership (MHHP), this Mini Medical School tour will spread the excitement throughout the state with stops in Mankato, Brainerd, Thief River Falls, St. Cloud, Willmar, Marshall and Fergus Falls.

MHHP is a trade organization representing Minnesota's 142 hospitals and 22 health systems. MHHP develops policy, conducts advocacy efforts and provides services designed to assist members in caring for the health of their communities. The university's Academic Health Center comprises the schools of medicine, dentistry, nursing and public health and colleges of pharmacy and veterinary medicine.

Because space is limited, registration is required; call Jeny Stumpf at the university, (612) 624-1923, or Maureen Bruce at MHHP, 1-800-462-5393.

What: Duluth hosts University of Minnesota Medical School

When: Tuesday, Jan. 18, 5 to 7 p.m.

Where: Miller Dwan Medical Center, Dwan Auditorium