Register now for fall Mini Med classes

March 7, 2007 -- Ever wondered what it's like to perform laparoscopic surgery? Now is your chance to find out, along with learning about many other areas of medicine.

Although the spring session of Mini Medical School is full, registration is open for the fall session, which is scheduled to begin the week of Sept. 24 at the Eric P. Newman Education Center.

Mini Med I runs for eight consecutive Tuesdays from 7-9 p.m. from Sept. 25-Nov. 13.

Lectures are given by the University's physicians on such topics as the causes of blindness, low back pain, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, genetics, brain tumors, heart disease and stroke.

Students will learn to suture and use a laparoscope. Each class includes a question-and-answer session with the presenting physician and dessert.

Mini Med I also includes several tours: the medical school, including the anatomy lab; the Genome Sequencing Center; and the Bernard Becker Medical Library, where participants will learn to research their personal medical questions. The class ends with a lecture and graduation ceremony May 8. Tuition is $125.

Mini Med III is offered from 7-9 p.m. Thursday nights from Sept. 27-Nov. 15. Tentative lecture topics include autoimmune diseases, Marfan syndrome, psoriasis, neurosurgery, Parkinson's disease and movement disorders, thoracic surgery, sickle cell disease, HIV and AIDS, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and otolaryngology. Tuition is $125.

Space is limited. For more information, call 362-6585 or visit minimed.wustl.edu. Registrants must be at least 15 years old.