Whether you’re a planning a trip south and wonder what vaccines you may need, have been diagnosed with diabetes and feel overwhelmed by all the information online, or worry what street drugs are circulating in your teenager’s school, you can learn directly from the experts at Dalhousie’s Mini Medical School.

“We pick our most interesting, scintillating teachers to share the most up-to-date knowledge with the public through Mini Medical School,” notes Dr. Constance LeBlanc, associate dean of Continuing Professional Development at Dalhousie Medical School. “We teach the same material medical students learn, with a focus on subjects that have great meaning and importance to many people.”

Dalhousie Medical School kicks off its 14^th annual Mini Medical School this Thursday, October 24 at 7 p.m. in Theatre B of the Tupper Medical Building at 5850 College Street in Halifax, with two back-to-back free learning sessions about diabetes. The first offers an overview of what happens in diabetes and how it can best be managed to stay as healthy as possible and avoid such common complications as nerve damage in the eyes and feet. The second probes more deeply into keto acidosis, a potentially fatal complication of diabetes, and how to recognize and respond to the signs.

Mini Medical School will run five such double-header sessions on Thursday evenings from 7 to 9:30 p.m. over the coming weeks. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. There will, however, be no Mini Medical School on Hallowe’en, Thursday, October 31.

Members of the public are invited to attend any or all of the upcoming Mini Medical School evenings. Each evening consists of two one-hour sessions on complementary topics, and each session is followed by an audience Q&A. Complimentary coffee, tea, water and cookies will be available. It is not necessary to register in advance and you are welcome to attend only the session or sessions of interest to you.

“Mini Medical School is one important way we like to give back to the community,” says Dr. LeBlanc. “People are faced with information overload when it comes to health these days, with a lot of conflicting information and rapid changes that create confusion and overwhelm. With Mini Medical School, we open our doors to people of all ages and backgrounds to come on in and learn directly from leading clinicians in their fields, with an opportunity to ask clarifying questions. We receive exceptionally positive feedback from participants every year.”

Mini Medical School 2019 - Calendar

October 24
Diabetes, with Dr. Mandi Irwin
Diabetic Keto Acidosis, with Dr. Warren Fieldus

November 7
What’s New with Canada Food Guide, with dietitian, Ms. Jacklynn Humphrey
Get on the Move, with physiotherapist, Ms. Jennifer Manuel

November 14
Drugs We Are Seeing on the Street, with Dr. Nancy Murphy
Foods or Comestibles? (It may be edible, but is it safe or healthy?), with Dr. Thomas Ransom

November 21
Infections and Travel, with Dr. Lisa Barrett
Lyme Disease, with Dr. Joanne Langley

November 28
Hospital-Based Disaster Planning, Dr. Patrick Fok
Emergency Department Triage & Flow, Dr. Constance LeBlanc