LECOM Bradenton Hosts
1st Annual Mini-Medical School

How would you like to be a medical student for a day?  Or, two or three?

The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) Bradenton Mini-Medical School will give local residents a glimpse of what it’s like to sit in the seat of a medical student without the pressure of exams, grades, early morning classes, or even tuition.

Doctors’ Health Journal will co-sponsor the Mini-Medical School with LECOM Bradenton in September. The college is organizing two evening programs and one weekend session at the Lakewood Ranch campus.  During each Mini-Medical School session, participants will hear lectures on two health topics given by medical college faculty and local health specialists.  They will also have the opportunity to learn more about their own health through a series of medical screenings.

“The purpose of our Mini-Medical School is to educate Bradenton and Sarasota residents on up-to-date health and wellness topics,” according to Jonathan King, D.O., Assistant Clinical Professor of Primary Care Medicine and Director of the Mini-Medical School.  “We will feature topics that are the most relevant to our surrounding community.”

Mini-Medical school participants can attend classes on Tuesday evening September 20, and Thursday evening, September 22 and the morning of Saturday, September 24.  Heart health and nutrition presentations will kick off the three-part series on Tuesday at 7:00 pm.  LECOM Bradenton professor of internal medicine Richard Heibel, M.D. will speak on coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure.  Tampa Bay registered dietician Clara Lawhead will discuss “nutrition quackery.”

The Thursday 7:00 p.m. session will cover skin care by Bradenton dermatologist Rob Finkelstein, D.O. followed by a presentation by LECOM Bradenton professor Thomas Skoloda, Ph.D. on stress and mental health.  The Mini-Medical School will conclude on Saturday morning, September 24 at 9:00 a.m. with lectures and demonstrations by LECOM faculty on the principles of osteopathic medicine, then geriatrics and end of life care by Anne Pollett, M.D., Vice President of Medical Affairs for Hospice of Southwest Florida.

“This is a unique opportunity for local residents to get a glimpse of what goes on inside a medical school and hear from the experts what they are teaching today’s medical students on prevalent health issues,” said King.

The Manatee Public Health Department will conduct free health screenings, including glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure and melanoma, on the morning of Saturday, September 24.  The Florida Blood Services Bloodmobile will be onsite for those who want to donate blood or plasma.

There are no requirements for admission.  LECOM Bradenton will admit everyone until all seats are filled.  People may attend one, two or all three sessions.  Those that attend all three sessions will be presented with a certificate of completion imprinted with their name. 

The Mini-Medical School is free and open to the general public.  To register, local residents may call 756-0690 or e-mail minimed@lecom.edu with your name and phone number.  All sessions are held at the LECOM Bradenton campus, 5000 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.