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Mini-Medical School Offers Chance To Understand How Diseases Are Treated

Washington University's Mini-Medical School started in 1999.
Courtesy of Cynthia Wichelman

Since 1999, Washington University’s Mini-Medical School has taught students everything from the basics of a checkup to how to repair nerves via microscopic surgery.

There is no homework and there are no tests. These courses are offered simply to help foster a better understanding of the medical field, and anyone with an interest in learning can attend. In fact, students come from all walks of life. The course’s youngest students come from high school, and the oldest student attended class at 96 years old.

Tuesday on St. Louis on the Air, host Sarah Fenske spoke with the director of Mini-Medical School, Dr. Cynthia Wichelman. One of the courses’ presenters, a physician who studies gastrointestinal diseases, also joined the conversation alongside her patient, who lives with a chronic, inflammatory bowel disease.

Related Event

What: Mini-Med I and Mini-Med III courses at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

When: Classes start Tuesday, September 24, and end on November 14, 2019 (Mini-Med III starts on Thursday, September 26)

Where: Washington University School of Medicine (660 S. Euclid Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110-1093)

St. Louis on the Air” brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. The show is hosted by Sarah Fenske and produced by Alex Heuer, Emily Woodbury, Evie Hemphill, Lara Hamdan, Alexis Moore and Tonina Saputo. The engineer is Aaron Doerr and production assistance is provided by Charlie McDonald.

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Emily is the senior producer for "St. Louis on the Air" at St. Louis Public Radio.