Skip to main content

19th Annual Mini-Med School Celebrates Graduation

November 21, 2019

2019 Mini-Med School graduates

Since 2001, the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) has extended free health screenings and medical education to nearly 8,000 Marylanders of all ages, from elementary school students to their grandparents, through its Mini-Medical “Mini-Med” School programs.

Now in its 19th year, over 200 members from the community registered for this year’s fall Mini-Med School program. The program included a collection of educational sessions on the topics of diabetes, heart health, cancer prevention and detection, Hepatitis C, and a special presentation on the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

A recent study found that 42 percent of Baltimore City adults had experienced at least three traumatic events such as extreme poverty, incarceration, domestic violence, discrimination, and substance abuse while as children. ACEs are often associated with an increased risk for physical, mental, and behavioral problems later in life.

“Experiences that cause stress chemicals to be continuously produced have a big impact on the development of brain cells and the connections among cells,” says Kathleen Connors, MSW, LCSW-C, who is an Instructor in the Department of Psychiatry and Co-Director of the Center of Excellence in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health at UMSOM. “Toxic stress can affect brain interaction with body systems and lead to disease, disability and social problems throughout the life course.”

Dean Reece congratulating a Mini-Med School graduateInstructor Connors was among eight other UMSOM faculty presenters for this year’s program, including Michael Miller, MD, FACC, FAHA, Professor of Medicine; Kristi Silver, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine; Rodney Taylor, MD, MSPH, Professor and Chair, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery; Sandra Quezada, MD, MS, Associate Dean for Medical School Admissions & Assistant Dean for Academic and Multicultural Affairs, Associate Professor of Medicine; Zaineb Makhzoumi, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Dermatology; Kyle Yost, DO, Assistant Professor of Family & Community Medicine; Shana Ntiri, MD, Assistant Professor of Family & Community Medicine; and Paula Rosenblatt, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine.

These presentations concluded with a special graduation ceremony in which each participant was presented with a certificate of completion from Dean E. Albert Reece.

About the University of Maryland School of Medicine

Now in its third century, the University of Maryland School of Medicine was chartered in 1807 as the first public medical school in the United States. It continues today as one of the fastest growing, top-tier biomedical research enterprises in the world -- with 43 academic departments, centers, institutes, and programs; and a faculty of more than 3,000 physicians, scientists, and allied health professionals, including members of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences, and a distinguished recipient of the Albert E. Lasker Award in Medical Research.  With an operating budget of more than $1 billion, the School of Medicine works closely in partnership with the University of Maryland Medical Center and Medical System to provide research-intensive, academic and clinically based care for more than 1.2 million patients each year. The School has over 2,500 students, residents, and fellows, and more than $540 million in extramural funding, with most of its academic departments highly ranked among all medical schools in the nation in research funding. As one of the seven professional schools that make up the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus, the School of Medicine has a total workforce of nearly 7,000 individuals. The combined School and Medical System (“University of Maryland Medicine”) has an annual budget of nearly $6 billion and an economic impact more than $15 billion on the state and local community. The School of Medicine faculty, which ranks as the 8th highest among public medical schools in research productivity, is an innovator in translational medicine, with 600 active patents and 24 start-up companies. The School works locally, nationally, and globally, with research and treatment facilities in 36 countries around the world. Visit medschool.umaryland.edu

Mini-Med School 2019

Contact

Office of Public Affairs
655 West Baltimore Street
Bressler Research Building 14-002
Baltimore, Maryland 21201-1559

Contact Media Relations
(410) 706-5260

Related stories

    Thursday, January 27, 2022

    16th Annual Medical Student Auction Supports Fight Against Food Insecurity

    In keeping with tradition since 2006, the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) Class of 2024 Student Government has organized this year’s Annual Second-Year Medical Student Auction. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Bmore Community Food, an organization committed to serving the vulnerable and marginalized population in Baltimore City who are experiencing food insecurity. The remaining funds will support the Class of 2024 medical student activities.


    Wednesday, March 20, 2019

    High School Students Visit UMSOM For Insight Into Future Careers In STEM

    According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in occupations related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is projected to grow to more than nine million by 2022. STEM education has been proven to bridge the ethnic and gender gaps often found in math and science fields. The University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) is committed to both the education and training of our medical and science students and its civic responsibility to bring high-quality STEM content and experiences to students in our neighboring communities. Both faculty and students are involved in this effort to foster awareness and increase diversity in the STEM pipeline.


    Thursday, August 16, 2018

    Eleventh Annual Mini-Med School for Kids Celebrates Graduation Day

    2018 marked the 11th year that the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) hosted its annual Mini-Med School for Kids program.


    Friday, August 18, 2017

    Tenth Annual Kids Mini-Med School Celebrates Graduation Day

    In 2008, the University of Maryland School of Medicine expanded its Mini-Med School program to Kids Mini-Med at the Salvation Army’s Franklin Square Boys & Girls Club in West Baltimore. Doctors from the School visited the camp weekly to teach about health and encourage the young campers (ages 5 to 13) to consider careers in science and medicine. The idea took off and over the past decade, our faculty have touched the lives of several hundred campers.