Pictured: The first graduating class of the Mini-Medical School on Healthy Aging at JABSOM in 2014, before it was renamed the Dr. Rosita Leong Mini Medical School.
One hundred seventy-eight students are enrolled for the sixth annual Dr. Rosita Leong Mini-Medical School for Healthy Aging which convenes on February 9, 2019 at the University of Hawaiʻi (UH) at Mānoa.
Since the Mini-Medical School (MMS) was established at the UH John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) in 2014, more than 1,500 people from 18 to 94 years young have attended the ten classes.
Their enthusiastic response has been impressive as indicated by the many actions they have taken, based on the MMS lectures, to improve their own health and well being, from getting vaccines to focusing on being grateful.
The Mini-Medical School on Healthy Aging is designed to prepare people for the second half of their lives by delivering relevant scientific information on aging, similar to what JABSOM medical students learn, but tailored for public audiences.
The school is led by Dr. Virginia Hinshaw, Chancellor Emeritus of UH Mānoa and JABSOM Professor of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology. “We launched the Mini-Medical School because our state has the highest proportion of people over 65 in the nation and we also live longer,” said Dr. Hinshaw. “Our aim is to offer Hawai‘i’s citizens information on the best way to maintain health and well-being throughout life.”
A mini-medical school class session.
Based on course evaluations for the Fall 2018 session, their aim has been perfect. 100% of participants rated the class as “excellent” and 100% noted they “would recommend the class to others”.
Examples of class attendee comments included:
Dr. Hinshaw notes that everyone can watch the MMS lectures on the Mini-Medical School website at http://jabsom.hawaii.edu/minimedschool/lectures.html and, if you are a Spectrum Subscriber, on Spectrum Channel 342/1342.
“Learning together is a great joy – and Seniors Rock!” said Dr. Hinshaw.
Dr. Rosita Leong, first row, at right, seated with her husband Ricardo, and behind them are Dean Jerris Hedges, left and Dr. Hinshaw, right.
Dr. Rosita G. Leong, President & CEO, Bunker Hill Developments, Inc. ensured funding in perpetuity for the innovative Mini-Medical School on Healthy Aging through a generous gift to the University of Hawaiʻi.
In recognition of her major gift, the Mini-Medical School Program was named the Dr. Rosita Leong Mini-Medical School program at the John A. Burns School of Medicine.