Mini-Med School: A Wrap Up by Dr. Warren Stucki
In February and March, the Institute for Continued Learning and Intermountain Health presented the Mini-Med School for its second year. Four health-related lectures were presented to packed crowds in the Dunford Auditorium at Utah Tech University. Like many of you, I went to ICL’s Mini-Med School - the Sophomore Year out of shape, tolerating painful knees, worried about my inevitable cancer (I am a 1960s downwinder), and wondering if the fact that it took 15 minutes to find my car keys (finally located in my sock drawer) meant anything? After four excellent and informative sessions, I’m still out of shape, my knees still hurt, I still worry about cancer, and I still can’t find my car keys — BUT NOW, I better understand all those maladies, thanks to...
Dr. Ginamarie Foglia told me how I could get in shape. She emphasized that good nutrition and physical conditioning were essential, not only for having safe and satisfying golden years but also to slow mental and cognitive decline. She also stressed that falls were a leading cause of death in the aged, then showed me how to get up after a fall. Using a floor mat, she demonstrated exercises to strengthen my core, arm, shoulder and leg muscles. Lastly, this comment from Dr. Foglia hit a home run. “Why would I want to live to be 90 if I can’t get out of my recliner?” Dr. Robert Jamieson explained to me why my knees ache (osteoarthritis). He said I should try conservative Rx first, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories or even steroid injections. If those didn’t work, depending on my goals, we could do knee replacements. Using color slides, he explained how he would do my surgery. Likely, he would use a new robotic technique to achieve a more precise fit of my prosthesis.
Dr. Ginamarie Foglia speaking on "Functional Fitness" - Feb. 11, 2026 Lastly, Dr. Jamieson said my new prosthesis would likely last a lifetime, rather than the 20 years for the old prostheses. (At age 80, however, I failed to see the difference). Dr. Ned Williams reviewed for me the remarkable advances in radiation oncology. He explained the different types of external beam radiation, including 3D Conformal Radiation, Stereotactic Radiosurgery (only 5 sessions) and Proton Beam radiation. In addition, he discussed Internal Radiation (brachytherapy) delivered via needles and Targeted Rx, using targeting agents like Pluvicto, which attach to cancer cells for more precise therapy. Nowadays, he added, low-dose radiation is also used to treat osteoarthritis and Dupuytren’s contractures. I came away feeling better, knowing there are many effective ways to Rx my seemingly inevitable cancer.
Karin Edwards and Loriana De Crescenzo with Intermountain Health served as greeters.
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