LEWISTON – Central Maine Medical Center and the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute will sponsor a six-part mini-medical school educational series beginning in October.

The series was developed to provide the community with current information on various healthcare issues.

“Presenting mini-med schools is a growing trend among research universities and medical schools across the country,” said Cindie Rice, director of outreach, prevention and wellness at CMHVI. “Such programs offer the public the chance to learn about developments and issues in medicine from doctors, researchers and other healthcare professionals.”

Open to the community, the series will explore a variety of topics, often providing information about the latest breakthroughs and debates in medical science and how the issues might relate to their own health. A background in science or medicine is not necessary to attend the programs.

The series will begin on Wednesday, Oct. 8, with “Talking with Your Primary Care Provider” with Dr. Edmund Claxton Jr., director of the Central Maine Medical Center Family Medicine Residency in Lewiston.

Claxton will offer insight into how doctors use information to provide optimum healthcare to their patients and how patients can assist the process. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation.

Claxton moved to Maine in 1978 after completing medical school at the University of Cincinnati and family medicine training at the University of Minnesota. He started his medical practice in Lewiston and, as the practice continued to grow, became more active in functions at CMMC. He served on the Central Maine Medical Center board of trustees for nine years.

In 2001, he left Family Health Care Associates, which had grown to six physicians and two nurse practitioners caring for 20,000 patients, to become director of the Central Maine Medical Center Family Medicine Residency, where he is responsible for the residency’s entire staff, sees patients part-time and participates in the education of the 21 residents presently training at CMMC.

Claxton serves on the governing board of the CMMC College of Nursing and is part of a teaching team that presents 40-hour workshops on “Spirituality in Medicine” to Central Maine Medical Family employees.

His work as a physician and educator has been recognized on several occasions, including his appointment to the first class of fellows of the Daniel Hanley Center for Health Leadership.

Claxton will make his presentation from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, in Pettingill Hall, Room G52, Bates College.

The remaining sessions will include:

Oct. 15, “From Lance Armstrong to Aunt Martha: What Are the Benefits and Risks of Taking Non-Prescription e-Medical Supplements?,” with Dr. Peter Sedgwick, Central Maine Sports Medicine.

Oct. 22, “Maintain Your Brain: How to Live a Brain Healthy Lifestyle,” with Liz Weaver, program director for the Maine Alzheimer’s Association.

Oct. 29, “Type II Diabetes: Prevention and Reversal,” with Dr. Tim Howe, medical director of wellness and diabetes education at Parkview Adventist Medical Center in Brunswick.

Nov. 5, “Neurogenetic Contributions to Mental Health and Illness,” with Nancy S. Koven, PhD, Department of Psychology, Bates College.

Nov. 12, “Obesity and Bariatric Surgery,” with Dr. Jamie Loggins, medical director, Central Maine Bariatric Surgery, Lewiston.

Anyone wishing to register for a programs or seeking more information should call 795-8240 or e-mail [email protected].