TOPSHAM — “Diabetes: What Can I Eat?” will be the topic of the third installment of a five-part mini-medical school educational series sponsored by Central Maine Medical Center and the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute. The program will be offered on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at the Topsham Medical Building.

Registered nurse Chris Irish will discuss how nutrition and physical activity can impact the management of diabetes. He is a diabetes educator at Central Maine Endocrinology and Diabetes Education Center, a clinical department of the Central Maine Medical Group, in Lewiston.

He will make his presentation from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Topsham Medical Center, 4 Horton Place.

Irish holds a bachelors degree in nursing from the University of Maine in Orono. He worked for several years in orthopaedic-neurological, medical-surgical and physical rehabilitation nursing before transitioning to diabetes education. He is a member of the Central Maine Medical Center Inpatient Diabetes Task Force.

Last year he participated in a National Press Club event with several nationally recognized health experts who discussed diabetes and health access disparities.

Open to the community, the series explores a variety of topics, often providing participants with information about the latest breakthroughs and debates in medical science and how these issues might relate to their own health. All are welcome to attend and a background in science or medicine is not necessary.

Other installments in the Topsham mini-medical series include:

Wednesday, March 3: “Acupuncture: An Integrated Alternative,” with David Salko, MD, of Topsham Family Medicine. Acupuncture is gaining popularity in the United States as an alternative treatment for pain and other conditions. The lecture will discuss some of the foundations, principles and performance of acupuncture and how it can be used to achieve balance and enhance health.

Wednesday, March 10: “Why Am I Not Getting Pregnant? A Contemporary Assessment,” with infertility specialist Michael T. Drouin, MD, of the Central Maine Fertility Center. He will discuss the many causes of infertility and explain some of the most direct and cost effective way to discover answers and get treatment.

Registration is not necessary, but anyone seeking more information is urged to call 798-6227.

All presentations will be offered at no charge. Interpreter services are available upon advance request.