Premedica Symposium at Colorado State University Explores Issues in Geriatric Medicine Feb. 7

Colorado State University’s department of microbiology will host the 24th annual Premedica Symposium, "Meeting the Medical Needs of Our Graying Population – A Challenge for the 21st Century," from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 7 in Room A103 Chemistry Building on campus.

The symposium, free and open to the public, emphasizes current and experimental therapy for various diseases common to the elderly. Ethical and economic issues also will be discussed. A question and answer period will follow the presentations.

A schedule of talks for the symposium follows.

9 a.m. – Welcome by Katie Herbig, president of Premedica.

9:10 a.m. – "Recent Breakthroughs in the Management of Alzheimer’s Disease" by Dr. Sanjay Asthana, researcher at VA Medical Center, Tacoma, Wash.

10 a.m. – "Current Understanding of the Value and Risks of Estrogen Replacement Therapy" by Dr. Kevin Bachus, Rocky Mountain Center for Reproductive Medicine; and Dr. Nelson Bachus, Gynecology, Infertility and Menopause Center in Fort Collins.

10:30 a.m. – "When Should the Elderly Choose Alternative Medical Therapy?" by Dr. Steven Bratman, Fort Collins.

11:25 a.m. – "Update on Parkinson’s Disease" by Dr. Maureen Leehey, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver.

Noon – "Halting Medicare’s March toward Bankruptcy" by Dr. Steven Thorson, The Family Clinic of Fort Collins.

12:40 p.m. – "Death with Dignity," Ethics Committee of Poudre Valley Hospital; "Pro: Physician-Assisted Suicide," Rev. Philip Koster; and "Con: Physician-Assisted Suicide," Laura Meagher.

1:10-2 p.m. – Question and answer period moderated by Paul Bell, University Mediation Officer, Colorado State University.

For more information on the Premedica Symposium, call Barbara Joyce at (970) 491-6460 or (970) 484-6620, or Stacie Siegrist at (970) 493-3451.