WHAT'S HAPPENING IN HEALTH

National Immunization Awareness Month

With parents enrolling their children in school and students entering college, August is the perfect time to remind family, friends and co-workers to catch up on their vaccinations. Immunization is one of the most effective ways to protect children and adults against many common infectious diseases. Recommended vaccinations begin soon after birth and continue throughout life, and it's important to get the right vaccines in the right doses at the right time. Faculty physicians from the Department of Pediatrics in Las Vegas and Reno are available to discuss appropriate immunizations for children and adults. See below for vaccination clinic details for uninsured children.

Minority Donor Awareness Day - August 1

According to the National Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program, the transplant waiting list has reached more than 100,000 and minorities make up 50 percent of the overall list. It is for this reason that the University of Nevada School of Medicine is challenging minorities to reach out and encourage more people to save lives by supporting organ and tissue donation. Trudy Larson, M.D., professor of pediatrics at the School of Medicine and director of the Nevada Organ and Tissue Donor Program, is available to discuss donation options.

EVENTS

School of Medicine's White Coat Ceremony

Friday, Aug. 13, 2010 at 5 p.m.

Joe Crowley Student Union Ballroom (4th Floor), University of Nevada, Reno

The public and media outlets are invited to attend the School of Medicine's Annual White Coat Ceremony welcoming the incoming class of medical students. The Class of 2014 will participate in the cloaking ceremony which symbolically welcomes them into the health care profession and helps establish a psychological contract for the practice of medicine. The ceremony concludes the students' orientation week and is part of the School of Medicine's Family Day celebration.

Student Outreach Vaccination Clinic

Saturday, Aug. 14, 2010 from 8 a.m. to noon

Family Medicine Center; University of Nevada, Reno

Just in time for back-to-school admissions requirements, the School of Medicine's Student Outreach Clinic is offering free or low-cost immunizations for uninsured children at this clinic. No appointment necessary; patients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Spanish translators are available.

Clinics are held at the Family Medicine Center, located on the University of Nevada, Reno campus just north of Mackay Stadium off of North Virginia Street. Take RTC bus route 7 to North Virginia Street or the free Sierra Spirit bus.

Center for Molecular Medicine Community Day
Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010 from 10 a.m. to noon
University of Nevada, Reno

Discover the future of health as the University of Nevada, Reno, the University of Nevada School of Medicine and the Whittemore Peterson Institute for Neuro-Immune Disease invite the public to attend the unveiling of the Center for Molecular Medicine on the UNR campus. This new facility represents the first new research building constructed at the medical school in nearly 30 years and nearly doubles the medical school's capacity for research. The center will also serve as the home for the Whittemore Peterson Institute. The event is free and open to the public.

Student Outreach General Clinic

Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010 from 8 a.m. to noon

Family Medicine Center, University of Nevada, Reno

The School of Medicine's Student Outreach Clinic is offering free medical check-ups for adults and children at this clinic. No appointment necessary; patients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Spanish translators are available.

Clinics are held at the Family Medicine Center, located on the University of Nevada, Reno campus just north of Mackay Stadium off of North Virginia Street. Take RTC bus route 7 to North Virginia Street or the free Sierra Spirit bus.