UCSF Osher Lifelong Learning classes begin in October

The UCSF Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) kicks off its third year this fall with new courses for the public starting in October. 

Six-week courses on “Cancer Biology 101” and “Heart to Heart” will meet from 7 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. beginning the week of October 24. Tuition for each course is $75.

Participants also will have an opportunity to attend electives featuring visits to UCSF Medical Center units and campus research labs on Saturday, December 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A special class on “Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage” will meet on Saturday, November 12, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For those who are registered in the “Cancer Biology” or “Heart” courses, this class is included at no charge. For others, the tuition is $15.

All classes will take place in the UCSF Medical Sciences Building at 513 Parnassus Avenue on the UCSF campus.

Online registration is available at Life Long Learning . For more information, call UCSF Public Affairs at (415) 476-2557.

Following is the course schedule:

CANCER BIOLOGY 101: CURRENT PROGRESS AND FUTURE HOPE Tuesday evenings, October 25, November 1, 8, 15, 29, December 6

This course, presented by the UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center, will define modern medicine’s most successful strategies for addressing the treatment and management of cancer.  Participants will have the opportunity to meet national experts and learn the latest science in treatment and management of cancer. Emphasis will be placed on the biology of cancer; tips on how to stay well and receive the best care, and recent advances in breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer. 

Course chair is Margaret A. Tempero, MD, deputy director, UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center.

OOCTOBER 25—ADVANCES IN COLORECTAL CANCER—Alan P. Venook, MD, associate professor, clinical medicine; program member, UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center; Robert Warren, MD, professor of surgery; chief, surgical oncology; Julio Garcia-Aguilar, MD, PhD, professor of surgery; chief, section of colon and rectal surgery.

NOVEMBER 1—WELLNESS: TIPS ABOUT AVOIDING CANCER AND KNOWING HOW TO GET THE BEST CARE—Robert A. Hiatt, MD, professor in residence of epidemiology and biostatistics.
November 8—Fighting Cancer: A Progress Report and Look to the Future—Margaret A. Tempero, MD, professor and chief, Division of Medical Oncology; Doris and Don Fisher distinguished professor in clinical research.

NOVEMBER 15—ADVANCES IN BREAST CANCER—Hope S. Rugo, MD, clinical professor of medicine and co-director, Breast Oncology Clinical Trials Program.
November 29—Advances in Prostate Cancer—Peter Carroll, MD, Chair, Department of Urology; Ken and Donna Derr Chevron distinguished professor of prostate cancer

DECEMBER 3 - Electives, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

DECEMBER 6—CANCER BIOLOGY 101: CLUES ABOUT NEW TREATMENTS AND EARLY DETECTION—Frank McCormick, PhD, FRS, director, UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center and Cancer Research Institute

HEART TO HEART: UNDERSTANDING THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM IN HEALTH AND DISEASE Wednesday evenings, October 26, November 2, 9, 16, 30, December 7

This course will address the latest developments in heart disease and related conditions presented by leading national experts from the UCSF Division of Cardiology and Department of Surgery. Speakers will discuss key elements in the development of heart disease, including normal and abnormal physiology, prevention, and the latest in drug therapy, stents, and surgery.

Course chair is Michael H. Crawford, MD, professor of medicine, Lucie Stern chair in cardiology, and chief of clinical cardiology, UCSF Medical Center.

OCTOBER 26—PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF ATHEROSCLEROTIC HEART DISEASE: IMPLICATIONS FOR DIAGNOSIS—Michael H. Crawford, MD

NOVEMBER 2—TREATMENT OF ATHEROSCLEROTIC HEART DISEASE: DRUGS, STENTS OR SURGERY?—Andrew Michaels, MD, assistant professor of medicine; co-director, adult cardiac catheterization laboratory.

NOVEMBER 9—PREVENTION OF ATHEROSCLEROTIC HEART AND VASCULAR DISEASE: WHO NEEDS DRUG THERAPY?—William Grossman, MD, FACC, Meyer Friedman distinguished professor of medicine; chief of cardiology division

NOVEMBER 16—TREATMENT OF ATHEROSCLEROTIC PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE—Louis Messina, MD, professor and chief, Division of Vascular Surgery; vice chair, Department of Surgery

November 30—HEART VALVE DISEASE: PATHOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT—Jonathan Zaroff, MD, assistant professor of medicine; director, coronary care unit, UCSF Medical Center

December 3 - Electives, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

December 7—THE FAILING HEART: NEW TREATMENTS REDUCE THE NEED FOR CARDIAC TRANSPLANTATION—Eduardo Rame, MD, assistant professor of medicine

MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE: DIALING YOU INTO MEDICARE PART D Saturday, November 12, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This program will provide an extensive overview of the new prescription drug benefit offered by Medicare in January 2006.  Following the lecture, participants will be offered a one-on-one session with a health care professional who will walk them through the enrollment process and show them how to navigate the Medicare web site, using their own specific health care information.  Participants should bring a list of their medications.

Course chair is Marilyn Stebbins, PharmD, clinical professor of pharmacy, UCSF School of Pharmacy.

UCSF Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) is a community education program for adult learners sponsored by the UCSF Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy, the UCSF Medical Center, and the UCSF Public Affairs Department. The program is supported in part by a grant from the Bernard Osher Foundation.