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Health Center Today, April 19, 2010

2010 Mini Medical/Dental School

By Chris DeFrancesco

Photo of Dr. Leighton Huey

Dr. Leighton Huey, professor of psychiatry, speaks to students attending the High School Mini Medical/Dental School Program.

More than 80 juniors and seniors from 18 high schools throughout Connecticut signed up for this year’s High School Mini Medical/Dental School Program.

Since March 4, the students have been meeting on Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m., each time hearing two one-hour presentations on varying health and science topics. Sixty-five students have been participating in person at the Health Center’s Low Learning Center; 21 others join remotely via webcast. The program runs through Thursday, April 22, when the students will "graduate," earning diplomas.

"The goal is to inform and excite students about cutting-edge basic science research that is being conducted by some of the outstanding professors at the Health Center," says Dr. Marja Hurley, associate dean of the UConn School of Medicine and director of UConn’s Health Career Opportunities Programs. "These students also receive lectures from outstanding physicians and dentists who provide care to patients."