The 2008-2009 Minerva Society Lecture Series wrapped up with our April 16th lecture.  Our thanks to this year's outstanding presenters!  From the community members, medical professionals and those who travel some distance to attend, we know these free public lectures are providing vital healthcare information which will help each of us to be our own best care advocates.  We appreciate your attendance and support.

Planning is underway for our 2009-2010 lectures which will begin in September.  Watch here in August for information on upcoming lectures. 

What is the Minerva Society?
The Minerva Society is an educational outreach program of Community Medical Center Foundation dedicated to supporting health education in western Montana. Named after the Greek goddess of wisdom and health, this membership society sponsors an annual series of healthcare lectures at Community Medical Center free to the public.  

It all began with a bug not much bigger than the dot on an "i" and an internationally known medical researcher, Dr. Willy Burgdorfer, who lives and works in the Bitterroot Valley. The Minerva Society Lecture Series debuted in 1990 with a talk by Dr. Burgdorfer, who discovered the bacterial pathogen that causes Lyme disease. Since then, more than 8,000 people have been informed and enlightened by Minerva Society lectures.  

Lectures have turned the spotlight on topics such as Attention Deficit Disorder, the Prozac controversy, dying with dignity, preventive health care and other topics that affect us personally such as disease and new treatments.  The Society involves nationally renown speakers and specialists from our local medical and professional community to present a lecture that is a lively mixture of discussion and dialogue.
 
Membership
Minerva Society members and a steering committee plan and organize the healthcare lecture series. Please join us and help promote health education for our community!

For a $30 yearly contribution, you can become a Minerva Society member and receive these benefits:

• Advance Notice of Minerva Lectures and Events
• Guest Speaker Nominating Privileges
• Invitations to Events Honoring Distinguished Speakers
• Reserved Seating at Health Lectures and Programs

Thank You to our 2009 Minerva Society Steering Committee, and to our past Chair, Tonda Richards:

Paulette Fisher, Chair
Phil Barney, MD
MaryEllen Campbell
Bobbie Grimshaw
Jean Jenkins
Barry Kenfield
Michelle Robinson
Greg Salisbury, PT
Stephen Smith, MD
Kevin Winter

For more information on the Minerva Society, please contact Kathy McDonald at the Community Medical Center Foundation, 406-327-4141 or kmcdonald@communitymed.org.