Minerva Society



General Lecture Information

Minerva lectures are free and the public is encouraged to attend.  They are held in the Gallagher Board Room in the Rehabilitation Institute of Montana on the Community Medical Center campus.  Lectures begin at 5:30 PM, unless an alternative time is noted. 

The Minerva Society Committee welcomes lecture topic and speaker suggestions.  Please call the CMC Foundation at 406-327-4141 with your ideas.  Thank you for your participation!

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 renowned 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 $45 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 lectures and programs

The Minerva Society Free Public Lecture Series Fall 2012

Thanks to Minerva Members, attendees, and a special thanks to our lecturers for sharing their talents and knowledge with our audience. 

November Lecture:
       
Know Your Numbers
Janice Tate, RN, CDE, Diabetes Nurse Educator
Diabetes Education Program, Community Medical Center         

November is Diabetes Awareness Month   

At this lecture, participants learned about:
  • Why good control matters
  • Goals for diabetes care and what all those numbers mean
  • How to start today on the road to good diabetes control
October Lecture:

Understanding Breast Cancer Surgery & Common Post-Surgical Misconceptions about Healing & Lymphedema
Liz Suh, MD Breast Surgeon
Kristin Janczewski, MD, Breast Surgeon
Michelle Weaver Knowles, RNC, BSN, & 2012 Health Monitor Living with Cancer Nurse Navigator of the Year

At this free public lecture, participants learned about:
  • Navigating surgical and post-op process of a breast cancer diagnosis
  • How to empower oneself, reduce risks, and live well as a survivor
  • Life-long challenges breast cancer survivors have to face as they make treatment decisions. 
September Lecture:

Chronic Cough: Evaluation & Treatment
Eric Stern, MD
Pulmonologist, Community Physician Group
Community Medical Center

At this free public lecture, participants learned about:
  • Defining chronic cough and understanding its physiology
  • Major causes of chronic cough
  • Prevention and treatments
Watch for our Upcoming 2013 Minerva Society Free Public Lecture Series Information Here. 

Thank You to our 2011-2012 Minerva Society Steering Committee:

Sigri Thorn-Gildea, Chair 
Fran Albrecht
Phil Barney, MD 
Kate and Joe Caciari
Michele Robinson
Greg Salisbury, PT 
Stephen Smith, MD

For more information on the Minerva Society, please contact the Community Medical Center Foundation, 406-327-4141.