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Health & Healthcare   

Spring Course and Lecture Request Process: January 6 - 19, 2026

Abdominal Anatomy, Physiology, and Disease Processes

This 4-week course will cover basic abdominal anatomy and physiology and will be aimed toward the non-medical population.  Anatomy of the digestive tract, liver, gallbladder, appendix, pancreas, and spleen will be reviewed.  The physiology, or function, of each organ will also be discussed.  Finally, knowing basic anatomy and physiology, I will discuss common abdominal diseases:  Gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD), stomach ulcers, Bariatric (obesity) surgery, bowel obstruction, Crohn's disease, colon cancer, diverticulitis, appendicitis, gallstones, pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, and the enlarged spleen.  The diagnosis and treatment for each disease will also be covered briefly.

On Campus Session

  • Section Code: F26SSFHEA069A
  • Instructor: Peter Rutledge

  • Dates: 4/13/2026 - 5/4/2026

  • Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

  • Sessions: 4

    Days: M

  • Building: Secrest Wible

    Room: 119

 

This course is full. If you would like to be added to the waitlist, click the Add to Waitlist button. 

Advances in Surgery, Medicine, and Anesthesia Since the 1500s

There have been two necessary developments over the last 175 years which have made surgery possible in the form it takes today: the development of anesthesia beginning in 1846, and the invention of anti-sepsis (killing of bacteria), first used in 1867. This two week course will tell the stories of the people involved, and the discoveries they made, in the development of anesthesia and anti-sepsis. Without their vision, tenacity, and willingness to fight ingrained medical beliefs and customs, 21st century surgery would not be the safe practice we take for granted today.

On Campus Session

  • Section Code: F26SSFHEA085A
  • Instructor: Peter Rutledge

  • Dates: 4/15/2026 - 4/15/2026

  • Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

  • Sessions: 1

    Days: W

  • Building: Secrest Wible

    Room: 119

 

An Experiential Look at Dementia

This interactive course offers a hands-on understanding of dementia through Dementia Live®, providing participants with insights into how those with dementia may perceive and react to real-life situations. By experiencing sensory and cognitive challenges firsthand, participants will learn how to recognize behaviors that may escalate a crisis and discover effective ways to respond. The second session explores deeper caregiving strategies, reducing risks, and fostering supportive relationships for those with dementia. Active participation is encouraged, offering an immersive experience to better understand and assist individuals living with dementia.

 

On Campus Session

  • Section Code: F26SSFHEA073A
  • Instructor: Gail Snider

  • Dates: 4/24/2026 - 5/1/2026

  • Times: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

  • Sessions: 2

    Days: F

  • Building: Annie Richardson Bass

    Room: 1001

 

This course is full. If you would like to be added to the waitlist, click the Add to Waitlist button. 

Awakening to the Untapped Power of Your Mind to Relieve Anxiety and Depression

Western psychotherapy, like western medicine, is focused on symptom reduction and symptom management, rather than focusing on the root causes. This class will introduce students to an alternative understanding of their mind, based on ancient Tibetan teachings and practices. By accessing the untapped potential to use awareness to relieve anxiety and depression at the source, students will acquire the ability to find peace and a deep inner calm, regardless of their external environment. Students will need an open mind, and a readiness to take responsibility for facing their emotional and psychological suffering, as well as a willingness to be temporarily confused and uncomfortable as they 'empty their cup' of their current belief system and become familiar with a different 'map' to negotiate life's challenges.

On Campus Session

  • Section Code: F26SSFPER072A
  • Instructor: Peter Boger

  • Dates: 3/9/2026 - 4/6/2026

  • Times: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

  • Sessions: 4

    Days: M

  • Building: Secrest Wible

    Room: 119

 

This course is full. If you would like to be added to the waitlist, click the Add to Waitlist button. 

Brain Health: Daily Choices Have the Power to Influence Your Cognitive Health

What are the 7 Pillars of Brain Health and how do they relate to the 14 modifiable risk factors for dementia? Join us for an engaging conversation about daily lifestyle-related choices that can impact your cognitive function and brain health. We will explore the 7 Pillars of Brain Health, discussing how nutrition, movement, sleep, social engagement, cognitive engagement, general health, mindfulness and outlook play significant roles in shaping cognitive fitness and healthspan. Take charge of these lifestyle choices to enhance cognitive function and reduce the risk of dementia. Start small. Be consistent. Practice progress not perfection. Your daily choices matter.

The Stayton

  • Section Code: F26SSFHEA072A
  • Instructor: Jessica Copeland

  • Dates: 3/9/2026 - 3/9/2026

  • Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

  • Sessions: 1

    Days: M

  • Building: The Stayton

    Room: Dining Room: 11th Floor

 

Common Things Are Common: A Review of the Common Chronic Conditions of Adults

In this class, I will attempt to explain, in an easy to understand fashion, the underlying mechanisms for the common chronic conditions of adults. These will include heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, chronic kidney disease  chronic lung disease and others. We will discuss why, when, and how we can treat these conditions, touching on the various common treatments for these diseases and how they work. 

On Campus Session

  • Section Code: F26SSFHEA021A
  • Instructor: James Parker

  • Dates: 4/13/2026 - 5/4/2026

  • Times: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

  • Sessions: 4

    Days: M

  • Building: Secrest Wible

    Room: 119

 

This course is full. If you would like to be added to the waitlist, click the Add to Waitlist button. 

Legacy of Henrietta Lacks: Ethical and Legal Issues Involving Human Body Property Rights

Henrietta Lacks unknowingly donated cervical cancer cells for research in 1951. Her cells were the first human cells able to reproduce indefinitely. The cell line, known as HeLa, led to major medical discoveries and is still being used today. The HeLa cells generated huge profits for biomedical companies but neither Lacks nor her descendants were given an opportunity to share in the profits. This case raises questions about whether our bodies are our "property" and who owns our cells, specimens, and genetic material once they are no longer part of us.

On Campus Session

  • Section Code: F26SSFHCE171A
  • Instructor: Maxine Harrington

  • Dates: 3/10/2026 - 3/10/2026

  • Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

  • Sessions: 1

    Days: Tu

  • Building: Secrest Wible

    Room: 119

 

Medical Benefits from DNA Sequencing

Every disease, every medical condition (except trauma) has a genetic component. Sequencing DNA for these genetic components is revolutionizing diagnosis, prevention and treatment of cancer, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, inter alia. Course will cover novel technologies (e.g., CRISPR enabled gene editing & therapy) and pharmaceuticals (e.g., mRNA vaccines, cancer immunotherapies). Course is designed for non-geneticists interested in gaining general understanding of current and anticipated benefits from DNA sequencing and medical genetics research.

On Campus Session

  • Section Code: F26SSFSCT066A
  • Instructor: Hank Fitzhugh

  • Dates: 3/11/2026 - 4/8/2026

  • Times: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

  • Sessions: 4

    Days: W

  • Building: Secrest Wible

    Room: 119

 

Medicare: Complexities, Difference, and Various Plan Types Available

Medicare can be FUN! Let's hack through the mountains of information and misinformation on all types of Medicare plans in plain English. We will dissect the various and confusing plans, and of course latest in industry news, changes. Absolutely no sales, just information!

On Campus Session

  • Section Code: F26SSFHEA087A
  • Instructor: Frances Look

  • Dates: 3/24/2026 - 3/24/2026

  • Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

  • Sessions: 1

    Days: Tu

  • Building: Secrest Wible

    Room: 119

 

Phoebe, Pax, and Olive: LLC K-9 Comfort Dogs in Fort Worth

Come meet three Comfort Dogs that serve Fort Worth and surrounding communities. Their job is to love on people and reduce stress while helping provide care that helps improve overall well-being.

Stevenson Oaks

  • Section Code: F26SSFPER093A
  • Instructor: Janice Marut

  • Dates: 4/23/2026 - 4/23/2026

  • Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

  • Sessions: 1

    Days: Th

  • Building: Stevenson Oaks

    Room: Fort Worth

 

The Cannabis Classroom

We are living in a constantly changing landscape of cannabis legalization, decriminalization, commercialization and methods of use. Embellished marketing and promotion of THC and CBD products, with limited research and FDA approval, can leave one with a skewed perception of reality. This course will provide answers to questions about cannabis such as: What is THC? CBD? How does it affect the body and brain? What are the risks and benefits of using? How can I talk to my loved ones about cannabis? What do we (and don't we) know about cannabis? Wait, I thought it was called "weed"?

On Campus Session

  • Section Code: F26SSFHEA019A
  • Instructor: Caroline Sahba

  • Dates: 3/5/2026 - 3/5/2026

  • Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

  • Sessions: 1

    Days: Th

  • Building: Secrest Wible

    Room: 119

 

The Sound of Health: Exploring the Importance of Hearing Healthcare

This lecture is focused on raising awareness about the significance of hearing healthcare and its impact on overall health and well-being . It will discuss the anatomy of the ear, the understanding of how we hear, and the relationship between the ear and our brain. It will also discuss the benefits of preventative measures, early intervention, and the implications of untreated hearing loss. The course will also cover common misconceptions about hearing health and provide practical tips for maintaining the health of your ears. The course will also discuss the ACHIEVE study out of Johns Hopkins University which shows the results of a 3-year longitudinal study regarding hearing loss cognitive decline and memory loss.

On Campus Session

  • Section Code: F26SSFHEA014A
  • Instructor: Robin Carson

  • Dates: 4/29/2026 - 4/29/2026

  • Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

  • Sessions: 1

    Days: W

  • Building: Secrest Wible

    Room: 119

 

This course is full. If you would like to be added to the waitlist, click the Add to Waitlist button. 

Understanding Changes in Memory: From Mild Cognitive Impairment to Alzheimer's

Discover how memory changes and what it might mean. This course helps you understand the difference between Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), which causes early memory changes, and Alzheimer's disease, a progressive condition affecting thinking and behavior. Learn what goes into a proper diagnosis, and explore how symptoms evolve across the early, middle, and late stages of dementia. Gain clarity, confidence, and tools to better support yourself or a loved one.

On Campus Session

  • Section Code: F26SSFHEA086A
  • Instructor: Jaime Cobb Tinsley

  • Dates: 3/30/2026 - 4/6/2026

  • Times: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

  • Sessions: 2

    Days: M

  • Building: Secrest Wible

    Room: 119

 

This course is full. If you would like to be added to the waitlist, click the Add to Waitlist button. 

What Did the Doctor Say? 40 Years of Observations From an Office Stool

Have you ever come home from a doctor visit to be met with the question, "What did the doctor say?". The more important question may be why did the doctor say nothing or appear to be unconcerned. I hope to give some insight as to how we doctors think and what we are listening for as you tell us of your concerns. I hope to make this a fun and educational presentation with real world anecdotes and scenarios from 40 years of practicing medicine in Fort Worth.

The Stayton

  • Section Code: F26SSFHEA005A
  • Instructor: James Parker

  • Dates: 4/13/2026 - 4/13/2026

  • Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

  • Sessions: 1

    Days: M

  • Building: The Stayton

    Room: Dining Room: 11th Floor

 

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