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Fall 2025

  • 01 – Mac Computers – Essentials and Support
  • 02 – From Pork to Plate
  • 03 – Shape Shifters: Geometry in Art
  • 04 – Ames History Timeline to 1940
  • 06 – Proportional Representation in the United States
  • 07 – Unsung Heroes of the 1950’s and ‘60s Civil Rights Movement
  • 08-P – Exploring Space Frontiers
  • 08-Z – Exploring Space Frontiers
  • 09 – Infectious Diseases – The Top Five Killers
  • 10 – Why We Snore
  • 11 – Beginning Ukulele
  • 12 – State Historical Society of Iowa Overview
  • 13 – Photography Tips and Techniques
  • 16 – Authentic Italian Home Cooking – Christmas Eve Dinner
  • 17 – Learn to Play Pickleball
  • 18 – Simplifying Physics – The Principle of Least Action
  • 19 – Oh Sleep! It is a Gentle Thing
  • 20 – Bathed in Radiation
  • 21-P – Medieval England, 1066-1485
  • 21-Z – Medieval England, 1066-1485
  • 22-P – The Invasive Plant Species of Iowa
  • 22-Z – The Invasive Plant Species of Iowa
  • 23-P – Before You Donate
  • 23-Z – Before You Donate
  • 24 – Where on Earth is the U.S.? – Are We in the Top-10?
  • 26 – Beginning Native American Style Flute
  • 27 – Strengthening Our Community With AARP Iowa
  • 28 – Navigating the Medical World in the 21st Century
  • 29 – Planting Pollinator Habitats for Monarchs
  • 30 – The Only Dance in Iowa: A History of Six-Player Girls’ Basketball
  • 31 – Russia’s Large Territory in Asia: A History Review of the Russian Imperial Expansion
  • 32 – Counterfeit Consumer Goods and Health Concerns
  • 33-P – What in the World!?!
  • 33-Z – What in the World!?!
  • 34 – The Mongol Empire in World History and the Mongols Today
  • 35 – Sabermetrics: Rethinking Performance in Baseball, Other Sports, and Life
  • 36 – Science in the News
  • 37-P – Give ‘em Hell, Harry
  • 37-Z – Give ‘em Hell, Harry
  • 38 – Memories of You
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  • 28 – Navigating the Medical World in the 21st Century

28 – Navigating the Medical World in the 21st Century

Instructor

Ina Pour-El

Ina Pour-El taught medical literacy to students in a non-majors, post-secondary, biology course for many years. She holds degrees in both library science and microbiology/immunology, has worked as a biomedical researcher, and is passionate about helping people effectively partner with medical professionals.

  • Register Now

Three weeks: Wednesday, Oct. 22 – Nov. 5, 2025

Cost: $50

3 – 4:30 p.m. CT

Class limit 20

In-person: Northridge Village, 3300 George W Carver Ave, Ames

Course Description

21st-century medicine can be complicated and stressful. Often, the best outcomes are associated with strong patient-medical professional interactions. Learn how to efficiently present your own case history, the kinds of questions to ask, reading between the lines (medical version), how to recognize/identify authoritative online resources, and in general, be an active partner in your own or another’s medical care. For fun, during this class we will workshop our skills on an imaginary disease.

Iowa State University of Science and Technology
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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

2624 Howe Hall,
537 Bissell Road
Ames, IA

Heather Bristow, hbristow@iastate.edu

Phone: (515) 294-5790

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