AUBURN — Central Maine Medical Center and the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute will sponsor a five-part “Mini-Medical School” educational series beginning in October.

This series will explore “living long, living well; quality life through health and wellness,” according to Cindie Rice, CMMC’s director of community health, wellness and cardiac rehabilitation.

Open to the community, the series will explore a variety of topics, often providing information about the latest breakthroughs and debates in medical science and how these issues might relate to their own health. A background in science or medicine is not necessary to attend the programs.

The series will begin on Oct. 15 with “Care Management in a Reform Environment,” a presentation by Deanna M. Rice, system director of care management at CMMC. She will explore how care management is a common factor in the evolution of the American healthcare system, focusing on the impact of the changes that are occurring.

On Oct. 22 Sue Mackey Andrews, founder and president of Solutions Consulting Group, will discuss “Strong Families, Strong Kids, Strong Communities: How Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Affect Our Lives.” Her presentation will consider how ACEs impact the health, education, economy and the vitality of Maine communities, and how communities can marshal collective resources to prevent ACEs.

“Why Integrating Care Is The Healthy Thing To Do” is the subject of an Oct. 29 program with Catherine Ryder who serves as the executive director of Tri-County Mental Health Services. Ryder will talk about what integrated care is, why it is important and how it can be done utilizing examples of existing programs designs and outcomes.

Heidi Mallis, district field epidemiologist with the Maine Center for Disease Control, will discuss “Population Health: What Does It Mean For Our Community?” on Nov. 5. The focus of her presentation will be population health and the role it plays in a community, touching upon social determinants of health, characterizing morbidity and mortality in a community through data collection and surveillance, and public policy, including the Affordable Care Act.

The final presentation of the series, set for Nov. 12, will feature bariatric surgeon Jamie Loggins, who will talk about “The Obesity Epidemic.” His discussion will consider the link between obesity and cancer, the cost of obesity and cardiometabolic issues, as well as treatment and prevention.

All programs will be offered from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Auburn Public Library. All Mini-Med presentations are being presented at no charge. Interpreter services are available upon advance request.

Anyone wishing to register for any of the programs, or seeking more information, is urged to visit www.cmmc.org/events, call 795-8448 or email prevention@cmhc.org.