Dr. Andrew Weil to Debate Dr. Irving Kron During Free Public Event, April 23

Are popular preventive medicine strategies like meditation, exercise and eating fruits and vegetables really effective? Or should patients solely consider medical intervention therapies like coronary stents and coronary bypass surgery?

This is the focus of an upcoming debate featuring “father of integrative medicine,” Andrew Weil, MD, founder and director of the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, and renowned heart surgeon Irving Kron, MD, interim dean of the UA College of Medicine – Tucson. The two UA physicians will debate and discuss which approach can help achieve optimal health and wellness.

Hosted by the UA College of Medicine – Tucson, the debate, titled, “Prevention vs. Intervention,” is free and open to the public and will take place at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 23, at the UA Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd.

“We’re really hosting this event to educate the public—to share how best to achieve optimal health and wellness,” says Dr. Kron, who is also the senior associate vice president for the UA Health Sciences and a professor of surgery. “Oftentimes people will believe what’s out there on the internet and choose to use one strategy over the other without consulting a medical expert. That shouldn’t be the case.”

Dr. Weil adds, "Our challenge as a nation is to turn the enterprise of health care away from disease management and toward prevention."

The debate will be moderated by UA President Robert Robbins, MD, with Dr. Kron representing intervention strategies and Dr. Weil representing preventive strategies. After presentations by each side and rebuttals, a panel of expert UA scientists and physicians will weigh in.

Panelists include brain health expert Roberta Brinton, PhD, director of the UA Health Sciences Center for Innovation in Brain Science; GI expert Juanita Merchant, MD, PhD, chief of the UA Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology; general science expert and Dean of the UA College of Science Joaquin Ruiz, PhD; and heart health expert Nancy Sweitzer, MD, PhD, director of the UA Sarver Heart Center.

The debate will end with the physicians taking questions from the audience.

Dr. Kron’s specialty interests include mitral valve and aortic valve surgery, surgery of the aorta, carotid artery surgery, coronary artery surgery and heart transplantation.

Dr. Weil is a clinical professor in the Department of Medicine, a professor in the UA Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and the Lovell-Jones endowed chair in integrative rheumatology. A frequent lecturer and guest on talk shows, he is an internationally recognized expert on medicinal plants, alternative medicine and the reform of medical education.

Please note: This is an open admission event at Centennial Hall. Attendees are encouraged to arrive as early as 6 p.m. to secure a seat; seating is limited. Centennial Hall now performs bag checks. Bags larger than 12 inches x 6 inches x 12 inches are not permitted.

About the UA College of Medicine – Tucson

The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson is shaping the future of medicine through state-of-the-art medical education programs, groundbreaking research and advancements in patient care in Arizona and beyond. Founded in 1967, the college boasts more than 50 years of innovation, ranking among the top medical schools in the nation for research and primary care. Through the university's partnership with Banner Health, one of the largest nonprofit health-care systems in the country, the college is leading the way in academic medicine. For more information, please visit medicine.arizona.edu.

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Release Date: 
04/08/2019 - 2:53am
Original Story: