The University of South Alabama Physicians’ Group Med School Café lecture series for July will feature Dr. Thomas Martinko, an associate professor and physician with the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. Dr. Martinko’s lecture, “Planning a Healthy School Year for Your Teen: From Middle School to College,” will address how best to prepare adolescents to be healthy in the approaching school year.

This lecture will take place July 23, 2009, at the Chandler YMCA at 951 Downtowner Blvd. in Mobile. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m., and the presentation begins at noon.

The lecture will cover immunizations, exercise, nutrition and developmental changes specific to this age group. Also discussed will be developing good study habits to help in achievement of goals.

Dr. Martinko is board certified in adolescent medicine and brings more than 20 years of experience in dealing with adolescent issues. A retired U.S. Army colonel, he taught residents and medical students in several military teaching hospitals before moving to Mobile last summer to start an adolescent clinic and teach residents and students at USA.

The Med School Café lecture and lunch are provided free of charge, but reservations are required. For more information regarding the lecture or to make reservations, please call Kim Barnes at (251) 460-7770 or email kebarnes@usouthal.edu.