Doctor to discuss vitamins, herbs at Dundee Twp. library

If you now use or are considering using dietary supplements such as vitamins, minerals or herbs, plan on attending an eye-opening presentation by Dr. Patrick B. Massey, a nationally recognized expert on alternative medicine, on Monday, Feb. 2, at the Dundee Township Public Library.

Beginning at 7 p.m. in the library's meeting room, Massey will present "Alternative Medicine: The Latest Info on Vitamins, Minerals and Dietary Supplements." He will focus on recent medical research that deals with the efficacy and safety of various products that are promoted for achieving optimal health.

He will also show participants how to identify product labeling for content, safety and manufacturer.

Massey, who received his medical degree in 1986 from Rush University medical school and his doctorate in immunology and microbiology from Northwestern University, is the medical director of the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Health and Wellness Center at Alexian Brothers Hospital Network, Elk Grove Village.

Following medical school, he went on to complete a fellowship in Integrative medicine at the University of Arizona Medical School with wellness guru Dr. Andrew Weil.

His medical career has been devoted to the study of nontraditional medicine, an interest that began with his residency at Rush more than two decades ago.

"I realized then that there were significant deficits in the practice of traditional medicine," he noted.

"The focus of traditional medicine has been on the alleviation of symptoms. Unfortunately, the medical approach that has been so successful in treating acute, life-threatening medical problems is ineffective in the treatment of chronic, debilitating illness," Massey said.

More than 10 years ago, he opened his practice at Alexian Brothers based on the philosophy that the human body has a remarkable ability to heal itself, if it is given the chance.

Seating is limited at the is popular program so register soon.

The library is at 555 Barrington Ave. in East Dundee. To register or for more information, call (847) 428-3661, ext. 308, or register online at www.dundeelibrary.info.