“glorytogodinthehighest, andonearth ... · zuch during her visit to hangzhou....

THE SHEPHERDS AND THE ANGELS

nd there were shepherds living out in the fieldsnearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. Anangel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of

the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But theangel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good newsof great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the townof David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ theLord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrappedin cloths and lying in a manger.”Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appearedwith the angel, praising God and saying,

Volume 21, Number 18Monday, December 22, 2008

• LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY


MEDICAL CENTER


CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL


MEDICAL CENTER–EAST

CAMPUS


BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE

CENTER


HEALTH CARE

• FACULTY MEDICAL GROUP

OF LLUSM

• FACULTY PHYSICIANS &SURGEONS OF LLUSM

THE BIRTH OF JESUS

n those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a cen-sus should be taken of the entire Roman world. (Thiswas the first census that took place while Quirinius was

governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town toregister.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth inGalilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, becausehe belonged to the house and line of David. He went thereto register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to himand was expecting a child.While they were there, the timecame for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her first-born, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in amanger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

I

hen the angels had left them and gone intoheaven, the shepherds said to one another,“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing

that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and thebaby, who was lying in the manger.When they had seenhim, they spread the word concerning what had been told

“Glory to God in the highest,and on earth

peace to men on whom his favor rests.”them about this child, and all who heard it were amazedat what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasuredup all these things and pondered them in her heart. Theshepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for allthe things they had heard and seen, which were just asthey had been told.

LUKE 2:1-20 (NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION)

W

A

2 TODAYMonday, December 22, 2008

BY RICHARDWEISMEYER

The initial details of a plannedcampus affiliation between LomaLinda University (LLU) andAtlantic Union College (AUC),located in South Lancaster,Massachusetts, were voted by theLoma Linda University Board ofTrustees on Wednesday, Decem-ber 10.

The trustees voted that theLoma Linda University administra-tion draft details of an affiliationagreement with Atlantic UnionCollege that attempts to protectAUC’s accreditation for the two-year period of 2009 to 2011. TheLoma Linda and Atlantic UnionCollege administrations will be inconsultation with the New EnglandAssociation of Schools andColleges (the regional accreditingbody) in the course of drafting theaffiliation agreement.

“The terms of the agreement,along with financial implications forLoma Linda University during thetwo-year period, will be presentedfor the Loma Linda University andthe Loma Linda UniversityAdventist Health Sciences CenterBoard of Trustees’ consideration

before the end of January 2009,” saysRichard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, pres-ident of Loma Linda University.

If Board approval is given to theaffiliation agreement, and if contin-ued accreditation is secured or rea-sonably assured for the two-yearperiod, an agreement regarding thepossible merger between Loma

Linda University and AtlanticUnion College will be presented toLoma Linda’s Board of Trustees byMay 2010, according to Dr. Hart.“If that proposal is approved, LomaLinda’s and AUC’s Boards ofTrustees then could move toward amerger implementation.”

Loma Linda University was

founded in 1905 as the College ofMedical Evangelists. Loma LindaUniversity and Atlantic UnionCollege are institutions founded onthe principles of the Seventh-dayAdventist Church. Loma Lindaincludes eight schools—AlliedHealth Professions, Dentistry,Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy,

BY JAMES PONDERFour nursing leaders from Loma

Linda University Medical Centerand Loma Linda UniversityBehavioral Medicine Centerrecently traveled to Hangzhou,China, to conduct a nursing leader-ship conference as part of the thirdannual International AcademicWeek. The conference—which washeld at Sir Run Run ShawHospital(SRRSH) on October 15 and 16,2008—attracted more than 80nurses from SRRSH and otherhealth care facilities of the region.

The four LLUMC nursing lead-ers—Norie Bencito, CMSRN,MSc; Hazel Curtis, RN, MPH;Debbie Damazo, RN, MS, CPAN;and Ellen McCarville, RN, MS,CPAN—lectured on a variety ofnursing leadership topics and con-ducted interactive seminarsdesigned to help nurses at SRRSHgain increased recognition for their

vital contributions to health carethroughout the People’s Republicof China.

The story of how LLU becameinvolved in the conference under-scores cooperative aspects of the

affiliation between LLU and theChinese hospital. Ms. Curtis, atLoma Linda University, views theprocess of selecting topics for the lec-tures and presentations as a collabo-rative effort that began when FengJine, RN, MS, director of nursingeducation at SRRSH, visited LomaLinda in June 2008 for her gradua-tion from the off-campus master’sdegree program offered through theSchool ofNursing.

Ms. Curtis says that Ms. Fengsat down with Jan Zumwalt, RN,MS, MBA, associate director of theGlobal Health Institute at LomaLinda University, and herself to dis-cuss which topics would be mean-ingful to their nursing staff.

“We wanted to make sure thatwhat we were going to present waswhat they actually wanted,” Ms.Curtis recalls, “and would benefitthem themost.”

That conversation was followed

by live videoconferences betweennursing leaders of both organiza-tions. After extensive consultation, itwas agreed that the following topicswould be presented: Ms. Bencitowould discuss “building a functionalteam,” Ms. Curtis would speak on“creating a coaching culture,” Ms.Damazo would address “nursingempowerment,” andMs.McCarvillewould talk about “transformationalleadership.”

The videoconferences made avivid impression on EllenMcCarville. "Seeing and dialoguingon videoconference with theSRRSH nursing vice president anddirector of nursing education helpedus realize how much they wanted tomake their nursing leaders transfor-mational,” she shares. “They wantedto have a voice in health care and tohelp shape it. When we walkedaway from the second videoconfer-

LLUMC, BMC nursing leadership contributes to China academic week

Members of the LLUMC delegation to China stand in front of a sign pro-moting the third annual International Academic Week of Sir Run RunShaw Hospital in Hangzhou. Left to right: Ye Zhihong, RN, PhD, vicepresident for nursing at SRRSH; Hazel Curtis, RN, MPH, education spe-cialist in the department of staff development at LLUMC; Jan Zumwalt,RN, MS, MBA, associate director of the Global Health Institute at LLU;Ellen McCarville, RN, MS, CPAN, director of patient flow for LLUMC;Norie Bencito, CMSRN, MSc, director of nursing at LLU BehavioralMedicine Center; and Debbie Damazo, RN, MS, CPAN, nurse managerof peri-anesthesia at LLUMC.

Loma Linda University, Atlantic Union Collegeexplore affiliation possibilities between institutions

BY RICHARDWEISMEYER

Mel Sauder, JD, MBA, seniorvice president for health care busi-ness development, has been namedsenior vice president for develop-ment and public affairs for LomaLinda University Adventist HealthScience Center. He will assume hisnew responsibilities in February2009.

Prior to joining Loma LindaUniversity Medical Center in2005, Mr. Sauder’s last positionwas in the Centura Health system

in Colorado. Centura Health is thelargest health care provider in

Colorado. The integrated enter-prise network includes 12 hospi-tals, nine senior housing facilities,home care/hospice, and a varietyof services promoting faith-basedcommunity health initiatives.

He served as vice president forPorter Adventist Hospital inDenver. Prior to this, he held posi-tions at Shawnee Mission MedicalCenter in Kansas City, Kansas,and worked with Adventist HealthSystem Sunbelt in Florida.

Mr. Sauder holds a law degree

Senior vice president for development/public affairs namedfrom the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, a master’sdegree in business administrationfrom the University of Texas-PanAmerican, and a bachelor of sciencedegree from Southwestern AdventistUniversity, Keene, Texas.

Mr. Sauder began his career asa district pastor for theOklahoma Conference ofSeventh-day Adventists.

He pastored three differentdistricts including six churches

Please turn to page 3

Please turn to page 3 Please turn to page 3


e Loma Linda University Board of Trustees voted on Wednesday, December 10, for the Loma Linda Universityadministration to draft details of an affiliation agreement between Loma Linda University and Atlantic UnionCollege. Pictured above is the Atlantic Union College adminisration building.

Public Health, Religion, andScience and Technology, and aFaculty of Graduate Studies offer-ing more than 200 degree and cer-tificate programs. It is accredited bythe Western Association ofSchools and Colleges (WASC).

Over the past three months,Loma Linda and AUC trustees, fac-ulty, and staff have been inexploratory discussions regardingaffiliation opportunities. “In recentweeks, conversations brought intoclear focus the partnership optionswhich we have now decided to pur-sue going forward to our plannedaffiliation and possible eventual insti-tutional merger,” states Dr. Hart.

LLU and AUC have developed amission-complementary approach toleveraging their respective programand faculty strengths—and matchingthese resources with unmet under-graduate and graduate student educa-tional needs. The collaboration will

Students assess healthof two million residents

BYHEATHERREIFSNYDERSan Bernardino County,

California, is conducting a massiveproject that will impact the healthservices offered to its residents, andtwo LLU School of Public Health(SPH) students are on the groundmaking it happen.

The project is the county’s first-ever community health needsassessment, and officialsapproached SPH dean David T.Dyjack, DrPH, to enlist the help ofthe School’s best students. Fromthe candidates, the county selectedThelma Gamboa-Maldonado(department of health promotionand education) and Michael Batech(epidemiology and biostatistics).

Mel Sauder, JD, MBA

TODAY �Monday, December 22, 2008

Continued from page 2


learning curve has been very steep.However, we are blessed to be partof a very supportive team that keepsthe public’s health at the center ofour mission.”

Where the data exists to do so,Mr. Batech and Ms. Gamboa-Maldonado will be comparing howpeople in the County of SanBernardino, according to age, eth-nicity, and gender, measure up tothe health status of both the state ofCalifornia and the nation as awhole. A key component in thiscomparison will be the HealthyPeople 2010 goals and objectives.

Healthy People is a program ofthe federal government that moni-tors the wellbeing of the nation, set-ting up comprehensive goals forimproved health every 10 years.The assessment will allow thecounty to find out which objectivesit meets. Then the county leaderscan make a plan to begin meetingthe rest of them.

The county plans for the assess-ment to cover 18 health-focus areas,including access to health care, injuryand violence prevention, immuniza-tions and infectious disease, andchronic diseases such as cancer, dia-betes, and respiratory illnesses.Mental health will also be considered.

In addition to quantitative data,the assessment will include compre-hensive qualitative information onthe existing health services availableto residents from all the county’svarious departments and clinics.

The assessment is a collabora-tion between the county’s hospital(Arrowhead Regional MedicalCenter), the Department ofBehavioral Health, and theDepartment of Public Health. It isthe first time these three depart-ments have come together.

For Mr. Batech and Ms.Gamboa-Maldonado, the projecthas the added benefit of preparingthem for their future careers.

“Besides gaining the experience inwriting a health needs assessment,we are learning how the publichealth systemworks altogether,” saysMs. Gamboa-Maldonado. “In addi-tion, we are learning about the pol-icy-making and political aspects ofrunning a public health department.”

Mr. Batech says the projectbrings together everything they arelearning in their public health edu-cation at LLUSPH.

“It helps to better understandthe topics we cover in our classesand demonstrates how importantpublic health actually is,” he says.

“It seemed like a good opportu-nity both for the county and theSchool of Public Health,” Ms.Gamboa-Maldonado says.

Now, while still working ontheir degrees, these two studentsare also employed by the county ashealth needs assessment coordina-tors—meaning that they are col-lecting, analyzing, and interpretingdata on the health needs of thecounty’s two million residents. It’s abig job, which is why Mr. Batechand Ms. Gamboa-Maldonado arecontracted to work until June 2009.

California counties that have apublic hospital are required to havea needs assessment, according toJim Lindley, MPA, public healthdirector for the County of SanBernardino. San Bernardino’s willbe especially helpful because of thedire need in the county. In manyhealth measures, the county lagsbehind other parts of Californiaand the United States. Out ofCalifornia’s 58 counties, for exam-ple, San Bernardino ranks 52 indeaths due to all causes.

“This is not something we’redoing just for an exercise,” Mr.Lindley says. “We need good datain order to know how to allocateour scarce resources.”

Paula Meares-Conrad, assistantpublic health director, agrees. “Wewon’t know where to go until weknowwhere we are,” she says.

One specific use of the report bythe county will be to help it design anew kind of clinic to serve residents.These integrated clinics will be aone-stop resource, bringingtogether services such as primarymedical care, food voucher distribu-tion, and behavioral healthresources. The first such clinic hasopened in the city of Ontario, withmore to come. The county can usethe data from the needs assessmentto know what kinds of services areneeded in different parts of its20,000-square-mile area.

Mr. Batech, a lifelong SanBernardino County resident, says hefeels gratified to be a part of a projectthat will potentially make a differ-ence in the health of the county.

“It can be intimidating yetinspiring to realize the scope of thisproject,” he says.

Ms. Gamboa-Maldonado hasexperienced similar feelings.

“When I realized the magnitudeof the county needs assessment, Ifelt like I was thrown into a riverwithout a life jacket,” she says. “The


Students assess health of residents…

A group of county employees, including the two LLU students, meetweekly to discuss the progress of the assessment. They include (fromleft) Michael Batech; Paula Meares-Conrad; Jim Lindley, MPA;Thelma Gamboa-Maldonado; and Yvonne Flores.

ence, I knewwe would be able to hit iton the head for them."

Ms. Zumwalt says Loma LindaUniversityMedical Center’s participa-tion in the academic week is a naturaloutgrowth of the LLU affiliation withSRRSH and Zhejiang UniversityChildren’sHospital (ZUCH).

“A little over a year ago,” she notes,“a couple of the Chinese nurses whomentored under Norie Bencito dur-ing their rotation here suggested thatwe hold a nursing leadership confer-ence in China so that a greater num-ber of their nurse manager colleaguescould benefit from additional leader-ship training.We felt it was a valuableidea since it would allow us toenhance the professionalism of nurs-ing in China.”

For Hazel Curtis, the venue grewto include ZUCH as a result of arequest fromKatherine Fu Cangcang,RN, a pediatric surgical intensive carenurse who came to Loma Linda aspart of LLU Children’s Hospital’sagreement of clinical cooperation withZhejiang University. Ms. Fu, whowas in California to learn methods ofcaring for pediatric cardiac surgerypatients to share with her nursing col-leagues in China, identified communi-cation between Chinese nurses andmembers of their patients’ families as

an area that could be enhanced, andsuggested that Ms. Curtis shouldmake a presentation on that topic atZUCH during her visit toHangzhou.

“That was really cool,” Ms. Curtisremembers. “We called the presenta-tion ‘Making Small Moments Count,’and the conference room was full.There were even physicians present.At the end of the meeting, LiZhongli, director of nursing atZUCH, stood up and said—inChinese of course—that as of thatvery day, they would begin holdingrounds at patients’ bedsides with fam-ily members present. While I felt thatwas an important step forward,Katherine was so excited, she wasjumping in her skin!”

Not without good reason. Ms.Curtis recollects what happenedwhenshe and Katherine went for tea afterthe Making Small Moments Countpresentation. “Katherine told me shejust wanted to make a small improve-ment in nursing care at her hospital,”she states, “but I told her she had noidea what a huge difference she hadalreadymade.”

YeZhihong, RN, PhD, vice presi-dent for nursing at SRRSH, notesthat the two-day event “left a deepimpression on attendees. The directorof nursing fromTaizhouHospital she

said: ‘I really enjoyed the lecture. As anurse manager, I now recognize thatit is important to encourage mynurses asmuch as I possibly can.’”

Ms. Ye also reports that anotherparticipant was similarly impressedwith what she learned. “Sir Run RunShaw Hospital’s nursing program is amodern model in China,” she quotesthe unnamed nurse manager as say-ing. “I am so lucky that I was invitedto attend this wonderful conference. Ihope I can come here next year tolearnmore.”

Ms. Zumwalt is similarly excited.“It has been gratifying,” she reflects,“to see how eager the Chinese nursesare to learn. It’s also been very reward-ing to see the progress the nursingprofession has made in the nearly 15years since Sir Run Run ShawHospital opened and we began men-toring andworking with them.”

Ms. Zumwalt cites the successof the nursing leadership confer-ence as evidence of what she per-ceives as a very positive trend.“They invited nurses from otherhospitals all over the province,” shepoints out.

“They are no longer learningfrom us as much as they are teach-ing others in China. We considerit a privilege to have been a part ofthis development.”

Nurse academic week at SRRSH…

Jan Zumwalt, RN, MS, MBA, (second from left) joins nurses at the third annual International AcademicWeek held at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital on October 15 and 16, 2008, in a hands-on interactive learningdemonstration titled “Nursing Empowerment Strategies for Success.” Ms. Zumwalt is associate director ofthe Global Health Institute at Loma Linda University.

and successfully led out in twochurch construction projects.

He began his business develop-

ment career as a business consul-tant for the Center for Entre-preneurship in Edinburgh, Texas.

Mr. Sauder’s major responsi-

bilities at Loma Linda UniversityMedical Center have included allhealth care business developmentincluding regional outreach,acquisitions, joint ventures, andother third party arrangements.

In addition, he serves as gov-ernment relations director forLoma Linda University MedicalCenter and is responsible for theTransplant Institute, Inter-national Heart/Vascular Insti-tute, and the James M. Slater,MD, Proton Treatment andResearch Center.

In his new position as seniorvice president for developmentand public affairs, Mr. Sauder willbe responsible for the activities ofbusiness development, philan-thropy, public affairs, marketing,and governmet relations.

Mr. Sauder will report toRichard H. Hart, MD, DrPH,president of Loma Linda Uni-versity Adventist Health SciencesCenter.

Vice president for development/public affairs named…

BY JAMESPONDERA crowd of 240 prostate cancer sur-

vivors jammed Loma LindaUniversity’s campus cafeteria as theseventh annual Brotherhood of theBalloon Brunch rolled into town onSunday, November 9, 2008, to cele-brate not only their own recovery fromcancer, but also the success of protontherapy at Loma Linda University’sJames M. Slater, MD, ProtonTreatment andResearchCenter.

According to J. Lynn Martell,DMin, CFRE, director of special ser-vices, radiation medicine at LLUMC,prostate cancer survivor Bob Marckiniformed the Brotherhood of the Balloon(BOB) support group in 2000 after suc-cessfully receiving treatment at LomaLindaUniversityMedicalCenter.

“Bob Marckini started the group

with about nine former patients intreatment at the same time he was,”Dr. Martell observes. “The group hasgrown to more than 3,500 in all 50states and 25 countries. It is now thelargest international support group forprostate patients.”

At the brunch, BOB memberstoasted their collective success in beat-ing the deadly disease, and pledged tocontinue raising funds and awarenessto help others beat prostate cancer.“The BOB organization has, as one ofits goals, the raising of money for theJames M. Slater Chair for ProtonResearch and other cancer researchfunds. They have raised nearly $5 mil-lion to date,” saysDr.Martell.

Additional information on theBrotherhood of the Balloon is availableonline at <www.protonbob.com>.

Cancer survivors return to Loma Linda

� TODAYMonday, December 22, 2008

TODAY 5Monday, December 22, 2008

School of Public Health dean David Dyjack, DrPH, participates ina cribbing exercise during Community Emergency Response Team(CERT) training offered by the Loma Linda Fire Department.Cribbing is a technique used to free victims trapped under debris.The CERT program prepares people to help their community dur-ing times of disaster. In addition to Dr. Dyjack, five individualsfrom the School of Public Health’s Center for Public Health pre-paredness were certified: Maurice “Tony” Adkins, MPH; JesseBliss, MPH; Walleska Bliss, MPH; Venice Brown; and ManjitRandhawa, MD. Andrea Champlin, MPH, was already certifiedand helped teach. The staff of the Center for Public HealthPreparedness also designed the course’s final three-hour field exer-cise leading to full certification. Other LLU individuals who helpedteach included Ehren Ngo, MS, of the School of Allied HealthProfessions.

Loma Linda University participates incommunity emergency response training

BY JAMESPONDERThe sun isn’t up yet, but we are.

There are 10 of us packed inside thevan and, quite frankly, we’re as excitedas school kids on a holiday. It’s 6:10a.m. and we’re en route to the GreatSouthwest.

Greg Highton pulls the van awayfrom the entrance circle at Loma LindaUniversity Medical Center and pointsit in the general direction of Arizona.Behind him are eight health care pro-fessionals from China and Thailand—we’ll introduce everybody in aminute—and I’m riding along.

For my money, there’s no place onearth like the Southwest, especiallywhen the itinerary calls for exploringthe ruins ofWupatki andWukoki. I’mvolunteering to lead this expedition forthe benefit of our guests in the interna-tional affairs program of Loma LindaUniversity, but there’s no way to con-vince me it’s an obligation—I love theopen road and these trips are the cat’spajamas.

O.K., it’s time for the introduc-tions. Please give a warm Loma Lindawelcome toXuHaishan,MD, a radiol-ogist who says to call her “Susan”; FengLejun, a nutritionist also known as“Katie”; Hu Lei, MD, a pediatricianwho goes by “Lei”; Zhu Jihua, RN, asurgical intensive care nurse, “Amy” toyou and me; Zhang Xiong, PhD, aphysiologist who prefers “Sean”; XiaDajing, PhD, an immunologist whoasks that you address her as “Jing”;Meng Lei, MD, a radiologist whosays to call him “Martin”; andSupaporn Naewbood, RN, a PhDcandidate who instructs us to call herby her first name. She’s the only onefrom Thailand; the rest of our newfriends hail from the People’sRepublic of China.

We stopped at Barstow Station forbreakfast, cross the Colorado River atTopock, Arizona, cruised AndyDevine Boulevard in Kingman, andwe’re just pulling in for a pit stop at theChevron in Ash Fork. We’re notexpecting to meet Rose, but there sheis—or isn’t, actually—looking largerthan life on a sign plastered across thefront door of the gas station. “MissingBuffalo!” the headline proclaims.

By the time we arrive at the visitor’scenter at Wupatki NationalMonument, it’s 2:30 p.m. We’re a bitweary from the road, but we’ve got acouple good hours to climb around theruins before the October sun goesdown.We amble inside to examine thepottery and stone tools left behindwhen the Sinagua Culture abandonedthis place 800 years ago. We look atbooks and T-shirts, and I buy a posterof the ruins. Then we head outside toexploreWupatki.

We take turns playing host to ourguests and taking pictures. Wupatki isa photographer’s paradise. The red-brown rocks contrast nicely with theturquoise sky, and yellow/green tapes-try of sage and chamisa. We examinethe Wupatki ballcourt—notablebecause it’s the northernmost structureof its kind in the Americas—and dipour faces in streams of cold, fresh airpouring out of the famous prehistoricblowhole, which continuously exhalesthe breath of the earth.

Everybody lines up at the entranceto the ballcourt and I snap a picture.Nobody asks that most impertinent ofquestions, “Are we having fun yet?”You bet we are!

Our next stop is Wukoki. It getspersonal here. I’ve been to Wukoki 10or 12 times, and thismulti-story, six- orseven-room pueblo—perched, as it is,

on a large rock with a grand view of thePainted Desert in the distance—is myidea of how architecture and nature aremeant to dance together. Not co-exist;these buildings enhance the grandeurof the desert. And vice versa. I’ve toldmy wife this is the place to scatter myashes when I die. Let me drift on thewinds of infinity here. I loveWukoki.

Jing is coming out of one of thedoorways at Wukoki. She’s tall, so shehas to stoop. Greg’s tall, and he does,too. Supaporn is not tall, but she stillhas to stoop. These stone entradas aremaybe three feet tall. Archaeologistssay that Wukoki, which is maybe twomiles from Wupatki, was built by theKayenta Anasazi, whileWupatki was aSinagua settlement. Then as now, theSouthwest was a melting pot of multi-culturalism and diversity.

We stay out there on the rocks ofWukoki taking pictures, climbingthrough the ruins, and trying to imag-ine what the original inhabitants did tosurvive in this amazing, semi-arid envi-ronment, until somebody (was itSean?) points out that we haven’t eatenfor hours. Somebody else notes thatthe sun’s going down, and the unani-mous consensus is that we head to ourdestination for the night.

The dining room at HistoricCameron Trading Post is a study inwonders.Navajo weavings priced in therange of the average palatial estate hangfrom the walls. Stamped tin ceilingswith chunky wooden beams create anexpansive atmosphere. The combina-tion of Native American, Mexican, andgringo culinary selections means there’ssomething for everyone. I shouldn’torder the Navajo taco at supper, but Ican’t resist thick frybread slathered indelicately seasoned beans and toppedwith roasted green chiles, fresh lettuce,grated mounds of cheddar cheese, andspicy salsa. Ohwell, thank goodness forAlka-Seltzer!

We roll out of bed way too early inthe morning. This might be the onlychance some of our guests will ever getto see sunrise at Grand Canyon. Butgetting out to watch the panoply oflight and color, space and stone atDesert View is worth the trouble. Wearrive half an hour before the dawn; it’sworth the hassle.

Three hours later,Martin and Seanpersuade us to give them two hours tohike partway to the bottom of theCanyon. That’s fine with Greg andme.After a hearty breakfast at Grand

Canyon Village, we decide to take anap in the van. The women explore theshops and vista points, take lots of pic-tures, and hang out with other touristson the SouthRim.

By the time the intrepid hikersreturn, we’re eager to head toHoover Dam and Las Vegas. I drivefor an hour before noticing thatabsolutely everybody else is sawinglogs. I won’t tell who snores theloudest, but it’s a concerto for chainsaw and orchestra. I’m relieved whenwe pull into Williams and stop forlunch at one of the kitschy diningestablishments all tricked-out likethe GoodOl’ Days.

We’re eating lunch when a cou-ple walk through the door lookinglike they just held up the stage. Arethey dressed for a frontier pageant?No, Barbara Rader insists. She andher husband, Marshall, live this wayall the time. As proprietors ofDouble Eagle Trading Co. in nearbyValle, the Raders believe it’s theirduty to represent the mystique of theWild West for everyone whosecretly hopes to find it thrivingaround the next bend in the road.

I glance around the table at thebemused faces of my friends fromAsia. They’re not sure what to makeof Marshall and Barbara. The onlypeople they’ve ever seen who dressed

like this were in themovies.The irony hits my chuckle bone

hard. “Let’s see,” I think to myself.“First the missing buffalo, then theNavajo taco, and now these visitorsfrom the 1890’s. This has been a tripfor the ages!”

Back in Loma Linda a few weekslater, curiosity gets the best of me, soI hesitantly place a call to theChevron station in Ash Fork. HasRose returned from her roam on therange, I want to know.

The man on the other end of theline listens patiently, then assures methat America’s most wanted bisonhas indeed come home. He pauses amoment, then mumbles somethingcryptic under his breath. “The deerand the antelope,” he’s sayingthrough what sure sound to me likeclenched teeth, “are outside playingat this very moment.”

I’m almost afraid to ask what hemeans by that, so I thank the manand hang up. It takes a couple ofminutes before his message finallyhits me loud and clear.

“I got it!” I exclaim to the amaze-ment of baffled colleagues. “Thedude’s trying to tell me that all’s wellthat ends well in the GreatSouthwest!”

That’s precisely when the cuckooclock sounded down the hall.

6:10 to the Great Southwest


Good Samaritan awards celebrate employees who fulfill institutional missionBY JAMES PONDER

Three times a year, selectedemployees of Loma Linda UniversityMedical Center, Behavioral MedicineCenter, and University HealthServices are recognized as GoodSamaritans for fulfilling the missionand exemplifying the core values ofthe organization in their daily workactivities.

To qualify to receive one of theGood Samaritan awards—which aredispensed during themonths of April,August, and October—an employee’sdepartment headmust submit a nom-ination form, which must beapproved by the vice president overthat department. The form leavesroom for the department head toindicate how the employee exempli-fies one or more of the core values—compassion, integrity, excellence,teamwork, wholeness—in the work-place.

Winners of the October 2008Good Samaritan awards are:

Vivienne Gucilatar, LLU MedicalCenter

Verna Gunterman, LLUBehavioralMedicine Center

Ronnie Wayne Holk, LLUMedical Center

Lorene James, LLU Children’sHospital

Michael Y. Morales, LLUChildren’sHospital

Jennifer Newcombe, LLUChildren’sHospital

Juan Tuburan, LLUEast CampusHospital.

But how do core values translateinto employee behavior? Let’s allowthe comments of the winning employ-ees’ supervisors to tell the stories intheir ownwords:

“Her exceptional performancetruly represents our core values,”Marjorie Tessner writes aboutVivienne Gucilatar. “I am sure youhave all seen her in her sapphirescrubs as she comes to your area. Shedemonstrates compassion by alwaysbeing thoughtful, kind, and caring. Itmatters not if the patient is a tinybaby or a senior citizen, her skills radi-ate compassion. If a team member isout ill, she sees that they get flowers. Ifthere is a personal need of a staffmember, she accommodates that withself-sacrificing service. She demon-strates teamwork by the incredibletrusting relationship she has estab-lished with staff. It is truly a pleasureand an honor to workwithVivienne.”

“Verna lives the Loma LindaUniversity Behavioral MedicineCenter values,” notes StephanieEicher about Ms. Gunterman. “Sheengages with everyone in her interac-tions. She consistently demonstratespatience and humility. She respondswithout judgment, listens courteously,

and treats everyone with respect anddignity. Verna is a role model for all.She follows through on her commit-ments, has a strong work ethic, andnever sacrifices her values. She dis-plays exemplary sensitivity to the dig-nity of our patients, visitors, and hercolleagues. She gives more than 100percent to get the job done. She trulyexemplifies ‘sacred work’ with herpositive attitude and peaceful spirit.”

In describing how Ronnie WayneHolk exemplifies integrity and team-work, Brett McPherson shares that“Ron has exceptional pride andintegrity when it comes to his work.He is never boastful, but you can tellwhen he has tweaked his projects tothe point where he is content. He hasa gleam in his eye, and you know hehas spent the time to get the job doneright! Ron’s knowledge base in disas-ter preparedness and communicationsis beyond most, and his willingness toresearch what he doesn’t know isimpeccable. I continually receive e-mails at all hours of the day regardingways to make our projects better, andhe works hard internally to find waysto integrate our projects into everydayoperations.”

Taking on additional responsibili-ties is one of the qualities VeronicaTsui appreciates in Lorene James.“Lorene has worked hard in theneonatal intensive care unit since1982. She is an expert NICU nurseand has taken several advanced rolessuch as ECMO specialist, ECMOprimer, and shift coordinator. Loreneis fair in negotiating solutions, andconsiders all relevant issues whiletriaging the unit. She is able to actpromptly and decisively to addressproblems. Her peers are able to com-fortably turn to her for advice or assis-tance with a difficult task or clinicalproblem. Best of all, Lorene ensuresthe highest possible safety and satis-faction of her patients, their families,and peers.”

Michael Y. Morales apparentlydoesn’t know any limitations, at leastnot if what James Hoey says abouthim is true. “Mike consistently dis-plays our core values of integrity,excellence, and teamwork,” Mr. Hoeystates. “His skilled knowledge andefficiency in accomplishing whateverthe task may be make him a tremen-dous asset to our organization. It israre that Mike encounters a problemhe cannot fix, but on the occasionswhen he cannot, he is always excellentabout researching solutions andknowing who to go to in order to getthe matter resolved in a timely man-ner. His logical and practicalapproach consistently ensure thehighest level of customer satisfaction.”

Karen Bradley nominatedJennifer Newcombe for the award

because of Ms. Newcombe’s com-mitment. “Jennifer has been on unit5800 since 2000,” she writes.“Cardiac ICU is her passion and itshows in her daily commitment toexcellence whether it be in organiz-ing the patient’s care, or creatingclinical pathways. She devotesweeks in the summer working atcamp for children with cancer.Jennifer has the ‘we can do it’approach. She goes to bat for thedisadvantaged. Jennifer carries thebanner of Christ’s compassion toour patients and families. It is our

pleasure to know her, work along-side her, and honor her today.”

As Sarah Boody explains, the giftof music figures prominently in theway Juan Tuburan exemplifies thevalue of compassion. “Juan instinc-tively knows when one of our rehabpatients needs spiritual care,” Ms.Boody reflects. “We recently had ayoung, professional, newly marriedpatient who was struggling spiritually.Juan brought in his guitar, went intothis patient’s room, sat down andbegan to play. He and the patientsang, prayed, talked. With his spiri-

tual needs met, the patient began torespond to his physical rehabilitationprogram. He stated that Juan’s visitwas the turning point in his recovery.This patient now spends time talkingwith and encouraging others.”

In addition to recognition fromtheir respective department headand vice president, each awardrecipient also receives a letter fromthe president of Loma LindaUniversity Medical Center—a copyof the letter is placed in theiremployee file—a special recognitionpin, and a $100 check.

Vivienne Gucilatar Verna Gunterman Ronnie Holk Lorene James Michael Y. Morales Jennifer Newcombe Juan Tuburan

TODAY �Monday, December 22, 2008

you come to the end of the trail. Don’tretire, because the moment you retire,you start falling apart.”

After more accolades from familymembers—including Dr. Hadley,who noted thatMs. Fisher has been asecond mom to him—Dr. Hartstepped forward to present her with acheck in the amount of $1,000 fromLoma Linda University as well as agood laugh.

Dr.Hart noted that after listeningto everyone tell how indispensable

Ms. Fisher was to the department,and how she did so many things forso many people, he planned to callher next week because, as he put it,“I’m beginning to wonder what any-body else did in that department.”

Dr. Sulzle told the audience that“Jan Fisher epitomizes the LomaLinda experience. She sends our stu-dents out to the world with thatwarm feeling knowing that they areloved and that God loves them.”After presenting Ms. Fisher with acheck for $1,921 from the depart-



Jan Fisher retires after 50 years of service…ment’s alumni group, he told her,“You gotta know you are loved!”

Apparently she did. When Ms.Fisher finally rose to speak, shethanked everyone for the years of loveand support and said she will missseeing them on a daily basis. Thenshe sat down.

Ms. Fisher leaves a legacy of shar-ing her love, her energy, herself withcountless thousands of people in thelast 50 years. It will take much longerthan that for her echo to fade fromthe precincts of NicholHall.

The Waworoendeng Family Ensemble entertains the audience at Jan Fisher’s retirement party after 50years of outstanding service to the department of physical therapy at the Loma Linda University Schoolof Allied Health Professions.

LLU, AUC explore possibilities…enhance Seventh-day Adventist edu-cation for Adventist young adults andstudents in the community.

At the heart of the partnershipwill be a carefully planned sequence ofphased collaboration, consolidation,

and merger strategies. Among thebenefits that Loma Linda brings areeconomies of scale, efficiencies inoperation, and non-duplication ofprogram effort.

Initially, Loma Linda Universitywill collaborate with complementary

academic programs at the AUC cam-pus allowing for cross-registration,dual enrollment, and teaching andlearning. During the first six monthsof the partnership, the faculty andstaff will identify programs that canbe offered jointly to reduce programand course duplication. Further,Loma Linda and AUC will identifyback office operations for future con-solidation and cost reduction.

“Norman Wendth, PhD, presi-dent of the college, and I are encour-aged and supportive of this newaffiliation between Atlantic UnionCollege and Loma Linda University,”says Donald G. King, DrPH, chair ofthe Atlantic Union College Board ofTrustees and president of the AtlanticUnion Conference of Seventh-dayAdventists.

The Atlantic Union is headquar-tered in South Lancaster,Massachusetts, and serves the north-east United States and the island ofBermuda. “We believe this will bemost effective and beneficial to bothinstitutions as they work together in amission-collaborative and commu-nity-focusedway.”

BYHEATHERREIFSNYDERSome students from the School of

Public Health recently made it easierfor a Los Angeles nonprofit organiza-tion to teach kids with chronic ill-nesses new skills in the arts andathletics. The organization, calledCoachArt, offers free personallessons to underprivileged childrenand adolescents with life-threateningconditions.

As a class project, students fromtwo courses studying geographicinformation systems (GIS) developeda GIS planning tool for CoachArtthat allows the organization to man-age a growing network of children,coaches, and partner organizations.

Previously, CoachArt was using alabor-intensive combination ofspreadsheets and a wall map to man-ually match children with coaches intheir area of interest. So the students,under the direction of assistant pro-fessor Seth Wiafe, MPH, convertedthe organization’s operation data intoa GIS system that allows theCoachArt staff to visualize the prox-imity of children, coaches, and part-ner organizations.

The system makes it possible forthe organization to match more chil-

dren with coaches, accordingCoachArt’s executive director,Amanda Carter.

“I knew this GIS program wasgoing to be incredible, but I had noidea how amazing it could be,” saysMs. Carter.

It is the goal of the GIS programthat each course will result in thedevelopment of a GIS product thatwill be used in the real world, accord-ing toMr.Wiafe.

Students Atif Adam and SusanTse gave a half-hour presentationon the CoachArt project during the2008 ESRI Health GISConference, which met September28 to October 1 in Washington,D.C. Their report was well-received, remembersMr. Adam.

Class projects helps chronically ill kids

Community Christmas Fiestaheld at SACHS–Norton

BY JULIE SCHAEPPER

DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY-ACADEMIC PARTNERS IN SERVICEThis holiday season marks the return of CAPS Adopt-a-Kid

Christmas Fiesta to theNorton Community of San Bernardino.More than 200 Loma Linda University student and community

church volunteers paired up with 202 youth, ages 1 to 17 years old,to celebrate Christmas and the spirit of giving. These youth partici-pate in student-led programs hosted at SACHS–Norton Clinic: LaEscuelita, in programs like Community Kids Connection (CKC)tutoring, CKC Music and Kids Rock. The program included a skitabout the meaning of Christmas, as well as the first-time ever perfor-mance from the youth strings ensemble of CKCMusic.

Together the pairs explored Santa’s workshops, sang Christmascarols, played games, and celebrated Santa’s arrival via Mercy AirHelicopter. Once Santa arrived, each child received a gift and eagerlyran to show their parents.

This event was unique in its collaborative success combining tal-ents and resources from LLU students and staff, numerous localchurches of a variety of faiths, the local families, as well as communitypartners such as SACHS–Norton Clinic andMercy Air.

Approximately 500 people came together to create a day thesechildren will never forget, and our gratitude to each and everyone isboundless. Thank you!

Juan Carlos Belliard, PhD (center), assistant vice chancellor forcommunity partnerships and diversity for Loma Linda University,and assistant professor of global health, School of Public Health,visits with the founding community mothers of La Escuelita, aCommunity-Academic Partners in Service program.

Two participants from the Community Kids Connection (CKC) pro-gram sponsored by Loma Linda University enjoy the Christmas fes-tivities. CKC is a weekly two-hour program that provides Loma LindaUniversity students with opportunities to develop relationships withchildren and families from diverse backgrounds in the neighboringcommunities of the SACHS–Norton clinic in San Bernardino.

The Community Kids Connection music group makes their firstpublic appearance at the Adopt-a-Kid Christmas Fiesta.



Editor RichardWeismeyer

Issue managing editor RichardWeismeyer

Advertising coordinator Carol Berger

CORRESPONDENTS

Dustin R. Jones, MASchool of NursingSchool of Religion

Larry Kidder, MASchool of Allied Health ProfessionsSchool of PharmacyDrayson Center

Heather ReifsnyderLoma Linda University Behavioral Medicine CenterSchool of Public Health

James PonderSchool of MedicineLoma Linda University Medical CenterLoma Linda University Children’s HospitalLoma Linda University Medical Center–East Campus

Patricia K. ThioFaculty of Graduate StudiesSchool of Science and TechnologyCommunity-Academic Partners in Service (CAPS)

Nancy L. YuenSchool of Dentistry

TODAY is a nonprofit news publication of Loma LindaUniversity, Loma Linda University Medical Center, and LomaLinda University Adventist Health Sciences Center, operatedunder the auspices of the General Conference of Seventh-dayAdventists.

Advertising accepted for publication inTODAY is intendedto be a service to the students, staff, employees, and faculty of allthree entities.

The management, at its sole discretion, reserves the right torefuse, without explanation, any advertisement. The acceptanceof advertising in this publication does not represent an endorse-ment or guarantee of any kind by Loma Linda University, LomaLinda University Medical Center, or Loma Linda UniversityAdventistHealth Sciences Center.

Questions about advertising, circulation, and subscriptionsshould be directed to TODAY, Burden Hall, Loma LindaUniversity, Loma Linda, California 92350. Phone (909) 558-4526.

WorldWideWeb address:www.llu.edu

Jan Fisher retires after half a century of service to physical therapyJesus was correct when He said it ismore blessed to give than to receive,you are truly blessed.”

When it was his turn to speak,Dr. Jackson reminded the audiencethat Loma Linda University is in its102nd year. “In its 52nd year, Jancame to work here. Jan has been herehalf its life!” he said. “She is the epit-ome and example of compassion,humility, and excellence.”

Following Dr. Jackson’s com-ments, excerpts of e-mails, cards andletters sent by students and well-wishers from all points of the globewere read to Ms. Fisher by a steadystream of colleagues and friends.Here’s a sampling of what formerstudents, faculty members, and staffsent in honor ofMs. Fisher:

• You were the heart, soul andbackbone of our department.

• You helped me arrange loansand government grants to cover thecost of tuition.

• Your ethic, positive attitude,and loving spirit will surely bemissed.

• You never got ruffled or upset.You never put us off. You’re onegreat gal and we love you.

• Thank you for being such asweetheart.

• Everyone felt like they werethe only one you were interested in atthe time.

• At all the other physical ther-apy programs I applied to, the peoplewere rude and unhelpful. I calledLLU and got you. You were friendly,helpful and actually nice tome.

• Your job meant so muchmoreto you than just a paycheck.

• You were the professionalyoung secretary who looked me rightin the eyes, and welcomed me backlike an old friend.

• I imagine your retiring issomewhat bittersweet . . . You wereone of my role models.

• You were just the right fit for achallenging job.

• You were always there for mewithmy hundred questions.

• You always looked so classy.• It’s nice to be important, but

you always showed us that it’s moreimportant to be nice.

• You were always runningaround in your high heels as fast asyou can go.

• You were a bright spot. I hadno idea you had already been there 40years when I was there.

• I hope to display the Christ-like attitude that you do.

There were many moments oflevity as guest after guest took themicrophone to share personal recol-lections. One guest read a letter froma former student who commendedMs. Fisher for loving the strugglingstudents and believing in themdespite their academic difficulties: “Icommend you for the personal inter-est you took in each of us,” the formerstudent wrote. “You knew our scoresand you didn’t seem to care.”

When it was his turn to speak,Dr. Ashley commended Ms. Fisher

BY JAMES PONDERJan Fisher didn’t say very much at

her retirement party the other night,but it really wasn’t her fault.

From the moment one enteredRedlands’ historic Heritage Hall theevening of Saturday, December 13,2008, it was plain to see that the affa-ble 80-something den mother to thestudents, faculty, and staff of thedepartment of physical therapy in theLLU School of Allied HealthProfessions was so overwhelminglyoutnumbered that she could scarcelyget a word in edgewise.

What is there to say about acharming lady who just retiredfrom half a century of service toothers? More than one might possi-bly imagine!

To start things off, LarryChinnock, PT, EdD, MBA, directorof the doctor of physical therapy pro-gram, thanked the WaworoendengFamily Ensemble for setting a musi-cal mood for the festivities, thenturned his attention to Jan Fisher.“Jan, this night is for you,” Dr.Chinnock said. “We are here tohonor and thank you.”

After welcoming members of Jan’sfamily, faculty, and friends, Dr.Chinnock acknowledged some of theguests including Richard H. Hart,MD, DrPH, president and CEO ofLoma Linda University AdventistHealth Sciences Center; H. RogerHadley, MD, dean of the LLUSchool of Medicine; Craig Jackson,JD, MSW, dean of the LLU Schoolof Allied Health Professions; EddAshley, PT, EdD, chair of the depart-ment of physical therapy; andHoward Sulzle, EdD, associate chairof the department of physical therapy.

Dr. Chinnock elicited lots oflaughs when he told Jan Fisher,“When you started at the departmentof physical therapy in 1958, I wasn’twalking yet.” He recalled that whenhe graduated from the department,the class dedicated the yearbook toMs. Fisher. He read statements fromformer students and employees, suchas this one from Judy Maddox: “If


for her years of devotion, then notedthat, “There’s a great patriarch and agreat matriarch in every great organi-zation. Jan, thank you for being ourgreat matriarch!” Then he turned toRonald Hershey, PT, PhD, associateand emeritus professor of physicaltherapy, and said, “Ron, congratula-tions to you on being our patriarch.”

For his part, Dr. Hersheyreminded Ms. Fisher of all the good

times they have shared over the years.He spoke of trips the departmentsponsored to places like Pine SpringsRanch and Camp Cedar Falls, thenrecalled Saturday night movies andthe smaller classes of days gone by.“All that stuff is water under thebridge,” he opined. “But the memoriesare all that matters. Hang onto them,Jan. They’re most important when

Jan Fisher enjoys a moment of affirmation from friends and colleagues at her retirement party held on Saturday,December 1�, 2008, at the historic Heritage Hall in Redlands. Ms. Fisher worked half a century, from 1958 to 2008,at the department of physical therapy in the LLU School of Allied Health Professions.

Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, president and chief executive officer of Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sci-ences Center, presents an oversize check for $1,000 to Ms. Fisher at the party honoring her retirement from 50 yearsof active service.


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