SPRING 2006

LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY &MEDICAL CENTER

C E L E B R A T I N G 1 0 0 Y E A R S O F S E R V I C E2 0 0 2 • 2 0 0 3 • 2 0 0 4 • 2 0 0 5 • 2 0 0 6

CONTINUING THE VISION

SCOPE

Contents SCOPE, Spring, 2006 � 3

Continuing the vision 4Construction soon to begin on majornew campus landmark

Cameroon odyssey 10SIMS students participate in firstcommunity health fair sponsored byBatouri Adventist Hospital

Celebrated centenarian 14101-year-old Marge Jetton givescredence to the value of a healthylifestyle—and attitude

Just add love 18GroverWilcox found the missingingredient to life through adevastating disease

The emergence of research 22Historical insights from the emergenceof research at Loma Linda University

Newscope 32Compiled by Patricia K.Thio

Alumni notes 44Compiled by RichardW.Weismeyer

Executive editor:W. Augustus Cheatham, mswEditor: Richard W. Weismeyer, maManaging editor:Dustin R. Jones, maContributing writers:Dustin R. Jones, ma; KenMcFarland; Heather Reifsnyder; Preston C. Smith;Barry L. Taylor, PhD; Patricia K. Thio; and Richard W.Weismeyer, ma

Volume 42, Number 1SCOPE is published by Loma Linda Universityand Loma Linda University Medical Center,educational and medical institutions operatedby the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.For subscription information, alumni news notes, oraddress changes, you may write to:

SCOPELoma Linda University & LLU Medical CenterLoma Linda, California 92350

Or send an e-mail message toscope@llu.edu

Loma Linda University &Medical Center Internet address:www.llu.edu

On the front cover:

Top left: An artist’s rendering of the Centennial Globe that will serve as one of the high-

lights of the Centennial Pathway leading to the new Centennial Complex. Top right:

Mount St. Helens-like, the top of Gentry Gymnasium has already disappeared in this

photo taken on February 10, 2006. Bottom: An architect’s rear-view rendering of the

Centennial Complex, prepared by Tom Elander, senior associate with Cannon Design in

Los Angeles, California.

On the back cover:

Top left: Students for International Mission Service (SIMS) hosted a health fair in

Cameroon in December. Special fairgrounds were constructed from palm fronds by the

local Pathfinder club. Top right: Loma Linda centenarian Marge Hodge Jetton stays in

shape with a daily workout regimen and keeping involved in community projects.

Center: Leonard L. Bailey, MD, poses for a picture with his infant heart transplant

patients. Bottom: Since Grover Wilcox was diagnosed with Wegener’s in 1995, he fre-

quents LLUMC both as a patient and as a visitor sharing God’s love to others who

suffer.

A mother and her child in Cameroon pose for a picture in front of her new bed net,which helps combat malaria. The bed net was provided by SIMS on a recent trip.

LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY ADVENTIST HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER

2 � SCOPE, Spring, 2006 Boards & administration

LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY ADVENTIST HEALTH SCIENCES CENTERPRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: B. LYN BEHRENS, MBBSEXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, finance & administration/CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER:KEVIN J. LANG, MBA

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, hospital affairs: RUTHITA J. FIKE, MAEXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, medical affairs:H. ROGER HADLEY, MDEXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, University affairs: RICHARD H. HART, MD, DRPHSENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, clinical faculty: RICARDO PEVERINI, MDSENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, faculty practice: DAVID WREN, MHASENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, health care administration: GERALD A. ELLIS, MBASENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, human resource management & risk management:MARK L. HUBBARD

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, strategic planning:MICHAEL H. JACKSON, MPHSENIOR VICE PRESIDENT: ZAREH SARRAFIAN, MBAVICE PRESIDENT, advancement: J. LYNN MARTELL, DMIN

VICE PRESIDENT, diversity: LESLIE N. POLLARD, DMIN

VICE PRESIDENT, educational affairs: LISA M. BEARDSLEY, PHD, MPHVICE PRESIDENT, outreach (interim): B. LYN BEHRENS, MBBSVICE PRESIDENT, health care business development/government relations:MELVIN SAUDER, MDIV, JD, MBA

VICE PRESIDENT, information systems for academia: DAVID P. HARRIS, PHDVICE PRESIDENT, information systems for health ministries:RICHARD HERGERT, MDIV

VICE PRESIDENT, patient care services:ELIZABETH J. DICKINSON, RN, MPH, CNOR

VICE PRESIDENT, public affairs:W. AUGUSTUS CHEATHAM, MSWVICE PRESIDENT, research affairs: BARRY L. TAYLOR, PHDVICE PRESIDENT, spiritual life & wholeness: GERALD R. WINSLOW, PHDCONTROLLER: ORLANDO HUGGINS

LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITYPRESIDENT: B. LYN BEHRENS, MBBSCHANCELLOR/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: RICHARD H. HART, MD, DRPHCHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER: KEVIN J. LANG, MBAVICE CHANCELLOR, academic affairs: LISA M. BEARDSLEY, PHD, MPHVICE CHANCELLOR, advancement: J. LYNN MARTELL, DMINVICE CHANCELLOR, financial affairs/compliance officer: VERLON STRAUSS, CPAVICE CHANCELLOR, information systems: DAVID P. HARRIS, PHDVICE CHANCELLOR, public affairs:W. AUGUSTUS CHEATHAM, MSWVICE CHANCELLOR, research affairs: BARRY L. TAYLOR, PHDVICE CHANCELLOR, spiritual life & wholeness: GERALD R. WINSLOW, PHDSPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE CHANCELLOR: LESLIE N. POLLARD, DMIN

DEANS: RONALD CARTER, PHD, Science & Technology; AVIS ERICSON, PHARMD,Pharmacy (administrative); CHARLES J. GOODACRE, DDS, MSD, Dentistry;H. ROGER HADLEY, MD, Medicine; CRAIG R. JACKSON, JD, MSW, AlliedHealth Professions;MARILYN HERRMANN, PHD, RN, Nursing; JAMES KYLE II,MD, MDIV, Public Health; ANTHONY ZUCCARELLI, PHD, Graduate Studies(interim); DAVID L. TAYLOR, PHD, Religion (interim)

LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER

PRESIDENT: B. LYN BEHRENS, MBBSCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER/ADMINISTRATOR:RUTHITA J. FIKE, MA

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT/CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER:KEVIN J. LANG, MBA

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT/ADMINISTRATOR, Children’s Hospital:ZAREH SARRAFIAN, MBA

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT/ADMINISTRATOR, East Campus Hospital:MICHAEL H. JACKSON, MPH

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT/ADMINISTRATOR, University Hospital:DANIEL FONTOURA, MBA

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, ambulatory services/CNO, patient care services:ELIZABETH J. DICKINSON, RN, MPH, CNOR

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, finance: STEVEN MOHR, CPASENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, signature programs:GERALD A. ELLIS, MBA

VICE PRESIDENT, advancement: J. LYNN MARTELL, DMINVICE PRESIDENT, business development:MELVIN SAUDER, MDIV, JD, MBA

VICE PRESIDENT, facilities and environment: JESSE MOCKVICE PRESIDENT, human resource management/risk management:MARK L. HUBBARD

VICE PRESIDENT, chief information officer:RICHARD HERGERT, MDIV

VICE PRESIDENT, medical administration: DANIEL W. GIANG, MDVICE PRESIDENT, public affairs & marketing:W. AUGUSTUS CHEATHAM, MSW

VICE PRESIDENT, quality and patient safety: JAMES PAPPAS, MDSPECIAL ASSISTANTS TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: LESLIE N. POLLARD, DMIN;GERALD R. WINSLOW, PHD

LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SERVICESPRESIDENT: KEVIN J. LANG, MBAEXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT:MARK L. HUBBARDCHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER: ROBERT FROST, MBA

LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY HEALTH CAREPRESIDENT: H. ROGER HADLEY, MDCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: DAVID WREN, MHACHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER: KEVIN J. LANG, MBA

SCHOOL OF MEDICINE FACULTY PRACTICEPRESIDENT: RICARDO PEVERINI, MDCHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER: KEVIN J. LANG, MBA

LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE CENTERPRESIDENT/CEO: RUTHITA J. FIKE, MACHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER/TREASURER: STEVEN MOHR, MBAADMINISTRATOR: JILL POLLOCK, RN, MSCONTROLLER: EDWARD FIELD, MBA

Administrat ion

Boards of TrusteesCHAIR: LOWELL C. COOPER, MDIV, MPHMEMBERS:CAROL ALLEN, PHD, RN (1, 2)DONALD R. AMMON, MBA (1, 2, 3)LORNE BABIUK, PHD (1, 2)MATTHEW A. BEDIAKO, MA, MSPH (1, 2, 3)B. LYN BEHRENS, MBBS (1, 2, 3)DENNIS N. CARLSON, DMIN, MDIV (1, 2)ROBERT G. CARMEN, OTR, MPA (1, 3)CHARLES CHEATHAM (1A, 2A)JAMES J. COUPERUS, MD (1, 3)LUKA T. DANIEL, MA (1A)GARLAND DULAN, PHD (1, 2)T. GRACE EMORI, MS, RN (2E)CELESTE FERGUSON, PHD (1, 2)RUTHITA J. FIKE, MA (1, 2, 3)GWEN W. FOSTER, MPH (1, 2)ALBERTO C. GULFAN JR. (1A)H. ROGER HADLEY, MD (1, 3)ALLAN R. HANDYSIDES, MBCHB (1, 2A, 3)

RICHARD H. HART, MD, DRPH (1, 2, 3)DAVID B. HINSHAW SR., MD (1E, 3E)DANIEL R. JACKSON, MA ( 1A, 2A )DONALD G. KING, DPH (1A, 2A)GERALD KOVALSKI (1A, 2A)HAROLD LEE, DMIN (1, 2)JAIRYONG LEE (1A)ISRAEL LEITO, MS (1)ROBERT E. LEMON, MBA (1, 2, 3)RONALD A. LINDSEY, MBA (1, 3)CARLTON LOFGREN, DDS (1, 2)GEOFFREY G. MBWANA (1A)THOMAS J. MOSTERT JR., MA (1, 2, 3)RUY H. NAGEL (1)LUTHER PARK (1, 3)JERE D. PATZER, DMIN, MBA (1, 2A)JAN PAULSEN, DTH, BD (1, 2, 3)TED L. RAMIREZ, JD (1, 2, 3)PAUL RATSARA (1A)LEROY A. REESE, MD (1, 2)

GORDON L. RETZER (1A, 2A)CALVIN B. ROCK, DMIN, PHD (1E, 2E, 3E)STEVEN G. ROSE, CPA (1A, 2A)CHARLES C. SANDEFUR JR., MDIV (1A, 2A)DON C. SCHNEIDER, MA (1, 2, 3, 4)ARTUR STELE (1A)JOHN TESTERMAN, MD (3)RALPH J. THOMPSON, MD (3E)MAX A. TREVINO (1, 2, 3)DIXIE WATKINS (1, 3)D. RONALD WATTS (1A)DOUGLAS WELEBIR, JD (1, 2)BERTIL WIKLANDER, THEOLD, MTH (1A)NEAL C. WILSON (1E, 2E, 3E)PATRICK Y. WONG, MBBS (1, 2)WALTER L. WRIGHT (1A, 2A)TOM ZAPARA (1, 2)

LEGEND:1=LLUAHSC; 2=LLU; 3=LLUMCE=EMERITUS; A=ADVISOR

Continuing the vision SCOPE, Spring, 2006 � 5

Continuing the visionC O N S T R U C T I O N S O O N T O B E G I N

O N M A J O R N E W C A M P U S L A N D M A R K

B Y K E N M C F A R L A N D

omething extraordinary is aboutto happen at the north end of

Loma Linda’s campus.Where Gentry Gym now

stands, a stunning new multistorybuilding—the Centennial Complex—

is soon to rise as a major hub of teachingand learning.As what will become one of the most

enduring legacies to mark Loma Linda’scentennial year—spanning 2005 and2006—the Centennial Complex will pro-vide urgently needed classrooms,laboratories, faculty offices, and other state-of-the-art educational facilities for studentsin all schools of Loma Linda University.Loma Linda’s growth momentum—

realistic estimates are that by 2010,university enrollment will pass 5,000 stu-dents—has outpaced its resources andinfrastructure. The new facility will helpmeet a critical need. But the CentennialComplex will be far more than just bricksand mortar, steel, and glass. It will have aprofound and transforming effect on howthe University’s students learn, how its fac-ulty teaches, and how Loma Linda fulfillsits twin teaching and healing missions intoits second century.

An artist’s rendering of the Centennial

Complex from a southwest view. The

complex will reside on the north end of

campus.

Key elements of the new complex willinclude:• Classrooms and laboratories.

Unlike any previous classrooms and labson campus, these new “smart” classroomsand labs will be leading edge—built forthe high-tech present and future. Studentswill have full wireless Internet connectiv-ity. Faculty presentations will be broadcastby satellite or Internet to locations aroundthe globe or distributed on DVD orCD-ROM.• Anatomy pavilion. The present 1936

anatomy facility was built to accommodateonly 100 students. Today, hundreds of stu-dents study anatomy in the various schoolsof the University. The new pavilion willoffer 100 workstations, each accommodatingthree to six students. Students will usecomputer screens to display high-res imagesof anatomical structures and dissectiontechniques.• Educational technology center. The

“nerve center” of the complex, this centerwill house the various technologies—com-puter, audio, video, and robotics—connecting students and faculty both on-campus, regionally, and worldwide. Astechnology advances, the center will makepossible such innovations as telemedicineconsultations, remote learning, worldwidecontinuing medical education, and surgerydemonstrations.• Skills and assessment center. In this

center, students will practice and learn fromsimulated interaction with trained, “stan-

dardized” patients. In real exam rooms,they will practice their diagnostic and treat-ment skills and receive immediatefeedback from qualified observers as wellas the trained patients. Built-in audio,video, and computer equipment in eachroom will make possible student self-evalu-ation. Students can review their interactionsas many times as desired to identify theirclinical and relational strengths and weak-nesses or to consider other possibleapproaches.• Amphitheater center. Two large

amphitheaters—one seating 250 students,the other 350—will be located adjacent tothe classrooms and laboratories. Uses willinclude regularly scheduled classes, con-tinuing education courses, seminars, andother programs. Linked to the complex’seducational technology center, theseamphitheaters will offer full multimediacapability. The smaller of the twoamphitheaters will feature conference-style seating. The larger amphitheater willbe the largest such facility on campus,making possible the meeting together ofmultiple classes and groups.A campaign to raise $40 million to fund

the Centennial Complex was announced inFebruary of 2005. In upcoming issues, thiscolumn will report on the progress of thiscampaign and introduce its leadership. Asof this issue, however, those involved inthis challenge are pleased to report that$30.9 million of the total has been given orpledged.

º

A front-view rendering of the architect’s plan for the Centennial Complex, located on the

north end of campus, as prepared by Tom Elander, a senior associate with Cannon Design

in Los Angeles, California.

6 � SCOPE, Spring, 2006 Continuing the vision

Interested readers may wish to visitthe Centennial Complex website at<www.llu.edu/centennial/complex>. Clickon the “Construction Live Cam” link tosee a real-time view of the removal ofGentry Gym (to be reconstructed onproperty owned by the Loma LindaSpanish Church on New Jersey Street)and the construction of the new complex.

Behind the decision to build theCentennial ComplexAt Loma Linda, every building on

campus was built for a reason. Each deci-sion to build was in the service ofmeeting a need. And the decision to buildthe Centennial Complex also has its rea-sons. Perhaps those reasons can besummarized in three compelling impera-tives: Growth, innovation, andglobalization.In a joint statement, B. Lyn Behrens,

MBBS, LLUAHSC’s president—andRichard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, Universitychancellor—stress the importance ofthese three imperatives:“For many institutions, the first two

themes of growth and innovation are‘engines’ of progress and serve to helpdefine success. From our beginnings inthe early 1900s and throughout our one-

hundred-year commitment to excellencein education and health care, we at LomaLinda have striven to create an institutionwith the added dimension of worldwideinfluence. Our vision has always includedideas, concerns, and activities with globe-encircling aspects.”

Growth: meeting the challenge of rapidenrollment expansionAt more than 8 million residents, New

York City is the most populous city in theUnited States. But at some time in long-ago history, the first human beings foundtheir way to Manhattan Island anddecided to call it home.At 275 feet tall and 30 feet in diameter

at its base, the General Sherman Tree inCalifornia’s Sequoia National Park is theworld’s largest. Yet at some point morethan 2,000 years ago, this forest giant wasa single seed.At around 4,000 students, Loma Linda

University is a thriving educational centeron its way to an estimated 5,000 studentsby 2010. Yet a hundred years ago, a hand-ful of nursing students sat down in aprimitive Loma Linda classroom for theirfirst day of school.Healthy, living things grow. And as

enrollment at Loma Linda University has

expanded over the past century, so hasgrowth in faculty, in curriculum, and ininfrastructure.Today, as the pace of growth acceler-

ates into the future, the need for newfacilities becomes increasingly urgent.Older buildings no longer have room toaccommodate present-day classes; labora-tories built decades ago are no longeradequate to serve the needs of the thou-sands of students attending LLU in the21st century.Clearly, one compelling consideration

in the decision to build the CentennialComplex is the need to replace outdatedfacilities with an educational center offer-ing not only greatly needed newclassroom and lab space but the latest inteaching and learning aids.

Innovation: providing the best tools forteachers and studentsCell phones. Giant-screen plasma TVs.

The Internet. Blackberrys and iPods. X-Boxes and wireless computing anddashboard GPS guidance systems.Today’s students have grown up in an

era of phenomenal technological advance-ment. What those of a certain age see asbreathtaking marvels, university studentstoday take for granted. And these new

Continuing the vision SCOPE, Spring, 2006 � 7

technologies continue to change everyaspect of life: communication, entertain-ment, commerce, travel, and of course,education.As a result, students now take in and

process information—they learn—inentirely new ways. They are accustomedto accessing information through multiplecommunication and sensory pathways:visual, auditory, tactile, and others.In the Centennial Complex, teaching

and learning will take full advantage ofcutting-edge multimedia technologies.Students in the “smart” classrooms of thecomplex will be connected to the Internetvia wireless laptop computers throughoutthe facility. Teachers will be able tobroadcast lectures and other presentationsvia satellite or the Internet to locationsaround the globe. They can also distrib-ute information on DVDs or CDs andutilize the latest in multimedia presenta-tions in the classroom.Students will have the ability to

review and critique on media their ownprogress as they simulate experiencesthey are likely to encounter in theirfuture work.The Centennial Complex will not only

provide an immediate quantum leap for-ward in educational innovation, it willcreate an environment in which futuretechnological advances can be readilyimplemented.

Globalization: reaching out to serve theworldFrom the first, Loma Linda’s mission

has been to carry out the healing andteaching ministries of Jesus Christ. Andfrom the first, those ministries were notviewed as local or even national—butglobal.As a Seventh-day Adventist institu-

tion, Loma Linda bases its mission onChrist’s commission to “go into all theworld.”A major impetus driving the decision

to construct the Centennial Complex isLoma Linda’s need and desire to providethe best possible tools for its students and

graduates in their worldwide service.The challenge is clear. Even with the

University’s rapidly expanding enroll-ment, how can it produce a sufficientnumber of health care professionals toreach a world population of six-and-a-halfbillion, growing at nearly 75 millionpeople per year? Until recently, to servethose in need required that health careprofessionals—wherever on earth theymight be located—be physically presentto treat their patients.But the proliferation in recent years of

new technologies makes possible a “vir-tual presence” that exponentiallyincreases the possibilities for servingthose in need. The ideal, of course, isdirect, in-person relationships betweenpatients and their health care profession-als. And while that ideal may in manysettings remain practicable, it imposeslimits on how many who need help canhave access to it. The technologicalprogress of recent years now makes possi-ble an amazing expansion ofcommunication and possibilities forremote treatment. And as these technolo-gies become more sophisticated andavailable, the scope of what can beachieved globally broadens significantly.

The Centennial Complex will take fulladvantage of leading-edge technologies toequip students to far more effectivelycarry out the University’s mission to theworld.The statement issued by Drs. Behrens

and Hart concludes with these words:“The Centennial Complex enhances

value for our students, faculty, and gradu-ates. Technologically, its reach will beextensive, and it will become a powerfultool to fulfill both the educational andservice dimensions of our University.”

University mission to guide design anduse of new complexVital to the growth and development

of any university are new, well-designedbuildings to keep pace with the needs ofan expanding enrollment—and the use ofnew technologies to improve the teach-ing-learning process.But Loma Linda is not just “any uni-

versity.” It is a center of education with aunique and driving purpose: to preparehealing professionals who will “go into allthe world” and “make man whole.” Infact, amazingly enough, the Loma LindaUniversity School of Medicine is the onlymedical school in the United States that

Mount St. Helens-like, the top of Gentry Gymnasium has already disappeared in this photo taken on February 10, 2006. For a current

real-time view of dismantling progress check the Internet live-cam site at <www.llu.edu/centennial/complex/construction.html>.

Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH (left), thanks Ruthita Fike, MA (right), for support for

the Centennial Complex. Participating in the presentation is B. Lyn Behrens, MBBS.

During the Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center president’scouncil held Tuesday, January 24, LLUMC chief executive officer Ruthita Fike, MA,presented LLU chancellor Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, with a proclamation pledging$600,000 for the Centennial Complex. The proclamation reads:“Whereas, Loma Linda University Medical Center recognizes the unique history

of Loma Linda University and the tradition of service to the local, national, and inter-national community;“Whereas, Loma Linda University Medical Center commemorates Loma Linda

University as an institution of higher learning and its contributions to medical sciencethat make Loma Linda University exemplary among not only Adventist institutions,but all institutions of higher learning in the United States;“Whereas, Loma Linda University Medical Center acknowledges Loma Linda

University as an institution devoted to the physical, intellectual, and spiritual well-being of all people;“Whereas, Loma Linda University Medical Center supports the need for the Cen-

tennial Complex to further the mission and work of Loma Linda University so thecomplex may support the tradition of teaching excellence, whereby providing the fac-ulty and students with access to the latest teaching technology;“Whereas, Loma Linda University Medical Center commits $600,000 to commem-

orate the one-hundred student amphitheater in the Centennial Complex;“Whereas, Loma Linda University Medical Center requests the amphitheater be

named the Loma Linda University Medical Center Amphitheater in order to signifythe synergistic relationship between the sister institutions as the two entities continueto work together to further the healing ministry of Jesus Christ by meeting the physi-cal and spiritual needs of all people;“Whereas, the Loma Linda University Medical Center executive team pledges

one-hundred percent support through personal contributions;“Whereas, this pledge will be made manifest with approval by Loma Linda Uni-

versity Medical Center Board of Trustees;“Whereas, this support and subsequent naming of the amphitheater will demon-

strate, in a tangible way, the common mission of the sister institutions;“Be it resolved that, the Loma Linda University Medical Center executive team

pledges support to the future of Loma Linda University by offering this contribution,which demonstrates support for the Centennial Complex in order to continue servingall neighbors—local, national, and international—with the effort ‘to make man whole.’”

Medical Center pledges $600,000

An architect’s rear-view rendering of the Centennial Complex, prepared by Tom Elander,

senior associate with Cannon Design in Los Angeles, California.

Continuing the vision SCOPE, Spring, 2006 � 98 � SCOPE, Spring, 2006 Continuing the vision

has any mention of Christ or Christianityin its mission statement.Because of Loma Linda’s chosen mis-

sion—to continue the healing andteaching ministry of Jesus Christ—theconstruction of a new facility such as theCentennial Complex is based on addi-tional considerations. Among these are:

The Teaching/Learning EquationBoth sides of the teacher-student

interchange are important. But LomaLinda University nurtures a special com-mitment to the learning component of theteaching/learning equation. This does notsuggest a reduced emphasis on qualityinstruction and teaching excellence butdoes acknowledge that too often, thelearning aspect of this relationship is leftto stand in the shadows.Emerging as key factors at Loma

Linda in determining how the educa-tional process should work—and how tobuild and operate the facilities used forlearning—are such considerations as thefollowing:• Individual learning styles.• Development of learning skills.• The experiential and interactiveaspects of learning.

Raye McAnally Lofgren and Carlton Lof-gren, DDS, and Patti Shryock Wallaceand Carleton Wallace, MD.For the vision of this vital, much-

needed new facility to become reality—for this important center to benefit stu-dents, faculty, alumni, and patients—willrequire abundant and generous philan-thropic support.Under the leadership of the co-chairs,

alumni from various regions of the coun-try have formed the campaign committeeto raise the needed funds.Noting that John Burden, who a cen-

tury ago played a leading role in LomaLinda’s purchase and founding, wasdriven by a vivid dream of mission andservice, the campaign committee co-chairs released a statement of their ownaspirations for the new complex.“We, too, are driven by a dream for

Loma Linda. As 21st-century technologymerges into the glass-and-steel super-structure of the Centennial Complex,there are certain to be ‘oohs and ah’s.’ Itwill be a remarkable building.“Still, it is our hope that the dream

that inspires the most, and that influ-ences decisions of support, is theprospect of preparing graduates of superbcharacter and highly developed profes-sional skills—graduates who will servewith grace and compassion, who will do asuperb job of extending health, healing,wholeness, and hope, in all of theirdimensions, around the world.”In addition to the co-chairs, members

of the Centennial Complex campaigninclude: Helen and Andrew Boskind,Madison, Tennessee; Geri and ElvinGaines, Simi Valley, California; Jackieand Ted Hamilton, Winter Park, Florida;Mary Ann and Ladon Homer, FortWorth, Texas; Judy and John Jacobson,Deer Park, California; Linda and TedMackett, Oregon City, Oregon; NoniPatchett, Los Angeles, California; Annieand Gene Rathbun, Dana Point, Califor-nia; Janet and Naor Stoehr, Silver Spring,Maryland; and Delmar Tonge, Modesto,California.

• Student participation in “reciprocallearning exchanges.”

This last factor focuses on how stu-dents can at times become teachers—contributors, themselves in the learningprocess.

Dimensions of Spiritual GrowthAs Loma Linda University begins its

second century, it continues to hold trueto its unique identity as a Christ-centeredinstitution. Spiritual growth and develop-ment is not just an add-on—one academiccomponent of many. It is integral to cur-riculum, student life, and teaching. Thisspiritual emphasis is embraced, appreci-ated, and fostered by both faculty andstudents.

This fundamental University value,however, is incomplete without personalengagement. Health professionals spendmuch of their practice time dealing withtragedy and loss, sometimes on a verypersonal level, and occasionally on agrand scale—as in the tsunami devasta-tion of southern Asia or the aftermath ofHurricane Katrina.As the Centennial Complex and its

component resources are developed,special consideration is focusing on howbest to prepare students to support patientsand families in times of distress, grief, andloss. Ministry and mission are not periph-eral or tertiary aspects of either the designor intended use of the complex—they are,and will be, central.

Adding to the Body of KnowledgeResearch—adding to the sum total ofknowledge in a given area—has alwaysbeen a defining component of learning atany university. Clinical research and anemphasis on basic science, long an impor-tant fundamental at Loma Linda, arebecoming increasingly prominent as theUniversity grows.Training students to conduct careful

research—and providing them with thebest technology both to carry out thatresearch and to exchange informationglobally via a host of media—will be akey consideration in the design and func-tion of the Centennial Complex.

Campaign co-chairs share their dreamCo-chairing the funding campaign for

the Centennial Complex are two couples: � SCOPE

Raye McAnally Lofgren

and Carlton Lofgren, DDS

Patti Shryock Wallace

and Carleton Wallace, MD

his trip has really made a differ-ence in my life. I feel that we were

able to do great things using the Lord’sstrength,” says Dane McClurg, a first-year School of Dentistry student.“This trip really has been life-changing

for me because it enabled me to broadenmy horizons to include different people,lifestyles, and cultures,” says Sarah K.Beauchemin, a School of Allied HealthProfessions physical therapy student.These comments echoed the senti-

ments of students and staff who trained ina Students for International Mission Ser-vice (SIMS) trip to the West Africancountry of Cameroon during Christmasvacation, 2005.Nearly 30 students, staff, and friends of

Loma Linda University participated in theChristmas vacation project organized byMartine Polycarpe, MPH, SIMS director.SIMS, organized in the 1960s, is a

Loma Linda University service organiza-tion providing cross-cultural learning andspiritual growth through experiences inhealth care delivery and community devel-opment in the United States and abroad.“We selected Batouri Adventist Hospi-

tal as the site for our annual year-end trip

Cameroon odyssey SCOPE, Spring, 2006 � 11

Cameroon odysseyS I M S S T U D E N T S P A R T I C I P A T E I N F I R S T C O M M U N I T Y H E A L T H

F A I R S P O N S O R E D B Y B A T O U R I A D V E N T I S T H O S P I T A L

B Y R I C H A R D W . W E I S M E Y E R , M A

because of its service and health careopportunities.”During a site visit to Batouri in Sep-

tember, 2005, Ms. Polycarpe and themedical staff at Batouri Adventist Hospital,headed by Andre Nda’a, MD, decided thatpresenting a health fair would reach andimpact the greatest amount of the localpopulation in the short time that the SIMSgroup could spend in Cameroon.The primary purpose of the trip was to

provide health education information in avariety of areas with a special focus onmalaria prevention.“Malaria is the number one health

problem in our region,” Dr. Nda’a says,“followed by respiratory infections, andparasitic problems due to water.”With that in mind, Ms. Polycarpe and

the SIMS group decided to focus onmalaria prevention.“There are two effective ways of com-

batting malaria. One is by spraying, andthe other is by having people sleep underinsecticide-treated mosquito nets,” Ms.Polycarpe says.Mosquito nets cost between $5 and $6

each. “But the tragedy is that most of thepeople who live in the area where BatouriAdventist Hospital is located are unable toafford the $6. It comes down to ‘do I buyfood for my family for a month? or do Ibuy a bed net?’ This is a reality for thepeople who live here.”It was decided by Ms. Polycarpe and

Dr. Nda’a that SIMS would provide 2,000

insecticide-treated bed nets for health fairparticipants. But where to raise the needed$12,000 to purchase the bed nets?Upon returning from her site visit, Ms.

Polycarpe challenged the Sabbath schoolattended by many Loma Linda Universitystudents. Within a few weeks, the studentshad contributed approximately $5,000toward the project. Local churches andcivic groups heard about the project. Bythe time the group left for Africa in mid-December, the $12,000 had been raised.Upon their return, the SIMS group waspleasantly surprised that about $27,000had been donated for the Cameroonproject.“Without this community effort, our

goal would never have been reached,” Ms.Polycarpe states.When the SIMS group arrived at

Batouri on Sunday evening, December 16,they found that the water pump for thelocal water system that supplied water tothe entire city was out of operation. Conse-quently for the next ten days, the SIMSteam drew well water to supply their wash-ing and hygiene needs.The next morning, the group walked to

the hospital—approximately 20 minutesaway—to set up for the health fair that wasto begin the next day.Upon arrival at the hospital, the Loma

Linda group found that the local BatouriSeventh-day Adventist Church Pathfinderclub, working under the guidance of Dr.Nda’a, had constructed a large health fair

A mother comforts her child while he

receives a preventive injection at the health

fair organized by Students for Interna-

tional Mission Service (SIMS) students.

~

Dozens of children wait patiently at Batouri Adventist Hospital for the health fair

to open.

12 � SCOPE, Spring, 2006 Cameroon odyssey

complex, complete with dividers made outof wood and palm leaves.“What they prepared for us was

absolutely amazing,” Ms. Polycarpe notes.“The Pathfinders and hospital staff hadmade individual ‘rooms’ shaded by palmleaves that would seat the visitors. It wasperfect for our purposes.“The Pathfinders were excellent to

work with. Not only did they help withcrowd control, they served as translators.”In order to attend the health fair, local

community residents obtained a photo“passport” at the hospital entrance. Fairvisitors received a “visa” stamp at each ofthe eight stations. A fully completed pass-port—indicating that the guest had visitedeach station—entitled the holder toreceive a treated mosquito bed net free ofcharge. Each visitor who attended the fairlistened to a 20-minute talk and watchedinformative demonstrations at each station.Three hundred visitors attended the

fair on the first day. The second, atten-dance soared to more than 700 visitors.Health stations included malaria pre-

vention, nutrition, dental health, physicaltherapy, basic hygiene, spiritual care, andrespiratory infections.“I think the fair organized by SIMS was

a big event for this whole community,” Dr.Nda’a says. “One of the impacts of the fairis that the hospital is now better known bythe community. Some of the people in theoutlying areas didn’t know that our hospi-tal existed. Now they do.”

Prior to entering the fair complex, par-ticipants visited a data entry station.“We collected baseline data about the

various populations,” Ms. Polycarpe says.“We wanted to find out where the peoplelived. We asked the visitors if they hadever had malaria, and if so, how manytimes. We also inquired if they had a mos-quito net at home.”After the data are analyzed, School of

Public Health students plan to use geo-graphic information system (GIS)technology to map out disease patterns forthe local area. The resulting informationwill be useful to the hospital staff and thelocal government.“The SIMS involvement at Batouri

Adventist Hospital gave a tremendousboost to the medical staff,” says MonitaBurtch, Adventist Health Internationalcountry director. “Sometimes they feelthat they are forgotten because they are soremotely located.”In addition to the dental health booth

at the fair, School of Dentistry students,supervised by Periza Zaninovic, DDS,assistant clinical professor of dental edu-cation services for the School ofDentistry, and Perry D. Burtch, DDS, a1989 graduate of the School of Dentistry,director of the Seventh-day Adventistdental clinic in Yaounde, treated anumber of dental patients in an impro-vised dental clinic based in the operatingroom of the hospital.

Cameroon odyssey SCOPE, Spring, 2006 � 13

“This was the fist time that many ofthe local residents had ever been to a den-tist,” Dr. Zaninovic says. “The nearestcomplete dental care is in the capital cityof Yaounde—a day’s trip by bus or otherground transportation from Batouri.”“As a member of the dental team, I

found it rewarding to work in a clinic thatprovided hands-on treatment,” says Schoolof Dentistry student Tyler Johnson. “But Iwould have to say that the most rewardingpart of my trip was the dental booth at thehealth fair. At the fair, we taught thepeople about brushing and flossing. Thepeople were absolutely enthralled with thedental health demonstrations.”The SIMS group gives high praises to

the local Pathfinder club.By the end of the first day of the health

fair, the Pathfinder translators were pre-pared to give the lectures themselves.“That’s exactly what we wanted them

to do,” Ms. Polycarpe says. “We wantedthem to become comfortable with theinformation and be able to share it withtheir family, friends, and community mem-bers. They gained a clear understandingabout the concepts presented at the healthfair,” Ms. Polycarpe says.“When people—and especially young

adults such as myself—who have lived insuch fortunate situations visit an environ-ment that is totally alien to them, it canreally change their lives,” says JonathanClark, a member of the School of Medi-cine class of 2008. “It happened to me,and I know many who have also beentransformed. The transformation opensone’s eyes to the situation around them intheir own city, and it creates in us a desireto help those in our own community.”“I hope that this is not the last fair

SIMS will conduct at Batouri,” Dr. Nda’asays. “I hope they will come back soon.”SIMS was organized in the 1960s by a

group of students. Approximately 300 stu-dents from Loma Linda participate ininternational trips each year. Up to anadditional 1,000 students becomeinvolved in local SIMS-sponsored com-munity projects.

Batouri Adventist Hospital is a 30-bed primary care facility located in southeast-ern Cameroon near the border of the Central African Republic.Located about 300 miles from the capital city of Yaounde, Batouri Adventist Hos-

pital is under the direction of Andre Nda’a, MD. The hospital was founded in 1991in an old house and associated primary school buildings by a missionary physicianfrom Romania.This facility is now prospering, attracting patients from around the entire local

area and even across the border from the Central African Republic.The dedicated staff of fewer than 15 individuals of the Adventist Health Interna-

tional (AHI)–associated hospital have recently initiated a maternal and child healthcenter for providing more effective maternal and child-health services, includingnutrition rehabilitation for children. AHI is a non-profit corporation with headquar-ters at Loma Linda University and is designed to provide coordination, consultation,management, and technical assistance to hospitals and health care entities operatedby the Seventh-day Adventist Church.“The needs are great at Batouri Adventist Hospital,” says Monita Burtch, AHI

country director. “The hospital has only two stethoscopes for the whole facility.They have no x-ray machine. They are doing the best they can.”Despite the lack of equipment and adequate facilities, Batouri is recognized by

the local civil authorities as having the lowest mortality rate of any hospital or clinicin the area.“Sometimes the hospital staff feels they have been forgotten because they are so

remotely located,” Ms. Burtch continues. “This hospital has so much potential. Thelocal population has a great deal of confidence in Dr. Nda’a and the hospital. Weneed to continue working on the infrastructure of the hospital.”Batouri Adventist Hospital is one of two Seventh-day Adventist hospitals in

Cameroon. Batouri’s sister institution, Koza Adventist Hospital, a 100-bed facilitylocated in the northern part of the country.Third-year dental student Matthew Carlson assists Perry D. Burtch, DDS, a 1989 School

of Dentistry graduate, with a dental procedure during the SIMS visit to Cameroon.

SIMS participants and Batouri Adventist Hospital employees organized the first-ever

health fair to be held in the region. More than 1,000 individuals attended the three-day fair.

BATOURI ADVENTIST HOSPITAL

� SCOPE

he was pictured in the pages ofNational Geographic, pumping

gasoline. The article discussedlongevity and featured some of theworld’s people who have lived the

longest. By showing her getting gas,they got across the point that, though she’sa centenarian, Marge Jetton is still out andabout, an active senior who’s more activethan some people her children’s ages (both70 years old). But the same month that theissue was dated—November 2005—Mrs.Jetton took a big step. After driving herCadillac Seville around for about 11 years,she sold it. Is this a sign? Could LomaLinda’s most celebrated centenarian beslipping?Don’t count on it. After all, Mrs. Jetton

hasn’t given up on mobility—she just takesthe bus or drives other people’s cars now.Getting rid of the car was a way to cutdown on expenses and responsibility—notan attempt to slow down. Of course, Mrs.Jetton does admit to getting weary some-times—she claims that watering the plantsand taking out the trash can do her in—buther lifestyle belies this message. MargeJetton gets up every morning between 4:00and 5:00. She walks for about one mile

Celebrated centenarian SCOPE, Spring, 2006 � 15

Celebrated centenarian1 0 1 - Y E A R - O L D M A R G E J E T T O N G I V E S C R E D E N C E T O T H E

V A L U E O F A H E A L T H Y L I F E S T Y L E — A N D A T T I T U D E

B Y H E A T H E R R E I F S N Y D E R

daily and four days a week attends an exer-cise class in which she lifts weights.Mrs. Jetton also has several social and

volunteer commitments. On Mondays, forexample, she is one of a group of volun-teers with Pine Knoll Publications inRedlands that assembles and mails outtapes, CD’s, and books to mission posts,individuals, and any church library in NorthAmerica that requests them. The materialsinclude recorded classes and lecture series,as well as Sabbath school classes.Cherie Kirk, in whose home Pine Knoll

meets, says Marge is as sharp as ever.“She keeps the volunteers entertained.

They visit around the table. They talkabout things in the past and they talk aboutcurrent issues. She has very thoughtful con-tributions. I enjoy listening from my deskin the other room,” Mrs. Kirk says.Mrs. Jetton is adept, attentive to detail,

and light-footed on the stairs, Mrs. Kirksays. And, at 101, she’s ready to learn newthings. One day recently, Mrs. Jettonarrived at the volunteer room to see a newcomputer. She walked across the room tothe machine and stroked it.“I wish somebody would show me how

to use one of these things,” she said,according to Mrs. Kirk.Pine Knoll Publication is not the only

organization that benefits from Mrs.Jetton’s help. As a member of the Univer-sity Church of Seventh-day Adventists,Mrs. Jetton attends first service, where shesometimes serves as hostess.

A people person, Mrs. Jetton saysstrangers are friends you’ve yet to meet.“Everybody’s my friend,” she says.Marge Jetton was born Marge Hodge in

1904 in Yuba City, California. Yuba City isno metropolis now, and it was even smallerthen. There weren’t even sidewalks. Sheattended high school in Sutter City. To getthere, she had to walk to the streetcar, rideit, and then walk to school from the stop.The school was near the foothills known asthe Buttes. These provided an incentivefor the age-old game of hooky.“Sometimes on a nice day we just kept

walking to the Buttes and didn’t go toschool,” she remembers.Marge graduated from high school at

age 16. The same year, her father, a farmerand muleskinner, met an untimely deaththrough a pneumonia infection. He was 39.(In a sad coincidence, Marge’s youngerbrother also died years later at the age of39.) To help support the family, Marge gota job. The northern California area aroundYuba City grew lots of fruit, and sheworked at jobs like picking and dryinggrapes, prunes, and cherries. After a while,she found a job in a cannery, where themoney was better.Young Marge, of course, didn’t envision

working in a factory all her life long—andmore important, she knew she didn’t wantto get married without getting an educationfirst. Seeing her mother, who worked as ahotel housekeeper, struggle along once herfather died taught her that.

Loma Linda resident Marge Jetton is

pictured with the National Geographic issue

that started a storm of media attention

around her.

º

16 � SCOPE, Spring, 2006 Celebrated centenarian

Marge wanted to become a teacher, butnurses training was more affordable. Sheplanned on going to San Francisco to take acourse to become a nurse. But her familywas Seventh-day Adventist (had become sowhen Marge was nine months old), and afamily friend steered her in another direc-tion. He suggested that instead of SanFrancisco, she go to school at St. HelenaSanitarium, an Adventist institution locatedabove the Napa Valley at nearby PacificUnion College.At just under 18 years old, Marge left

home and went to St. Helena Sanitarium tobegin her studies. As part of her training,she worked in the dietary kitchen. Mean-while, a young man named James wasworking at the sanitarium as a call boy.When the clients—who were more patientsseeking lifestyle therapy and rest than hos-pital patients—had a need, they would ringa bell and James would come running. Ifthey needed something to drink, he wouldgo to the kitchen and ask for it.While serving as call boy, James found

someone he wanted to call on as a suitor.“He took a shine to me,” Marge

remembers. “Of course, there you didn’t doanything without a chaperone.”Despite the chaperones, and their age

difference—Marge was about 18, and hewas two and a half years younger than

she—romance developed. Young Ms.Hodge, however, decided to go down toTexas. There she lived and worked in theSan Antonio area.“I always wanted to take care of

people,” she says.Young James, however, missed the

bright young lady. He kept sending her let-ters: “Please come back.” Now Texas is abig state; and, as Marge remembers it,there was no shortage of young fellowsdown there. But somehow (and Margeclaims that she doesn’t remember how)James convinced Ms. Hodge to come backto St. Helena. So after six months in theLone Star State, Marge returned to Califor-nia, and they later married.They were destined to become a med-

ical family. She was a nurse, and Jamesdreamed of becoming a doctor.“We were poor people all longing for an

education,” she recalls.After getting married in August 1926,

the couple moved to College Place, Wash-ington, so that James could studypre-medicine at Walla Walla College. Aftera year there, they moved back to the St.Helena area, and James attended PacificUnion College for his second year of pre-medical classes.During their 77 years of marriage, Mr.

and Mrs. Jetton had to spend more than

their fair share of time apart. It began withthe first month of their marriage, when shewent to Walla Walla one month beforeJames to begin working. Back at PacificUnion College (PUC), the trend continued.She worked about 35 miles away in SantaRosa and lived in a boarding house duringthe week, returning to PUC on the week-ends.After one year at PUC, the Jettons

packed up again and moved down to LomaLinda. James attended medical school,graduating in 1934. While he was takingclasses and interning at San BernardinoCounty Hospital, Marge worked to paytuition and expenses. During this time theyalso often lived apart, with Marge workingeverywhere from Hollywood to the LakeArrowhead area.Separation eventually ended, however,

and in 1935 the Jettons moved south to Fall-brook, California, where he set up a generalmedical practice. Like Yuba City, Fallbrookwas even smaller back then. There was noplace to live except a hotel—two rooms forliving and two rooms for the medical prac-tice. Now, instead of going out to work atvarious hospitals, Marge was able to workside by side with her husband.Though the Jettons lived in Fallbrook

for only six years, it was a time of changesand firsts for the couple. In 1936 Margegave birth to their son, James Aston JettonJr. (called Jim). When Jim was 3 years old,he got a big surprise—a new sister. TheJettons adopted their second child, Jane—who just happened to be the same age asJim. They rented a house, with living quar-ters upstairs and the medical practicedownstairs. Also in Fallbrook, Dr. Jettonfinally made $1,000 in one month and wasable to afford a nurse other than his wife.Dr. Jetton was the only medical doctor

in Fallbrook; and despite the citizens of thetown making their protest to the govern-ment, he was called to active military dutyfrom 1941 until 1946. Marge was againcalled to be independent—a task she wasquite capable of filling. For example, sheand her two young children drove acrossthe country—by themselves—to be with

Celebrated centenarian SCOPE, Spring, 2006 � 17

Mrs. Jetton is interviewed in her apartment by ABC news correspondent Gigi Stone for a seg-

ment on living longer that aired October 23 on “World News Tonight.”

James at Fort Benning, Georgia, where hewas stationed. During the war years, Dr.Jetton was stationed in various places in theUnited States.Dr. Jetton was also sent to Czechoslo-

vakia for 14 months. When he returnedand the family was reunited, they settledin Bellflower, near Long Beach, for thenext several decades. Here their kids grewup. Eventually their family grew toinclude four grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.It was also from their home base in Bell-

flower that the Jettons took two short-termmissionary relief assignments, one inZambia in 1962 for three months and onein Ethiopia in 1976 for three months.

In the 1980s, the couple retired andsettled back in Loma Linda. They becamevolunteers for Loma Linda UniversityMedical Center. In August 2003, lifechanged drastically. James fell in theirapartment at Linda Valley Villa, a retire-ment community. He injured his head andlater died. He was 96. The Jettons hadbeen married two days shy of 77 years.Growing up in Northern California,

Marge Hodge would hear the other kids atschool talk about going on “vacation.” Shedidn’t know what this meant. Today, herlife has come full circle. In addition to thefamily’s mission trips to Africa, she has trav-eled all over the world, from China to theNew Hebrides. She has experienced first-hand what a vacation is.And now? Now she’s content to sit tight

in Loma Linda, unbothered by chores such

as packing and unpacking suitcases. “Idon’t want to go anywhere,” she says. “Youhave to get as old as I am to understand.”The desire to understand the phenome-

non of old age itself is what led NationalGeographic reporter Dan Buettner to findMarge Jetton. Writing an article aboutlongevity, Mr. Buettner focused on threelocations—Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy;and Loma Linda, California—wherepeople tend to live longer. A Loma LindaUniversity project, the Adventist HealthStudy, has discovered that CaliforniaAdventists tend to live about four to 10years longer than non-Adventist Californi-ans. Mrs. Jetton was one of severalSeventh-day Adventists featured in theNational Geographic article on longevity.Mrs. Jetton’s story has also been covered onnational television news, such as CNN andABC’s “World News Tonight.”“It was fun, of course,” Mrs. Jetton says.

“It’s something you never expected.”Likewise, few people expect to reach

age 101, especially in remarkably goodhealth like Marge Jetton. But Mrs. Jetton isproof that it can be done. She appears to befar younger than her actual age. Herremarkably healthy attitude is almost asnoticeable, however.“If you can’t change it, you better like

it,” she says. “My motto is to try and behappy in spite of your trials. Take it to theLord in prayer.” � SCOPE

When she has time, Marge Jetton sorts and soaks stamps off envelopes to raise money for

the Voice of Prophecy, a nonprofit Seventh-day Adventist radio program.

Marge Jetton is a faithful exerciser. She walks at least one mile every day and lifts weights

several days per week.

ome days are better than others.Especially for Grover Wilcox.

Though for him, a better day is onewhere he is violently sick to hisstomach less than a dozen times

before lunch. Sometimes the 35 differ-ent medications he takes on a daily basis donot afford him that luxury.Yet to meet Grover Wilcox, often found

greeting people in the halls of Loma LindaUniversity Medical Center as he hobblesalong with his cane, is to see a man with aninner peace that is in extreme contrast tothe sometimes uncontrollable nausea,among other things, that ails him. One ofthose “other things” is a rare disease calledWegener’s granulomatosis. WG, as GroverWilcox calls it, has no known cause. As ayoung intern described to him 10 years ago,it is an autoimmune disease that attacks thelining of a person’s blood vessels anddestroys them. In the process it destroyslungs, kidneys, the nasal passages, and anyother place where there are blood vessels.One of the most frustrating aspects of thedisease is that it can affect men and womenof all ages from childhood to adulthood.By all medical reasoning, Grover

Wilcox’s disease should have killed him

Just add love SCOPE, Spring, 2006 � 19

Just add loveG R O V E R W I L C O X F O U N D T H E M I S S I N G

I N G R E D I E N T T O L I F E T H R O U G H A D E V A S T A T I N G D I S E A S E

B Y P R E S T O N C L A R K E S M I T H

years ago. He was diagnosed with WG, nor-mally fatal within months, in 1996 at LomaLinda University Medical Center, after sixweeks of inconclusive tests and biopsies attwo Colorado hospitals. He consistentlyreceives blood transfusions, including 63 over12 months spanning 2002 and 2003 alone.He has endured 34 infusions of a drug calledamphotericin B that he affectionately calls“shake and bake.” In most cases, after 10doses patients are either cured or dead. Ofthe 35 daily medications, chemotherapy is byfar the most potent. He has been takingchemo pills everyday for the last 10 years,surpassing the million milligram mark alongthe way.“If you put it all in IV bags, it would

stretch out over a mile,” laughs Mr. Wilcox.It’s hard to imagine laughing when facing

a true struggle for life and death every day.But Grover Wilcox finds the strength andpeace to have joy in his life from the answerto a question he spent the first 50 years of hislife wrestling with—one he wasn’t able toput into words until an afternoon basketballgame with a close friend visiting him in PalmSprings.“How do you really know that God loves

you?” Grover asked.If you knewGroverWilcox as an adult, this

would seem to be a silly question. As anAdventist school teacher for 21 years, countlessBible classes and church programs had drilledall the Scriptures of God’s love into his head.Unfortunately, he suffered from a diseaseworse thanWegener’s granulomatosis from his

birth. Before he could walk he was heart-broken, realizing that neither his father nor hismother cared for him in the least. Raised in anextremely violent and abusive environment,he never knewwhat a homewas.The second youngest of seven children,

Grover Wilcox moved more than 100 timesbefore he reached the age of 10. His parentssimply moved every time the rent was due.Living in constant fear of his father—who,years after his death was diagnosed by apsychologist as having bipolar mood disor-der—and never hearing the words “I loveyou” from his mother, Grover learned to dis-appear within himself. Abandoned by theirparents when he was 7, authorities placedthe Wilcox children in juvenile hall for a yearbefore his parents reclaimed them. It was ayear that would sear into his mind—amongcountless atrocities the inhabitants inflictedupon each other—that no one wanted him,that he truly was nobody’s boy.Grover Wilcox carried that stigma with

him for the next five decades. Until that dayon the basketball court with his long-timefriend, who looked more like the basketballitself than an athlete. His friend’s simple,unhesitating answer filled Grover with ahope for which he never dared to dream.“How do you know God really loves

you?,” he had asked.“Because I’m His boy!” came the

resounding answer from Jack Forsyth, thensuperintendent of schools in Colorado. “Youhave a Daddy who loves you, Grover.”It was the first time Grover actually

Since Grover Wilcox was diagnosed with

Wegener’s in 1995, he frequents LLUMC

both as a patient and as a visitor sharing

God’s love to others who suffer.

º

20 � SCOPE, Spring, 2006 Just add love

thought of having a father as a positivething. He instantly knew that’s what hewanted, to be His boy, too.That desire was confirmed when he met

Steven C. Stewart, MD, chief of urology atthe Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veteran’s Hos-pital and professor of surgery at Loma LindaUniversity School of Medicine, who for ayear and a half followed every injection intoGrover with a smile of encouragementduring the fight to control his disease.It’s difficult to say what might be a scary

episode for Mr. Wilcox, considering thethings he has seen in his life. But in one ofhis many life-and-death struggles, Dr. Stewarttouched his soul, not as a physician but ashimself just another one of God’s little ones.Mr. Wilcox had developed a severe fungal

infection in his sinuses. Surgery was his bestoption. “Best” in this case meant he hadabout a 5 percent chance of surviving. Hisdoctors at Loma Linda were straightforwardwith him about the risks, and told him therewas a very real possibility that in order to getall of the infection out they would have toremove the entire right side of his face.When Dr. Stewart heard of the upcom-

ing surgery, he visited Mr. Wilcox. He came

with no medical advice. He simply came totell Grover he was there and that he lovedhim.“Tell me what reaching out to other

people is all about. Dr. Stewart showedme!” exclaims Mr. Wilcox. The surgery wasmostly successful, and the physiciansdecided to try one last medication beforeremoving Mr. Wilcox’s face. That was hisexperience with the amphotericin B.Since then, with 10 years of a rare and

devastating disease under his belt, GroverWilcox has found a place serving as an unof-ficial emissary to the dying at Loma LindaUniversity Medical Center. Ask him aboutwhat that is like, and he will tell you storyafter story of people he has met in the hallsof Loma Linda University Medical Center.“The neatest thing on this planet is to be

there for someone who is up against death.”Someone like Archie, who Mr. Wilcox

met in 2000.“I knew him for a year and a half, and I

never should have even met him,” says Mr.Wilcox. “I never eat out in the place withthe waterfall, but for some reason this day Idid. I noticed Archie there. I could see hissilhouette, read ‘big stomach.’ He’d been

having severe rejections of his heart trans-plant. We spent that afternoon together.When he went home, his wife could see hewas happy and she asked what had hap-pened. He replied, ‘I met a man namedGrover. His Father told him to meet me.’“Before Archie died, he went into a 5

1/2-week coma. I spent every day with him,and once a day he would wake up and lookover at me. One day he sat bolt upright andasked for a hug. I hugged him and then hewas out again. The doctors would come inand couldn’t get any response out of him.Unless they asked him who was next tohim. He would say in a cracked voice, ‘Oh,that’s Grover.’“It’s truly amazing what you see here.”It’s truly amazing to see the transforma-

tion God has worked in Mr. Wilcox’s life.Few have suffered the emotional and physi-cal abuse from their parents and gone on tobe hit with Wegener’s granulomatosis. Itgives Mr. Wilcox a unique insight into thesuffering of others.“I’m an inpatient so many times that I

know that sometimes you don’t want anyoneto talk to you,”Mr. Wilcox says. “So what Ido is when I go to sit with somebody, I stay aslong as they want me to. Unless they are in acoma. Then they don’t have a choice.”When Grover Wilcox says,“I know how you feel,” he means it.

“The other day I vomited 75 times,” he sayscasually.He tells another story of one of his

encounters with those he says are on theshore of the Jordan River, waiting to crossover to the promised land.“I would sit with Dave for 8- to 12-hours

a day when he came to Loma Linda for alast ditch bone marrow transplant.” Davewas a farmer from Illinois, and he did notsurvive his disease.“But if you talk to his family, they will

tell you that Loma Linda is the next placeto heaven,” smiles Mr. Wilcox. “They knowthat Dave got that last year of life becausehe went to Loma Linda.“When you meet someone on the shore

of the Jordan, you might as well have knownhim for 35 years. You don’t have a lot of time

Just add love SCOPE, Spring, 2006 � 21

� SCOPE

when you’re at the river. You reach out andtell them you love them. That’s what peoplewant to know. That you understand thatthey are suffering and that you care aboutand love them.”He explains the source of the love he is

able to share like this:“You’re standing outside the room before

talking to someone, and you feel the arms ofthe Creator of the Universe squeezing youuntil your eyeballs are about to pop out. Andthen He says, ‘Tell them how much I loveyou and them.’”Grover speaks to more than just the

dying. On a chilly January morning (anotherday Grover found himself so sick he felt hecouldn’t get out of bed), he met with JimGreek, DMin, director of chaplain services,and his integrative care class for second-yearmedical students at Loma Linda Univer-sity’s School of Medicine.“We spent the first few classes trying to

find a way to get into someone else’s world,”Dr. Greek explains to his students. “I met aman in 1997 who knows what suffering is,and have literally seen him touch thousandsof lives since. That man is Grover Wilcox.”Mr.Wilcox tells the students the story

about Archie. He shares his experiences with

Dr. Stewart. And he tells a story about thelittle things that make the biggest differences.“I’m out behind the FMO lying in the

gutter vomiting like a fool,” begins Mr.Wilcox, “and a physician saw me and askedif he could help me. Of course there wasnothing he could do to make the sickness goaway. But I looked up and saw him rum-maging through his red Honda, and after afew minutes he brought me a pen. It was

the prettiest pen you ever saw, and it didn’tdo anything for my stomach. But it lifted myspirits.“I’ve seen all kinds of stuff here at the

hospital that is beautiful.”He continues to tell the students about

his childhood—how it took him 50 years torealize he was a child of God.“It’s important to know who you are,”

Mr. Wilcox explained to his now rapt audi-ence. “You can go into a room and smile at apatient, and you have no idea how muchthat lifts them up. You think you’re here tostudy bones and body parts, but the oppor-tunity you have is different than what youthink. You have the opportunity to touchsouls.“There are a lot of little things that keep

you going when you’re on the edge ofknocking off. Seventy-five to 80 percent ofhow we patients are doing is based on ourframe of mind. You can help us set thatframe.”“I’ve had more than 1,600 doctor

appointments and have learned two thingsalong the way,” closed Mr. Wilcox. “There isno substitute for love. And I’ve learned tolet people talk.”Mr. Wilcox gives an inspiring retelling of

his life’s story in the book Nobody’s Boy,which he wrote for the Review and HeraldPublishing Association.

Grover Wilcox speaks to Jim Greek’s integrative care class for second-year medical stu-

dents at Loma Linda University’s School of Medicine about the importance of compassion.

Grover Wilcox shows off the ingenuity of patients with his homemade sleeping device,

which came from a doctor’s suggestion to place a tennis ball under his back when he slept

to help him breathe. The tennis ball was too small.

Grover Wilcox has an immense love of basketball. He played so much that up to the age of 50

he could still dunk. Now his Wegener’s granulomatosis makes it difficult to do anything but sit.

The emergence of research SCOPE, Spring, 2006 � 23

The emergence of researchH I S T O R I C A L I N S I G H T S F R O M T H E E M E R G E N C E

O F R E S E A R C H A T L O M A L I N D A U N I V E R S I T Y

B Y B A R R Y L . T A Y L O R , P H D

fter the Santa Fe railroadreached Los Angeles in 1887,many new settlers from the

East and Midwest came in search of abetter lifestyle, health, and riches. Agroup of businessmen and physiciansestablished a health resort on the hill atLoma Linda with the goal that it wouldbe one of the finest health resortsamong the many developing inSouthern California.1

The resort struggled and then failedand was offered for sale at a discountedprice of $110,000. Ellen G. White, afounder of the Seventh-day AdventistChurch, had seen in a dream a very attrac-tive property on a hill that she envisionedas a health center for the AdventistChurch. She was in touch with a minister,John A. Burden, and asked him to lookout for such a property in Southern Cali-fornia. It was Pastor Burden who foundthe Loma Linda property that was forsale, and later Ellen G. White said thatthis was the property she had seen in herdream.When the price of the 76-acre Loma

Linda property dropped to $40,000,Pastor Burden received conflicting advice.

Without spending time to consult Churchleaders, Ellen G. White advised, “Securethe property by all means, so that it can beheld and then obtain all the money youcan and make sufficient payments to holdthe place. This is the very property weought to have. Do not delay; for it is justwhat is needed. … We will do our utmostto help you raise the money.” However,Church leaders meeting in Washington,D.C., sent Pastor Burden a wire saying,“Developments here warrant advising donot make deposit on sanitarium.”1

Pastor Burden accepted the advice ofEllen G. White and personally borrowed$1,000 for the deposit that secured theproperty, knowing that $4,000 was due tobe paid one month later, and another$5,000 after two months. No one knewwhere that money would come from; butwhen the payments came due, the Churchreceived unexpected donations that werejust sufficient for the payments. ClearlyGod was leading.

The pre-research era: 1905–1922To understand the history of research

at Loma Linda University you must rec-ognize this historical context. TheAdventist Church sought to establish amajor health center and a heath-relatededucational institution without the neces-sary resources. They were inspired byfaith that God was leading, but it was aconstant struggle and the survival of theinstitution was often in doubt. On top of

that, the Seventh-day Adventist denomi-nation was organized only 40 years beforepurchasing the Loma Linda property.The Church was on fire with a mission tosave the world—a mission that included astrong emphasis on training medical mis-sionaries to serve the evangelistic goals ofthe Church. Research was not consideredrelevant to this. The faculty had littlebackground in traditional academicresearch that was characteristic of majorhistoric universities.The School of Nursing was the first

educational program, followed in 1909 bya charter from the state of California forthe College of Medical Evangelists. Thisestablished a school of medicine, but noresearch. The new medical schoolreceived a class C rating from the Ameri-can Medical Association accrediting bodyin 1915, which made the students’ diplo-mas of little value. This was upgraded toa class B rating in 1917, still with heavycriticism of the qualifications of the fac-ulty.1,3

The era of freedom to do research:1922–1951In this research era, medical mission-

ary training was still the main activity, butaccrediting agencies began to mandatethat the fledgling medical school makeplans to include research as a componentof the CME academic program. As aresult, individual faculty members whowere passionate about research, and able

The train station at the base of “The Hill

Beautiful” was the first view of Loma

Linda for many passengers that got off

there.

∞

24 � SCOPE, Spring, 2006 The emergence of research

to do it with minimal resources, weregiven the freedom to add research to theirbusy schedules. Some faculty membersmade notable research contributions.Newton G. Evans, MD, president of

the College of Medical Evangelists from1914 to 1927, was a graduate of CornellUniversity School of Medicine, and heand others recognized the importance ofsending Adventist young people for train-ing in major universities. As the quality ofthe faculty improved, CME received themuch desired class A rating in 1922. Butin the letter from the Council on MedicalEducation and Hospitals, research wasidentified as an area for improvement.“You are undoubtedly already fully famil-iar with the fact that improvements canbe made with great advantage in the fol-lowing particulars: … the making ofadequate provision whereby medicalresearch can be carried on.”Between 1930 and 1940, pressure to

improve research continued to come fromaccreditation requirements. Fred Zapffe,MD, of the American Medical Collegescriticized CME for the lack of credibleresearch programs: “It is the function of

every medical school to teach and to doresearch, and I may add, to care for thesick in its hospitals. A teacher who hasnot been bitten by the research bug is nota real teacher. He merely passes on whathe has read, which is not real education atall. Such teaching is being discouragedand even condemned more and more.”Pressure also came from a group of

alumni who formed the Harveian societyto advocate for reform at CME. Percy T.Magan, MD, dean of the School of Medi-cine, summarized attitudes to research ina letter to A.G. Daniells, a church leader,by stating, “I have never felt that I couldconscientiously and fairly, in view of theinterest of the school, take a position thatwe would do no research work, but in away I have looked upon this much thesame … as I have looked upon accredit-ing with these worldly organizations. Ihave felt that it would undoubtedly benecessary to try to do a little along thisline in order to keep the peace and keepour school from getting into trouble withthe men who are at the helm of thingsmedical in the United States. Neverthe-less, in my soul I have had very little

regard and fondness for this thing.”With research tolerated by most and

encouraged by a few, some individual fac-ulty achieved distinction in their researchduring the 1940s and 1950s. They weremostly on the Los Angeles campus wherestudents received clinical training for theMD degree. An additional boost toresearch was the access of CME clinicalfaculty to the broader world of medicineat the Los Angeles County Hospital,where they had contact with physiciansfrom other medical schools.Philip J. Vogel, MD, a neurosurgeon,

developed a technique to sever the con-nections between the cerebralhemispheres to aid patients withintractable seizures. By following thepatients, Dr. Vogel’s collaborator JosephBogen, MD, and Roger Sperry, PhD, atthe California Institute of Technology,began human right-and-left-brainresearch.Cyril B. Courville, MD, a prominent

neuropathologist and textbook author atCME, was nationally recognized for hisresearch on concussions and head injury.

The emergence of research SCOPE, Spring, 2006 � 25

This research is still cited today. Hiscollection of weapons associated withhead injury is now housed in theCourville museum in the departmentof pathology.Roger W. Barnes, MD, a urologist,

pioneered endoscopic surgery and pub-lished regularly, including a well-usedtextbook. Dr. Barnes never retired anddid not take sick leave for more than 55years. Of the more than 200 publishedscientific articles, 25 were submitted afterthe age of 75.H. James Hara, MD, an ENT physi-

cian, pioneered bronchoscopy. He was ofJapanese-American decent and was con-fined during World War II.Ellsworth E. Wareham, MD, pio-

neered the use of the heart-lung machinein Southern California and, with C. JoanCoggin, MD, MPH, began the LomaLinda University Overseas Heart SurgeryTeam.Other research physicians included

Alonzo J. Neufeld, MD, in orthopaedicsurgery, and Milton G. Crane, MD, andJohn J. Harris, MD, in the endocrinology

of hypertension. Vernon L. Nickel, MD,pioneered orthopaedic rehabilitationmedicine at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital.Newton G. Evans, MD, president ofCME from 1914–1927, later establisheda good reputation for his pathologyresearch. Dr. Neufeld established theCME Alumni Research Foundation, inpart, from royalties from the Neufeld nailused to pin hips.

Era of externally mandated research:1952–1961In this era, medical missionary training

was still the main activity, but thepatience of the accrediting bodies ran outand CME was unexpectedly placed undera mandate to demonstrate administrativesupport for research. The leadership teamat CME responded positively and activelyrecruited faculty with research training.At the dawn of the 1950s the Loma

Linda campus of CME was known as“the farm.” There was little research onthis campus. Raymond A. Mortensen,PhD, persevered on metabolic studies inanimals. Raymond E. Ryckman, PhD,remembers when he, Bruce W. Halstead,MD, and Harold N. Mozar, MD,approached administrators on the topic ofresearch. After their discussion, it wasclear that research was not a priority.4

Two important events in Loma Linda’sresearch history would soon change that.The first event was the formation of a

School of Tropical and Preventive Medi-cine (STPM) in the old South Laboratory.After World War II, there was a great dealof interest in tropical medicine, and it wasexpected that U.S. medical schools wouldquickly develop expertise in this area. Dr.Mozar had directed an Army School ofTopical Medicine in New Guinea, andWalter E. Macpherson, MD, then-dean ofthe School of Medicine, invited him to

Loma Linda’s first nursing class admires the newly-arrived Richard Edward Abbott.

C. Joan Coggin, MD, MPH, and Ellsworth E. Wareham, MD (right), began the Loma

Linda University Overseas Heart Surgery Team. Here, they are congratulated by U.S.

Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Elder John A. Burden was one of the few

that believed, as Ellen White did, that

Loma Linda would one day become a suc-

cessful educational institution.

Newton G. Evans, MD, president of

College of Medical Evangelists from

1914–1927, was also known for his

research in pathology.

Roger W. Barnes, MD, a urologist,

pioneered endoscopic surgery and pub-

lished regularly, including a well-used

textbook.

26 � SCOPE, Spring, 2006 The emergence of research

develop a School of Tropical and Preven-tive Medicine at CME. An upstartmedical student, Bruce W. Halstead, wasto be the associate director, and to con-tinue what became his lifelong study ofpoisonous fish. Research and scholarlypublications were prominent in the mis-sion of the new school.2

Dr. Halstead became an internationallyrecognized expert in marine toxicologyand his three-volume treatise on poison-ous and venomous marine animals is stillthe definitive work in this field today. TheSTPM hired well and built a strongresearch team. Dr. Ryckman, a medicalentomologist trained at University of Cali-fornia, Berkeley, joined the team andobtained contracts with the Army to studyvarious vectors. He became the foremostauthority on Triatoma, the “kissing bug”that is the vector for Chagas disease. Thiswork is still highly important to publichealth in Central and South America, andas a result, the Communicable DiseaseCenter of the United States PublicHealth Service republished Dr. Ryck-man’s dissertation and an annotatedbibliography of 23,000 references in Span-ish, French, Portuguese, and English onlya few years ago. This research was sup-ported in part by funding from the WorldHealth Organization.Edward D. Wagner, PhD, a medical

parasitologist, was also hired and studied

snails and their role in Schistosomiasis.George A. Nelson, PhD, by improving theprotocol of a Japanese scientist, was thefirst person to crystallize large amounts oftetrodotoxin, thereby bringing classifiedresearch to Loma Linda. Dr. Nelson sup-plied the crystals to Robert Woodward,PhD, a Harvard chemist, who determinedtetrodotoxin’s structure, and later receivedthe Nobel Prize in 1965.U.D. Register, PhD, in biochemistry,

was the first to prove scientifically thenutritional adequacy of the vegetariandiet, leading the American DieteticAssociation to stop listing the vegetariandiet as nutritionally deficient in aminoacids.The STPM made two more important

contributions. It hired Milton Murray as apublic relations officer and fundraiser,launching his illustrious career. Theyalso were the first researchers at LomaLinda to obtain National Institutes ofHealth (NIH) funding, although theformal peer review process that we associ-ate with NIH was not yet in place.Mervyn G. Hardinge, MD, PhD, DrPH,appears to have been the first recipient ofan NIH award under the peer reviewprocess. The STPM also developed pro-ductive links to naval and army researchfunding offices.The second event that stimulated

research on the Loma Linda campus was

another unfavorable accreditation reportin 1952. The Council on Medical Educa-tion was dissatisfied with the attempts toupgrade the teaching of anatomy, physiol-ogy, and pharmacology, and it mandatedthat CME look outside the AdventistChurch and hire experienced chairs forthese departments. As a result, CMEhired Otto F. Kampmeier, MD, PhD, inanatomy; Charles M. Gruber, MD, PhD,in pharmacology; and J. Earl Thomas,MD, in physiology. Dr. Thomas laterjoined the Adventist Church. These newchairs immediately improved the teachingof basic sciences and also worked hard tofoster research. They received strong sup-port from Harold Shryock, MD, whoembraced research after the 1952 accredi-tation report.The new chairs worked cooperatively

with CME to recruit well-trained Adven-tist basic scientists and then mentoredthem in both research and teaching. Drs.Kampmeier and Gruber were instrumen-tal in starting the first PhD program.Early well-known recruits included Dr.Hardinge, who had received a DrPH atHarvard for his research on vegetariannutrition, and was then sent to get a PhDin pharmacology at Stanford. He subse-quently took over as chair ofpharmacology, where he led out in secur-ing external research grant funding.Later he founded the School of Public

Health with a strong emphasis on

Raymond E. Ryckman, PhD (left), became the foremost authority on Triatoma. This

work is still highly important to public health in Central and South America.

U.D. Register, PhD, led the American Dietetic

Association to stop listing vegetarian diets as

nutritionally deficient in amino acids.

The emergence of research SCOPE, Spring, 2006 � 27

research. The growing research emphasisin the basic sciences in the 1950s and1960s attracted many new faculty withresearch interests, including Ian M.Fraser, PhD, and Leonard R. Bullas, PhD(both from Australia); R. Bruce Wilcox,PhD; Allen Strother, PhD; Joe Willey,PhD; and Brian S. Bull, MD.Niels Björn Jörgensen, DDS, professor

of oral surgery, brought internationalrecognition of the newly establishedSchool of Dentistry by pioneeringresearch in a new technique of dentalpain control. His contributions broughtprofound changes to dentistry and toundergraduate dental education. LloydBaum, DDS, developed techniques forimproving gold foil fillings and special-ized instruments. Robert A. James,DDS, was a pioneer in oral implantology,including the first description of theimplant-tissue interface.

Era of research fostered: 1962–1991With the reconstitution of CME in

July 1, 1961, as Loma Linda University,the university status was associated with agreater internal commitment to researchas an intrinsic component of academiclife. There was a growing recognition ofresearch as a “moral” obligation to con-tribute to the knowledge used in teachingand service. Questions were raised as towhether an emphasis on research was atodds with the religious mission of theUniversity. But in the discussions that fol-

lowed, both Adventist Church leaders andthe University community recognizedthat past research had been beneficial tothe Church. Furthermore, medicalresearch and basic research that explored“God’s handiwork” were seen as support-ive of the religious and service missions ofLoma Linda University. With this affirma-tion of research, centers of researchexcellence were begun and flourished.One of the administrators that fostered

research was G. Gordon Hadley, MD. Asa young person he made an importantfinding that the addition of EDTA to atube before a blood draw would preventclotting. That method is commonly usedtoday. Dr. Hadley continued to have aninterest in research, and as dean of theSchool of Medicine, he found a way tohelp passionate researchers get the equip-ment they needed. Another administratorwho enabled researchers in the basic sci-ence departments was Ian M. Fraser,PhD, initially chair of physiology andpharmacology and then the vice presidentfor academic and research affairs. He fos-tered a culture of support that facilitatedthe growth of the research faculty.The landscape on the Loma Linda

campus changed after David B. HinshawSr., MD, was appointed dean of the med-

ical school and succeeded in consolidatingthe newly named Loma Linda UniversitySchool of Medicine on the Loma Lindacampus. He sought to hire more researchfaculty. Virchel E. Wood, MD, inorthopaedic surgery, became renownedfor pioneering surgery to treat congenitalhand deformities. In 1995, he received anaward as “the most frequently citedauthor in the congenital hand literature inthe last 50 years.”5

Melvin P. Judkins, MD, who startedthe modern cardiac angiography era, cameto Loma Linda University as chair of thedepartment of radiology and, because ofhis national reputation, developed astrong patient base—which was importantnot only for his continued research, butalso for the income it provided for thenew medical center in Loma Linda.In 1970, Dr. Hinshaw recruited

Lawrence D. Longo, MD, from the Uni-versity of Pennsylvania into OB/GYN. Dr.Longo formed the Center for PerinatalBiology in affiliation with the departmentof physiology and pharmacology. Dr.Longo was joined by Gordon G. Power,MD, in 1972 and Raymond D. Gilbert,PhD, in 1975. Together, they establisheda first-rate research center—the first atLoma Linda University. It was well

Lawrence D. Longo, MD, recruited from the University of Pennsylvania into OB/GYN,

helped form the Center for Perinatal Biology in affiliation with the department of physiol-

ogy and pharmacology.

Melvin P. Judkins, MD, started the modern

cardiac angiography era.

28 � SCOPE, Spring, 2006 The emergence of research

funded by NIH and in 1985 received thefirst NIH program project grant at LomaLinda University. They also trained highquality graduate students. By 1976, thiswas one of the best perinatal biology pro-grams in the United States. Theynurtured other scientists, always encour-aging faculty to collaborate with them,and generously shared their knowledgeand expertise.Subsequently, other research centers

were established at the VA MedicalCenter by W. Ross Adey, MD, who stud-ied the effects of electromagneticradiation on biological organisms; and byDavid J. Baylink, MD, and his mineralmetabolism laboratory with its pioneeringstudies of osteoporosis. The VA MedicalCenter research programs contributedsubstantially to expansion of research atLoma Linda University. The faculty werehired primarily for their research skillsand they brought expertise in advancingfields that were not previously availableto the University. Through collaboration,providing excellent training for graduatestudents, and substantial teaching assign-ments in the biochemistry and physiologygraduate programs, the VA faculty helpedform a critical mass of highly trained basicscience researchers.

In addition to development of researchcenters in the School of Medicine, anotherimportant research program developed inepidemiology in public health. Starting in1958, Frank R. Lemon, MD, and RichardT. Walden, MD, commenced a study of65,000 Adventists in California, with fund-ing from the National Cancer Institute. Thestudy investigated lifestyle elements thatcontribute to coronary atherosclerosis. Laterthe American Cancer Society funded theaddition of cancer to the study. A newcohort of Adventists was enrolled in a 1973study headed by Roland L. Phillips, MD,and Jan W. Kuzma, PhD. This study, sup-ported by the National Cancer Institute, isknown as Adventist Health Study (AHS-1).A grant to continue AHS-1 was awarded toGary E. Fraser, MD, PhD, in 1992. In 2001Dr. Fraser received $18 million for what isnow known as Adventist Health Study-2.Also noteworthy was the $4 millionreceived by Synnove M.F. Knutsen, MD,PhD, and David E. Abbey, PhD, for stud-ies of Adventists and health risks of airpollution. These studies are among thelandmark epidemiology studies supportedby NIH.Leonard L. Bailey, MD, followed this

research with Baby Fae’s baboon hearttransplant and the numerous successful

infant heart transplants that were per-formed. This program still ranks first inthe world. James M. Slater, MD, pio-neered proton therapy and developed theproton accelerator in Loma Linda Univer-sity Medical Center. These high profilesuccesses brought prestige and enormousfree publicity for the Medical Center andthe University. The attitude towardresearch changed when, and for the firsttime, administration understood thatresearch could be a financial benefit, notjust a drain on the budget. Wolff M.Kirsch, MD, a neurosurgeon, inventor,and basic scientist, established a Neuro-surgery Center for Research, Training,

The emergence of research SCOPE, Spring, 2006 � 29

and Education. His research team devel-ops surgical devices and studies the roleof iron metabolism in the onset ofAlzheimer’s disease, supported by a majoraward from NIH.The success of those research centers

led to a centers of excellence era in theSchool of Medicine. The centers of excel-lence theme was essentially a policy thatresearch resources would be focused inresearch centers. Departments were to beprimarily for teaching. This resulted intargeting of research resources to investi-gators who were most likely to receiveNIH funding.

Era of research as a mission:1992–presentThe separation in 1990 of Loma Linda

University and La Sierra University as dis-tinct universities proved to be highlybeneficial to both Universities, although itwas traumatic at the time it occurred. Thereorganization of Loma Linda University asa health-sciences university brought focusand clarity to the mission of the University.In the discussions that preceded a revisionof the mission statement for this campus in1993, it was recognized that research shouldhave a greater role in a health-sciences uni-versity. The new Loma Linda Universitymission statement boldly declared, “LomaLinda University, a Seventh-day AdventistChristian health sciences institution, seeksto further the health and teaching ministryof Jesus Christ ‘to make man whole’ by:…expanding knowledge through researchin the biological, behavioral, physical, andenvironmental sciences and applying thisknowledge to health and disease.” Theexpanded emphasis on research was formal-ized in 2000 by the appointment of a vicepresident for research affairs. The next sixyears saw a doubling of the competitiveresearch awards to the institution and a sub-stantial expansion of the research servicesthat support faculty research.The Schools of Dentistry and Nursing

also developed research strengths in depart-ments or programs. Ralph R. Steinman,DDS, in oral medicine, and John Leonora,

PhD, in physiology, School of Medicine,demonstrated in teeth a fluid transportsystem from the pulp through dentinaltubules and discovered a new hypothala-mic-parotid gland endocrine system thatstimulated dentinal fluid flow. MahmoudTorabinejad, DDS, PhD, made major con-tributions to our understanding of themediators of inflammation in periapicallesions of animals and humans. He was alsothe first investigator to bring substantial roy-alties to Loma Linda University. Thesecame from an irrigant he developed to dis-infect root canals and a cement for sealingroot canals that became the material ofchoice for endodontists in America andEurope.When former School of Nursing dean

Helen E. King, PhD, RN, fostered doctoraland post-doctoral training for nursing fac-ulty, she stimulated faculty research. Thisculminated in four recent NIH researchawards to support faculty research. Lois H.Van Cleve, PhD, RN, is funded to studypain and its management in children withleukemia; Michael E. Galbraith, PhD, RN,was supported to study the quality of life inmen with prostate cancer; Patricia L. Jones,PhD, RN, received an award to continueinvestigation of caregiving for elderly par-

ents in varied Asian cultures; and Betty W.Winslow, PhD, RN, is supported toresearch family caregivers for patients withAlzheimer’s disease and the processes usedto make placement decisions.In the year 2005, Hector Betancourt,

PhD, in the School of Science and Tech-nology, received an award from NIH tostudy “Culture and cancer: the case ofLatino women.” The Faculty of Religionand the School of Public Health alsoreceived an NIH award to study the effectsof spirituality on health, with Dr. Gary E.Fraser as principal investigator and JamesW. Walters, PhD, as co-principal investiga-tor. As a result, for the first time in ourhistory, every school or faculty had substan-tial research funding from outside theUniversity.The emergence of high-quality

graduate programs was an important factorin research expansion at Loma Linda Uni-versity. These included postgraduateprograms in dentistry and the graduate pro-gram in epidemiology. After the MD/PhDcombined degree was expanded, RobertBoucek, MD, and W. Barton Rippon, PhD,took graduate education to a new level ofexcellence with the medical scientist grad-uate program, in which leading researchers

James M. Slater, MD, pioneered proton therapy and developed the proton accelerator in

Loma Linda University Medical Center.

Leonard L. Bailey, MD, poses for a picture with his infant heart transplant patients.

David J. Baylink, MD, studied mineral

metabolism. Here he is pictured with a

patient.

Since Barry L. Taylor, PhD, was named as the first vice president of research affairsfor Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center in 2000, he hasexpanded the research infrastructure to support the rapid growth of research on thecampus. In addition, Dr. Taylor manages the institution’s growing intellectual propertyportfolio through the office of intellectual property and contracts. As a result, incometo the University and Medical Center has increased from licensing and marketing ofintellectual property. The office of research integrity was added to promote ethicalconduct of research, and compliance with government and institutional policies.Under Dr. Taylor’s direction the external funding grants for the University’s

research program continue to grow rapidly.After receiving his PhD degree from Case Western Reserve University, Cleve-

land, Ohio, Dr. Taylor was a postdoctoral research fellow at the University ofCalifornia, Berkeley, and Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. Hearrived on campus as an assistant professor in the department of biochemistry in1976. He is now world-renowned for his pioneering studies of oxygen receptors inbacteria. Dr. Taylor has authored or co-authored more than 70 research articlesduring his time at Loma Linda.“Since others had achieved excellence in research centers, I decided that it was

important for me to demonstrate a viable research program in a department and tonurture others who shared a similar goal,” says Dr. Taylor.After becoming chair of the department of microbiology and molecular genetics

in the School of Medicine in 1988, Dr. Taylor continued to lead a group of eight to10 people who investigated oxygen receptors in bacteria. This research continuestoday and has been supported by NIH for more than 20 years. Dr. Taylor alsorecruited and mentored well-trained faculty who developed their own researchprograms.Dr. Taylor was active in bringing genome bioinformatics to the University. He

was also responsible for developing the Center for Molecular Biology and GeneTherapy at Loma Linda University.“Aladar A. Szalay, PhD, took over the leadership of Center for Molecular Biology

and Gene Therapy, but it was also the leadership of John J. Rossi, PhD, and MichaelB. Lilly, MD, that brought the greatest benefits to this campus,” says Dr. Taylor.“As a result, my laboratory and those of other investigators were able to develop

expertise in molecular biology that enabled us to get grants funded and publicationsthat would not have been possible without the center and its core facility.”

About Barry L. Taylor, PhDBY DU S T I N R. JO N E S , MA

30 � SCOPE, Spring, 2006 The emergence of research

from California Institute of Technology,City of Hope, and other Southern Califor-nia universities were recruited to lecture onemerging areas of biomedical science andto mentor graduate student research intheir laboratories. Anthony J. Zuccarelli,PhD, subsequently gave leadership in thisarea. Later the doctoral programs in psy-chology were strengthened by collaborationwith faculty at California State Universityat San Bernardino.The pending retirement of the post-

World War II generation of faculty posed aserious challenge to American universitiesin the 1990s. This was also true of the basicscience departments at Loma Linda Uni-versity. This challenge provided anopportunity to hire faculty with excellentresearch training and productive postdoc-toral fellowships, who were also committedto the mission of the University. Many fac-ulty and center directors, aided by tipsfrom faculty at Adventist colleges, helpedsearch for the most qualified individuals,irrespective of gender or ethnic heritage.Providentially, some well-trained persons ofcolor, whose existence was generallyunknown at Loma Linda University, wereinterested in the mission of the University,

and eventually enquired about positions atLoma Linda University. They also pro-vided information about other scientists ofcolor whom they knew and who had excel-lent research qualifications and an interestin the mission of the University. It was real-ized that many of the most qualifiedAdventist candidates for research facultypositions were people of color who had

pursued education and employment out-side the Adventist system. Eventual hiringand retention of some of these individualsbrought increased strength and diversity tothe research efforts in several centers anddepartments and led to funding by theNational Institutes of Health of a Centerfor Health Disparities Research, directedby Marino De Leon, PhD, at Loma LindaUniversity in 2005.Research at Loma Linda University

has continued to expand and today theUniversity receives almost $40 milliondollars per year for funded research pro-grams. This expansion led to theappointment of Lawrence C. Sowers,PhD, as associate dean for basic sciencesin the School of Medicine. There has alsobeen an expansion of research servicesprovided by the office of the vice presi-dent for research affairs. This includes anoffice of intellectual property and con-tracts that oversees processing of 200research contracts per year and managesthe intellectual property portfolio for theinstitution. Some patents are now produc-ing substantial royalties. The office ofresearch integrity was established to over-see compliance with the complexgovernment policies that now regulateresearch. A human-studies educator now

The emergence of research SCOPE, Spring, 2006 � 31

trains coordinators for clinical trials. Theoffices of sponsored research and grantsmanagement have been expanded toimprove the work flow, and better coordi-nation between the offices is now evident.Two associate vice chancellors now assistthe vice president in management of theresearch program.A cadre of well-trained and very tal-

ented younger faculty are setting highstandards; there are now more than 100principal investigators at Loma Linda Uni-versity who receive funding from outsidethe University and Medical Center to sup-port their research. This represents ahealthy mix of center and departmentresearch that will continue to prosper, goingfar beyond the vision of our most farsightedpioneers.

References1. From Vision to Reality: 1905-1980.

Loma Linda University. 1980. Editor,Richard Utt. Loma Linda University Press.2. Health to the People: A History of

Public Health and Preventive Medicine atLoma Linda, 1905-2004. P. WilliamDysinger.3.Diamond Memories: School of Medicine

Seventy-fifth Anniversary. 1984. Editor-in-chief,Carrol S. Small. Alumni Association, Schoolof Medicine of Loma Linda University.4. R. Ryckman, personal communication.5. Horner, R. L. 2000. “An Incredible

Journey: Orthopedic surgery at LomaLinda University in the 20th century.”Neufeld Society, p 59.

AcknowledgementsI wish to thank Ian M. Fraser, PhD,

who critically reviewed the manuscriptand made helpful suggestions; and thefollowing, who have generously sharedrecollections with me: Raymond Ryck-man, PhD; G. Gordon Hadley, MD;Bruce Wilcox, PhD; Lawrence D. Longo,MD; Ian M. Fraser, PhD; Gary E. Fraser,MD, PhD; Daniel Kido, MD; T. JoeWilly, PhD; Gary Fryckman, MD; Her-itage Room, Loma Linda UniversityLibraries.

Gary Fraser, MD, PhD (right), pictured here with Larry Beeson, DrPH, and Joan

Sabaté, MD, PhD, received an $18 million grant for the Adventist Health Study.

LLU Center for Health Disparities Research investigators (from left) Nathan Wall, PhD

(pancreatic cancer), Carlos Casiano, PhD (prostate cancer), Daisy De Leon, PhD (breast

cancer), Marino De Leon, PhD (diabetes/stroke), and Susanne Montgomery, PhD, direc-

tor of community partnerships and outreach core. � SCOPE

Newscope SCOPE, Spring, 2006 � 33

At a special retirement party held June13 in Wong Kerlee International ConferenceCenter, Loma Linda University administra-tors honored Helen King, PhD, RN, for her24 years of service as dean of the School ofNursing.

Dr. King earned the bachelor of sciencedegree in nursing in 1959 and the master ofscience degree in nursing and teaching in1965 from Loma Linda University, and thedoctor of philosophy degree in biology fromBoston University in 1973.

In 1981, Dr. King was appointed dean ofthe Loma Linda University School of Nurs-ing. She brought to this position personaldevotion to the comprehensive mission of theUniversity and unwavering commitment toexcellence in the art and science of nursing.During a tenure of nearly a quarter of a cen-tury as dean—the longest in the history of theUniversity’s seven schools—her steady andcapable leadership has remained grounded inthe principles upon which the School of Nurs-ing was founded a century ago.

Under her leadership, the School hasgrown substantially in size and complexity.Included among the programs that have beenadded to the standard nursing curriculumduring the past quarter of a century are accel-erated and intensive bachelor of sciencedegree programs designed for students withnon-nursing baccalaureate preparation, amaster of science degree program that offers anumber of advanced-practice clinical andadministration options, programs that combinenursing with master’s-level study in publichealth and biomedical and clinical ethics, and

a doctor of philosophy degree program innursing. In addition, off-campus degree pro-grams are now offered in Thailand, Argentina,and Japan.

In recognition of and appreciation for herdedication, loyalty, and commitment to LomaLinda University, Dr. King was awarded the Uni-versity Distinguished Service Award at theSchool of Nursing conferring-of-degrees cere-mony this year. She also received the LomaLinda University Adventist Health SciencesCenter President’s Award in recognition of her 24years of service as dean of the School of Nursing.

The National Center for Health Dispari-ties and Minority Health, National Institutesof Health awarded an $8.1 million grant toLoma Linda University School of Medicineto establish a research center for healthdisparities.The Loma Linda University Center for

Health Disparities Research (LLUCHDR),received funding in October 2005 and gotunderway at the beginning of 2006.The center will bring together

researchers from different disciplineswithin the School of Medicine and the

cellular oxidative stress” (ASCOS) to dis-eases such as cancer, diabetes, and strokethat have exhibited disparities in inci-dence and/or mortality between differentpopulations.

“We have to find out what treatmentswork better for different ethnic groups,” saidRoger Hadley, MD, dean of the School ofMedicine. He said the NIH funding willhelp find better treatments and congratu-lated the team of researchers on theirsuccessful grant proposal at a press confer-ence held March 1 to announce the center.

School of Medicine awarded $8.1 million grant

Dr. King was given the LLUAHSC President’s Award in recognition of her 24 years of ser-

vice as dean of the School. Posing for a photo are, from left, B. Lyn Behrens, MBBS,

president, LLUAHSC; Dr. King; Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, chancellor, Loma Linda Uni-

versity; and H. Roger Hadley, MD, executive vice president for medical affairs, LLUAHSC.

School of Public Health. They will focustheir expertise on this important nationalhealth priority through the integration oftranslational biomedical research, educationand training, community participation, andhealth-related outreach activities. Thecenter’s biomedical translational researchprogram will use molecular and cell biologytechniques to study genetic and biologicalfactors contributing to health disparities.The LLUCHDR will be the first NIH-funded center at LLU to study thecontribution of an “augmented state of

LLU honorsHelen King’s 24years as deanof SN

Marilyn Herrmann, PhD, RN, selected as dean of School of Nursing

32 � SCOPE, Spring, 2006 Newscope

Newscope

The November 2005 issue of NationalGeographic magazine features the LomaLinda University Adventist Health Study inan article titled “The Secrets of LivingLonger.”

Written by Dan Buettner and pho-tographed by David McLain, the articleinterviews residents of Okinawa, Sardinia,and Loma Linda—who, according to thearticle, “live longer, healthier lives than justabout anyone else on Earth.”

Mr. Buettner made several trips to LomaLinda, interviewing a number of individualsabout their lifestyle.

Linda Valley Vista resident MargeJetton, age 101, is featured prominently inthe article, as is Gary Fraser, MD, PhD, acardiologist and professor of epidemiologyand biostatistics in the School of PublicHealth and School of Medicine. Dr. Fraseris principal investigator for the Loma LindaUniversity Adventist Health Study.

Others pictured in the article areEllsworth E. Wareham, MD, emeritus pro-fessor of surgery, School of Medicine, whoat 91 still assists with heart surgery; ScottSmith, former associate pastor at the Uni-

National Geographic magazine features Loma Linda Adventists

The November 2005 National Geographicfeatures the longevity of Adventists inLoma Linda. Journalist Dan Buettnervisited with several Loma Linda residentsfor his story.

versity Church of Seventh-day Adventists inLoma Linda, and now a first-year student inLoma Linda University School of Dentistry;and Kim Rawson, an LLUMC nurse wholives in Colton.

Mr. Buettner writes that from 1976 to1988, the National Institutes of Health“funded a study of 34,000 California Adven-tists to see whether their health-orientedlifestyle affected their life expectancy andthe risk of heart disease and cancer.”

The study found that consuming beans,soy milk, tomatoes, and other fruits loweredthe risk of developing certain types of cancers.

Mr. Buettner writes: “In the end thestudy reached a stunning conclusion, saysGary Fraser of Loma Linda University: Theaverage Adventist lived four to ten yearslonger than the average Californian. Thatmakes the Adventists one of the nation’smost convincing cultures of longevity.”

Mr. Buettner concludes his article with onelast question, noting that after interviewingmore than 50 centenarians on three conti-nents, “I’ve found every one likeable; therehasn’t been a grouch in the bunch. What’s thesecret to a century of congeniality?”

In a Loma Linda University Board ofTrustees action, on Wednesday, Decem-ber 7, Marilyn M. Herrmann, PhD, RN,associate dean of the undergraduate pro-gram for the School of Nursing, was votedas the new dean of the School of Nursing.The appointment of Dr. Herrmann

became effective January 1 and fills thevacancy left by Helen King, PhD, RN,who is retiring.After attending Andrews University for

one year, Marilyn transferred to ColumbiaUnion College, Takoma Park, Maryland,and graduated in 1965 with a bachelor’sdegree in nursing.In March of 1980, Marilyn completed

her master’s degree at LLU and beganteaching at the School of Nursing. In1989, she was asked to be the assistantdean for the undergraduate program.Upon graduation from Claremont Gradu-ate University, Claremont, California, witha PhD in higher education, she was pro-moted to associate dean. Dr. Herrmannhas continued in that capacity since then.“During these years at LLU, my great-

est satisfaction has been to see more than2,000 students become colleagues in theprofession of nursing, and my hope is thatthese students are fulfilling the mission ofthe University, with God’s help, ‘to makeman whole,’” says Dr. Herrmann.

Geologists embark on discovery journey in Wyoming

Team members investigate Fossil Lake while mapping 600 square miles of Wyoming andanswering questions about geological mysteries. From right: Roberto Biaggi, PhD, pro-fessor of natural sciences at Universidad Adventista del Plata in Libertidor San Martin,Argentina; Robert Cushman, PhD, professor of geology in the department of earth andbiological sciences, SST; and Paul Buchheim, PhD, principal investigator of the study,and professor of geology in the department of earth and biological sciences, SST.

SN hosts 100Acts of Caring

34 � SCOPE, Spring, 2006 Newscope

Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, a rehabilita-tion and prosthetics patient at LLUMC,received the ESPN Arthur Ashe CourageAward along with co-recipient and fellowdisabled athlete JimMacLaren on July 13 atHollywood’s Kodak Theater. The awardpresentation was televised July 17 at 9:00p.m. on ESPN. Oprah Winfrey handed outthe award during the 13th annual awardsprogram hosted by Matthew Perry. TheArthur Ashe Courage Award is annuallygiven to individuals whose contributionstranscend sports.

Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah embodies thesteel resolve of the never-give-up attitudethat is the hallmark of the award and itsnamesake. Originally from Ghana, Mr.Yeboah, born with a severely deformed rightleg, has dedicated himself to changing thehistorically limiting stigma associated withdisability in his home country. His relation-ship with LLUMC began in 2002 at the EastCampus Hospital-sponsored San DiegoTriathlon Challenge, the largest fundraiser forthe Challenged Athletes Foundation. It washere he first met Mike Davidson, a certifiedprosthetist at LLUMC East Campus Hospi-tal. He and other staff encouraged Mr. Yeboahto seek evaluation for prosthetics. Hereceived complimentary care at LLUMCEast Campus Hospital. Physicians amputatedhis deformed leg and started him on his roadto rehabilitation and a new life with a pros-thetic; all the while Mr. Yeboah stayed withstaff member Fabio Maia for the entire three-month rehabilitation process as a personalguest.The prosthetics department helped

design and build Mr. Yeboah’s new pros-thetic leg. The piece was the lateststate-of-the-art artificial leg that permittedMr. Yeboah to bike and run using various

Newscope SCOPE, Spring, 2006 � 35

Centennial events for the School ofNursing this past year have included acalendar, a book, and focusing on gettinginformation out about the School, but theSchool of Nursing centennial planningcommittee wanted to do something spe-cial to give back to the community. It wasout of this desire to help others that theidea of 100 Acts of Caring was developed.“The centennial planning committee

wanted a venue and theme from whichwe could reach out to the communitywith acts of service as part of commemo-rating our centennial year,” says MarciaDunbar, MS, RN, assistant professor ofnursing and chair of the School of Nurs-ing centennial planning committee.The committee partnered with Ronald

D. Graybill, PhD, director of the commu-nity outreach department, LLUMC.A theme of 100 Acts of Caring was

adopted as a reflection of a desire to per-form 100 acts of service within the weekof October 24 to October 30.Dr. Graybill posted a calendar of opportu-

nities, including sites such as the SanBernardino County Food Bank, the Ander-son School (for developmentally challengedstudents), and Curtis Middle School. CassieOlson, School of Nursing student associationcommunity service coordinator, also lined upopportunities at Ronald McDonald House.Many nursing students helped with the

Medical Center’s family health fair, offer-ing free immunizations on Sunday,October 30. Hundreds of SN students andfaculty served at the various venues.One of the most diverse sites, and one

where scores of nursing students served,was “The Gardens.” The Gardens is themost intensive “hands-on” initiative of theLLUMC community outreach depart-ment. It offers after-school programs in theNorton Neighborhoods, specifically at aresidence and one-acre site the MedicalCenter rents in San Bernardino.

Camping atop amountain onFossil ButteNationalMonument, exploring vast lands ofWyoming, and discovering answers to geologi-calmysteries, geology professors and studentsare on a journey tomap 600 squaremiles ofWyoming.Paul Buchheim, PhD, principal investigator

of the study and professor of geology in thedepartment of earth and biological sciences,School of Science andTechnology (SST), alongwith co-investigators Robert Cushman, PhD,professor of geology, department of earth andbiological sciences, SST, andRoberto Biaggi,PhD, professor of natural sciences at Universi-dadAdventista del Plata inLibertidor SanMartin, Argentina, recently returned from theirfourth and last summer research trip to com-plete their $209,000National Park Servicegrant titled “GeologicalMapping ofTopo-graphicQuadrangles Associatedwith FossilButteNationalMonument.”“The National Park Service funded the

project because they want to know how farthe fossil-rich layers extend beyond FossilButte National Monument,” states Dr. Buch-heim. “The maps will be the standard andused by the National Park Service, oil com-panies, geologists, and paleontologists,among others.”LLU is no stranger to Fossil Butte

National Monument. For the past 26 years,Dr. Buchheim has studied paleoecosystemsand sedimentology of Fossil Lake. In fact if

you visit the Fossil Butte National Monu-ment museum, you’ll see LLU’s Dr.Buchheim featured in the video presentation.“One outcome of this mapping project is

that we’ve been able to answer a number ofquestions,” explains Dr. Buchheim.One question has been amystery to many

researchers’ minds: “Was Fossil Lake everconnected with the other huge lakes thatexisted nearby inWyoming?”According to Dr. Buchheim and his team,

the answer is “Yes!” Last summer they fol-lowed the layers of Fossil Lake and foundthat it was connected with the larger LakeGosiute to the east.“I’ve been wanting to accomplish that for

a quarter of a century!” shares Dr. Buch-heim. “To be able to connect two of theselakes is outstanding. It allows us to answermany more questions about the effect onplants and fish and if the connectionchanged the ecology of the two lakes.”The team plans to have themaps pub-

lished by the state ofWyoming beginningsometime this year and to make them avail-able online and throughGeographicInformation Systems (GIS).“For the first time, we’ll have a complete

picture of Fossil Lake and its relations toneighboring Eocene lakes,” states Dr.Biaggi. “This will be a valuable resource ofthe Fossil Basin region for investigators andinterested individuals alike.”

Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, from Ghana, shown preparing for the 2004 San DiegoTriathlon Challenge, received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award July 13 at the 2005ESPY Awards presented by ESPN.

LLUMC rehabpatient receivesESPY Award

On August 1, a class of more than 80 stu-dents joined a new master of public healthprogram—the first in Russia—at ZaokskyAdventist University, 70 miles south ofMoscow. More than 160 applicants competedfor the spots.

The master of public health programoffers two study tracks, one with a healtheducation focus; the other focuses onresearch, epidemiology, and program plan-ning, with the goal of building a publichealth infrastructure.

The students traveled from 11 timezones to attend classes, which meet for fourweeks once a year.

“The MPH program means a lot for thepeople in Russia since it pays attention to

the problems in our society that wereunderestimated,” says Eugene Zaitsev, MD,PhD, an administrator at Zaoksky and alsoan MPH student. “Interest in the programis great. Due to the program, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has enlarged herinfluence to the society.”

Loma Linda University and the GeneralConference of Seventh-day Adventistshealth department also offered a six-daycertificate program in health education atZaoksky in July, training 330 participants.The goal of the conference was to train Sev-enth-day Adventist Church workers toeffectively address problems such as drugand alcohol addictions, poor eating habits,and bogus health practices.

adaptive devices, furthering him toward hisgoals in sports and beyond. The new leg hasassisted Mr. Yeboah to continue the cam-paign for awareness in Ghana he began withhis 370-mile bicycle journey across Ghana,using only one leg.

Besides Mr. Yeboah’s award, two otherLoma Linda University Medical Center EastCampus patients were nominees for anExcellence in Sports Performance Yearly(ESPY) in the category Best Male Athletewith Disability. Rudy Garcia-Tolson and Paul

Martin, both Challenged Athletes Foundationathletes, competed in the 2004 ParalympicGames. Mr. Garcia-Tolson set the men’sworld record in swimming the 200-meterindividual medley. Mr. Martin won one silverand one bronze medal in cycling.The ESPY Awards gather top celebrities

from sports and entertainment to commem-orate the past year in sports by recognizingmajor sports achievements, reliving unfor-gettable moments, and saluting the leadingperformers and performances.

SPH adds public health program in Russia

Newscope SCOPE, Spring, 2006 � 37

What do flashlights, bees, and nails have incommon? For those who put the roof on theMexico health clinic, a lot. From November 16to 20, a team from Students for InternationalMission Service (SIMS) volunteered their timeto put the roof on the soon-to-be health clinicnear Ensenada, Mexico.

The building belongs to Iglesia Adventistade Maneadero, a Seventh-day AdventistChurch. Currently, SIMS provides health carein the Sabbath school rooms of the church.“Because we don’t have a permanent andactual clinic, the health care LLU provides islimited,” says Maxine Newell, previous coordi-nator of SIMSMexico trips. So for the pasttwo years, SIMS has helped build a perma-nent clinic that will benefit the region’s 60percent who cannot afford health care.

Mainly five peoplewere involvedwith theconstruction: BuddyKeubler, residence dean;Lynette Bates, dean of women; RichardWright,chef for the SIMS team;GregEiseman, nursingstudent; and, Claudio Japas, public health student.

“There were thousands of bees swarmingaround us,” says Ms. Bates. “Over there, wecan’t just buy Raid like here.”

So what did they do? They tried smokingthem out, sprayed bleach and some cockroachrepellent they had, but to no avail.

“It was kind of funny seeing everyonework with a cloud of bees around them,”laughs Ms. Bates. All in all, three people got abee sting.

Saturday night, the team tripled in size.Participants of the monthly SIMS health clinicshowed up to help. So with flashlights in onehand and a shingle in another, SIMS accom-plished enough that night to have the originalfive-member team complete the roof the nextmorning while the others held clinic.

“My goal was to get the roof on before therains came,” explains Martine Polycarpe, MPH,director of SIMS. “We’re so thankful for thosewho came down for several days to finish it.”

“The highlight of the trip was getting to

know the students in a different way,” says Ms.Bates. “Claudio and Greg were there the wholetime and added so much fun.”

“It’s fun to know that we can help the

people fulfill their dreams,” shares Ms. Bates.As for the clinic, doors will open as soon as

people can paint it, put the plumbing in, and,of course, remove the bees.

Students, staffput roof onMexico clinic

The group poses for a picture atop their finished work. (Back row, from left) Lynette Bates,dean of women; Nicolas Dahlquist, son of medical preceptors; and Buddy Keubler, residencedean; (middle) Greg Eiseman, nursing student; Lauren (Tino), local church member; ClaudioJapas, public health student; (front) Tony Valenzuela, EdD, assistant professor, SAHP.

LLUMC provides new option for treating depressionA device already in use to treat epilepsy

seizures recently received FDA approval foruse with patients with treatment-resistantdepression (TRD) and is available atLLUMC. The first patient to receive thedevice, implanted in the left side of thechest above the heart like a pacemaker,underwent surgery on September 29, 2005.

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy hasbeen used since 1997 to treat patients withepileptic seizures. Since then, the Houston,Texas, based company Cyberonics, whichmanufactures the VNS pulse generator, hastracked the mood improvement in patientsimplanted with the device. Through world-wide testing and research in more than 3,000patients, 400 in the United States, Cyberonicsreceived FDA approval for use in patients withTRD on July 15, 2005.

Renatta Osterdock, MD, neurosurgeon atLLUMC, has been performing the implantprocedure since 1997 for seizure patients andplaced the device for the first patient treatedfor TRD. Ronald Warnell, MD, associate pro-fessor of psychiatry, will be working closelywith Dr. Osterdock and referring physician

Cyam Kunam, MD, from Redlands on thefollow-up care for the patient. Results from thetreatment typically are noticed 6- to 12-monthsafter implantation.

“This is a treatment for people whohaven’t responded to multiple trials of combi-nations of therapy and are still depressed,”says Dr. Warnell. “This is a completely differ-ent tool that can allow this group of people abetter quality of life.”

VNS therapy is delivered from a smallpacemaker-like device implanted in the chestarea that sends mild pulses to the brain viathe vagus nerve in the neck. A thin, thread-like wire attached to the generator runs underthe skin to the left vagus nerve. The vagusnerve, one of the 12 cranial nerves, serves asthe body’s “information highway,” connectingthe brain to many major organs. Several stud-ies have shown that VNS therapy maymodulate neurotransmitters, such as serotoninand norepinephrine, thought to be involvedin mood regulation.

For more information on VNS therapy, askyour doctor, visit <www.vnstherapy.com>, orcall 1-877-NOW-4-VNS.

36 � SCOPE, Spring, 2006 Newscope

The first U.S. Food and Drug Admin-istration approved artificial disc isavailable to patients at Loma Linda Uni-versity Medical Center, the first center inthe Inland Empire to offer this treatmentfor low back pain.The device, the CHARITÉ™ Artifi-

cial Disc manufactured by DePuy Spine,Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, is ahigh-tech replacement part for damagedor worn-out spinal discs.“The only artificial disc that has been

approved by the FDA in the UnitedStates is the CHARITÉ™,” wrote WayneCheng, MD, orthopaedic surgeon atLoma Linda University Medical Center,in a column on the subject printed in theSan Bernardino Sun newspaper. TheCHARITÉ Artificial Disc is made of twometallic endplates and a movable high-density plastic center that is designed tohelp align the spine and preserve its abil-ity to move. Spinal discs maintain theposition of the spine and allow for theflexibility to bend and twist.

Lumbar spinal fusion surgery is acommon surgical treatment for low-backpain or degenerative disc disease. How-ever, this procedure limits the range ofmotion for patients. In clinical trials com-paring artificial disc replacement to spinalfusion surgery, patients with the CHAR-ITÉ Artificial Disc maintained flexibility,experienced improvements in pain andfunction, and left the hospital sooner.Dr. Cheng cites the main benefit of

the artificial disc as reduced pain for thepatient. If he can’t help the patientreduce pain by 80 percent or more, hewon’t do the procedure.But in addition to the pain factor, the

artificial disc offers greater retention offlexibility and offers a 30 percent reducedrisk to the disc above the artificialreplacement. In the traditional treatmentof damaged discs, fusion, a greateramount of pressure fell to the disc abovethe fused area, leading into a cycle of discdegeneration. The artificial disc helpsprevent this.

LLU professor helps initiate statewidephysical therapy awareness program

The recommended maximum weightof a loaded backpack is 15 percent of thestudent’s body weight. In a study at LomaLinda University, Dr. Lohman et al. foundthat loads in excess of 15 percent of thestudent’s body weight resulted in spinaldeviations. In another study, S.R. Layerreported that 60 percent of studentsreported chronic back pain related toheavy backpacks. Among students whocarried backpacks weighing 15 percent oftheir body weight or less, only 20 percentreported pain.As 15 percent of the stu-dent’s body weight is the point at whichspinal deviations occur and significantincrease in reported chronic back painoccurs, it would seem prudent to stay

below the 15 percent level.MoveCalifornia has grown to include edu-

cational lectures and material on thefollowing topics: fall prevention in theelderly population, bone health for women,adolescent obesity, and preventing kneeinjuries in female athletes.

While millions of Americans suffer frompreventative injuries and pain, Everett B.Lohman III, DPTSc, OCS, and a team offellow physical therapists are eager to help.Associate professor of physical therapy in

the School of Allied Health Professions, Dr.Lohman is also a member of the communi-cations committee for the California PhysicalTherapy Association (CPTA). As such, hehelped develop and implement a new pro-gram calledMoveCalifornia.“MoveCalifornia will help raise con-

sumers’ awareness of what physicaltherapists do,” says Dr. Lohman, “and alsohelp them learn to prevent injuries.”The CPTA jumpstarted the initiative

with a presentation developed by Dr.Lohman. Titled “Back to school: Is yourchild’s backpack making the grade?,” thepresentation is the first of several to promotethe profession and healthy living.Dr. Lohman and numerous SAHP physi-

cal therapy students and Redlands HighSchool students have presented this injuryprevention to health fairs, parent groups,health care provider groups, and schools inSouthern California. Several physical thera-pists throughout California have used thispresentation to reach the public to promoteinjury prevention.In May 2002, the U.S. Consumer Prod-

uct Safety Commission reported thatbackpack-related injuries sent almost 6,000students each year to emergency rooms.Many of these were caused by the backpackweighing too much in proportion to theweight of the student. Wearing backpacksthat are too heavy causes the student todeviate from a “normal” posture. Thesedeviations cause the muscles and soft tissuesof the back to work harder, leading to strainand fatigue. In addition, they can causespinal compression and/or improper align-ment, hampering the proper functioning ofthe discs between the vertebrae that provideshock absorption.

LLUMC offers new treatment for back pain

Silvia De Faria helps a boy weigh hisbackpack at the 2005 Loma Linda Uni-versity Kid’s Care Fair.

Nine students and two faculty membersof the School of Pharmacy were initiated tomembership in Phi Lambda Sigma, thenational Pharmacy Leadership Society,during a formal ceremony held November 6at Wong Kerlee International ConferenceCenter. The new members are TonyNguyen of the class of 2006; Bosun Kim,Goldie Malek, Ahmad Saadat, Tara Swan-coat, and Keldon Wong of the class of 2007;and Jonathan Aguilo, Nyra Balquiedra, andElizabeth Trang of the class of 2008. Alsoinitiated were faculty members Gamal Hus-sein, PharmD, and Rashid Mosavin, PhD,MBA.The ceremony was preceded by a ban-

quet for members and invited guests, whichfeatured addresses by faculty member KellyLee, PharmD, and Avis Ericson, PharmD,administrative dean, the School of Pharmacy.Dr. Lee’s presentation was titled “Daily

Lessons in Leadership.” She emphasizedthree characteristics common to great lead-ers: technical proficiency, willingness totake responsibility, and the courage to set apositive example. Dr. Ericson focused onGood to Great by James Collins, a book thathas challenged traditional concepts of lead-ership since its publication three years ago.Mr. Collins posits that “good” is theenemy of “great”—because it is so easy tosettle for “good” and go no further; andthat greatness is largely a matter of con-scious choice. At the conclusion of heraddress, Dr. Ericson presented each PhiLambda Sigma member an individualcopy of the book.Phi Lambda Sigma is the only national

Pharmacy Leadership Society. Founded in1965, its primary objective is to promoteadvancement in the pharmaceutical sci-ences through encouragement andrecognition of superior leadership. Mem-bers are selected by peer recognition.

Conference presenters pose with their traditional Indian shawls. From left to right areJohn Riski, PhD, Linda D’Antonio, PhD, Roopa Nagarajan, MA, MSc (on the TVscreen), Karen Golding-Kushner, PhD, and David Kuehn, PhD.

LLU co-hosts video conference on CLP disordersLoma Linda University offered a unique

opportunity to speech and language patholo-gists on January 8 and 9. In collaboration withSri Ramachandra Medical College & ResearchInstitute (SRMC & RI) in Chennai, India,LLU put on a video conference on the spe-cialty of cleft lip and palate (CLP) and thecommunication disorders caused by CLP. Theconference marked the beginning of the sixthyear of partnership between Loma Linda Uni-versity and SRMC & RI in the area ofcommunication disorders related to cleft lipand palate.

The conference came about as a result ofnumerous requests for advanced training in thisspecialty area within speech and languagepathology, both in India and in the UnitedStates. Linda D’Antonio, PhD, professor, Schoolof Medicine, and Professor Roopa Nagarajan,MA,MSc, course chairperson for the departmentof speech, language, and hearing sciences at SriRamachandraMedical College&Research Insti-tute DeemedUniversity, co-chaired the conferenceas an extension of their five-year relationshipstarted with one of the first Smile Train centersestablished in 2000.

“Our lives and our clinical experience havebeen enriched by our collaboration, and we hopethat this meeting will foster many more collabora-tive efforts. We welcome you all and hope thatthis conference will serve to increase speech ser-vices for the children with cleft lip and palate towhomwe are dedicated,” wrote Dr. D’Antonioand Professor Nagarajan in a welcome statement

to the more than 200 attendees between theUnited States and India site.

The purpose of the training, held from 6:30 to11:00 p.m. each day in Loma Linda, and from8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in India, was to providespecific information regarding practical clinicalskills for evaluation and treatment of communica-tion disorders in children with cleft palate. Theprogram was designed to provide access to inter-nationally recognized faculty in the area of cleftpalate who can then serve as resources for increas-ing the knowledge and skills of speech andlanguage pathologists who are involved with thispopulation of patients.

“Caring for the cleft may put a smile on thechild, but it can’t help them speak,” continuedProfessor T.K. Partha Sarathy, MD, prochancel-lor, SRMC & RI. “We need surgery and speechworking together to sustain the program.”

The video conference was the first part of afive-day training session in India. The next twodays (January 10 and 11) included a visit to thecommunity-based rehabilitation site atThiruvannamalai, India, where participantsfocused on hands-on training in assessment andrehabilitation planning for children with cleft lipand palate. The last day of the workshop (Janu-ary 12) back at SRMC & RI included groupdiscussions, case presentations, and closingremarks.

Approximately 40 children received freespeech evaluations and treatment plans as partof the extended program in India on the fourthday of the training.

SP leadershipsociety inductsnew members

38 � SCOPE, Spring, 2006 Newscope Newscope SCOPE, Spring, 2006 � 39

On February 7, an anatomy text co-authored by three Loma Linda Universityfaculty and an Andrews University facultymember won the 2005 R.R. HawkinsAward. The book, Atlas of Clinical GrossAnatomy, won the prestigious 2005 R.R.Hawkins Award for the most outstandingpublication recognized in the Professionaland Scholarly Publishing Division of theAssociation of American Publishersannual Awards for Excellence in Profes-sional and Scholarly Publishing.Now in its 30th year, these prestigious

awards are given annually to recognizeexceptional professional, scholarly, refer-ence, book, journal, and electronicpublishing, with awards in more than 35categories, including the coveted R.R.Hawkins Award.The anatomy text won the award less

than a year after hitting the bookshelves,

being published in May 2005. Before win-ning the award, Atlas of Clinical GrossAnatomy began appearing in classrooms atHarvard Medical School, the Universityof Connecticut Medical School, and theUniversity of Southern California’s physi-cal therapy program.The full-color atlas was co-authored by

Kenneth Moses, MD, a staff physician

and assistant professor at Loma LindaUniversity; Darrell Petersen, with thehuman anatomy department at LomaLinda University School of Medicine;John C. Banks, an Andrews Universityprofessor of anatomy and physical ther-apy; and Pedro B. Nava, PhD, chair of thepathology and human anatomy depart-ment at Loma Linda University.

On Sunday, November 13, 1,237 under-privileged fourth graders from SanBernardino and Riverside counties came toreceive an early Christmas present in theform of a brand new bicycle and helmet.Each person who pledged $200 during theOctober 18 and 19 Stater

Bros./KFROGGERS for Kids radiothon hadthe opportunity to personally award a bicy-cle and safety helmet to one of the childrenpresent at the event. Students were nomi-nated by teachers and school administratorsbased on exceptional attitude, behavior, andacademic skills or citizenship.

The event raised $443,850 to benefitcancer patients at LLU Children’s Hospital.LLUCH offers treatments for childrenranging from newborns up to 18 years ofage who are fighting cancer or blood disor-ders. Recently, bone marrow transplantationhas been incorporated as the newest com-ponent of the comprehensive program.LLUCH admits more than 1,500 childrento the pediatric cancer unit each year.The bicycle-presentation ceremony took

place at Arrowhead Credit Union Park indowntown San Bernardino. The bikes weremade possible by financial support fromBetty Crocker, Jack Link’s, Keebler, andPropel.“This is truly an incredible partnership

between the corporate world and the com-munity,” says Zareh Sarrafian, MBA,administrator of Children’s Hospital. “Weare happy to tangibly recognize some veryspecial kids.”

LLUCH donors give away 1,200 bicycles to underprivileged kids

LLU professors authoraward-winning book

More than 1,200 bicycles were lined up at Arrowhead Park for the bike giveaway as aresult of the October Stater Bros./KFROGGERS radiothon.

From left, Pedro B. Nava, PhD, chair of the pathology and human anatomy depart-ment at Loma Linda University; Kenneth Moses, MD, a staff physician and assistantprofessor at Loma Linda University; and Darrell Petersen, with the human anatomydepartment at Loma Linda University School of Medicine, co-authored the award-win-ning text Atlas of Clinical Gross Anatomy.

Newscope SCOPE, Spring, 2006 � 41

The department of health promotionand education recently received nationalconfirmation of its success in preparingstudents to become health educators. TheNational Commission for Health Educa-tion Credentialing, Inc. has listed LomaLinda University’s School of PublicHealth among the top 10 schools with themost students/graduates passing the Cer-tified Health Education Specialist(CHES) exam for the year 2005.While nationally in 2005 only 79.53

percent of test-takers passed the exam,94.44 percent of Loma Linda Universitytest-takers were successful.The department is very conscientious

about teaching courses that place empha-sis and focus on the areas ofresponsibilities and competencies forgraduate-level health educators, saysNaomi N. Modeste, DrPH, professor andchair, health promotion and education.She says the department is pleased withthis accomplishment.“We in the department of health pro-

motion and education have dedicatedmuch time and effort to ensure that theclasses taught encompass the graduate-level responsibilities and competenciesfor health educators, and we are experi-encing exciting results,” Dr. Modestesays.In addition to health promotion and

education students, students from othermajors are eligible to sit for the test ifthey have taken at least 37 units of healtheducation classes.

Vicente Bernal smiles after receiving his certificate for participating in the diabetes edu-cation study on October 25. Each participant also received $100 for finishing the study.

SPH proves link between health education andwell-being of underserved Hispanic diabeticsA study conducted by the School of

Public Health has shown that diabeteseducation to an underserved, low-incomeHispanic community of the SanBernardino area can dramatically improvehealth measures such as percent body fat,total cholesterol, total cholesterol/LDLratio, and blood glucose levels.“Many Hispanic diabetics often have

limited access to diabetes education,”says Zaida Cordero-MacIntyre, PhD, prin-cipal investigator in the study andassistant professor, department of nutri-tion, School of Public Health.Results of the study are favorable and so

far indicate significant changes in the sub-jects’ understanding of blood sugar control,living healthfully with diabetes, anddecreasing the risk of diabetes-related com-plications such as retinopathy, nephropathy,neuropathy, and vasculopathy.The results of the study show signifi-

cant reductions in 1) body weight, 2)hemoglobin A1C, 3) fasting blood glu-cose, 4) leptin, and 5) percent body fat.There was also a significant increase inHDL cholesterol.Specifically, fasting blood sugar

decreased from mean baseline values of166 mg/dL to 143.21 mg/dL at threemonths.

Additionally, some participants reportedthat their doctor decreased or discontinuedtheir medication for diabetes due to the factthat blood sugar had decreased significantlyin these participants.“This provided an opportunity for this

population to learn the skills needed to con-trol their diabetes and thus reducecomplications,” Dr. Cordero-MacIntyre says.For the study, 34 Hispanic diabetics

participated in eight hours of free dia-betes education conducted in Spanish.Hispanic School of Public Health stu-dents and other Hispanic health careprofessionals taught the culturally sensi-tive lessons.The participants also underwent base-

line and three subsequent months of aseries of health studies to determine theeducation’s effect on health measuressuch as blood glucose control, lipid pro-file, and body composition.The study was called “Impact of Dia-

betes Education in the HispanicCommunity.” The subjects were recruitedfrom LLU SAC–Norton Clinic and theSan Bernardino medical clinic of AnthonyFirek, MD. Dr. Firek reported that hispatients have a renewed sense of well-being and are happy as a result of havingtheir blood sugar better under control.

School ofPublic Healthrates amongtop 10 for2005 CHESexam

40 � SCOPE, Spring, 2006 Newscope

A special event celebrating the foundingof Loma Linda University was held onNovember 11 to 13.Almost 2,000 people attended the

weekend’s events that began with a pro-gram celebrating a century of globalservice at LLU and LLUMC on Fridayevening. A parade of nations highlightedthe evening where alumni, faculty, stu-dents, and employees were recognized fortheir service.Additional events included Sabbath

School and Sabbath afternoon vespers featur-ing mission activities. Saturday night hostedhistorical vignettes of LLU’s past 100 years.

A special brunch celebrating the contri-butions made by Loma Linda Universityalumni throughout the years wrapped upthe weekend festivities.“We maintain a commitment to mis-

sion-focused education and service,”states Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH,chancellor and chief executive officer ofthe University. “It is a privilege for LomaLinda to impact the world with God’slove as the institution provides compe-tent, compassionate health care both

locally and globally.”The University’s centennial homecom-

ing followed Loma Linda UniversityMedical Center’s centennial celebrationheld in Drayson Center during the week-end of October 14 to 16.During that weekend, a special health

care summit, hosted by Ruthita Fike, CEOand administrator, LLUMC, focused onhealth care issues facing not only LomaLinda University Medical Center, but alsothe nation in the 21st century.

Loma Linda University Children’s Hos-pital Big Hearts for Little Hearts LomaLinda Guild raised more than $100,000 atits annual cooking school featuring the culi-nary arts of celebrity chef Martha Greenand holiday decor artist Derrick Vasquez, afellow of the American Institute of FloralDesign. Ms. Green is a Redlands resident.The October 19 event, held on the

grounds of the National Orange Show inSan Bernardino, featured cooking demon-strations by Ms. Green and NationalOrange Show executive chef RichardWolff.The evening began with a holiday decor

demonstration by Mr. Vasquez. He deco-rated several doors with colorful bows andribbons and enhanced a number of holidaywreaths.Mr. Vasquez’s artistic work was available

benefited the Loma Linda University Chil-dren’s Hospital pediatric intensive careunit.Renatta Osterdock, MD, head of

pediatric neurosurgery at Children’s Hos-pital, thanked the guild and the guestsattending the event for their support notonly the pediatric intensive care unit,but also of all the programs at Children’sHospital.Coordinating the event were Nancy

Varner, guild president, and Debbie Brown,guild membership chair.“This is an event our hearts are in,” say

Ms. Varner and Ms. Brown. “We love to doit and appreciate how much support thelocal community gives us and Children’sHospital.“We are definitely looking forward to

next year’s event.”

Big Hearts for Little Hearts cooking school attracts 800 guests

Dr. Hart introduces a few of the more than 50 students in Loma Linda University andthe General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists deferred mission appointee programduring Sabbath church services. Upon completion of residency programs, the studentswill be assigned to overseas mission stations.

for purchase following the event with theproceeds going to Loma Linda UniversityChildren’s Hospital.Ms. Green showed the attendees how

to make 13 delectable menu items for holi-day cooking. Each of the menu items wassampled by the attendees.Serving at the event were approxi-

mately 60 uniformed and nonuniformedmen and women. The servers representedlocal law enforcement agencies, fire depart-ments, Stater Bros. employees, andemployees from Loma Linda UniversityChildren’s Hospital, Loma Linda Univer-sity Medical Center, and Loma LindaUniversity.Servers collected approximately $5,000

in tips—all of which were designated forthe guild’s Children’s Hospital project.Proceeds from this year’s cooking school

Loma LindaUniversitypresentscentennialhomecomingweekend

The Chinese studies program graduates pose with John B. Wong, PhD, MD, JD (left),director of the Chinese studies program; Lisa Beardsley, PhD, MPH (second from left),vice chancellor of academic affairs; and Ronald Carter, PhD (right), dean of SST.

Chinese studies program graduates 12

SIMS continuesmonthly Mexicomission trips

Mariel Ravinovich (left), SIMS partici-pant, and Liza Wahjudi, dental student,provide health care.

42 � SCOPE, Spring, 2006 Newscope

On February 14, LLU held an openhouse for the new medical simulationcenter (MSC) in Risley Hall. The centeroffers medical simulations to help evaluatestudents, residents, and faculty on medicalknowledge, procedural skills, professional-ism, communication, practice-basedlearning, and systems-based practice.Kent Denmark, MD, from the division of

pediatric emergency medicine, is the directorand driving force for getting the center upand running. The project began in October2005 with renovations to Risley Hall.“We want to express our gratitude for

Dr. Denmark’s tenacity and leadership,”says Roger Hadley, MD, dean of the Schoolof Medicine. “This is cutting-edge medicaltraining, and we thank Dr. Denmark forputting this together both for my medicalstudents and Dr. Giang’s residents.”Dr. Denmark anticipates many Univer-

sity programs using the center within a fewmonths time. Currently medical studentsand residents are the main users, but theopportunity for training faculty and MedicalCenter employees is in the future. Dr. Den-mark notes that there are several simulatorsavailable including the high-fidelitySimMan, the high-fidelity SimBaby, themedium-fidelity MegaCode Kid, low-fidelity TraumaMan, and a low-fidelity OBtalk trainer, all from Laerdal Medical<www.laerdal.com>. The center is alsoequipped with a Harvey simulator for phys-ical diagnosis of cardiac conditions, and fourIV simulators (three adult and one infant).The center offers a fully recordable

training experience through audio andvideo equipment. A debriefing room with alarge screen allows students to watch sce-narios they are not a part of and, thanks tothe recording capability, it gives faculty

members a chance to play back the scenarioand critique the many aspects of deliveringmedical care with the involved studentsafter the training session is over.Steve Dizaiy, the medical simulation

center coordinator, can set up any numberof scenarios, ranging from the pre-hospital

setting to the emergency department, theoperating room, and the intensive care unit.Among the procedures that can be simu-lated for students are intubation, surgicalairway placement, needle thoracostomy,chest tube placement, peripheral IV place-ment, and foley catheter placement.

Newscope SCOPE, Spring, 2006 � 43

The second annual graduation ceremonyfor the Chinese studies program studentstook place at Magan Hall at Loma LindaUniversity on November 9, 2005. After therendition of Doxology sung in Chinese, theceremony opened with an invocation byLisa Beardsley, PhD, MPH, vice chancellorfor academic affairs, followed by welcomingremarks by Ronald Carter, PhD, dean of theSchool of Science and Technology.The address was given by John B. Wong,

PhD, MD, JD, director of the Chinese stud-ies program. In the face of globalization andagainst the background of LLU’s traditionalmission and service emphasis, Dr. Wongchallenged the graduates to embark on asecond journey—to follow the first one justcompleted in Chinese studies. The secondjourney is to use the newly acquired knowl-edge of the Chinese language and culture insharing our concept of Christian wholenesswith others, and to apply the learned skillsfor extending God’s Kingdom on earth,especially in a land of 1.3 billion peoplescarcely touched by the Gospel, according toDr. Wong.Class response was by Lynette Riv-

inius, RN, MS. Four students were cited

for academic excellence—Charles Lee,DDS; Ronald Forde, DDS; Lillian Lee;and Ms. Rivinius. A total of 12 studentswere given the program certificates,having successfully finished the required20-24 units of studies. The graduatesare Dr. Forde; Dr. Lee; Ms. Lee; FrancisLi; Martein Moningka; Charles Pakpahan,MBA; Richard Pesulima; Jerry Rivinius;Ida Pakpahan; Tinneke Pesulima; Ms.Rivinius; and Sientje Widitora.Each graduate was given a gift book,

authored by Dr. Wong, titledHealthy Prayers:Therapeutic Prayers to Lift, Heal, and EngenderWholeness. All graduates will also receive aDVD of the ceremony.Currently, eight undergraduate and

two graduate courses, CHIN 500 and 599,are being offered by the LLU Chinesestudies program throughout the year. Theprogram has been in operation for thepast three years. Some courses include anoverseas or domestic cultural immersionand service-learning trip within Chinesecommunities. Employee tuition benefitsmay apply.Those who are interested may inquire by

calling (909) 558-7486.

The chilly, misty morning of February18 found a group of 17 volunteers full of amysterious, deep-rooted excitement tohead south for the SIMS monthly missiontrip to Mexico. The trip was the sameone, full of postcard-perfect scenes, stom-ach-stimulating aromas, and the sounds ofmariachis and clicking cameras.What was a little different this time

was the location, the Cruz Azul District.This is a neighborhood set aside by thegovernment for those who lost theirhomes after the disastrous flooding in2005. Ironically, the morning of the clinicfound the group slowed down by the rain.Fortunately, it didn’t last long and theclinic opened under a rustic canopy, atrailer home porch, and one room insidethe host family’s trailer home.Once the sun came out, so did the

people. Between dental and medical,about 75 patients were seen—which wasdefinitely enough to keep the team ofdentists, doctors, nurses, and various stu-dents from many different schools busy.In addition to the consults and the treat-ment, the waiting patients were able tohear preventive health lectures that weregiven by some of the students.The end of the day found all 17 volun-

teers headed back north on the same roadbut with cameras full of pictures andhearts full of satisfaction.

Kent Denmark, MD, medical simulation center director, helps a guest at the openhouse try the IV simulation station.

Loma LindaUniversity opensnew medicalsimulation centerin Risley Hall

Stater Bros. awards LLUMC $7,000 grant

Bill Kemper, manager of Stater Bros. Loma Linda store, awards a nearly $7,000“Food for All” grant from the Stater Bros. employees to Ron Graybill, PhD, for LomaLinda University Medical Center’s Norton Neighborhoods Initiative, which he directs.On the right, produce manager Don Gann joins the award ceremony, and on the left,Bill Selby, MD, a pediatric resident in LLU School of Medicine’s OK Kids Program,stands with two Cypress Elementary School students in their “5-a-Day” T-shirts. Dr.Selby and his fellow residents provide one of several programs at the Norton Neighbor-hoods after-school site, “The Gardens,” in southeastern San Bernardino. The doctorsteach children good nutrition, safety, and fitness, and encourage them to eat five fruitsand vegetables a day. The funds will also help distribute food from the San BernardinoCounty Food Bank to neighborhood families in challenging circumstances.

Alumni notes SCOPE, Spring, 2006 � 4544 � SCOPE, Spring, 2006 Alumni notes

1960s

on August 16, 2005, after a short illness.Dr. Nielsen is survived by his wife, RuthStenborn Nielsen, of Loma Linda; sonsVernon Nielsen of Loma Linda, and VirgilJ. Nielsen (SM’80-A) of Colton; hissister, Lorraine Isley of Cedar Falls, Iowa;and two grandsons.

Crashi Mitoma Sr. (SM’58) was bornJune 18, 1921, in Suisun, California, andpassed away on July 29, 2005, in Fontana,California. Dr. Mitoma completed afamily medicine residency in 1960 andpracticed in Sacramento, California until1990. He served for 30 years as elder ofhis church, was a Seventh-day AdventistConference delegate for the NorthernCalifornia Conference for 10 years, andserved in the mission field in Phuket,Thailand. Dr. Mitoma was a memberof the American Medical Association,and of the Japanese American CitizensLeague.

Duane Cady (SM’59), a general surgeonof more than 30 years in upstate New York,was elected chair-elect of the board oftrustees of the American Medical Associa-tion in June 2004. He has served on theboard of trustees since 1999. He has servedas chair of the board’s committee on orga-nization and operation of the board as chairof the compensation committee; and theboard of trustees taskforce on membership.He was also president of the AMA Foun-dation. Dr. Cady is a 1955 graduate ofAtlantic Union College, South Lancaster,Massachusetts, and was recently named tothe board of trustees for Atlantic UnionCollege. His AMA responsibilities haveincluded membership on the Council onMedical Service (CMS), chair of the CMScommittee on medical payments andreview, as well as the CMS committee onhealth care access.

G. Gene Wilson (SD’61) has lived inMonument Valley, Utah, since 1970. Dr.Wilson served as director of the Loma

Linda University School of Dentistryextension clinic in Monument Valleyfrom 1980 to 1982, and as an orthodontistat the same clinic from 1984 to 1989. Heis currently in private practice in Monu-ment Valley, and Kayenta, Arizona. Dr.Wilson’s wife, Blanche, is widely knownby the Navajo people not only because ofher many years as receptionist in thedental and orthodontic clinics, giving thepeople of the Navajo Nation Godly loveand attention; but also because she is afoster mother to 13 children. Dr. Wilson ishead elder at the local Seventh-dayAdventist church.

Ardis Beckner (GS’63) revised andedited several editions of the Seventh-dayAdventist Vegetarian Diet Manual. In addi-tion, Ms. Beckner served as an instructorin clinical nutrition at Loma Linda Univer-sity for 25 years. Ms. Becker served in herspare time for six years as director of thePathfinder Club for the Loma LindaCampus Hill Church, and as a volunteer atthe Big Bear Adaptive Ski School for 16years.

Peggy J. Fritzsche (SM’66) has joinedRoyal Philips Electronics in a new initia-tive called the simplicity advisory board(SAB), which has been created to providean outside perspective into how the newPhilips brand promise—Sense and Sim-plicity—can be applied to everything thecompany does. Dr. Fritzsche was invited tojoin the SAB because of her creativity andexperience in the field of radiology andmedical imaging, and her ability to apply itto Philips healthcare, lifestyle, and tech-nology business. Her promotion of theimportance of simple-to-use and unobtru-sive technology to improve patientexperiences is what led Philips to inviteher to collaborate. “This sounds like a fas-cinating project,” says Dr. Fritzsche. “Ibelieve that my experience in improvingpatient experiences in a medical environ-ment will bring something to the tablewhen considering product experiences inany sector, whether healthcare, lifestyle, or

technology.” She joins a diverse group oftop professionals who are all driven by theessence of simplicity in their line of work.The SAB consists of four other members:Sara Berman, a recognized up-and-comingfashion designer; Gary Change, a promi-nent architect based in Hong Kong; JohnMaeda, a professor of technology at Massa-chusetts Institute of Technology; and KenOkuyama, a creative director of the auto-motive and transportation department atPininfarina, and professor at the Art CentreCollege of Design in Pasadena, California.Andrea Ragnette, chief marketing officerof Philips and vice chair of the SAB com-mented: “We are delighted that Peggy hasjoined this group of exceptionally talentedindividuals to form our first ever PhilipsSAB. This advisory board will enable us totake the knowledge, expertise, and creativ-ity of people who do not necessarily workin our specific market sector, but are defi-nitely affected by and interested in thetechnology and the services we provide.Listening to them, how they perceive us,and how they think we can better serveour customers, will help us to producebetter products and services that aresimple to use and make sense.” Collec-tively, the SAB will act as a think tank andsounding board over the next year on sev-

1950s Hollydale Church of Seventh-day Adven-tists in South Gate. Dr. Fujii is survived byhis wife Pauline of San Pedro; childrenJennifer Michaelsen of Long Beach, TerriMcCandless of Santa Rosa, and Tim ofHawaii; brother Robert Fujii of Honolulu;sister Mary Anahu of Honolulu, and fivegrandchildren.

Arnold Louis Nielsen (SM’54) wasborn on October 15, 1920, in Ottumwa,Iowa, and died on August 16, 2005, inLoma Linda, California. After finishinghigh school in Cedar Falls, Iowa, he lefthome to attend Southwestern Junior Col-lege [now Southwestern AdventistUniversity] in Keene, Texas. He returnedhome for his second year of college. Fol-lowing the death of his father in 1939, hereturned to the family farm and continuedto work until the end of World War II. Dr.Nielsen completed his college eduction atUnion College, Lincoln, Nebraska, in1950. He enrolled in Loma Linda Univer-sity School of Medicine, where hegraduated in 1954. During this timehe met Ruth Jensen Stenborn who wasteaching in the School of Nutrition andDietetics (now part of the School of AlliedHealth Professions). They were married onJune 18, 1953. Twin sons were born inAugust 1954. Following completion of hisinternship at White Memorial MedicalCenter in 1955, he joined the UnitedStates Public Health Service. He servedfor four years in locations throughout theUnited States, including El Reno, Okla-homa; Washington, D.C.; and Lexington,Kentucky. During this time he developedan interest in psychiatry. In 1962 he com-pleted a residency in psychiatry at HardingHospital, Worthington, Ohio. He practicedin Columbus, Ohio, until 1967 when thefamily moved to North Attleboro, Massa-chusetts, where he joined the staff ofFuller Memorial Hospital. He continued topractice psychiatry until his retirement in1987. His retirement years were plaguedby poor health. He spent the last 10 yearsof his life in Loma Linda, where he couldenjoy his grandsons and his cats. He died

as deacon, Sabbath school superintendent,and junior Sabbath school leader. Mrs.Berrett did her part as deaconess and Sab-bath school leader and teacher. Dr. Berrettwas a member of the Silvergate YachtClub. They also enjoyed camping.

Harold Noboru Fujii (SM’53-A) passedaway on May 30, 2005, in San Pedro, Cali-fornia. Dr. Fujii was born on March 14,1918, in Honolulu, Hawaii, and attendedMcKinley High School in Hawaii. Hereceived his undergraduate degree inmicrobiology and immunology from theUniversity of Nebraska, Lincoln. Aftercompleting his medical degree at LomaLinda, Dr. Fujii served as an instructor inbacteriology and tropical medicine and washead of the virology department at theSchool of Medicine. He served his intern-ship and residency programs at HarborUCLAMedical Center in Torrance, andreceived additional training in respiratorydiseases at Long Beach General Hospital.Dr. Fujii was a family practitioner in Gar-dena. He retired from that practice in1985, but after four months decided to“unretire” and work part-time in familypractice in Lomita. He loved gardeningand traveling. He was a member of the

Alumni notes

Harold Noboru Fujii (SM’53-A)

...passed away

Roy Frederick Berrett (SM’50) wasborn on July 1, 1925, on the island ofJamaica in the British West Indies, anddied on November 4, 2005, in San Diego,California. After graduating from theSchool of Medicine, Dr. Berrett marriedElaine Williams, a graduate of the Schoolof Nutrition and Dietetics (now part of theSchool of Allied Health Professions). Tothis union were born one son and twodaughters: Steven Frederick Berrett(SM’80-B), a radiologist; and daughtersCynthea Ann, a graduate of the physicaltherapy program in Loma Linda Univer-sity School of Allied Health Professions, ofSan Diego; and Cheryl Louise, a graduateof Loma Linda University School of Nurs-ing, of Nebraska. After internship at WhiteMemorial Medical Center, the Berrettsmoved to San Diego where he was in con-tinuous practice, except for two years inthe United States Navy. He served on theUSS Onslow, a seaplane tender in Japan,Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Taiwan.He also served at the United States NavalHospital in Coronado, California. Aftermost of his class members had retired, Dr.Berrett continued practicing until April1988. During those years, he fulfilled hisobligation in professional, civic, and churchduties. At the local Sharp Cabrillo Memor-ial Hospital, Dr. Berrett served from timeto time as chief of family practice, chief ofstaff, and director of the medical eductionstaff. He also sat on the board of the SanDiego Hospital Association as one of itsfounders. Dr. Berrett was a chartermember and board member of the Ameri-can Academy of Family Practice, and afellow of the American Geriatric Society.He served as president of the Old SanDiego Kiwanis Club, and chaired the com-mittee that started a new Boy Scout troop.In addition, he raised funds for theirsummer camp and was vice chair of theSan Diego North Shore Boy Scouts.Amidst all of this, the Berretts did notneglect their church—the Point LomaSeventh-day Adventist Church. He served

Duane Cady (SM’59)

…chair-elect of AMA board of trustees

46 � SCOPE, Spring, 2006 Alumni notes

Peggy J. Fritzsche (SM’66)

…joins Royal Philips ElectronicsCarolyn Riederer Annerud (SM’77-B)

...receives award for international work

eral projects for Philips that cover health-care, lifestyle and technology.

Orieon D. Willhite Jr. (AH’66) beganhis physical therapy career at GlendaleAdventist Medical center in 1966. Afterserving for four years in the United StatesArmy Medical Specialist Corps, Mr. Will-hite entered private practice in Chico,California, until 2002, when he sold hisbusiness to Stryker Medical. He nowworks for Stryker Medical as a certifiedhand therapist and clinic director.

Marcia M. Wilson (SD’66) currently ison the School of Dentistry faculty in thedepartment of dental hygiene. Ms. Wilsonserved as president of the dental hygienealumni association from 1980 to 1981; pres-ident of the Tri-County Dental HygienistsSociety from 1972 to 1973; and vice presi-dent of the California Dental HygienistsAssociation from 1978 to 1979. Ms. Wilsonis an active member of the Loma LindaUniversity Church where she performswith the Sanctuary Orchestra.

John W. Kizzar (SD’67) served as amissionary dentist in Okinawa, Japan, from1967 to 1974. Currently Dr. Kizzar is a

dentist practicing in Hayfork, California,an underserved rural community. He hasserved as president of the Northern Cali-fornia Dental Society. Dr. Kizzar is activein his local Church as a church elder, Sab-bath school teacher, and Pathfinder leader.

Suzanne Fowler Ward (SN’68) cur-rently lives in rural San Diego County. Ms.Ward worked until 1993 continuously as anurse in clinical, education, and managerialpositions. She completed a master’s degreein curriculum development in 1979 fromCalifornia State University, Los Angeles,and a master’s degree in nursing in 1983from University of California at Los Ange-les. Ms. Ward has stayed connected to herprofession by belonging to many differentnurse organizations and attending meet-ings. She also volunteers with the 1000Smiles program, which provides cleftlip/palate surgery for children in Mexicoand Costa Rica. She is currently pursuing adoctoral degree in psychology.

Sonya Blehm DeLange (AH’75) workspart time as a volunteer for Loma LindaBroadcasting Network (LLBN). She

served as host for the first national andworldwise Sabbath broadcasts for LLBN.Sonya also hosted “Sabbath Lifestyle” and“Faith at Work” for three years. Currently,she serves as hostess and co-produces“Songs of Joy” for LLBN. Sonya also is amember of the Loma Linda UniversityChurch choir. She has been employed as alanguage and speech therapist in theYucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified SchoolDistrict since 1978.

Carolyn Riederer Annerud (SM’77-B)recently accepted a humanitarian awardfrom the International Federation for Emer-gency Medicine for her work in Papua,New Guinea. The award, presented in June2004 in Cairns, Australia, was presented toDr. Annerud and her colleagues. With thesupport of the Australian Agency for Inter-national Development (Aus AID), theAustralian College for Emergency Medi-cine, and the School of Medicine andHealth Sciences at the University of Papua,New Guinea, a master of medicine in emer-gency medicine was established in Papua,New Guinea, and the country is now train-ing its first emergency physicians. A rotatingteam of emergency physicians, of which Dr.Annerud was a part, has filled the positionsince its inception. They have provided pri-mary trauma courses and emergencymedicine teaching and consultant supportfor the Port Moresby General Hospital. “Itis wonderful to be involved in a project likethis,” Dr. Annerud says, “and to see a spe-cialty that has developed within our workinglifetime making a beginning in yet anotherplace.” Dr. Annerud is the daughter ofJoseph D. Riederer (SM’59) of Juneau,Alaska. Dr. Annerud was also presentedwith the American College of EmergencyPhysicians International Emergency Medi-cine Award for Individual Achievement inEmergency Medicine Development at theirannual meeting held in San Francisco onOctober 18, 2004. The award was presentedto Dr. Annerud in recognition of individualphysicians who have made a considerableimpact on national emergency systems indeveloping nations.

1970s

LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY

LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER

Loma Linda, CA 92350

Volume 42, Number 1

Address servicerequested

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SCOPE