June 16, 2010

Loma Linda University

Loma Linda University

Richard H. Hart, President reports hart

capLoma Linda University was established 105 years ago by God’s providence, and His leading and guidance continue to be evident. Loma Linda University and Medical Center, their physician practice groups, and many related facilities and services strive to maintain our mission of continuing the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ, transforming lives through education, health care, and research.
 
During the past five years enrollment at Loma Linda University has continued to grow. Nearly 4,200 students from approximately 90 countries are enrolled in Loma Linda’s eight professional schools. There continues to be an increased interest in global service among our students and new graduates. Nearly one fourth of all students serve in either local or international mission service. The Students for International Mission Service (SIMS) program makes it possible for 300-400 students to participate in international trips yearly, while others engage in local community service activities.
 
The Deferred Mission Appointee program, for medical and dental graduates, has seen tremendous growth over the past few years. The Global Service Scholarship program provides recent graduates of the other schools the opportunity to serve internationally while receiving educational loan assistance. Once again we have a number of graduates from Loma Linda serving in mission hospitals, clinics, and other projects throughout the world. 
 
International Service
2010 1518 page58 intextC1 1

The recently unveiled "Come Unto Me" sculpture invites visitors of Loma Linda University Medical Center to contemplate Christ's invitation to come to Him for rest. The art was created by Victor Issa at his studio in Colorado.

During the past quinquennium, off-campus programs have been offered in Australia, Kenya, Japan, Peru, Argentina, Thailand, South Africa, Russia, Guam, Hawaii, and Saudi Arabia. In addition, the university currently has 12 online certificate and degree programs in various health-related fields. Besides these formal programs, faculty present courses and workshops, provide consulting, and share research findings in numerous locations—nationally and internationally.
 
As I write this, Loma Linda University continues to coordinate the volunteers who are serving at the Hopital Adventiste d’Haiti. This 70-bed facility is seeing 250-300 patients daily after the devastating earthquake in January. More than 500 individuals have responded for volunteer service. Adventist Health International and Loma Linda, along with our partners at Florida Hospital, have been involved in managing the facility as well as providing supplies and equipment. In addition, our Behavioral Health Trauma Team has trained local professionals to work with the population in coping with the aftermath of the earthquake.
 
Enhanced Medical Service
In the past five years Loma Linda University Medical Center has been exploring ways to enhance access to medical services for the local community here in California. New facilities in Loma Linda and the surrounding area include:
 
  • The Tom and Vi Zapara Rehabilitation Pavilion incorporates ?inpatient rooms as well as the “Independence Square” that serves as the training ground for patients to practice common activities from everyday life such as in a car, kitchen, bedroom, office, grocery store, and bank.
  •  Loma Linda University Heart and Surgical Hospital utilizes robotic surgery for minimally invasive procedures in specialties such as urology, ENT, and women’s health.
  •  Highland Springs Medical Plaza is a joint venture that offers comprehensive medical services to residents in Beaumont, California, and the surrounding area. Services include Ambulatory Surgery, Imaging and Infusion Centers, as well as medical offices for a number of medical specialties.
  •  Loma Linda University Medical Center-Murrieta is a joint venture, full-service hospital projected to open in 2011. The hospital will serve the residents of the Murrieta and Temecula areas of southern California.
 
Service in Afghanistan, Palestine, and China
In 2005 Loma Linda responded to a request to help transform the 210-bed Wazir Akbar Khan Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, into a functional regional hospital. Last year, Loma Linda completed its mission and turned the operation of the hospital over to the Afghan Ministry of Public Health. 
 
Loma Linda is now providing short-term technical assistance to support the Palestinian Ministry of Health and other nongovernment health providers in the development of a teaching hospital in the city of Ramallah to improve the quality of life for the Palestinian people. 
 
We continue a collaborative effort with Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital in Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China. The 1,200-bed facility is recognized as one of the foremost hospitals in all of China, and has become the first public hospital in mainland China to be awarded the Joint Commission International certification for quality health care.
 
The Centennial Complex, completed in the summer of 2009, is one of Loma Linda University’s most significant campus projects. It embodies the three themes developed over our history and evidenced in our institutional planning and strategic directions—growth, innovation, and serving the world. In addition to “smart” classrooms, projecting courses to the world on the Internet, the Medical Simulation Center is housed in this facility. The simulation center enables our students and other health-care professionals to learn life-saving techniques utilizing computerized mannequins that simulate real-life situations. In an actual disaster, the Convertible Use Rapidly Expandable (CURE) concept developed at Loma Linda can convert the Medical Simulation Center into an area for critical care of real patients.
 
We continue to solicit your prayers and support as we join with the world church in spreading the healing and teaching ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
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This article was printed June 24, 2010.

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