Notes from the President - June 2013

It is that time of year when I shake a lot of hands. I’m not sure where that custom came from, but it is well accepted in many cultures of the world as a way to connect two individuals. And we interpret much about the relationship by that simple handshake. Is it strong? too brief? tentative? sweaty? lingering? In some cultures we continue to hold hands as we talk, while in others we quickly move to other forms of communication.

Our tradition here at Loma Linda has been for the president to shake each graduate’s hand after he or she receives his or her diploma. We have now completed both graduation weekends, the first celebrating Dentistry, Medicine, and Pharmacy, and the second for Behavioral Health, Religion, Nursing, Public Health, and Allied Health Professions. By having a separate commencement ceremony for each school, we can individually call graduates by name and recognize them as they come forward to receive their diploma. Despite the long lines, I enjoy this time immensely. Where else can you look so clearly at the future, directly into each of their eyes? I don’t get a chance to know most of our students personally, but that simple handshake, occasional hug, and meeting of the eyes tell much.

I wonder why they came here, to Loma Linda? What motivated them to apply? What did the admissions committee think? Why were they given the opportunity to study here at Loma Linda when others were not? How did they find our campus—friendly and accepting or difficult to break into? Did they participate in the many service-learning programs, or primarily stick to their studies? Were they part of the 10 percent who found a room in our residence halls, or one of the many who lived in the community or drove in each day?

And now what will happen to them? Are they ready for the challenges that will confront them? Do they have a job already? How far in debt are they? Have they found the love of their lives yet? So many issues to deal with, and it never seems to end. Have we done our best to prepare each graduate for his or her future? The question is on our minds every day. What a responsibility a Christian university plays in the lives of those who walk our halls, sit in our classrooms, and participate in our activities.

Loma Linda University takes this opportunity—this responsibility—very seriously. Our students are a diverse lot, coming from some 90 countries around the world. Actually, that international group is a small percentage of the total, since most of our students still come from the U.S., particularly California. Some of our programs attract candidates from across the country, while others are more regional. With 4,650 students last year and even more expected this fall, we have an incredible opportunity to share our particular perspective about God and His role on this earth. Because we are one of the very few Christian academic health science centers left in the country, and apparently the only one that openly stands on the twin shoulders of faith and science, we are attractive to many Christian young people who share our commitment to Christ’s values and call to service.

As you would expect on an academic campus, we assess our students regularly. Have they learned what they need for their careers? Have our various services been helpful and easy to access? Have our students participated in our Mission-Focused Learning (MFL) activities—the many community and global projects that we believe help shape characters and force each student to confront the real issues in our world today? MFL, as we refer to it, is our way of exposing our students to the real issues in education, preparing them with the values and character they need in life. I frequently tell the students “Who you are is more important than what you know.” Helping them establish their core values, develop professional practice patterns, and learn about relationships, both with each other and with God, are major goals of education. We pray regularly that we are achieving that goal—with each of our graduates leaving this place with an understanding and commitment to serve others that would make our Founders proud, and even more importantly will exemplify their highest calling in life.

Many students value their time here and often express their thanks in different ways. I received an e-mail this week from one of our recent graduates from physical therapy. In it, she writes:

Dr. Hart,

During this past week of graduation celebrations, I sit here and reflect. I sit here and reflect on God's plans for us … to prosper us and give us a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

When I applied to physical therapy school, my "plan" was to continue my goals of pursuing education; my "plan" was to better myself as a person and to have a successful career. I began my faith walk over five years ago, always wanting to grow in Christ, but when applying to physical therapy school I was not aware that growing so much in my faith was a part of His plan.

As I sit here and reflect, I realize that coming to Loma Linda has provided me with an awesome foundation to become a physical therapist, but even more, I can see that God was continually working behind the scenes. The Lord has strengthened me as a person, as a wife, as a friend, as a student, as a health care provider, BUT most importantly as a Christian.

I hit some of my lowest lows while attending Loma Linda University. I began the program shortly after losing my father, as well as reestablishing my relationship with my husband. I left home to pursue a career in physical therapy, but what I got was so much more!

My faith has blossomed, my love for Jesus overflows, and I feel truly blessed to be a part of the Loma Linda family. Everyone I encountered at Loma Linda has been supportive and encouraging, from the deans of Lindsay Hall who would sit and pray with me in the middle of the night, to all the faculty of the DPT program who urged me along.

Thank you so much for this amazing place that I feel comfortable calling my home away from home, and thank you for the opportunity awhile back to share my story. I can see now that it was all part of God's plan. All to His Glory!

Sincerely,

Beth Brohammer
DPT class of 2013

In closing, I want to thank my friend and colleague Dustin Jones for editing and coordinating Notes from the President since their beginning. Dustin is leaving us to move to the Big Sky Country (Montana), closer to his wife’s parents, and near one of my favorite spots on God’s earth—Glacier National Park. He will be missed.

Sincerely,

Richard Hart, MD, DrPH
President, Loma Linda University Health