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| June 2014 |
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History Matters
Memorial Day weekend, May 24 and 25, was memorable on our campus. The School of Medicine class of 2014 was the school’s 100th graduating class. A centenary event like this automatically deserves a look back at the beginnings of the school, from our first six graduates through all the intervening years. What a storied history we have lived since the School of Medicine received its commission to start in 1909, began classes a few months later with only five physicians on the faculty, and subsequently graduated well over 10,000 physicians—more than any other western school. Perhaps most significantly, as Roger Hadley, our current dean, is fond of saying, we can accurately claim to have the same mission today as when our School of Medicine started. We unequivocally make that claim and are proud to continue that legacy.
Early trials and triumphs Many of those early stories of trials and triumphs are well known. Careful perusing of our historical manuscripts reveals the depth of the struggles and concerns by both institutional and Church leaders. Many times the future of Loma Linda was in jeopardy, when sheer determination and God’s intervention were all that kept it alive. The commitment of our students through the years has been remarkable, including the first six who showed up for their state board examinations without prior approval, and were finally granted the privilege of taking the tests. Later students voted to remain at Loma Linda when our “C” rating meant they could be drafted into World War I. And the 10 percent of every class who served abroad—starting and developing over 50 mission hospitals—is a record unmatched by any group. The epic struggle to develop sufficient clinical services to justify accreditation consumed the first 50 years of Loma Linda’s existence. The Inland Empire was sparsely populated back in those days, requiring the development of a clinic and eventually a hospital in Los Angeles to provide adequate patient experience for our students. That hospital, White Memorial, became so successful that many felt the school should move there and consolidate on one campus. But the counsel of Ellen White continued to resonate with many, including activists Bernard Briggs, Claude Steen, George Butler, and others. Finally, David Hinshaw was asked to take on the challenge of consolidating at Loma Linda, building our first Medical Center in 1967, and the rest is history. The results today Now we are a complex of six hospitals with more than 1,000 beds, providing a broad diversity of clinical experience for our students. We had the privilege of honoring the foundational role of Dr. Hinshaw at this recent graduation.
Another thankful irony of accreditation, after so many struggles in the early years, is that two classmates from our class of 1974 are now in leadership positions in the two most significant medical accrediting organizations in this country. Don Melnick is president of the National Board of Medical Examiners, which sets standards and certifies individual physicians. And Roger Hadley serves on the board of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, which certifies medical schools. What would Percy Magan and all the others who fought so hard for recognition think today if they could see this? Impact was also felt throughout the Church when Loma Linda decided to follow Ellen White’s advice to have “a school of the highest order” and seek accreditation. This single act leveraged the entire United States-based Adventist educational system toward excellence. With our commitment to meet those standards, all the “feeder” colleges across this country needed to also seek accreditation to make their graduates eligible to come to Loma Linda. This moved our growing network of colleges and universities to develop their faculty and programs to meet these higher standards. In 1952, a new book was written by the biblical scholar J.B. Phillips, titled “Making Men Whole.” The committee working on our 50th anniversary in 1955 saw value in that phrase and coined our motto “To Make Man Whole.” This is now identified and emulated around Celebrations There were three parts of our recent graduation weekend that I thought you would enjoy watching (see video links below). First is Charles White’s baccalaureate presentation on Ellen White—his great grandmother—and her remarkable role in founding this place. What would she think today if she could see how her vision of Loma Linda has been carried out in so many remarkable ways? Next is my commencement address to the School of Medicine class of 2014, sharing our history through those early years. We now bequeath to each graduate an amazing legacy when they become a Loma Linda University alumnus.
And finally is the unveiling and dedication of the latest sculpture on campus, commissioned by Reuben Matiko and sculpted by Victor Issa. Located at the designated site for our Legacy Village among the original cottages purchased in 1905, this sculpture tells of the first visit of Ellen White to Loma Linda. She arrived on June 12 of that year by train, with Willie White, her son. As they drove around the hill in an express wagon, Mrs. White repeatedly stated, “Willie, I have been here before.” “No, Mother,” he replied, “You have never been here.” “Then this is the very place God has shown me,” she replied, referring to a vision she had nearly four years before. That moment in history, as they share that conclusion with John Burden, is beautifully captured in this newest addition to our campus culture and history. The future Pray for those of us who carry the heavy mantle of leadership today. Knowing our history gives us both a profound sense of commitment to the destiny of this place and a deep desire to maintain its uniqueness. One of our faculty, Michael Walter, recently forwarded to me a slogan so fitting for Loma Linda. It says,
“The task ahead of you is never greater than the power behind you.”
May this realization guide us all today. Richard H. Hart
Charles White baccalaureate address
Richard Hart commencement address
“This is the Very Place” sculpture unveiling |
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Office of the President, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350 Copyright © 2014 by Loma Linda University |
June 12, 2014
Notes from the President
the world as Loma Linda’s unique definition of our healing ministry. There is no question that recalling our remarkable history gives confidence today that we will continue to triumph as we follow our divine mandate to “continue the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ.”
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