Notes from the President

I have the overwhelming feeling that I have just witnessed one of the most momentous days in Loma Linda’s history. Without being melodramatic, this seems equivalent to the unexpected $5,000 check in 1905 that secured our original purchase of the Loma Linda property, or the consolidation of the campus at Loma Linda in 1967. While it’s never safe to predict history, I believe that July 15, 2014, will be remembered as one of those epochal transitions in this institution’s history, a true answer to prayer and acknowledgement of God’s leading.

With humble gratitude for the transformational nature of the gifts we announced on this day, we must continue to be mindful of our long-term ability to retain our mission, to keep our focus, and continue what Loma Linda has jealously guarded for over 100 years.

This day was anchored by an incredible gift from Dennis and Carol Troesh. Longtime friends and patrons of Loma Linda, the Troeshes’ gift of $100 million, spread over several years, will ensure our hopes for Vision 2020. Along with other key donors who have given or pledged an additional $49 million to date, it now seems our goal of raising $350 million toward our Campus Transformation has suddenly gone from the impossible dream to an achievable strategy. There is still a long way to go, but Dennis and Carol’s gift has singularly given this campus a confidence and momentum that is truly transformational.

It is incredibly humbling to sense the level of confidence in Loma Linda that encourages so many people to support our mission. They are donating their life savings, their vacations not taken, their houses not purchased, to our dreams for the future. They believe in Loma Linda’s destiny, in our ability to make a difference in this world. This is indeed truly humbling! On behalf of my fellow leaders at Loma Linda, and our entire campus, we are forever grateful and promise to take the mission and commitment of this place to an even higher level. With the Troeshes’ gift focused on health care, with a special interest in Children’s Hospital, other donors are also supporting our need for a new adult hospital, our student endowments, our new research building and discovery initiatives, expansion of our wholeness programs, and our commitment to the local and global community. We will now reach out to others to complete our campaign goals with visits and programs scheduled across the country.

The events of Tuesday morning will long be remembered by all those present. Below is a video of the highlights for those not able to be here in person. We were blessed by the presence of many government leaders and influential community members, as well as our own campus family, coming together to acknowledge and support this momentous transition in Loma Linda’s history. Both local and national press covered the event with interest.

As a lover of nature and all that it means and brings to our lives, there was a single act Tuesday morning that carried symbolic value for me. During the middle of the program, with speeches and videos in full swing, and over 2,000 listening under the canopies, a beautiful sight took place right in front of us all. A tiger swallowtail, one of God’s beautiful butterflies, gently floated onto the scene. He was attracted to the display of golden marigolds and purple petunias that surrounded our Vision 2020 letters just in front of the speaker’s platform. He gently flitted from flower to flower, oblivious to the crowd and commotion all around him. When he was finished, unaware of his magnificent beauty, he moved on across the campus. For this sentimental old guy, it was one more signal of God’s blessings on this campus and His hand guiding our daily lives and decisions.

A highlight reel of the Vision 2020 Revealed event, along with more information, is available at the Vision 2020 website: http://lluhvision2020.org/.

Finally, I am also delighted at this time to welcome Kerry Heinrich into our campus leadership as the Interim CEO of the Medical Center, effective July 1. Kerry has been one of our senior legal consultants for many years and brings a wealth of knowledge about current health care issues to our team. Kerry has picked up the leadership mantle from Ruthita Fike, and has made this transition as seamless as possible. The search committee is now working to find someone to fill this position on a permanent basis.

Cordially yours,

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