Loma Linda University sweeps its categories at Emmy Awards

Loma Linda University won three Emmys this Saturday evening, taking home an award for each of its nominated categories at the 36th Annual Pacific Southwest Emmy Awards in San Diego. The awards were for “Loma Linda 360°,” the university’s documentary-style broadcast show.

Each of the nominated stories features outreach programs of Loma Linda University Medical Center.

The story “Surgeons of Hope” won in the category of health/science program or special. Directed by first-time winner and second-time nominee Maranatha Hay, “Surgeons of Hope” tells the story of Holman Velasquez, a 14-year-old boy born with a fatal heart disease in Nicaragua. With no money to explore foreign options, Holman must undergo open-heart surgery in a country that is in the process of developing a successful pediatric heart surgery program. In order to have a chance at reaching adulthood, Holman and his mother must undergo a test of faith that nearly shatters their deep strength of spirit. Doctors from Loma Linda partner with Surgeons of Hope, a foundation devoted to bringing surgical care to indigent children in developing countries. This means survival for kids who wouldn’t have a chance otherwise.

“Armed for the Challenge” won in the documentary-cultural category. First-time-nominated winner Patricia Thio directed this project about Willie Stewart—a man of steel...and, yes, carbon fiber. “One Arm Willie” is set to defy his physical limits while training for the physically challenged triathlon USA championships. Determined to help others with disabilities as director of the PossAbilities outreach program at Loma Linda University Medical Center East Campus, this world-class athlete demonstrates that anything is possible.

In the human-interest category, the Academy recognized “PossAbilities,” also directed by Ms. Thio. In the film, four PossAbilities members share their take on life after their injuries. From “normal” good lives to broken dreams, they discovered that despite how people treat them, they can still achieve their goals—they just have to do it differently.

“These compelling films demonstrate the impact we strive to have on all people who come to us for care at Loma Linda University Medical Center,” says Richard Hart, MD, DrPH, president.

To watch the Emmy-winning documentaries online, visit www.llu.edu/360. To obtain a DVD of these films, contact the office of university relations at (909) 558-4526. "Loma Linda 360˚” is a broadcast show that takes viewers straight to the action of Loma Linda University and LLU Medical Center. It airs on the PBS affiliate KVCR, Loma Linda Broadcasting Network, and Hope Channel. The show can also be viewed on YouTube.

In addition, Loma Linda University is proud to announce its new show, “Life on the Line,” which will begin airing next year. Replacing “Loma Linda 360°,” this new show will feature the essence of LLU by telling stories of hope and transformation through individuals whose lives are on the line. The show will feature gripping documentary footage taken minutes after the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the story of endangered sea turtles and the biologist who strives to keep them alive, and other documentaries that take place at home and across the globe. For an exclusive preview of the program, visit www.llu.edu/outoftherubble.