LLU&MC Scope, Autumn 1997, Foundation board

LLUCH Foundation board:

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The Honorable Shirley N. Pettis

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Leonard L. Bailey, MDB

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Lyn Behrens, MBBS

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Brian S. Bull, MD

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Robert G. Gundry

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Phil Hill

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David B. Hinshaw, Sr., MD

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Erin J. Lastinger

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The Honorable Jerry Lewis

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William Loveless, EdD

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John W. Mace, MD

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David Moorhead, MD

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The Honorable Patrick J. Morris

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David K. Stockton

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Nancy Varner.

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George D. Voight

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Dixie Watkins

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Morton M. Woolley, MD

Drugs, pregnancy, cliques formed due to race and social status, sexually transmitted diseases, bulimia, teachers who don't understand, the desire for independence, you name it--17-year-old Marlcela Alvarado has heard it all.

But that's her job. She's the president for the peer leadership program at Fontana High School in Fontana, California, and one of 37 peer leaders available to listen to the problems and concerns of other kids.

"On the average, I talk to three kids a week," Marlcela explains. "They know we will understand because we've been through it--we're not perfect, you know."

Although the peer leaders adhere to a mandatory reporting law for certain activities, they are perceived as being able to relate and, therefore, are more empathetic and trustworthy than an authority figure like a parent or teacher.

Peer leading is a major time commitment and a big responsibility. These students participate in programs, weekly meetings, and community service projects associated with the peer-leading duties. Additionally, they follow up with kids who have come to them with their problems in the past.

Recently, Marlcela joined approximately 50 other peer leaders from Inland Empire high schools at Loma Linda University to participate in the annual State of the Child Forum, which was sponsored in part by the Children's Hospital Foundation. Here, teenagers came together to talk about issues facing them and their peers. The students, a diverse mix of cultural backgrounds, ranged in age from 7 to 18.

An important activity of the day was labeled a "brain mapping" workshop. Here, the students identified their struggles which included drugs, sex, violence, relationships, sexual preference, suicide, divorce, peer pressure, and gangs.

"Sometimes things don't seem that bad to us because we're used to it, I guess," says Nicholas C. Sykes, an 18-year-old student leader at Fontana High School. "But trust me, if you're looking for it [trouble], you'll find it. We're there to help kids our age avoid getting mixed up."

Seated at round tables with colored markers in hand, the kids wrote down all the issues that were relevant to them and their friends.

"It's kind of overwhelming when they [problems and issues] are all listed like this, I'll agree," Nicholas states. "But, we have to start small and do the best we can."

Later in the day, the group was joined by invited dignitaries from the community who listened to the identified struggles. Together in discussion groups led by the kids, they talked about possible solutions to the problems.

State of the Child is just one teenage intervention program in which the Children's Hospital Foundation is involved.

Another example is Youth to Youth--a peer program designed to promote a drug-free lifestyle. Youth to Youth, run by San Bernardino Communities Against Drugs, is made up of student-planned-and-led activities, including service projects and peer-oriented programs.

"We put out a clear 'no use' message to young people that it's not okay to use alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs," notes Jerilyn Simpson, president and CEO of San Bernardino Communities Against Drugs.

"Although we educate youth and adults on the negatives of drug use, we focus more on the positives of being drug-free and developing strong characteristics in youth," Ms. Simpson explains. "This proves to be more effective because the youth enjoy the positive attitude the program puts out, and they are more willing to invite their friends and family members to our events."

"I love being drug free," says Mike Benitez, a senior at San Gorgonio High School in Highland, California. "I like Youth to Youth's upbeat environment. We're always doing something new."

Mike has been involved with Youth to Youth since he was in the seventh grade. In addition to learning leadership skills, he has learned that you have to give respect to get it in return.

Ms. Simpson says these youth, many of whom could be classified as at-risk, need to be surrounded with positive adults who care.

"Once they know that you as an adult believe in them, it's very empowering to them," she points out.

Loma Linda University Children's Hospital Foundation has reached out into the community and has supported Youth to Youth in various financial ways. According to Ms. Simpson, however, money--albeit vital for these programs to exist--isn't the only issue.

"Several people from Loma Linda have become personally involved with Youth to Youth by attending meetings and getting to know the kids," she says. "Taking the time and making the commitment to connect with the kids is equally as important as the financial support."

Loma Linda University Children's Hospital is a comprehensive, state-of-the-art medical facility designed especially for children's unique health-care needs. The Hospital offers the most advanced medical care available in a cheerful, non-threatening environment where each child is treated as a precious individual warranting much personal attention.

Not only is the 244-bed Children's Hospital committed to providing the highest possible level of health care for children, but also to becoming an international advocate for children's health issues.

The Loma Linda University Children's Hospital Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to raise funds specifically for children's programs and services at Children's Hospital.

Further, the Foundation provides assistance in the development of educational and community projects, research studies, fundraising efforts, and other activities for the support, promotion, development, and advancement of the mission of Loma Linda University Children's Hospital.

The board of the Children's Hospital Foundation is comprised of 18 individuals from diverse backgrounds who together create a dynamic and powerful advocacy group for Inland Empire children. The board meets quarterly, while working on various projects throughout the year.

Day-to-day operations of the Foundation are led by Reiner S. Roeske, director of the Foundation. "Each individual on this board serves out of a deep sense of compassion for children," Mr. Roeske says. "They understand the plight of children in the Inland Empire, and are committed to being a part of the solution at Children's Hospital. I am personally very grateful for their significant contributions of time and resources. They are touching the lives of children every day with their work."

The following is a brief profile of each member of Loma Linda University Children's Hospital Foundation board.

Ms. Pettis served in the 94th and 95th congresses of the United States for the 37th Congressional District of California. There, she was a member of the Interior, Education, Labor, and Foreign Affairs Committees. In 1979, she retired from politics and moved into corporate life as a member of the Kemper National Insurance companies and the Board of Trustees of Loma Linda University, among others.

Throughout her career, Ms. Pettis has been committed to improving the status of children, both nationally and in California. That commitment continues in her leadership role at the Children's Hospital Foundation. The Foundation is currently engaged in increasing the awareness of children's issues and needs and finding resources to meet them. Under Ms. Pettis' direction as chair, the Foundation has raised nearly $2 million for this cause.

Dr. Bailey developed a vision for infant heart transplantation during his residency when he saw otherwise perfect babies dying from hypoplastic left heart syndrome--a congenital heart defect that defied successful reconstructive heart surgery. He performed more than 200 experimental transplantations in infant research animals to determine the feasibility of transplantation in the very young before his first human transplantation in October, 1984, when he transplanted a baboon heart into the infant known as Baby Fae. In November, 1985, he performed the first human-to-human heart transplant in a newborn baby. Since then, 217 infant heart transplants have been performed, with an actuarial survival rate of 80 percent.

Transplantation remains a small portion of Dr. Bailey's practice, which involves an average of 160 pediatric and infant open-heart surgeries per year. With many scientific publications, Dr. Bailey is an internationally recognized authority on congenital heart surgery and infant heart transplantation. He lectures frequently to physicians throughout the world.

Dr. Behrens received her medical training at Sydney University in Australia, where she graduated in 1964. Following graduation, she completed an internship and a pediatric residency program, both in Sydney. She continued her pediatric education at Loma Linda University Medical Center in 1966. In 1970, Dr. Behrens joined the faculty of LLU's School of Medicine in the department of pediatrics. In 1986, she was appointed dean of the School of Medicine, a position she held until 1991.

In 1990, Dr. Behrens assumed the presidency of Loma Linda University. In addition, she was appointed president of Adventist Health Systems/Loma Linda in 1995, and she became president of Loma Linda University Health Sciences Center (LLUAHSC), the umbrella organization for Loma Linda University and Loma Linda University Medical Center in 1997.

Dr. Bull received his medical degree from LLU in 1961. After graduating, he studied for seven years at Yale University School of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health, and the Royal Postgraduate Medical School in London, England. He joined the faculty of Loma Linda University School of Medicine in 1968 in the department of pathology.

He became chair of the department in 1973. Dr. Bull is well known for his innovations in the clinical laboratory. He has devised new techniques and procedures now used internationally in the field of hematology. He is widely published in medical and scientific journals. Beginning in 1984, he served as editor-in-chief of Blood Cells, the leading scholarly journal in his field.

Dr. Bull became the dean of Loma Linda University School of Medicine in 1993, a position he continues to fill.

Mr. Gundry is a retired executive vice president with Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company, where he worked from 1960 through 1989. Prior to this, Mr. Gundry was a partner with the Omaha Leather Company for 13 years. Among his accomplishments, Mr. Gundry is a Certified Life Underwriter (CLU), a Registered Health Underwriter (RHU), and the former national commissioner of the RHU. Additionally, he is a registered representative with the National Association of Securities Dealers. Mr. Gundry is an alumnus of the University of Miami and the University of South Carolina.

His charitable work has been extensive over the years. Boards he has served on in various capacities include San Diego Zoological Society, United Way of San Diego, Nebraska Independent College Foundation, Fontenelle Forest, Nebraska Wildlife Federation, Metropolitan Community College Foundation, Freedom Foundation, and River City Roundup.

In 1961, Mr. Hill became the first American to win the Grand Prix World Driving Championship, the ultimate competition for race car drivers. For 17 years, his record was unchallenged and today is shared with only one other American--Mario Andretti.

Mr. Hill has won countless races over a period spanning two decades. Other highlights in his career include having won the grueling 24 hours of Le Mans three times, two-time winner of the Argentine 1000 KM, three-time winner of the 12-hour Sebring, two-time winner of the Grand Prix of Italy, winner of the Belgian Grand Prix, and two-time winner of the Nurburgring 1000 KM race.

Mr. Hill has the distinction of having won the first and last races of his driving career, the last being the winning of the BOAC 500 at Brands Hatch in England in 1967. Mr. Hill has also worked as a commentator for ABC's "Wide World of Sports" program and is currently writing retrospective automobile articles for Road and Track magazine as a contributing editor.

Dr. Hinshaw graduated from Loma Linda University in 1947 with his medical degree. After post-graduate training and a term of active duty in the United States Army where he was a captain in the medical corps, Dr. Hinshaw joined the faculty of his alma mater in 1954. In 1961 he was appointed chair of the department of surgery, and the following year he was asked to serve as dean of the School of Medicine. He held this position until 1975.

In 1986, Dr. Hinshaw became vice president for medical affairs at Loma Linda University and president of Adventist Health System/Loma Linda. In late 1987, he became president of Loma Linda University Medical Center, a position he held until his retirement in 1994. As Medical Center president, Dr. Hinshaw worked to successfully complete earlier expansion programs and direct new ones. During his tenure there were many accomplishments, including the construction and opening of the Proton Treatment Center and Children's Hospital.

Ms. Lastinger is the president, CEO, and trustee of the A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation based in Ontario, California. Ms. Lastinger is the daughter of the late A. Gary Anderson, an entrepreneur who made a fortune and then set about giving it back to the community. He expressed his care and concern for people in the Inland Empire--especially young children and young adults« through a variety of efforts. At the time of his death in 1992, Mr. Anderson was chair of the Children's Fund, which he co-founded in 1986. His legacy of caring for his community continues through the Foundation that he established prior to his death. Last year, the Foundation awarded $500,000 to endow a special playroom at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital for critically ill children, especially those affected by cancer.

Ms. Lastinger is active on multiple boards including Children's Fund, Casa Colina Rehabilitation Centers, strategic planning committee for Loma Linda Ronald McDonald House, and UC Riverside Foundation. Her recent awards include 1997 Ernst and Young Spirit of Leadership Award, 1996 National Society of Fund Raising Executives' Outstanding Award, and 1995 La Sierra University S.I.F.E. Business Person of the Year Award.

The Honorable Jerry Lewis, congressional representative of the 40th District of the State of California, is a long-time friend and supporter of the University and Medical Center. A lifelong resident of San Bernardino County and representing San Bernardino and Inyo Counties, Congressman Lewis is a senior member of the Appropriations Committee of the United States House of Representatives.

He chairs the VA-HUD and Independent Agencies Subcommittee, the panel responsible for funding federal housing, veterans affairs, the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA), the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Science Foundation, and other federal agencies.

In this role, Congressman Lewis was instrumental in securing a federal grant of $19.6 million to help fund the Proton Treatment Center. He has also taken a leadership role in securing an additional $10 million in federal funding for the Chan Shun Pavilion Cancer Research Center.

Dr. Loveless currently serves as the senior pastor of the University Church of Seventh-day Adventists (with more than 6,000 members) in Loma Linda. He also is a professor in the Faculty of Religion and in the Graduate School marriage and family therapy training program at the University.

His previous experience includes 12 years as president of Columbia Union College, Takoma Park, Maryland, college and university teaching, and consulting to health-care institutions and businesses. He holds a doctorate in education from the University of Maryland.

Dr. Loveless has had extensive experience and training in family therapy and is intensely interested in people, how they function together, and how they relate their family stories and themes to their own lives. He is a licensed marriage and family therapist, a clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, a diplomate of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, and a supervisor in the American Association of Family Counselors and Mediators.

Dr. Mace, a graduate of Loma Linda University's School of Medicine, is physician-in-chief for Loma Linda University Children's Hospital and also serves as professor and chair of the department of pediatrics.

Dr. Mace has served on numerous community service boards including the Inland Counties Disabilities Service Foundation for Medical Care in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County Medical Society, American Diabetes Association of Southern California, and the Inland Empire Chapter of American Diabetes of Southern California. Dr. Mace has also served on many boards and committees in various capacities at Loma Linda University Medical Center and University. In 1994, Dr. Mace was named Alumnus of the Year by Loma Linda University's School of Medicine.

Dr. Moorhead has been president and chief executive officer of Loma Linda University Medical Center since January, 1995. He also serves as LLU vice president for health services.

Dr. Moorhead is an associate professor in the section of urology (department of surgery) and in the department of pediatrics, School of Medicine. Dr. Moorhead led in the planning, organization, and implementation of building the Children's Hospital facility at Loma Linda, which was specifically designed for pediatric care in a managed care environment.

Dr. Moorhead has been involved in numerous clinical research projects relating to pediatric urology. His special interest lies in the treatment of children with damaged bladders who previously have required urinary diversion with a lifelong, external bag.

A graduate of the University of Redlands and Stanford Law School, Judge Patrick J. Morris grew up in Needles, California. He was appointed to the Superior Court bench in 1976.

From 1978 to 1981, he served as San Bernardino County's first full-time Family Law Supervising Judge and organized the court's Family Law Department. Judge Morris was elected by his colleagues to an unprecedented three terms as Superior Court Presiding Judge from 1981 to 1984.

Judge Morris' advocacy on behalf of abused and at-risk children led to a number of institutional changes within the Juvenile Court and Children's Services in San Bernardino County. He is the founder of the San Bernardino County Children's Network--a comprehensive interagency networking system to coordinate and enhance services to high-risk children. The Network, which includes a children's policy-making council and a public-private foundation, has received national recognition since its inauguration in 1985, both for its innovative design and for its demonstrated ability to improve service to children. In July, 1991, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges presented Judge Morris with its highest award for Meritorious Service to the Juvenile Courts of America.

In 1964, Mr. Stockton joined the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) Tour. Since then, he has had 11 Tour wins including two majors. He was a member of the 1971 and 1977 Ryder Cup Team, and a member of the 1970 and 1976 World Cup Team. Mr. Stockton was the 1991 U.S. Ryder Cup Captain, and he also joined the Senior Tour that same year. Since then, he's had six wins on the Senior Tour.

In 1992, he was named Senior Rookie of the Year, the same year he won the Senior Players Championship. In 1993, he was named Senior PGA Tour Player of the Year. In 1994, Mr. Stockton was the top money winner on the Senior Tour, and in 1995, he was the second top money winner. He won the 1996 U.S. Senior Open at Canterbury. Mr. Stockton has won a minimum of two events in each of the last five seasons. Mr. Stockton made history in 1996 when he and his sons each played a Tour event on the same weekend.

Ms. Varner is an alumna of the Loma Linda University School of Nursing and has worked at Loma Linda University Medical Center. A resident in the Inland Empire for 20 years, Ms. Varner has given back to the community in various ways. She was vice president of Santa Claus Lane and was responsible for the Christmas Tree Lane--the annual extravaganza and fundraiser. In 1991, she was president of the Assistance League of San Bernardino.

Ms. Varner serves on the Redlands Town and Gown board. Further, she has served on the Junior University Board, an organization that puts on a children's theater every year. She also volunteers with Education First, a school for the children of homeless families.

Support of the Children's Hospital, however, is a family affair in the Varner household. In 1994, Ms. Varner's daughter, Nicole, raised $2,750 to buy new books for the Children's Hospital library.

Mr. Voight has more than 35 years experience in real estate property asset management primarily in leasing, development, property management, construction coordination, and government liaison. As president and chief executive officer of Security Investment/Management Company, he has been actively involved in the Inland Empire area of Southern California for the past 17 years.

Mr. Voight has acted as general partner or chief executive officer of more than 40 partnerships and corporations, and in that capacity has been involved in appraising, purchasing, selling, merging, and operating the assets of these entities.

Formerly, Mr. Voight served as chair of the board of Inland Action, Inc., a member of the Inland Empire Leadership Council, and was a member of the Inland Empire Economic Partnership.

Mr. Voight majored in engineering and business administration at the University of Wisconsin and studied law at Blackstone School of Law in Chicago.

Ms. Watkins, the newest board member, has an exceptional record of vibrant community service. She has served in many capacities on the LLU National Medical Auxiliary Board, including membership chair, cookbook chair, residents auxiliary sponsor, president (1988-89) and presently, scholarship chair. She was selected Woman of the Year in 1995 by the LLU National Medical Auxiliary. She has also led the local auxiliary medical-dental chapter as they have met their commitment to the Ronald McDonald House for $100,000 to sponsor their living room, as well as raising funds to sponsor School of Medicine alumni who are serving as foreign missionaries. Ms. Watkins was instrumental in the planning and development of the Tree of Angels project, which has raised $150,000 in six years.

Additionally, Ms. Watkins has been a tireless supporter of Redlands Junior Academy and the Redlands Seventh-day Adventist Church for the past three decades. Through her contagious enthusiasm, effective leadership, and commitment to service, she has demonstrated that volunteers can indeed make an important difference. A graduate of Loma Linda University's School of Allied Health Professions, Ms. Watkins studied medical technology.

In 1946, with a suitcase and the G.I. Bill, Dr. Woolley arrived in Loma Linda to begin medical school. During his residency program, Dr. Woolley noted that children in Los Angeles did not receive the same high-quality care as did the adults. This, coupled with an inherent love of children, led him to devote his life to pediatric surgery. Upon completing his pediatric surgical residency in Boston, he returned to Los Angeles in 1959 and opened his office at White Memorial Medical Center. Dr. Woolley was the first to operate on twins with esophageal atresia who survived. His subsequent report of this disease has become a classic article in the literature.

In 1960 he was invited to teach residents at the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. He was subsequently appointed surgeon-in-chief, a position he held until his retirement in 1990. A lifelong Seventh-day Adventist, Dr. Woolley served the church as a medical missionary on a sabbatical in 1983 at the Bangkok Adventist Hospital. He has served as visiting professor in the United States and abroad, and is considered a world authority in the surgical treatment of infants and children.