TODAY news - July 29, 2004

Kevin J. Lang, MBA, accepted the invitation to join the LLUAHSC administrative team on May 17. He began his duties for LLUAHSC entities on July 1.

Kevin J. Lang, MBA, began his numerous duties for Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center, Loma Linda University, and Loma Linda University Medical Center on July 1.

Mr. Lang officially joined the administrative team to serve as the executive vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer for LLUAHSC; senior vice president and chief financial officer for LLUMC; and chief financial officer/treasurer for LLU.

"What's exciting is that this is a new organization, LLUAHSC," says Mr. Lang. "It's exciting to share a common vision and mission with the entities while maintaining their autonomy. And it's exciting to be around a university, it keeps me young," he smiles.

Mr. Lang joins the administrative team after spending the previous six years at Kettering Medical Center Network in Kettering, Ohio. As chief financial officer, Mr. Lang gained invaluable experience providing leadership, direction, and coordination of the network of corporate financial operations and strategic direction for the organization. Mr. Lang has also served as vice president for finance and regional chief financial officer for Centura Health based in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Throughout his career, he has held administrative financial positions for Rocky Mountain Adventist Healthcare in Denver, Colorado; and at Corona Community Hospital, in Corona.

Mr. Lang looks forward to the opportunities at Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center, where he has already noticed a level of dedication among employees that is extraordinarily high.

"It's more than just a job--it's a mission," remarks Mr. Lang of his observations of his colleagues and the physician leadership. And it's a mission of which he can take ownership.

"I truly believe that we offer something at a time in a person's life when they need more than just physical healing," Mr. Lang continues.

"It's always great fun to come to an institution with a great reputation," Mr. Lang comments. But transitions are never without their difficulties. "The bridge between the academic and the business model is a challenge," agrees Mr. Lang. "But you work together. Sharing information makes everybody better. You ask ‘How can we improve the quality of life for our community, be it local, regional, or global, through our mission and vision.'"

Currently Mr. Lang resides in Redlands with his sister and brother-in-law as he awaits the completion of his family's home, also in Redlands. His identical twin sons, Nathan and Jordan, 18, just graduated from high school and will be heading to college in the fall. His wife, Darice, and daughter, Megan, 13, will remain in Ohio until the house is finished and can be moved into sometime this December. Darice is a graduate of Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in dental hygiene.

Mr. Lang is an avid golfer and enjoys spending time with his family. Most recently, his favorite activity is wakeboarding.

"It's a great activity because you can get the whole family involved," shares Mr. Lang. "It's rare to find an activity you can get your teenagers excited about to spend the whole day with you."

LLUMC volunteers with more than 400 hours of service in 2003 are: Indvi Harold Allday; Maurice; Carole Brodeur; Sharon Brown; Stuart Campbell; Saida Campwala; Steve Civitak; Robert Coburn; Richard Darling, DDS; Desert Holly Cancer Dressing Station; Eastern Star- Owens Valley; Fraternal Order of the Eagles; Betty Garcia; Javier Gonzalez; Ann Hayes; Evelyn Jenkinson; David Kalfell; Larry Lee; Lake Arrowhead LDS Church; Steve London; Judith Machuca; Eleanor Marshel; Samuel McGinnis; Robert Olsen; Edward Pruitt; Catherine Robinson; Erwin Savela; Joseph Scavelli; Diane Short; Carol Smith; Thomas Squire; and Mildred Stilson, MD. A group of these individuals pose for a photo.

LLUCH volunteers with more than 400 hours in 2003 are: Irene Baldwin, Eleanor Barber, Linda Blaine, Brian Christensen, Alice Cruz, Lorenza Cruz, Mary Ann DeRito, Sandi DeRito, Leora Grecian, Doug Gunter, Thomas Hartman, Hal Link, Shirley Litka, Donald McFadden, Newborns in Need, Karen Parra, Project Linus, Safe Kids, Safe Kids-CHP, Safe Kids- Firefighters, San Bernadino Public Health Department, Opal Taylor, and Mary Vavra. A group of these individuals pose for a photo.

Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center celebrated the volunteers that donate their time and efforts to the Medical Center and Children's Hospital at the annual recognition banquet on April 22.

With a 1950s themed banquet hall and the music of the era provided by Jimmy Vee of Dion and the Belmonts, volunteers gathered to enjoy an evening dedicated to the 209,494 hours (the equivalent of 100 full-time employees) they donated. Ruthita Fike, CEO of the Medical Center, and Zareh Sarrafian, MBA, administrator of Children's Hospital, welcomed volunteers.

Denise Winters, director of volunteer services, provided the official welcome to start the program and thanked the volunteers for their generous contributions of time and energy. She introduced the master of ceremonies for the evening, W. Augustus Cheatham, MSW, vicepresident of public affairs, also known as "the big bopper" as she dubbed him for the evening.

"You are the glue that holds us together," Mr. Cheatham said in thanks to the volunteers, "and we want to thank all of you."

More than 1,400 volunteers actively participated throughout the year in such programs as the Kids Care Fair, Children's Day, Health Fair Expo, the Cheerful Encounter program, and the Bring A Smile and Cards 4 Kidz programs.

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