Loma Linda University News June 22, 2000 Nine individuals are honored with University and School awards during commencements ceremonies Interschool Faculty Advisory Council (IFAC) meets June 1 History of online and distance learning at LLU Nine individuals are honored with University and School awards during commencements ceremonies Nine University and School awards were presented during the commencement ceremonies for the Graduate School and the Schools of Nursing, Allied Health Professions, and Public Health. Presented the Distinguished University Service Award during School of Nursing conferring-of-degree ceremonies was Richard A. James, JD, general legal counsel for Loma Linda University, secretary to the Loma Linda University and Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center Boards of Trustees, and secretary of the Loma Linda University corporation. For more than half a century Mr. James has been employed by the College of Medical Evangelists, now Loma Linda University. Born in Battle Creek, Michigan, Mr. James relocated with his family to Loma Linda in 1943. After completing his junior year at Loma Linda Academy, he obtained summer work as a part-time messenger--a job referred to at that time as "call boy"--at Loma Linda Sanitarium/College of Medical Evangelists. During his senior year in academy he was hired as a desk clerk, a position he retained during the next four years as he completed his undergraduate education at La Sierra College, Riverside, in 1950. He also worked at the sanitarium during these years as an elevator operator and a cashier. During the Korean War, from 1950 to 1952, Mr. James served in the United States Army, Adjutant General's Office. These two years of military duty marked the only break in his service record for Loma Linda University which, to date, totals 55 years. Returning to the College of Medical Evangelists in 1952, he became director of the patient business office from 1952 to 1956. After one year as chief accountant of the Loma Linda Foundation, Mr. James settled into an eight-year period as assistant treasurer for Loma Linda University. In 1965, he was appointed assistant legal counsel for the University, and by 1968 he had moved up to associate legal counsel. While systematically rising through the administrative ranks of Loma Linda University, Mr. James was also continuing his education. In 1966 he completed his JD degree from the University of California Law Center, Los Angeles, passing both the State Bar of California and the American Bar Association examinations in 1967. In 1969, Mr. James was appointed general legal counsel for Loma Linda University, a capacity in which he has served for 31 years. In 1971 he was elected both assistant secretary of the Board of Trustees and one of the assistant secretaries of the corporation. In 1983 he was appointed secretary of the Board of Trustees and secretary of the corporation. While his formal service record indicates College of Medical Evangelists/Loma Linda University as his sole employer, Mr. James' service and influence extend far beyond the boundaries of this academic community. In recognition of the significant service rendered by Mr. James to this institution for more than half the years of its corporate existence; for his example as a trailblazer among Seventh-day Adventists, making law an acceptable, even desirable career goal for young people in the church; for his modeling of commitment and integrity--for all these reasons and more, Loma Linda University honored Mr. James with the Distinguished University Service Award. Receiving the Graduate School Alumnus of the Year award was Paul J. McMillan, PhD, professor of anatomy. Dr. McMillan earned a bachelor of arts degree from Southern Missionary College [now Southern Adventist University], Collegedale, Tennessee, and both the master of science and doctor of philosophy degrees in biochemistry from Loma Linda University. After completing a postdoctoral fellowship in histochemistry at the National Institutes of Health, he joined the faculties of the Graduate School and the School of Medicine as assistant professor of anatomy. Dr. McMillan has been a productive contributor to the research efforts of the anatomy program, mentoring five MS degree and two PhD degree students. His research interests include bone cell biology, with studies on the mechanisms for the regulation of thyroid parafollicular cells and their role in osteoclast regulation; and the development and application of quantitative morphological and histochemical methodology. He is currently continuing his research on osteoclasts, studying their recruitment and modulation by calcium deficiency; fasting and calcium supplements in the rat; and enzyme expression: cytochrome and cathepsin B. In 1996, Dr. McMillan developed a question bank in histology that is currently marketed as "Histology Mentor." He has presented numerous papers at professional meetings, served on review boards for grant proposals, and had more than forty papers published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Dr. McMillan holds membership in the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Society of Sigma Xi, Histochemical Society, American Association of Anatomists, International Society for Quantitative Morphology, and American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. Dr. McMillan is a Christian committed to modeling in his personal life the University's mission--to further the healing and teaching ministry of Jesus Christ--and the University's motto--"to make man whole." He is an active member of the Loma Linda University Church and is responsible for a number of innovations that develop community within the church family. For his commitment to and creative participation in the education of students for service to their Creator and to mankind, and in recognition of his lifetime of service to Loma Linda University Graduate School, the School honored Dr. McMillan as the School Alumnus of the Year. Honored with the Graduate School Distinguished Service Award was Marvin A. Peters, PhD. Dr. Peters earned the bachelor of science degree in pharmacy from Ferris State College, Big Rapids, Michigan, and completed his pharmacy licensure requirements at the clinical laboratory of Hinsdale Sanitarium and Hospital, Hinsdale, Illinois. He received the master of science degree in pharmacology from Loma Linda University and in 1965 joined the faculty of this University, both in the Graduate School and in the School of Medicine. He returned to the classroom as a doctoral student at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, where he earned the PhD degree in pharmacology. After completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, he returned to the University as an assistant professor of pharmacology. At Loma Linda University, Dr. Peters has been an active participant in the graduate program in pharmacology and in the research efforts of the program, mentoring a number of MS and PhD degree students. His current research interests center around the effects of perinatal exposure to methadone on various physiological functions of the offspring, including qualitative brain RNA changes; pup development and behavior; cardiovascular response to sympathomimetic drugs; and endorphin concentration in brain structure. His work has been recognized by grant awards from the National Institutes of Health. He has presented numerous papers at professional meetings and has had thirty-seven papers published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Dr. Peters holds memberships in the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, the New York Academy of Sciences, Sigma XI Society, the Western Pharmacology Society, and the Federated American Societies for Experimental Biology. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Dr. Peters is known as a committed Christian who seeks to model in his personal life the University's mission to further the healing and teaching ministry of Jesus Christ 'to make man whole.' He finds pleasure in teaching and is noted for his personal attention to students who seek his help. Appreciating the need for whole-person development, he and his wife Beverly have frequently opened their home for student social interactions. For his commitment to and creative participation in the education of students for service to mankind and to their Creator, and in recognition of his lifetime of service to Loma Linda University Graduate School, the School presented the award at the conferring of degrees for the Graduate School. Dynette E. Hart, DrPH, MS, was named the School of Nursing School Alumna of the Year during the nursing graduation ceremony. Dr. Hart earned the bachelor of science degree in nursing (SN, 1966) and the master of science degree in nursing (GS, 1968) from Loma Linda University. The emphasis of her master's degree was nursing of children and nursing education. In 1971, she and her husband, Kenneth Hart, MD, went to Africa to begin a series of foreign mission service assignments. Her assignments included the role of "sister tutor" in a hospital school of nursing in Zambia, and health education instructor in Tanzania. Later she served as a secondary school instructor--teaching health courses and girls' physical education classes, as well as doing office nursing for Seventh-day Adventist Health Services in Kenya. In 1987, Dr. Hart embarked upon her dual career of assistant professor, teaching pediatric nursing in Loma Linda University's School of Nursing; and pediatric hematology/ oncology clinical nurse II in Loma Linda University Medical Center. As a teacher she inspired her undergraduate students to high standards of nursing practice. In the classroom she integrated spiritual aspects of child rearing into the curriculum by stressing that God has a plan for His human children of all ages, and this life serves as preparation for becoming members of God's heavenly family. Always interested in teaching health to parents and children, Dr. Hart enrolled in the School of Public Health, majoring in health education. She earned the DrPH degree in 1994. This degree, in addition to her previous mission experience, prepared her to serve as director of nursing for the SAC Health System's SAC-Norton clinic as that community-based service was developed and later opened in 1996. For several months she served in this capacity while continuing her teaching duties in the School of Nursing. In recent years, Dr. Hart has made several trips abroad to teach enrichment courses in nursing practice and education in various countries in the Far East and in Africa. While in Africa she and her husband have presented education seminars for pastors and other community leaders to assist in health-improvement efforts, especially as they face the challenges of the AIDS epidemic among the populations they serve. Dr. Hart is certified by the National Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Nurses. She is currently enrolled in the pediatric nurse practitioner program at the University of California, Los Angeles. In addition to her full professional life and personal academic pursuits, she is active in the Loma Linda University School of Nursing Alumni Association, having served as president of the board of directors; and she has held a leadership position in the Gamma Alpha Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, International--the honor society for nursing. Eva J. Miller, MS, RN, was presented with the School of Nursing School Distinguished Service Award during the School of Nursing conferring of degrees ceremony. Ms. Miller completed her bachelor of science degree in nursing from Loma Linda University (SN, 1958) and her master of science degree in nursing from Loma Linda University's Graduate School (1982). During more than three and a half decades of service to this University, Ms. Miller has become well known for her personal and professional attributes. When she commits to a task, her standard is excellence. This is her commitment--her standard--as she helps to prepare nurses for the world they will serve. She is particularly appreciated for the skillful way she initiates and maintains positive relationships with personnel in the numerous agencies and facilities with which the School affiliates in order to provide meaningful learning activities for School of Nursing students. Her quiet strength--much respected by her colleagues and students--has helped to bring about needed changes in the School, the University, and the larger community. Her leadership in the community assessment that preceded creation of the Norton SACHS program and her contributions as long-time member of the University plant operations committee are just two examples of her efforts that extend beyond the borders of the School of Nursing. Her generous and caring spirit and her willingness to attend to others' needs have endeared Ms. Miller to students in the School of Nursing. Desiring to establish an award recognizing an outstanding student's academic performance, life commitment, community involvement, and positive interpersonal relationships, she initiated development of the merit scholar ship, awarded annually by the School of Nursing Alumni Association. Contributing to the curriculum of the School of Nursing, Ms. Miller has led out in the development of a community health nursing course that focuses on the community as client, with emphasis on identifying the needs of vulnerable populations. She is also pioneering the expansion of community health nursing to include occupational health in industries that employ a vulnerable work force. Undergraduate students are not the only beneficiaries of her expertise; she continues to teach and inspire students who take her school-nursing course, which is taught at the graduate level. Ms. Miller initiated and continues to nurture the Southern California Community Health Nursing Educators organization, which meets on various campuses to identify and address trends in community health education. She is an active contributor to professional nursing through membership in a variety of organizations, including Loma Linda Nursing Alumni Association, Sigma Theta Tau, the American Public Health Association, and the School Nurse Association. Receiving the School Alumnus of the Year Award from the School of Allied Health Professions during the Sunday ceremonies was Isao Nara, PhD, professor of physical therapy, School of Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan. Dr. Nara graduated from Loma Linda University's School of Allied Health Professions, department of physical therapy, in 1969. He returned to Japan where he continued his education, which culminated in his completion of the doctor of philosophy degree in physical therapy. He is currently a professor in the department of physical therapy at Hiroshima University's School of Medicine. Dr. Nara served as president of the Japanese Physical Therapy Association. This association hosted the 1999 World Conference of Physical Therapy, which was held in Yokohama. Dr. Nara served as chair of the conference. Dr. Nara is a highly respected educator in the Far East. His dedication and hard work over the years have resulted in many achievements and accomplishments. The School of Allied Health Professions conferred the School Distinguished Service Award on Marie DeLange, clinical program director, diagnostic medical sonography, School of Allied Health Professions. Ms. DeLange is clinical program director of medical sonography in the School of Allied Health Professions' department of radiation technology, a position she has held since 1978. She is also ultrasound/vascular manager of the ultrasound department of Loma Linda University Medical Center. Since 1978, Ms. DeLange has mentored twenty-two groups of students to successful completion of one of the most comprehensive and demanding programs for sonography education in the United States. One requirement of the program is that students complete and submit a publishable paper. As a result of this requirement, many students in the program have won the prestigious Frederick W. Sample Award for outstanding student achievement. Ms. DeLange has held multiple posts in the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and in the society's educational scholarship foundation. She is past chair of the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and is a newly elected member of the Board of Governors of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. A fellow of the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers since 1992, Ms. DeLange represents the best in ultrasound education and professional commitment. Combined with a contagious enthusiasm for and dedication to her work, she exemplifies the true spirit of her profession and the mission of Loma Linda University. Donald R. Hall, DrPH, was presented the School Alumnus of the Year by the School of Public during their graduation ceremony on Sunday afternoon. Dr. Hall completed his undergraduate studies at Walla Walla College. Although his major was religion, he also finished the necessary requirements for pre-medicine and was accepted by Loma Linda University School of Medicine. Financial considerations prevented his enrollment in the medical program; so, he instead accepted a one-year teaching appointment at an elementary school, then a three-year appointment as a pastor in Heppner, Oregon, and in Spokane, Washington. However, he never gave up his interest in health and wellness; and when the opportunity presented itself, he eagerly enrolled in the master of science in public health program in nutrition at Loma Linda University. After serving the Upper Columbia Conference of Seventh-day Adventists as health and temperance secretary, Dr. Hall returned to the School of Public Health to pursue a doctor of health science degree, predecessor to the current doctor of public health degree in preventive care. In 1978, while still a student in the doctoral program, he created the first health-assessment software programs available for the personal computer. After completing the doctoral program in 1979, he accepted the position of health educator for Portland Adventist Medical Center. He continued developing computer-based health-assessment tools, managing this growing business in conjunction with his medical center work. Dr. Hall's business grew to the point that he found it necessary to devote his full time and energies to this enterprise. One of the bedrooms in his home was converted to an office, and Wellsource, Inc. was launched. Today, Wellsource, Inc., has more than 35 employees and is this country's premiere provider of health-risk assessment and education tools to the industry and to the community. Wellsource software has been translated into French, Spanish, and Japanese; and is used by hundreds of organizations around the world. Dr. Hall continues as a leader and innovator in the field of health-risk reduction. His most recent venture is Lifelong Health, a nonprofit Wellsource subsidiary designed to provide health outreach materials for churches and community groups. Receiving the School of Public Health's School Distinguished Service Award during the graduation ceremony was P. William Dysinger, PhD, adjunct professor of international health, School of Public Health. Dr. Dysinger graduated from Southern Missionary College [now Southern Adventist University], Collegedale, Tennessee, in 1951. He earned a medical degree in 1955; interned at Washington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park, Maryland; then spent two years in the Public Health Service, assigned first to work with the Blackfoot Indians in Montana, then with the Navajo Indians in Arizona. These challenging years--providing general medical care to a rural, underserved population--still left time for pursuit of his hobbies, airplane flying and fossil collecting in remote deserts; and for the pursuit of Yvonne Mae Minchin in a long-distance romance. Married in 1958, the couple soon left for Cambodia, where Dr. Dysinger worked as the United States Embassy physician. Dr. Dysinger's desire to pursue a career in public health and preventive medicine and his lifelong interest in international health were born during these two adventurous years. After returning to Loma Linda, Dr. Dysinger spent nearly a year doing research and helping to establish the School of Tropical Health and Hygiene, precursor to the current School of Public Health. Dr. Dysinger then completed a master of public health degree at Harvard University. His next appointment was a rural, isolated African mission in Heri, Tanzania, where he spent two years developing a unique program to train pastors in health education and public health. In 1964, Dr. Dysinger returned to the School of Public Health at Loma Linda University where he remained for the next twenty-three years, first as assistant professor, then, since 1971, as professor. During the early years, he worked closely with Dr. Mervyn Hardinge, helping to found and establish the School of Public Health. As associate dean for academic affairs, his skills and efforts in program visioning and development were put to good use. He was also a major force in establishing the School's department of international health and the preventive medicine residency. In the classroom he was known for his innovative and organized approaches. Dr. Dysinger's life has been motivated by his interest in international health and medical missionary work. He spent two three-month stints as a World Health Organization Fellow traveling through Africa, and as a relief worker during the Biafran War in Nigeria. He spent a year in Singapore (1972 to 1973) helping to develop a health education program for the Southeast Asia Union College; two years in Tanzania (1978 to 1980) directing a countrywide training program in maternal and child health; and a year in Pakistan (1980 to 1981) developing a rural health training program for Pakistan Union College. In 1988, Dr. Dysinger served in Washington, DC, for five years as the international medical director for the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA). He spent much of his time traveling, creating a marvelous record of successful grant applications for child survival projects in various areas of the world. Since "retiring" in 1992 to his roots in the hills of Tennessee, Dr. Dysinger has become the director of Development Services International, a nonprofit health-evangelism organization; continued his international travels--over the decades he has circled the globe "too many times to count," visiting more than 200 countries--presenting health-evangelism seminars around the world and using a syllabus he helped develop with the Adventist International Medical Society; worked for a year in Yemen as ADRA country director; developed multimedia programs incorporating health and the Three Angels' Messages; and, in his spare time, written a book. He continues as a consultant with Loma Linda University, ADRA, and Adventist Frontier Missions. Interschool Faculty Advisory Council (IFAC) meets June 1 B. Lyn Behrens, MBBS, president of Loma Linda University and Loma Linda University Medical Center, presents a report regarding her visit to the British Open University to Interschool Faculty Advisory Council (IFAC) members at a retreat held Thursday, June 1. The IFAC retreat was held at the Oak Glen house of Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, dean of the School of Public Health. Guests of IFAC were University administrators, deans, and members of the learning and technology committee. IFAC retreat attendees broke into small groups to discuss their perspectives on the advisability and feasibility of an online University at LLU. History of online and distance learning at LLU LLU founded 1905 First LLU program to offer education at distant sites by School of Public Health 1973 First off-campus graduating class by School of Public Health 1978 Taskforce on distance learning established January 26, 1995 Committee appointed to develop a site on the World Wide Web May 24, 1995 LLU and MC web site launched December 1, 1995 First demonstration of distance learning equipment to Board of Trustees May 13, 1996 First interactive video conference course (to Glendale Adventist Medical Center, Glendale) Spring, 1996 Databases for library resources made available over the Internet December 9, 1997 Administrative Policy: Internet, Extranet, Intranet Access and Use Policy passed by Board of Trustees August 12, 1998 Learning Laboratory Conference: Orlando, Florida September 9 to 13, 1999 School of Nursing faculty meeting and planning for online instruction October 8, 1999 Administrative Policy: J-3 Committees Relating to Information Services and Learning and Technology passed by the Board of Trustees October 11, 1999 AACUP (Association of Adventist College/University Presidents) unanimously accepted the Adventist Distance Education Consortium November 3, 1999 Blackboard course information training session for faculty, staff, and administration December 10, 1999 DISC retreat January 18 to 19, 2000 Education Faire and Conference 2000: "Excellence in Education for the New Century" January 20 to 21, 2000 Administrative Policy: J-5 Internet, Extranet, Intranet Access and Use Policy passed by Board of Trustees February 7, 2000 DISC retreat to develop information systems (IS) strategic plan May 8, 2000 Samples of Early Online and Distance Education Master of public health (MPH) degree, School of Public Health's first off-campus graduating class 1978 U.S. sites: Albuquerque, New Mexico; Anchorage, Alaska [current]; Brunswick, Maine; Chicago, Illinois; Collegedale, Tennessee; Orlando, Florida; Phoenix, Arizona; Portland, Oregon; Sacramento, California (current); and Washington, D.C. (current). International sites: Alberta, Canada; Columbia/Venezuela/Costa Rico; Haiti; Jamaica/Trinidad; Kenya [current]; Mexico/Puerto Rico; Ontario, Canada; and Hong Kong. Associate in science (AS) degree in respiratory therapy, first School of Allied Health Professions degree program outside the United States (LLU-Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) Fall, 1987 ART-RRA bachelor of science (BS) degree in health information administration (LLU-Glendale Adventist Medical Center) Spring, 1996 Nursing courses (LLU-Atlantic Union College, South Lancaster, Massachusetts) Fall, 1996 Associate in arts (AA) degree in occupational therapy assistant (LLU-Fresno City College, Fresno) Fall, 1997 Principles of Health Administration/lntroduction to Biostatistics (LLU-Atlantic Union College) Fall, 1997 Foundations of Health Information Systems (LLU-via e-mail) Summer, 1998 Implant Dentistry Problem-Based Learning Treatment for Patients (LLU--offered on LLU's web site) 1998, 1999 Christian Health Care Ethics courses (LLU-Pacific Union College, Angwin) January-March, 1999 Partnering for the 21st Century (LLU-Oakwood College, Huntsville, Alabama) February 22, 1999 Associate in science (AS) degree in physical therapist assistant, first program between General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists institutions via distance learning technology (LLU-Oakwood College) Summer, 1999 Master's degrees in occupational therapy and physical therapy (LLU-Antillean Adventist University, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico) Summer, 1999 Bachelor of science (BS) degree in emergency medical care (LLU-Fresno City College) Fall, 1999 Immediately Loaded Root Form Implants--version 3 (LLU-offered on LLU's web site) 1999 Data Communications Theory (LLU-Blackboard, Inc., course information) Winter, 2000 Operations and Maintenance of Systems (LLU-Blackboard, Inc., course information) Spring, 2000 Current (spring, 2000), Blackboard server has 127 courses online. 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