Loma Linda University School of Allied Health
News
May 4, 2000
- SAHP graduate student presents research update during American Physical Therapy Association annual meeting
- Administrators from LLU and Humanitec Rehabilitation College, Japan, sign agreement
- Allied Health students participate in 12th annual National Youth Service Day
- Completion ceremonies held for graduates of LLU respiratory therapy program in Saudi Arabia
- LLU professors assist Adventist Church in health evangelism efforts in Slovakia
Completion ceremonies held for graduates of LLU respiratory therapy program in Saudi Arabia
The respiratory therapy class of 2000 on the extended campus program in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, held their completion ceremonies on March 8.
Five students completed their AS degree requirements on that date, and join their colleagues as respiratory therapists in the Prince Sultan Cardiac Center or the King Fahd National Guard Hospital.
This brings to 55 the number of graduates from Loma Linda University who have completed their degree programs on site in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, according to Joyce W. Hopp, PhD, MPH, SAHP dean.
"We are very proud of our graduates and the work they are doing in the Kingdom," Dr. Hopp told the graduates, their families, and co-workers.
This message was echoed by Lt. Colonel Abdulrahman Al Osaimy, program director of the Prince Sultan Cardiac Center, and Mohammed Al Fagih, MD, head of cardiac surgery in the Center.
Zaam A. Otaibi, class president, responded to the challenge by indicating that the graduates would always remember that they represent Loma Linda University in their professional careers.
Program director Rick Wett stein, RT, and clinical coordinator Khalid Al Awam, MPH, RT, have faced considerable challenges in finding adequate and appropriate clinical sites for these students. Many times, although the experience in the facilities is excellent, it is often difficult to acquire the breadth of experience necessary for the respiratory therapist.
An advisory committee meets regularly in an endeavor to search for solutions to challenges such as these. Mr. Al Awam, a 1992 graduate of the LLU program, completed his BS degree in respiratory therapy and most recently, received an MPH degree in health promotion and education from the School of Public Health.
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Dr. Hopp (back row, right), and Rick Wettstein, RT, program director of the respiratory therapy program, pose with the graduates. |
Joyce W. Hopp, PhD, MPH, dean, School of Allied Health Professions (left) presents a diploma to Rakan Al Duwairij during completion ceremonies held for graduates of the LLU respiratory therapy program in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. |
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Graduates of the LLU respiratory therapy program in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pose for a class photo. |
Dr. Hopp gives the commencement address to the respiratory therapy class of 2000. The graduates have joined the staff of Prince Sultan Cardiac Center or the King Fahd National Guard Hospital. |
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Dr. Hopp and Kahlid Al Awan, MPH, RT (front row), pose with graduates. |
Mohammed Al Fagih, MD, head of cardiac surgery, Prince Sultan Cardiac Center, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (wearing lab coat), presents a gift to a respiratory therapy graduate. |
LLU professors assist Adventist Church in health evangelism efforts in Slovakia
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Bertrum C. Connell, PhD, professor of nutrition and chair of the department of nutrition and dietetics, School of Allied Health Professions, presents a nutrition lecture to local health-care providers in Banska Bystrica. Translating for Dr. Connell is Andre Cimerman, a local Seventh-day Adventist Church member and marketing manager for AlfaBio. |
Most Americans have never heard of the city of Banska Bystrica. But for two School of Allied Health Professions nutrition and dietetics professors, Banska Bystrica has become very familiar.
Last March, Bertrum C. Connell, PhD, professor of nutrition, and chair, department of nutrition and dietetics; and Kenneth I. Burke, PhD, professor of nutrition, and associate chair, department of nutrition and dietetics; were invited by Lega Life and Health, the health ministries department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Slovakia to assist the Church in doing basic health evangelism and to help influence government policy regarding nutrition and health.
Dr. Burke, a food scientist, also served as a consultant to AlfaBio, a private business that manufacturers tofu in Banska Bystrica, that is owned by Jan Lunter, a Seventh-day Adventist business professional who is working to support health evangelism and growth of the Adventist Church in the area.
"Many Slovakians need training in health promotion including basic food selection and preparation along with stop-smoking and alcohol prevention programs," Dr. Connell says.
During their 10-day stay in Slovakia, Drs. Burke and Connell presented several health and nutrition lectures -- both to local Adventist Church groups and to a symposium attended by government nutritionists and health educators.
In conjunction with their visit, Lega Life and Health sponsored a symposium on national nutrition policy for scientific and health leaders from throughout Slovakia.
Dr. Connell presented a summary of American nutrition policy and presented a model suggesting ways that the Lega Life and Health could support nutritional and health programs in Slovakia.
Until now, Slovakian national policy has been to allow only government workers to officially provide nutrition programs.
"This policy did not prohibit Lega Life and Health from doing health evangelism, but by changing the national policy, the mission of the Adventist Church could be enhanced," Dr. Connell says.
For Drs. Burke and Connell, a major part of their time in Slovakia was spent consulting with AlfaBio personnel on developing soy beverage products to go along with AlfaBio's tofu products.
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Kenneth I. Burke, PhD, professor of nutrition, and associate chair, department of nutrition and dietetics, School of Allied Health Professions, presents a lecture on food technology with Mr. Cimerman serving as translator. |
"AlfaBio processes between 500 and 1,000 metric tons of tofu per month. They make six different tofu products including a white tofu, a smoked tofu, a marinated tofu, in addition to several tofu spreads," continues Dr. Connell.
"The tofu AlfaBio makes is some of the best tofu I have ever eaten," Dr. Connell says. "It has quite a bit of texture -- something we do not find in American tofu. The tofu is made from soy milk they extract from soybeans."
Improving the nutritional value and taste of a soy beverage was part of Dr. Burke's and Dr. Connell's task. Another part was consulting in ways to package the product at the least possible cost and have the longest possible shelf life.
One of the most spiritual experiences happened near the end of their stay in Slovakia.
"We were told that an Adventist lady who lives in Bystra, about 30 miles to the east, dreamed that Dr. Burke and I were lecturing in her village about health and wellness," Dr. Connell says.
"Monica, the lady who had the dream, and her daughter and son-in-law are the only Adventists in the village. Their goal is to witness to others and bring them to Christ.
"Under no circumstances could we turn down such an invitation that came in this way. Monica began a house-to-house campaign and invited all who lived in her village to come hear our health lecture in the village center. Many villagers, including the town mayor, turned out to hear our presentation on Ellen White's statement that pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, use of water, and trust in divine power are the true remedies for the restoration of health."
Other public meetings were held in Banska Bystrica and nearby towns on food technology issues of radiation and genetically modified soybeans.
In addition to food technology lectures, Dr. Connell presented a lecture on sports nutrition and Dr. Burke presented a lecture on his involvement as a nutrition consultant with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration projected trip to Mars.
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| AlfaBio has offices in this building, located in Banska Bystrica. Drs. Burke and Connell served as nutrition consultants to AlfaBio. | Picturesque architecture characterized the Slovakian city of Banska Bystrica. | ||
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| This banner announced a lecture that "Dr. Berta Connella" would be presenting at 6:00 p.m. in the city of Banska Bystrica. |
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