Loma Linda University Health shares mission at international Seventh-day Adventist gathering

A focus on Loma Linda University Health’s mission was the highlight of two exhibit booths at the recent Seventh-day Adventist Church’s General Conference Session. Throughout the 10-day event held in St. Louis, Mo., LLUH personnel interacted with many of the international gathering’s nearly 100,000 church leaders and visitors, having many meaningful conversations and sharing useful gifts with the steady flow of alumni, colleagues, and visitors.

More than 30 LLUH representatives staffed the primary exhibit space, which focused on the university’s education opportunities and introduced the “Answer Your Calling” concept to visitors. The 50’ x 50’ display featured two video walls, charging stations, and many campus photos. Many prospective students and parents inquiring on behalf of their children asked questions about the admission process to attend Loma Linda University. Visitors could register their interest using three iPads, visit the Continuous Learning website, and view videos sharing the stories of Loma Linda University Health.

Across the aisle, LLUH also collaborated with other North American Division health systems in an impressive display that featured each system's uniqueness and a variety of health activities.

LLUH enjoys a noteworthy reputation for its work sharing health and healing around the world. That reputation and the mission behind it clearly resonated with many of the visitors who stopped to ask questions and to share stories about their own interactions with LLUH.

One of the exhibit staff members noticed a visitor staring quietly at one of the video screens. An acquaintance had told him that his daughter was featured in one of the LLUH videos. A retired OB-GYN from Venezuela, the visitor’s daughter is currently doing her residency at LLUH. After learning the daughter’s name, the staff person guided the gentleman to one of the iPads, where he was able to view a video that featured his daughter’s story. As he watched, he was overwhelmed with emotion. Over the next few days, the gentleman returned with more family and friends to share the moment with them.

Another visitor shared that he had recently been diagnosed with eye cancer, and his local physicians had recommended removing the eye entirely. However, he’d heard about Loma Linda University Health’s proton therapy and wanted to learn more. An exhibit staff person took information about the visitor’s diagnosis and offered to follow up with one of LLUH’s ophthalmologists for further review.

Throughout the long exhibit hours, Loma Linda University Health’s representatives understood that many of the people stopping at the booth would never have an opportunity to visit Loma Linda’s Southern California location. For those 10 days, the women and men interacted with those visitors with a strong sense of mission, knowing they were the faces representing the more than 18,000 employees and more than 4,000 students who are the heart of Loma Linda University Health.