Loma Linda

NurseFall 2007 Vol. XVI, No. 1

The alumni publication of Loma Linda University School of Nursing

Also in this issue:• RE M E M B E R I N G HA Z E L WO O D

• MA R J O R I E WH I T N E Y—TH E L I F E O F A M I S S I O N A RY

MY YEARS AT LOMA LINDALongtime faculty member Eva Miller shares her story

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of contentsTable

School of Nursing administrationDean

Marilyn Herrmann, PhD, RNAssociate dean of theundergraduate program

Dynnette Hart, DrPH, RNAssociate dean of thegraduate program

Elizabeth Bossert, DNS, RNAssistant dean offinance and support services

Jeff Leeper, MAc, CPA, CMA, CIADirector, office of international nursing

Patricia S. Jones, PhD, RN, FAANDirector of development

Sherri J. Vasquez, MBA

Alumni Association officersPresident

Erlys Zocher Daily, ’75Past president

Zelne Zamora, ’87President-elect

Linda L. Levisen, ’65, ’72Vice president for programs

Eva Goodlett Miller, ’58B, ’75 Secretary

Zelne Zamora, ’87Treasurer

Dolores Wright, ’67

Elected and appointed officersJennifer Cox, ’02Katty Joy French, ’64Kathy Ingram, ’70Noemi Lopez, ’01Arlene Engevik McVoy, ’51Myrna Reyes, ’07Angelica Rubalcava, ’07Joyce Oliverio Volsch, ’85, ’91

Alumni secretaryDonna Eick

Loma Linda NURSE is published by the Loma Linda University Schoolof Nursing and Alumni Association.

EditorMarilyn Herrmann, PhD, RN Dean, School of Nursing

Managing editor, layout, & designDustin R. Jones, MASpecial projects editor,University relations

Message from the dean 3

News from the school 4

MY YEARS AT LOMA LINDA:Longtime faculty member Eva Miller shares her story 6

Feature—Adeeba Evans 10

LLUSN survey 12

Letter from the alumni president 13

Alumni homecoming 14

Remembering Hazel Wood 19

Alumni feature—Marjorie Whitney 20

Fall 2007 Vol. XVI, No. 1

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from the deanMessage

DDear Friends,

This year was another exciting time for the School of Nursing. We’ve celebrated many milestones over the past fewyears, and this year we hit another one. In June, we graduated our 100th nursing class. This was a special year for graduations,as it also marked our 50th anniversary of our first master’s degree nursing graduates. Amazingly, during commencement ceremonies this year, our first two nursing doctoral studentsmarched down the aisle.

In this issue of LOMA LINDA NURSE, we celebrate long-term commitment to the School, and to the mission field. Eva Miller has been a faculty member at the School for more than 25 years. She writes for us in this issue, sharing her memories of her years here.

I’d also like to share a story about Adeeba Evans, who has been a fixture in this School for 25 years as an administrative assistant.

Finally, we have a story on Marjorie Whitney—a 1932 graduatewho spent the majority of her years in mission service at many ofour institutions. Her story is quite inspiring.

If you have a moment, I would ask that you help us out and com-plete the survey on page 12. With the rising costs of postage,preparing and sending out LOMA LINDA NURSE is becoming quiteexpensive. We would like to see how beneficial NURSE is to ouralumni and if NURSE is meeting your needs. This magazine wasdeveloped for you, and communicating with you is very impor-tant to us.

Thank you for your continued support of this School and thisinstitution. You have made a difference here.

Sincerely,

Marilyn M. Herrmann, PhD, RNDean, School of Nursing

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from the schoolNews

Nine nurses from SanikuGakuin College (SGC), Chiba pre-fecture, Japan, visited LomaLinda University in February tocomplete their bachelor’s degreeprogram in nursing.

Five of the nurses completedall requirements for their BS innursing and graduated in June.The last four nurses will be finish-ing up required general educationcourses and will be graduating inJune 2008.

“When finished, three studentswill be working at TokyoAdventist Hospital, two at KobeAdventist Hospital, and two willbe working as clinical instructorsfor Saniku Gakuin College,” saysJan Nick, PhD, RNC, associateprofessor, LLUSN.

According to Dr. Nick, two ofthe nine students have alreadydeveloped plans for a master’sdegree in nursing.

The students—Keigo Ito,Fumi Matsumoto, Risa Sato,Mika Yokoyama, Naomi Ito,Yoshiko Fujibayashi, MidoriHamamoto, Hiroko Sato, andAkiko Takahashi—were accom-panied by the Japanese programcoordinator, Reiko Konno, MS,RN. Dr. Nick serves as the pro-gram coordinator for LLU.

Saniku Gakuin College cur-rently offers AS degrees in nurs-ing, as well as a communityhealth nursing certificate pro-

School of Nursing graduatesfirst BS students in Japan program

gram. It is the only Adventist col-lege in Japan, and more than two-thirds of the student body arenursing students.

In addition to nursing, the col-lege also offers degrees in theol-ogy, education, and English.

Due to changing health careneeds, and support from theJapan Nurse’s Association, SGCdecided to upgrade its nursingprogram from associate’s to bach-elor’s degree.

In 2003 and 2004, SGC presi-dent Yoshibumi Takahashi, vicepresident Isao Ueda, andYoshiko Otake, chair of thedepartment of nursing, begandiscussions in earnest withLLUSN administrators. Withsupport from LLUSN faculty, thetwo schools signed a contract inOctober 2004.

In April 2006, faculty teach-ing senior level nursing coursesbegan offering a two-to-three-week intensive course at SGC.

The SGC faculty workedclosely with LLU faculty tointerpret verbal instruction,grade written assignments, andtranslate teaching materials.For courses having a clinicalcomponent, students wouldthen complete clinical assign-ments once the LLU facultyleft. This rotation was repeatedapproximately every twomonths.

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An alumna has created a newmerit award fellowship to assistdoctoral nursing students.

Karen J. Radke, PhD, RN, a1964 graduate of the nursing pro-gram at LLUSN, developed thisfellowship as the only one of itskind in the School. It is also thefirst of its kind in the Faculty ofGraduate Studies.

The fellowship provides $10,000a year to doctoral students to beused for cost of living and disserta-tion research expenses.

To be eligible for the award,the student must be full timeand in good standing. Priority forthe fellowship is given to mem-bers of the Adventist Church.The fellowship is given to onedoctoral student per enteringclass for the first two years offull-time study. To receive a sec-ond year of the fellowship, thestudent must demonstrate satis-factory progress.

“It’s really a merit award forbeing outstanding,” says Dr.Radke. “There really are no stringsattached. This fellowship is givento outstanding applicants whoshow the highest potential for aca-demic and professional success.”

According to Dr. Radke, thereare many valid reasons for thisnew fellowship program.

“There are loans available, butoften times the cost of living inSouthern California causes hesi-

School of Nursing alumnacreates merit award fellowship for doctoral students

tation for prospective LLU stu-dents,” she adds.

Also, international applicantswith temporary or student visasare not eligible for individual pre-doctoral funding from the NationalInstitute of Nursing Research,National Institutes of Health, sothe fellowship can assist with dis-sertation research expenses.

With a critical shortage of doc-torally prepared nurses, fellowshipawards such as these become cru-cial, says Dr. Radke.

“I strongly believe that nurseleaders need to be doctorally pre-pared,” she says. “Because this is anew program, I hope it will helprecruit nurses for the PhD program.

“I always felt that I had anexcellent nursing education atLLU, but I never realized howsolid my education was until Icontinued with my graduate stud-ies,” Dr. Radke notes.

After receiving her master’sdegree from Boston University,Dr. Radke worked at LLUMC. Sheserved on the faculty at LLUSNfor three years (1969 to 1972).During that period of time, Dr.Radke participated in the devel-opment and implementation ofthe first baccalaureate degree pro-gram in nursing in Jamaica inconjunction with West IndiesCollege (now Northern CaribbeanUniversity) and under the aus-pices of LLU.

After Dr. Radke joined theUniversity of Tennessee as faculty,she knew she wanted a career inacademics.

She attended IndianaUniversity Medical School andearned a PhD in physiology.

Dr. Radke worked as a facultymember in both the School ofNursing and the School ofMedicine at University ofRochester, New York, for 13 years.

After serving as professor andassociate dean, School of Nursing,and professor of physiology,School of Medicine andBiomedical Sciences, StateUniversity of New York at Buffalo,Dr. Radke retired in 2002.

Since retiring, Dr. Radke con-tinued helping nurses becomedoctorally prepared.

“When the doctoral programbegan, it became clear that thiswas the area I felt I could be ofthe most help,” she says.

According to Dr. Radke, thereare many opportunities for alumnito help struggling nursing students.

“I really want to encourageother alumni to give back to thenext generation of nurses,” sheadds. “Alumni have a responsibilityto give back to their alma mater.

“God has been wonderfullygood to me and I pray that Heblesses this small gift to help oth-ers achieve their academic andprofessional goals.”

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from the schoolFeature

RLongtime faculty member Eva Miller shares her story

Recently I heard a talk showhost ask the question, “Has yourlife been what you dreamed itwould be?”

I can definitely answer, “No.”In high school as I read aboutmission work, I dreamed of beinga nurse in Africa. As a youngadult in the nursing program atthe College of Medical Evangelists(now Loma Linda UniversitySchool of Nursing), I was side-tracked in this goal by falling inlove and marrying a pre-medicalstudent, yet thinking that wemight someday become a medicalmissionary team.

Upon completing the nursingprogram I went to work as an OBnurse at Loma Linda Sanitariumand Hospital and completed thecoursework necessary for the pub-lic health nurse (PHN) certificate.(LLUSN was accredited for thePHN certification the year after Igraduated.) A public health nurseis an actively licensed registerednurse with a bachelor of science

in nursing (BSN) or its equivalent,who holds a certificate issued bythe California Board of RegisteredNursing, works in an official pub-lic health agency, and providesnursing care in homes, assistswith clinics, and provides nursingin times of disaster in communi-ties. The goal of public healthnursing is promoting health andpreventing disease. PHNs havealways valued mentoring, oversee-ing, and supporting families withtheir health care. Today, LLUSNundergraduate students are pre-pared for the certificate uponcompletion of the BS program.

After completing the requiredcoursework, I began a publichealth nursing career. In time, Ibecame a mother and thought Icould be fulfilled as a doctor’s wifeand mother with a beautiful home,entertaining professional friendsand serving the church and com-munity. Together my husband andI had taught nutrition classes andself-help courses to survive an

atomic bomb, as well as takingleadership in Sabbath School fortoddlers and teens. That dreamcame to an abrupt end when myhusband unexpectedly died.

After grieving for three years, avery dear friend encouraged me toadvance my education and tobecome a nurse educator. I wasnow a widow with two smalldaughters to support and nurture.I thought this career wouldshorten my days and allow me totake summers off. I was able towork part-time until my girlscompleted high school. Teaching,I soon learned, does not shortenone’s day. However, it can makeone’s day more flexible.

As I was completing my gradu-ate program I met my currenthusband. We were married in thesummer of my second year ofteaching. We relocated to a homein Reche Canyon, where threeadditional children—ages 18, 17,and 12—and horses added spiceand fulfillment on the home front.

MY YEARS ATLOMA LINDA:

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Never had I ever dreamed ofbeing a nurse educator, muchless teaching at my alma mater.Thirty years later I can affirmthat those years have beenextraordinarily fulfilling. Myteaching career was preceded by13 years of experience as a pub-lic health nurse in three states.Each assignment provided oppor-tunities with a variety of popula-tions. My first experience was inan urban section of southwestLos Angeles, followed by a homehealth agency in Fontana, a ruralcommunity and migrant laborcamp in Pennsylvania, and a sub-urban community and schoolnursing in Hawaii. These experi-ences prepared me well for myadvanced studies as well as thecommunity/public health nursingeducator role.

In 1960, my clinical experi-ence for the PHN certificate waswith Los Angeles CountyDepartment of Public Health.Fifteen years later LLUSN wasenvied and blessed to have affilia-tions with both the Riverside andSan Bernardino CountiesDepartments of Public Health.Many schools of nursing do nothave the advantage of teachingcommunity/public health nursingin an official agency. This goodfortune is credited to the influ-ence and good work of facultymembers Dr. Ruth White, who isnow deceased, and Dr. MarilynChristian Smith Gearing, whopreceded my tenure. The nursingdirectors of these agencies weremost supportive of nursing educa-

In the photo above, Dr. Miller conducts vision screening for pre-school age children during anoutreach program in coordination with the School of Medicine.

tion as they saw this opportunityto recruit staff for their programs.

The nursing profession hasalways responded to the healthneeds of society and changes inhealth care delivery. The followingnarrative is evidence of the chal-lenges this commitment brings tothe education of professionalnurses. As a nurse educator I wasalways concerned that I was notcurrent with practice. I was ableto do faculty practice as a staffPHN in San BernardinoDepartment of Public Health.

At the outset of my career,each quarter LLUSN studentswere assigned 10 families fromthe local public health nurses’case loads. The staff public healthnurses mentored the students asthey worked with the families.During the 70s, it was not uncom-

mon for the public health nurse tohave a caseload of 120 families ormore. Each student was expectedto make 20 visits during the quar-ter. They assessed the needs offamilies, did health teaching, andreferred family members to healthand welfare resources in theircommunities. In addition theyobserved other communitynurses: school nurses in the pub-lic schools, a home health nurse,and an occupational health nurse.These learning experiences intro-duced students to the wide varietyof resources in communities andthe special health needs of variouspopulations. Except for the num-ber of families, these learningexperiences continue today.

The 1980s presented manychallenges to public health nursingeducation because of dwindling

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funds due to cutbacks in local taxrevenues and a shift in health carefunding away from prevention toacute illness care. Of particularconcern to educators was thedevelopment in California of apublic health nursing certificationexam in addition to the Board ofRegistered Nurses exam.

In 1983, my colleagues and Iinitiated bi-annual collaborationmeetings of community healthnurse educators of 11 NationalLeague of Nurses accreditedschools of nursing in SouthernCalifornia to discuss trends andconcerns in community healthnursing education, including clini-cal experiences. Public healthagency representatives wereincluded. We called our groupSouthern California CommunityHealth Educators. This group cre-ated letterhead and was proactivein thwarting the establishment ofthe special exam. This groupfunctioned for 10 years with

rotating leadership.During this time period, it was

believed that specialization fornursing practice should beginduring basic education. Studentswere offered two elective nursingcourses of their choice. Courseswere developed for specialitiessuch as home health nursing,oncology nursing, advancedobstetrical nursing, advancedpediatric nursing, advanced pub-lic health nursing, and schoolnursing (which I taught for fiveyears). Many of these coursesallowed for an agency preceptorwith whom students were placed.I supervised their learning experi-ences in six school districts. Myrelationships continued withschool nurse coordinators inthese districts as I taught andsupervised graduate studentsseeking the school nurse creden-tial in the graduate program.

During the 1990s, the empha-sis in public community health

nursing clinical education beganto concentrate on special popula-tions at risk for disease and dis-ability. With the changes in thefinancing of health care, nursing inthe community became moreepisodic, as the money was notthere to support long-term serv-ices. Health departments began toassign students to families that thedepartments could no longerserve, but would benefit from fur-ther mentoring and teaching.Because the populations thathealth departments serve aremore transient, students usedtheir detective skills to locatethem. Student caseloads dwindledto five families and other learningopportunities were sought.

For many years (1975 to1993), students went into SanBernardino County Juvenile Halland conducted formal healthteaching to groups on the unitsthere. On October 13, 1993, theRichard Dooley Memorial Awardwas presented to communityhealth nursing students by theJuvenile Justice and DelinquencyPrevention Commission of SanBernardino County.

As the 90s came to an end, thefocus of public/community healthnursing curriculum broadened toinclude assessment of a commu-nity for the health needs of a spe-cial population within thatcommunity. This also includedmanaging three to five families,usually low-risk new moms andbabies. Because these familieswere low-risk, students were givenbrand new referrals from theDr. Miller poses for a picture with her two daughters and one of her grandchildren.

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county hospitals. To assess acommunity, students collectedcensus data, disease and illnessstatistics; identified a specialneeds population within thatcommunity; explored communityresources for the identified need;and intervened with a group.Special needs populationsincluded preschool children,aging persons in a church parishwho wished to remain independ-ent in their homes, homelessindividuals who utilized a feedingcenter, and pregnant and parent-ing teens. This curricular focus iscontinuing even now.

Highlights of my 30 years ineducation included planning,organizing, and implementingtwo job fairs and two health fairexpos. As public relations com-mittee chair in 1980 and 1982—in response to some 80 hospitalsand health care agencies request-ing a time to interview graduat-ing students—I created thenursing job fairs to provide stu-dents an educational experiencefor job finding and to giveemploying institutions an oppor-tunity to interview prospectiveemployees. Health care agenciesof the Seventh-day AdventistChurch along with local agenciesparticipated. Some wished tocontact students in the alliedhealth professions, and theSchool of Allied HealthProfessions continues the jobfairs for all health professions.

The School of Nursing spon-sored the first two health fairexpos at Loma Linda in 1989

and 1990. The Red Cross haddeveloped many of the protocolsand forms. KNBC radio and TVprovided publicity along with themajor Riverside/San Bernardinonewspapers. This outreach to thecommunity provided learningopportunities for nursing, med-ical, dental, allied health, andnurse practitioner students and,because of the wide variety ofscreenings and health education,became a model for other healthfair expos in Southern California.LLU Medical Center continuesthis community outreach.

In 1985, I became a member ofa coalition of school nurse educa-tors across the state that continueduntil my retirement. This groupredesigned and updated guidelinesfor the curriculum for school nursecredential programs approved byCalifornia State Commission onTeacher Credentialing. I also was amember of site visit evaluationteams for California StateCommission on TeacherCredentialing, Health Services(school nurse) Credential Programson three occasions. The networkingand camaraderie with theseesteemed professional educatorsbuoyed my outreach locally withschool districts.

The rewards of teachinginclude designing learning oppor-tunities that create studentexcitement with the material, see-ing them implement their learn-ing with their clients, latermeeting former students whohave achieved professional statusgoing on to make greater contri-

butions to the profession, andbeing told by former students thatI was fair in my interactions withthem. I was always concernedthat students have confidence intheir knowledge and skills. Myphilosophy of teaching/learningincludes the belief that theteacher is a learner with the stu-dent. My former students havetaught me many precious lessons.

Some of my former studentsmay see me as a role model.However, one astute student gaveme a copy of Women Who Do TooMuch. That was a wake-up call totake care of me. I didn’t heed thiscall as I began doctoral studywhile working in 1993. My advice,don’t wait as long as I did to dodoctoral study. Our professionneeds younger educated leaders.

Yes, my life has been much dif-ferent than I dreamed but I cantruthfully say that I have beenblessed beyond measure by myrelationships with students, col-leagues, family, and my God!

I would acknowledge my almamater. It was an honor and a priv-iledge to have attended. Both myprofessional career and my per-sonal life have depended heavilyon the foundation of knowledgeand my experiences at thisChristian institution.

Dr. Miller has been newsletter editor of Near &Far (former title of Loma Linda NURSE) and heldvarious leadership roles including leading out ina remodel of the House of Thrift in the late 80sfor LLUSN Alumni Association. Receiving thedoctorate of nursing science in May 2006, sheretired June 30, 2006. She continues to serve asarchivist for the Gamma Alpha Chapter of theHonor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta TauInternational, and is president-elect. Eva liveswith her husband in Reche Canyon and sharesfive adult children and 10 grandchildren.

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from the schoolFeature

Adeeba Evans lives by the famousproverb, “hard work brings prosper-ity.” She recently retired after working25 years at Loma Linda UniversitySchool of Nursing. However, her hardwork started many years before andmany miles away from LLUSN.

Mrs. Evans was born in Iraq and isone of six children. Her father wasemployed by the Iraqi government towork as a construction supervisor. Heworked hard with his team to put insidewalks on local streets. However,her father’s job soon interfered withhis religious beliefs when her familywas first introduced to the Adventistfaith by her mother’s cousin. TheAdventist religion soon spread inAdeeba’s family. First her mother wasconverted, and then her father, andthe children followed.

“My father was devoted to keep-ing the Sabbath,” she says.

As a Muslim country, Iraq’s work-ing week started on Saturday with aweekend break on Friday.

“Before my father became anAdventist he usually worked on Adeeba and her husband, Younathan

ADEEBA EVANSRetiring assistant proves that hard work brings prosperity

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Saturdays,” says Mrs. Evans. But after he became an Adventist

he informed the engineer that hecould no longer work on Saturdays,and he was laid off. Although herfather knew it would be difficult toprovide for his children without a job,he trusted God to provide.

“My father’s former director soonrealized how valuable he was becauseof his good work,” says Mrs. Evans.

So without hesitation or question,her father’s previous employeroffered him a raise, his job, andallowed him to take Saturdays off.

“My father was very keen abouthis children’s education,” says Mrs.Evans. “With all the hardships hefaced he still motivated us to con-tinue our education. As a result mybrother is a pastor, my sister an edu-cator, my other brother a doctor, mysister was in management, and myother sister is a lab technician.”

Mrs. Evans also experienced sim-ilar problems with her work andemployers. She studied shorthandand typing at Middle East College inBeirut, Lebanon, but could not findwork. Yet, she was determined tofind a job and decided to move toBaghdad. She began to work for aBritish company. When she found anopening as a secretary to the culturalofficer at the U.S. information serv-ices in the U.S. Embassy she appliedfor it and got the job.

She was also content because shecould keep Sabbath and attendchurch. Mrs. Evans enjoyed attend-ing church services and events. Shealso helped with the children’sSabbath school. She met her hus-band, Younathan Evans, at a church

Christmas party. Mr. Evans had thesame determination and motivation asMrs. Evans. He worked hard manag-ing his own business, importing autoparts. They eventually married a yearlater in Baghdad.

The Evans family kept growing,with their firstborn child, Brenda, andthen they had two more daughters,Nora and Tanya. The determinationto work hard did not diminish in Mrs.Evans, even after she had children. Assoon as her children were old enoughto attend school, she went to work.

Mr. and Mrs. Evans passed ontheir motivation and diligence to theirthree daughters. Brenda Evans even-tually left Iraq and moved to theUnited States to attend La SierraUniversity, Riverside, California. In1979, Mr. Evans decided it was timefor the rest of his family to join Brendain the United States.

Although Iraq is her home country,Mrs. Evans knew the United Stateswould provide an abundance of oppor-tunity for her family. She is grateful tobe in the United States and feelsblessed that her children were able to

receive an Adventist education. After La Sierra University, Brenda

went on to graduate from University ofthe Pacific and is currently working as adentist. Nora and Tanya both gradu-ated from Loma Linda UniversitySchool of Medicine and work as a sur-geon and a dermatologist, respectively.

Mrs. Evans was also eager to findwork as her children attended school.In 1980, a year after the Evans familyarrived in the United States, shebegan working at Loma LindaUniversity School of Nursing. Shestarted as a general secretary andeventually became a computer opera-tor. Mrs. Evans remained at LLUSNfor 25 years, and is retiring as anadministrative assistant. She feelsblessed to have worked at LLUSN formany years.

“The School has grown so muchfrom when I started. It’s so wonderful,and I feel fortunate to have worked withthe students and faculty at LLUSN,”she says. “I enjoy communicating andhelping people. That is something I willmiss. I’ll also miss everyone at theSchool. They are my family.”

Adeeba poses for a picture with her family at her retirement party. From left is Nora, Younathan,Adeeba, Brenda, and Tanya.

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with youCommunicatingDean offers e-newsletter

What best describes your reading behavior of the newsletter?a) Read it cover to cover.b) Will read a few full articles. Skim remainder of newsletter.c) Skim entire newsletter. Occasionally will read a full article. d) Read headlines and photo captions.e) Skip directly to alumni notes and in memory sections.f) Don’t read it at all.

Rate the newsletter in the following categories. Use excellent, good, fair, or poor.Focus of newsletter Excellent Good Fair PoorContent Excellent Good Fair PoorReadability Excellent Good Fair PoorInteresting articles Excellent Good Fair PoorWriting Excellent Good Fair PoorPhotos/graphics Excellent Good Fair PoorDesign Excellent Good Fair PoorOverall rating of newsletter Excellent Good Fair Poor

What do you like best about Loma Linda NURSE?_______________________________________________________________________________________________

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How would you like to receive Loma Linda NURSE?r Paper magazine r Electronic versionr I would like to receive a paper version of NURSE and an electronic version.

Beginning soon, Marilyn Herrmann, PhD, RN, dean, Loma Linda University School of Nursing, will offer an e-newsletter to alumni and friends of the School. This e-newsletter will hit your inbox, often enough to be inform-ative, without being annoying.

There’s only one problem: we don’t have your e-mail address! Please fill out the information sheet on page 23and be sure to include your e-mail address.

Magazine surveyWith the increasing costs of postage, the expense of mailing NURSE out twice a year is becoming quite high. We

are looking at other options of getting NURSE to you, but first we want to make sure that NURSE is meeting yourneeds. Please fill out this survey, and mail it in with the information sheet on page 23. Thank you!

Gfrom the alumni presidentLetter

Greetings Alumnus,

It is a pleasure to greet you as a new school year moves intofull swing for Loma Linda University School of Nursing. TheNursing Alumni Board is busily planning for the alumni week-end this spring. This year the dates will be April 4 to 6. Pleasemark your calendars now, and plan to attend. If you have keptin touch with other members of yours or other classes, givethem a quick call, or e-mail and encourage them to attendalso. The weekend is a great opportunity to reflect on yearsgone by, reconnect with friends, and catch up with all the lat-est Loma Linda University School of Nursing news.

The School of Nursing is thriving with enrollment (its highestever) and continued growth of both the master’s and doctoralprograms. God is blessing and this growth is providing a steadyflow of graduates—our next generation of alumni.

A nursing degree is terrific preparation for numerous careeropportunities as well as just great preparation for life.Graduating more than 32 years ago, I did not anticipate thedirections that my life and career journey would take. I havelooked back many times and been so grateful for the excellentprofessional and technical training as well as the emphasis onleadership skills that were a part of my nursing education.

For a number of years, with the busyness of career and family,I didn’t think much about Loma Linda University School ofNursing or the Alumni Association. As my children startedgoing to college and making career choices, I was reminded ofmy college days as a nursing student at Loma Linda. Some ofyou may be in the same situation. If so, I can tell you that ithas been a blessing to become involved with the AlumniAssociation. Please pray for Loma Linda and your School ofNursing; reconnect with your graduating class—rejoice with,support, and encourage one another—and financially supportthe School of Nursing’s projects, if you see fit.

I pray that the joy of the Lord has been yours this past year,despite the ups and downs that this earthly journey affords,and that we will “rejoice in the Lord always!”

God Bless,

Erlys Zocher Daily, ’75PresidentAlumni Association

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homecomingAlumni

In celebration of its alumni, theSchool of Nursing hosted its alumniweekend March 30 to March 31.

The weekend celebration, titled“Nursing: The Art and Science ofCaring in a High-Tech World,”began with a scholarly lecture onFriday morning.

Dale Halsey Lea, MPH, RN,health educator, National Institutesof Health, National Human GenomeResearch Institute Education andCommunity Involvement Branch,presented “Incorporating Geneticsand Genomics into NursingEducation and Practice.”

On Saturday, the goldenanniversary classes of 1957A and1957B hosted first service at

University Church, with the class of1982 hosting Sabbath School, andthe class of 1997 hosting secondservice. This was followed by analumni luncheon at the campuscafeteria.

Sabbath afternoon featured“Nursing Through the Ages.”

Zelne Zamora, MSN, RN, assis-tant professor of nursing, presenteda slideshow featuring the highlightsof each of the honored years.

Saturday evening was theAlumni Banquet held at WongKerlee International ConferenceCenter.

Several awards were also pre-sented, including three Alumnae ofthe Year Awards (See page 16).

Receiving Merit Scholarships for2007 were Alisha Houser, CecilleLamorena, and Janice Nyirady, RN.

A missions report was also pre-sented during the banquet, high-lighting the mission work that wassupported by the alumni during2006 and 2007.

The Alumni Association hadavailable funds of $7,000, whichmade it possible to provide supportfor alumni working in missions out-side the United States, to sponsorinternational projects, and for stu-dents needing financial assistancefor international mission service.Examples of projects includedfunds for audiovisual materials fornursing schools, supplies forincome-generating projects foradults with HIV, a teacher’s salaryfor a village elementary school, andnursing journal subscriptions forinternational posting.

Following the missions reportwas the House of Thrift report.During the past fiscal year, the asso-ciation received $8,900 from Houseof Thrift profits. These funds will beused for Alumni Association proj-ects. In addition, clothes, bedding,food, and other items exceeding$500,000 were donated to severalorganizations including: ADRA;Banning and LaSierra CommunityServices; House of Mercy, Mexico;Loma Linda Romanian Church;and the Banning School District.

School of Nursing celebrates alumni and friends with special weekend

Zelne Zamora, MSN, RN, assistant professor of nursing, welcomes School of Nursing alumnito the Sabbath afternoon vespers in the campus chapel.

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class picturesHonoredHonored classes

celebrate during alumni homecoming

Class of 1957A alumnae pose for a picture. They are: (back row, fromleft) Marilyn Lance, Flo Boehme Winslow, Gladys L. Vera CruzSmith, Pearl Unterseher Casey, Enid Lockaby, Melba Anderson-Smith,Esther Ulloa Thompson, (front row, from left) Esther Boehne Seller,Violet Okamoto Takaki, Anita Gilbert, Lorna Mae James, and MildredSadoyama Higa.

Members of the class of 1957B pose for a picture. They are: (back row,from left) Francis Nelson Foster, June Jepson Hibbard, Gloria KerleyJacobson, (middle row, from left) Pattye Suelzle, Marjorie LeiskeHaluschak, Joyce Helmer, Carolyn Serrato, Gwen Wells Hawkins,Patricia Engevik, Hedwig Kneller Toombs, (front row, from left) LavaunWard Sutton, Ethelma Nickel Tresenriter, Virginia Nickel, C. LynnettePeters Youngberg, Avalon Mays Rozema, and Eleanor Keller.

Members of the class of 1967 who attended homecoming pose for aclass picture. They are (back row, from left) Gail Taylor Rice, JeanBurgdorff, Melissa Tibbits Rouhe, Shirley Neumen McIntyre-Gregg,Carolyn Klamen, Diana Miklos Soleil, Pat Malouf Abdelnour, (sec-ond row, from left)Bonnie Zinke Smith, Carol Schmidt Rogers,Donna Archer, Karen Dybdahl Smith, Marcia Hamel Politi,Constance Anderson Welebir, Roy Nickels, Dolores Wright, MadelynKlingbeil Callender, Bernice Smith Bornstein, Marilyn FroomJohnson, Leigh Tapper Anderson, Rebecca Salazar Williams, (frontrow, from left) Cheryl Reinhard Smalley, Cheryl Cessford Couperus,Judy Crawford Sheldon, Vana Thatcher, Konimi Lum Pimental, FloTeo Lowe, Karen Wittem Torrey, Patricia Collins Billings, Faye HeathPitman, Sandra Ryerson Silberstein, Dona Hanna Stewart, andJeannette Young Oxentenko.Class of 1947 (White Memorial) members pose for a picture prior to

the alumni banquet. They are (from left) Florence Engen Gullet, RuthHippach Knight, Jean Parrett Knight, Lucy Pratt Heald, and LillianMiller Guild.

Class of 1947 (Loma Linda) members pose for a picture prior to thealumni banquet. They are (back row, from left) Anna Mell Reiber, RaeAnna Brown, Jean Hildebrand, Pearl Bailey Martin, Leona Dunn Rios,Eleene Mattison Jacobsen, (front row, from left) Mildred Clark, MarthaRichter Hoffmeister, Jeanne Bickett Barron, and Alice Duffle Fahrbach.

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of the year awardAlumna

During the School of Nursingalumni homecoming banquet,several awards were presented,including three Alumna of theYear Awards.

Mildred Spadoyama Higa,MPH, RN, class of 1957A; FrancesNelson Foster, RN, class of 1957B;and Keri Kuniyoshi Medina,DNSc, RN, class of 1982, were allrecipients of the award.

Mildred Spadoyama was bornin Oahu, Hawaii. When Mildred’sbrother, Jimmy Spadoyama, wastaking medicine at LLU, her par-ents decided that nursing mightbe a good option for Mildred. SoMildred, following her brother’sexample, went to Walla WallaCollege, College Place,Washington, for her pre-nursingclasses and then on to LomaLinda for nursing. In 1957,Mildred and her brother gradu-ated from LLU at the same time.

Following graduation, Mildreddid not stay away from Hawaiilong. After marrying Harry Higa,the couple moved back to Oahu.Mildred spent her entire nursingcareer on the island and statesthat she always enjoyed the diver-sity within nursing. Her variedexperiences include surgical nurs-ing, psychiatric nursing, andoncology nursing. The last 27years of her career before retiring,Mildred worked among the elderlyat a state skilled nursing facility.

School of Nursing namesrecipients of the Alumna of the Year Award

Seeing the burden of disease onthe country and the crucial needfor prevention and health promo-tion, Mildred desired to furtherher education in this area. Beforeher retirement, she attended theUniversity of Hawaii and in 1992received a master’s degree inhealth education. Due to her hus-band’s illness, Mildred was unableto actually work in this area butcontinues to value the importanceof health promotion and preven-tion in the areas of childhood obe-sity, diabetes, etc.

Mildred currently lives inOahu, Hawaii, and attends theAiea Adventist Church, where shecontinues to be involved as headgreeter, deaconess, and in parishnursing. For all her years of lead-

ership and service in nursing,LLUSN Alumni Association isproud to recognize MildredSpadoyama Higa as Alumna ofthe Year 2007.

Keri Kuniyoshi Medina gradu-ated from LLUSN in 1982. Shewas the recipient of thePresident’s Award for AcademicExcellence in that year.

Keri began her career in nurs-ing as a float nurse full-time atLLUMC. This provided her withexperience in many areas includ-ing neurology, oncology, generalmedicine, endocrinology,rheumatology, gastrointestinology,and psychiatry. By 1983, she hadbegun to specialize in neurologyand neuro-rehabilitation.

In 1987, she earned the master

Kathie Ingram, MSN, RN (left), associate professor, School of Nursing, presents the Alumnaof the Year Award to Mildred Spadoyama Higa, MPH, RN, member of the class of 1957A.

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of science degree in nursing witha specialty in nursing education.She began teaching at LLUSN andlater spent time in staff develop-ment for LLUMC. From 1992 tothe present, Keri has been a fac-ulty member at LLUSN.

By 1996, she had also earnedher doctor of nursing sciencedegree from the University ofSan Diego. Her dissertationresearch was titled “The Journeyfrom Nonexerciser to Exerciser:A Grounded Theory Study.”

Since 1997, Keri has takenthe responsibility for teachingthe course in pathophysiology fornurses. Hundreds of studentshave benefited from her ability tomake scientific principles ofanatomy, physiology, and pathol-ogy clear to them as they pre-pare for their roles asprofessional nurses.

Keri is recognized as a true pro-fessional teacher and colleague.

Loma Linda University Schoolof Nursing Alumni Association isproud to recognize KeriKuniyoshi Medina as Alumna ofthe Year 2007.

Frances Nelson Foster wasborn in Los Angeles, California.She attended the College ofMedical Evangelists and gradu-ated in 1957—Class B.

During her nursing education,along with a great deal of nursingcontent, Frances and her class-mates learned about health educa-tion and non-drug therapeuticsincluding hydrotherapy—fomenta-tions, compresses, hot and coldtreatments, etc. Missions were alsoan emphasis. In taking a closelook at Frances’ life and career, wecan see that in many ways,Frances has lived out the mission

of LLU—“to make man whole.”Following graduation, Frances

went immediately to Capetown,South Africa, where her husband-to-be, Ray Foster, was studyingmedicine. In Capetown, she com-pleted a midwifery course. Thenew couple then went to MalutiMission in South Africa. For ayear and a half, Frances wasteaching nursing by day anddelivering babies by night.

Frances and Ray then went toWhite Memorial Medical Centerin order for her physician hus-band to complete an orthopaedicresidency. During this time,Frances taught obstetrical nursingfor the College of MedicalEvangelists School of Nursing atthe White Memorial campus. In1966, in preparation for missionservice to Africa, the couple wentto India for her husband to com-plete a year of leprosy training.

The couple served in Africafrom 1967 to 1978. During thistime, Frances focused on the edu-cation of her children while takingthe occasional “before and aftersurgery” pictures for her

orthopaedic surgeon husband.Upon returning to the United

States, the couple spent a year atWildwood Lifestyle Center. Duringthis time, Frances used her nursingskills in caring for clients. This wasthe beginning of her career focus-ing on health promotion andlifestyle education. After 15 yearsin the Loma Linda area, the Fostersmoved to Seattle where they estab-lished the Seattle NEWSTARTHealth Care Center. They workedthere for nine years—teachinghealth promotion and health edu-cation, using the NEWSTARTmodel of the “Eight laws of health.”

In 2004, the couple moved toSouth Dakota to the Black HillsHealth and Education LifestyleCenter. At present, Frances is stillinvolved in health promotion andcontinues to assist in the lifestyleprogram there with health educa-tion and non-drug therapeuticinterventions for individual clients.

For her dedication to providingnursing and spiritual care to thoseboth nationally and internationally,LLUSN recognizes Frances NelsonFoster as Alumna of the Year 2007.

Ms. Ingram presents the Alumna of the Year Award to Frances Nelson Foster, RN, a member ofthe class of 1957B.

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society brunchKathryn Jensen NelsonSchool of Nursing friends

honored at KJN Society brunch

associate dean of the undergrad-uate program, brought LornaKendricks, PhD, RN, associateprofessor of nursing, and AnneBerit Petersen, MSN, MPH, RN,assistant professor of nursing,on stage to share their storieswith the audience. Both facultymembers have recently joinedthe School of Nursing and priorto that were graduates fromLLUSN.

Patricia S. Jones, PhD, RN,FAAN, director of the office ofinternational nursing, presented

During the Kathryn JensenNelson (KJN) Society brunchheld Sunday, April 1, in WongKerlee International ConferenceCenter, special recognition wasgiven to supporters of theSchool of Nursing during thepast year.

Each year the KJN brunch is held during homecomingweekend to honor those whogive $250 or more to the Schoolof Nursing during the previousyear.

The KJN brunch caps anentire weekend of special eventsthat were held for alumni andfriends of the School.

The morning brunch began with a welcome fromSherri J. Vásquez, MBA, direc-tor of development for theSchool of Nursing.

Marilyn M. Herrmann, PhD,RN, dean of the School ofNursing, offered the blessingand KJN members were invitedto eat.

Following brunch, Dr.Herrmann gave an update of theSchool of Nursing with a briefslideshow highlighting several ofthe accomplishments of theSchool over the past year.

Anagh Chohan, a junior nursing student, provided thespecial music for the guests inattendance.

Dynnette E. Hart, DrPH, RN,

a report on the School ofNursing’s recent activities over-seas. One major part of thisactivity has been through theGlobal Partnerships in Nursingprogram.

Another important area is theoff-campus master’s program,available in Argentina andThailand.

For information on how tobecome a member of theKathryn Jensen Nelson Society,please contact the office ofadvancement at (909) 558-4513.

Marilyn Herrmann, PhD, RN (second from left), dean of the School of Nursing, and Dynnette E.Hart, DrPH, RN (second from right), associate dean of the undergraduate program, pose for a picturewith VeraDae Burce and Janel Aguirre (right).

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Hazel WoodA life remembered

Hazel Marie Wood, secretaryfor the School of Nursing alumniassociation, passed away January14, 2007. She was 67 years old.

Hazel was born on August 2,1939, in Lincoln, Nebraska, theoldest of four girls born to Loisand William Nicholson.

According to Hazel’s sister,Rosie, the girls enjoyed Saturdaynights out at the skating rink.On one such outing, the girlsencountered a very dashingFrances “George” Wood.

Depending on who tells thestory, either Hazel trippedGeorge or George, trying toattract Hazel’s eye, fell in front ofher during a free skate.

Hazel at first wanted nothingto do with that older man. ButGeorge was persistent andreceived an introduction toHazel from the youngestNickolson sister for the price of aburger, fries, and a milkshake.

George and Hazel begancourting soon after and in thespring of 1956, George gatheredthe courage to ask Hazel tomarry him. Hazel said no.

According to family members,George said, “Fine, I’ll let youthink about it.” This banter wenton for a few weeks, until Hazelfinally said yes.

In 1957 Hazel graduated fromhigh school, turned 18, and inDecember married George.

George was a member of theU.S. Air Force, and the couple spentthe first few years moving aroundthe country. The couple addedthree children to their growing fam-ily prior to arriving in Texas.

It was there that George stud-ied and was baptized into theAdventist Church.

In 1971, the Wood familymoved to Japan, where anotherson joined the family.

While in Japan, the familyattended church on one of themission compounds. Hazel andGeorge took active rolls in theirchosen ministries. During theselong Sabbath adventures, Hazelhelped coordinate potlucks.

In 1974, the Wood familylanded in the High Desert atGeorge Air Force Base. Hazel andGeorge and the family startedattending the Victorville Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Hazel began working part-timein the Loma Linda UniversitySchool of Nursing AlumniAssociation office, and she con-tinued there until her passing.

Hazel is survived by her hus-band, George Wood; daughtersLois Wheeler and Cecilia Cooley;sons Shawn and Chris Wood; andsix grandchildren.

Memorial services were held inthe Victorville Adventist Churchon Saturday, February 3.

Hazel Wood, secretary of LLUSNAlumni Association, passes away at age 67

Hazel and her husband, George, pose for a picture prior to cutting their cake on their weddingday, December 22, 1957.

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featureAlumni

When Marjorie Whitney wasa little girl in grade school, sheread a poem about the manychallenges that disadvantagedChinese families face. Shedecided then and there that shewanted to be a missionary andserve in China.

“As far back as I can remem-ber, my ambition was always togo to China,” says Ms. Whitney.

Nursing was the area shewanted to work in, so she sether sights on coming to LomaLinda.

After graduating from theCollege of Medical Evangelists(now Loma Linda University)with her diploma in nursing in1932, Ms. Whitney stayed inLoma Linda and worked at thehospital there.

Marjorie Whitney got her firstmission call in 1946. TheGeneral Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was sending herto the newly constructed hospi-tal in Montemorelos, Mexico.

She went, serving as the firstand only nurse at the hospitalfor more than a year.

Thus began a long and storied career in mission hospi-tal nursing. For the next 30years, Ms. Whitney woulddevote her life to helping othersless fortunate.

Every mission call that shetook was either at a newly con-structed facility that needed aseasoned nurse to get thingsstarted, or a hospital that hadno medical doctor and was des-perately in need of leadership.

“It was pioneering work to agreat extent,” says Ms. Whitneyof her career.

After her time in Mexico, shereceived another mission call,this time for Kingston, Jamaica.

At Andrews MemorialHospital, Ms. Whitney led thenursing department for eightyears.

After hearing that CME wasdeveloping a master’s degree in

Alumna celebrates her 75th anniversary

THE LIFEOF A MISSIONARY:

nursing, Ms. Whitney returnedto Loma Linda and began theprogram. She graduated in thefirst class to get their master’s innursing degree from LomaLinda. The year was 1957.

Ms. Whitney didn’t have towait long to receive her nextcall. That very same year, shewas called to Nicaragua.

It was there that she super-vised the move of Clinica yHospital Adventista from PuertoCabezas on the east coast to LaTrinidad on the west coast. Ms.Whitney had to have enoughsupplies to last for six monthsbefore new supplies wouldarrive.

Just after relocating, the doc-tor asked Ms. Whitney to set upfor surgery. Unfortunately, thesurgery suite hadn’t been builtyet. Ms. Whitney and the doctorlooked around for a suitablearea for surgery. The only thingavailable was the doctor’s ownoffice desk. The two prepared

21

the desk and performed thesurgery right there in the officewith the use of a flashlight.

“I just had to depend on theLord in these times, knowingthat He would guide anddirect,” Ms. Whitney says.

She also remembers a timewhen the doctor was out oftown for the day. One of thepatients went into labor, whichwas no real cause for alarm.However, as Ms. Whitney wasdelivering the child, the umbili-

cal cord ruptured. Though the child was deliv-

ered successfully, the placentawas still inside the patient,which can be life-threatening.With no equipment or assis-tance, she had to remove theplacenta by hand. The patientwent home the next day.

“You may be sure that theLord guided my hand,” she says.“You have no one to dependupon; you have only to rely onyour knowledge and the Lord.”

Ms. Whitney served inNicaragua for three years.

She was then sent to thesmall island of Trinidad to helpforge the beginnings ofCommunity Hospital in the capi-tal of Port-of-Spain. For threeyears, she provided supervisionfor the nursing staff and organ-ized nursing supplies.

“Practically every place Iwent was just starting—you hadto improvise for everything,”she says.

Marjorie Whitney soonreceived another mission call,this time to Shashamane,Ethiopia, in 1967, teaching pre-nursing for one year.

In 1970, at the age of 61, Ms.Whitney decided it was time toretire, never having fulfilled herdream of mission work in China.She moved to Whitmore,California, to care for hermother.

While in retirement, she tookmore than 20 trips with PacificUnion College, Angwin,California, every summer foreight weeks. This also was onlythrough Europe and Australia,but never China.

Five years later, at the age of66, Ms. Whitney finally receivedthe call to serve as a missionaryin China.

“I had been retired for fiveyears, when I finally got a call toChina,” she remembers. “I wasso excited!”

For the next four years, shelived out her dream, supervisingthe nursing department at Tsuen

Ms. Whitney, finally fulfilling her dream of working in China, poses for a picture next to TsuenWan Adventist Hospital in Hong Kong.

22

Wan Adventist Hospital as a volunteer.

In 1981, she was asked totravel to Haiti for a little morethan a year. She worked thereas a nurse at the newly builtHopital Adventiste d’Haiti,organizing and supervising insurgery and obstetrics/gynecol-ogy, an area that Ms. Whitneyhad never worked in before.

“When you’re in the missionfield, you have to specialize ineverything,” she says.

From Haiti, it was off to

Puerto Rico for six months help-ing to organize the nursingschool at UniversidadAdventista de las Antillas.

At the age of 73, with morethan 50 years of nursing andmore than 30 years of missionwork under her belt, Ms.Whitney finally retired—thistime for good.

In 2000, she moved toCalhoun, Georgia. She livesalone and drives by herself.

Though not able to go out on

mission trips any longer, she stillspends her time crocheting andknitting. She gives what shemakes away to friends and churchpeople, and when there was a firea few years ago, she made severalblankets for burn victims.

In 2009, Ms. Whitney willturn 100.

“I have no regrets whatso-ever,” she says. “Well, let metake that back; the only one Ihave is that I’m not able to stillgo out into the mission field.”

Marjorie Whitney at the Clinica y Hospital Adventista that she helped move from Puerto Cabezas toLa Trinidad, Nicaragua.

Ms. Whitney poses for a picture at the2007 LLUSN alumni weekend.

Loma Linda NURSE is interested in hearing about your life since you graduated from the School of Nursing. Hereare some of the things we would like to use in our alumni news section. We would like to know about your pro-fessional achievements, research, awards, graduations, interesting stories, what is happening in your career orfamily life, travel, moves, marriages, and births or deaths.

Just send or e-mail information to us, and we will write it up for you. If you have been featured in local news-papers, send us a copy of the clipping. Your story may even become the basis for a feature article.

If you have a current picture of yourself, we’d appreciate receiving that too. We look forward to hearing from you!

First name: Last name (including maiden name if applicable):

Year(s) of LLU graduation; degree(s) received:

Address:

City: State: Zip: Country:

Home phone: E-mail:

Spouse’s name (including maiden name if applicable):

Children’s names, birthdates, and connection to LLU (if any):

Here’s the latest (attach a separate sheet, if necessary):

Loma Linda NURSE

SN Alumni Association

Loma Linda University

School of Nursing

West Hall

Loma Linda, CA 92350

Phone:

(909) 558-1000

ext. 45437

Fax:

(909) 558-0225

E-mail: deick@llu.edu

www.llu.edu/llu/nursing/alumni/nearandfar

about youAll

NURSE

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Loma Linda NURSESN Alumni AssociationLoma Linda UniversityWest HallLoma Linda, CA 92350

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Loma LindaFall 2007 Vol. XVI, No. 1

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