LLUH Video Team Wins 13th Emmy
By Debbonnaire Kovacs and Briana Pastorino, posted June 23 by DK. Photo, LLUH: Loma Linda University Health’s Advancement Films team, Michael Wolcott, Maranatha Hay, Keturah Reed and Patricia Kelikani, pose above with their new Emmy trophies. This team’s mission is to “tell the stories of the organization through creative video. They had already garnered 12 Emmys for earlier work when the second season opener of Life on the Line was chosen for the prestigious award this year. Here is a press release sent by LLUH. Read on after the press release to learn more about the series.
Press release by Briana Pastorino, Media Relations Specialist for Loma Linda University Health.
LOMA LINDA, CA – June 15, 2016 – Loma Linda University Health advancement films earned, once again, the highest honor in the television industry – the Emmy®. The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences awarded “Life on the Line” its first Emmy® Award in the category of health/science program at the 42nd Annual Pacific Southwest Emmy Awards over the weekend in Rancho Mirage.
Produced by Advancement Films, The documentary TV series gives viewers an inspiring look into the resilience of humankind as it brings Loma Linda University Health’s mission to life.
The winning episode, “Rough Beginning,” features the Maternal Fetal Medicine Center and NICU at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital.
After an unexpected pregnancy, Janett and Gian find out their baby boy will be born with a life-threatening condition called gastroschisis, a birth defect in which the intestines are outside of the body. Without immediate medical treatment, baby Theodore’s life will be in danger as soon as he is born. Gastroschisis happens twice as often in California’s Inland Empire and researchers at Loma Linda University Health are working to find out why. The episode follows the journey of a young family, whose bond grows stronger during their biggest life challenge, and the doctors and nurses who pull together with hopes of giving Theodore a future.
This recent win brings the film team’s total Emmy® count to 13.
The advancement films team is currently in production of season 3 of “Life on the Line,” which is scheduled to air winter 2016.
The series, which is narrated by celebrity host and journalist Lisa Ling, premiered April 4, 2014, on PBS’s WORLD channel. During the first season, the stories ranged from infant heart disease to child abuse to helping victims of natural disaster and providing health care in the Amazon. [Learn more about the first two seasons here.]
In an early report, Patricia Kelikani, director of advancement films at LLUH was quoted as saying, “Working on this series has been an amazing experience. This show is about real people finding meaning in the midst of a tragedy. This is where the real story lives and their strength of spirit shines.”
In a story posted on LLUSS Connect, the team further commented that doing the show has at least a three-way positive impact: they are blessed as they hear and share these stories, the interviewees find value in sharing their stories, and viewers can find hope and joy in the midst of peril and fear.
Reception of the series has been positive, culminating in this Emmy win.
Adventist Today congratulates Loma Linda University Health and their advancement team as they not only tell the stories of their own organization, but also bring stories of hope and healing to the world.
Debbonnaire Kovacs is a speaker and the author of 25 books and over 600 stories and articles for adults and children. To learn more about her work or ask her to speak at your organization, visit www.debbonnaire.com.
