News Briefs for December 19, 2019
News reports from Loma Linda University Health; The Cayman Islands Monetary Authority; Berlin’s Waldfriede Adventist Hospital; Oakwood University; Beth Shalom Community and Learning Center and ADRA Germany:
From a Loma Linda University Health news story: Loma Linda University (LLU) Children’s Hospital was named a Top Children’s Hospital nationally for the third consecutive year by The Leapfrog Group — an independent hospital watchdog organization — on December 17, highlighting its achievements in patient safety and quality. The Leapfrog Top Hospital awards are widely acknowledged as some of the most competitive honors American hospitals can receive.
Approximately 2,100 hospitals across the nation were considered for the award, and LLU Children’s Hospital was one of only 10 children’s hospitals to be recognized by The Leapfrog Group.
The Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (Authority) announced that Oakwood University graduate, Rayford Britton, ’99, has been appointed as Head of the Policy & Development Division. Britton is described as a versatile professional in financial services with over 20 years of experience in developing and implementing policy frameworks, auditing, designing anti-money laundering assessments and compliance management. Britton holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Oakwood University. He is responsible for managing the strategic coordination and development of policies and regulatory measures, while providing support to the Authority’s five supervisory divisions.
From APD – According to a recent survey by Der Tagesspiegel, Berlin’s top-selling daily newspaper, Waldfriede Adventist Hospital in Berlin is one of the most recommended in the metropolitan area. Both the gynecology department and the Breast Cancer Center were recognized as among the most recommended clinics. It has previously won several awards as one of the best hospitals in Germany. In April 2020, the hospital will celebrate its 100th anniversary.
From Oakwood University – William Jenkins is a fourth-generation Oakwood University graduating senior who wrote, directed, shot, and edited the short film Loose Change, while simultaneously serving as the Director of Photography and editor for the independent, feature-length film Wear the Crown.
Wear the Crown is inspired by the story of an African American woman’s battle with stage 4 cancer. The short, silent film Loose Change follows a college student on the hunt for a tasty vegan burger, only to realize he’s misplaced his money. Jenkins says that “the most simple story, many times, can be the most entertaining, depending on how it is told.”
Both films are produced by Moving4ward Productions, a grassroots production company in Nashville, Tennessee, that specializes in bringing diverse, authentic stories to the big screen. Jenkins completed his senior internship at Moving4ward, and caught the attention of its Founder/ CEO Alan R.H. Nettles, who instantly brought him on as the Assistant Director of Creative Development.
The films will premiere on December 14, 2019.
The congregation of Beth Shalom Community and Learning Center, led by director Tina Munson and co-leader Matt Munson, hosted their first Jewish Adventist Camp Meeting in the Southern Union territory, October 14-21, 2019, at the Unicoi State Park in Helen, Georgia.
Around 75 people were in attendance, with 30 to 35 attending daily workshops and teachings. The cultural Adventist Camp Meeting and Sukkot (the celebration of “The Season of Our Joy”) was in pioneer style, with the majority of the meetings held outside, except the Saturday (Sabbath) services.
Leaders reported that most attendees were able to enjoy the outdoors in tents, cabins, and RVs — with some attending from as far away as the U.S. states of California, Texas, Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, and even France. Not only were there Jewish Adventists in attendance, but they were also joined by some of their Jewish and Messianic Jewish friends in the local area.
From APD – For twenty years, ADRA Germany has run a “Children Helping Children” campaign collecting gift packages for children’s projects in Eastern Europe. This year a record amount of 35,513 packets was gathered. The last truck has now been loaded and sent with toys, clothes, candy and school supplies for delivery.
In 2018, 34,901 parcels were collected and sent. Over the last 20 years, more than 600,000 children have been helped by the project. “We thank all donors and the countless volunteer helpers who have made this success possible,” said Anja Emrich, coordinator of the collection. A significant number of the packages will go to support the victims of the recent 6.4 magnitude earthquake in Albania.