Former Vietnamese refugees marked 50 years since arriving at Loma Linda University. On May 2, 1975, Loma Linda University and Medical Center welcomed 410 Vietnamese refugees to its campus—the end of a long journey for a group of health workers who had been evacuated from Saigon Adventist Hospital, along with Adventist pastors and church leadership in South Vietnam. Fifty years later, dozens of members from that group gathered at the Loma Linda Chinese church on May 3 to recall the circumstances surrounding this pivotal moment in their lives—and to say a public thank you to Loma Linda University Health and the community that welcomed them with open arms.
Read about the May 3 ceremony:
https://news.llu.edu/community/vietnamese-refugees-mark-50-years-arriving-loma-linda-university-medical-center-and-new-lives-america
Watch the entire church service:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Dl3WlTvrmg
Watch the 50th Reunion Afternoon program:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROP0EBvTSM8
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an annual observance founded by Mental Health America in 1949 to highlight the importance of mental wellbeing, educate the public, reduce stigma, and promote support for those affected by mental health conditions.
https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/mental-health-awareness-month/
“In Every Story, There’s Strength” is the theme this year, and it highlights the resilience and diverse experiences that shape mental health journeys within our community.
https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/mental-health-awareness-month/
Resources from Adventist Health:
https://www.adventisthealth.org/blog/2024/april/why-your-doctor-cares-about-your-mental-health/
Connie’s story about her family’s journey with her schizophrenic brother Ron Vandeman:
https://blog.itiswritten.com/blog/2015/04/15/a-mind-one-day-made-new/
