Executive Committee
John Shin, MD
President
Dr. John Shin graduated from Loma Linda University School of Medicine then completed his internal medicine residency and hematology/oncology fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He also completed an advanced fellowship in cancer immunotherapy at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, MD. Dr. Shin currently works as a medical oncologist at Loma Linda University and has a burden to share Christ with cancer patients.
Dr. Shin is grateful to have been mentored by the AMEN organization throughout his time in training and seeks to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals to dedicate their careers to Christ. As president, Dr. Shin’s vision for AMEN is that it will serve as a catalyst for all people to engage in effective medical ministry for the purpose of spreading the gospel message.
His wife Elisa is a dentist by training, and they are blessed with three children: Sophia, Charis, and Kyle.
Brian Schwartz, MD
Past President
Dr. Brian Schwartz is an Interventional and Structural Heart Cardiologist and serves as Medical Director of the Heart and Vascular Service Line at Kettering Health in Dayton, Ohio.
Having been personally touched by the power of the gospel, Dr. Schwartz longed to make his medical work a healing ministry. His association with AMEN has helped him integrate prayer and Christian spirituality into his practice in a more intentional and natural way.
Dr. Schwartz served as AMEN president for 5 years and editor of the Medical Evangelist (AMEN’s Journal) for 10 years.
He and his wife, Lyndi, also a physician, have a passion for the gospel and ministry.
Kianna Simmons, DMD
Secretary
Dr. Kianna Simmons graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Dental Medicine in 2007. During her time there she developed a keen interest in the connection of oral health and general medicine and continued her studies at the University of Pennsylvania’s oral medicine residency program. After completing a year of clinical training she returned to Bermuda where she entered private practice.
Dr. Kianna has been involved in numerous community initiatives and is actively involved in a number of local community and professional organizations.
In 2012, Dr. Kianna married Mr. Devaun “Sammy” DeGraff, and in 2015 were blessed with their son Kenan. Dr. Kianna enjoys spending time with her family, and in the fall of 2015 they traveled to their first AMEN conference in Hilton Head, South Carolina. It was there that Dr. Kianna was inspired and recommitted herself and her practice to God and began seeing her profession as a ministry, and not just a practice. Since that time she has incorporated praying with patients, more thorough comprehensive medical exams and assessments, and advises patients holistically on care for not only their teeth, but their health overall. By providing spiritual insight and guidance and support to patients on their journeys for change she enjoys serving her patients as well as the community. Her goal is to not only physically cure oral disease, but ultimately inspire and reflect Christ to every patient and introduce them to Him, one consult at a time.
Donn LaTour, MD
Treasurer
Dr. Donn LaTour received his medical degree from Loma Linda University of Medicine and his PhD in Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology. He completed his dermatology residency, as well as a one-year advanced Mohs Skin Cancer Surgery Fellowship at the Loma Linda University Medical Center in California.
Dr. LaTour’s Mohs Skin Cancer Surgery Fellowship provided him with in depth expertise in the management of skin cancer. Dr. LaTour returned to his home state of Michigan, to begin his practice in 1997. Since that time, he has expanded his practice with offices in Jackson, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Sturgis and Angola. Dr. Donn LaTour is certified by the American Board of Dermatology and is a member of the American College of Mohs Surgery.
Dr. LaTour has a passion for medical ministry and has been involved with AMEN since its inception. He and his wife, Dr. Esther LaTour, have 2 children.
John Ahn, MD
Program Committee Chair
Dr. Johnny Ahn is a board-certified dermatologist with a passion for prayer and personally abiding in Christ. He enjoys ministry and serves as the 2024 AMEN Program Committee Chair. He loves sharing GLOW tracts wherever he goes, praying with family, friends, coworkers, and patients whenever he can, and having DMCs (deep meaningful conversations) with whomever is open to digging deeper beyond small talk.
Todd Guthrie, MD, PC
Editor – The Medical Evangelist
Dr. Todd Guthrie is a board certified orthopedic surgeon, practicing in Mt. Shasta, California. Dr. Guthrie sees AMEN as a catalyst to further facilitate the bringing together of the everlasting gospel of Revelation 14:6–12 and the Adventist health message. He firmly believes that medical missionary evangelism will open hearts in preparation for and in conjunction with the outpouring of God’s Spirit in the final days of earth’s history. Dr. Guthrie, his wife, Patti, and their four children have been involved for years in ministry in their local church and abroad.