Conference Presenters

Phil Mills, MD

Phil Mills is a dermatologist in private practice. Throughout his time as a clinician, Dr. Mills has always found his greatest joy in soul winning. To him, nothing else compares.

One of the founders of AMEN, Dr. Mills is convinced that God is using this organization to catalyze a revival of medical missionary work that will impact outreach on every level – family, church, clinic, and community. He prays for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on medical evangelists all over the world to empower them to do their part in fulfilling the gospel commission.

Description:

Objectives

1. Review stories from antiquity of a number of well-known couples with fertility problems
2. Identify the methods these couples used to treat their infertility
3. Demonstrate how ancient solutions are useful in a wide variety of clinical contexts for today

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Dwayne Lemon

Dwayne Lemon is an Ordained Elder in the SDA Church. He is the Director of PTH Ministries, a bible based ministry of Preaching, Teaching and Healing. He is also the Co-Director of a missionary training school in New Hampshire called Tekoa Missions. Elder Lemon believes the heavenly combination of medical missionary work combined with the 3rd Angel’s Message is the means that will help produce a people that are prepared to meet their God. More than anything else, Elder Lemon desires to help both youth and adults know that they can have a very real, dynamic, and fully consecrated life in Jesus Christ.

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Carlos Moretta, DDS

Dr. Carlos Moretta completed his dental training at Loma Linda University in 2001. He worked briefly in private practice and served as a part-time faculty member at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry before completing post-graduate training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in 2009.

Dr. Moretta strongly believes in overseas mission work. In his first year of dental school alone, he went on eight missionary trips including trips to Mexico and Brazil. He is active in church ministry and is a mentor to many students, young dentists, and residents in the Loma Linda area. His wife Dafne is an internal medicine physician.

Description:

Objectives
Attendees to this seminar will gain a deeper understanding of how Free Clinics:

1. Affect patients (access to treatment, follow-up care, etc.)
2. Affect the provider (professional fulfillment, diversity in setting of care, integration of whole person care)
3. Affect the community (surrounding providers/practices, churches, community health stats)
4. Affect the Christian (deeper understanding of the Right Arm of the Gospel, Christ’s method, role of health care in this current social and spiritual climate)

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Mark Finley, DD

Although semi-‘retired’, Pastor Mark Finley still serves as an assistant to the president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He is a renowned evangelist, having presented well over 200 evangelistic series around the world. Medical evangelism is near and dear to Finley’s heart. He began integrating stress-control seminars, smoking cessation, health expos, cooking schools and mini health talks into his evangelistic meetings early in his ministry. He continues to combine health and gospel ministry and routinely brings healthcare professionals as part of his team.

Pastor Finley and his wife Teenie, founded the Living Hope School of Evangelism in Haymarket, VA. They have three grown children and five grandchildren.

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Miroslav Stanic, DDS

Dr. Stanic was born in Bosnia part of former Yugoslavia. He graduated from Loma Linda School of Dentistry in 1989. Dr. Stanic began private practice in 1993, building his practice from the ground up. Prior to that he worked in a very unique ministry. He was a missionary in Trinidad and Tobago in a center run by the Catholic church. He and his wife, Katarina, serve the local church in various leadership capacities.

Description:

In this presentation Dr. Stanic will highlight his personal experience in dentistry to present some tips in taking bite record for edentulous patients. This can be applied for fixed or removable dentures.

Objectives:

1. Demonstrate how to achieve more accurate bite record for edentulous patients
2. Define the neutral zone technique and demonstrate how that treatment modality can improve outcomes by making dentures more stable.
3. Illustrate how to use your dental team more effectively to decrease the patient’s ‘chair time’.

Schedule

Ricardo Whyte, MD

Dr. Ricardo J. Whyte was born in the Republic of Panama. He grew up in New York and attended Atlantic Union College. He is a graduate of Connecticut School of Medicine, then completed a Psychiatry Residency at Loma Linda University and an Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship at the University of California, Los Angeles.Currently Dr. Whyte serves as Medical Director of Psychiatric Services at the Community Hospital of San Bernardino and is an Assistant Professor at Loma Linda University School of Medicine. He is Double Board Certified in Adolescent and Adult Psychiatry as well as Addiction Psychiatry. Dr. Whyte is married to the lovely Florence Vincent. Together they have a beautiful daughter named Alexi Genevieve.

Description:

Objectives:

1. Identify the Medical Practice Model Limitations
2. Discuss how a Digital Platform can massively enhance your effectiveness by magnifying your Professional Impact.
3. Illustrate using a Digital Platform to educate your patients and colleagues.
4. Demonstrate how patient Quality of Life is improved by using a Digital Platform.
5. Demonstrate how your income can be enhanced by using a Digital Platform.

Schedule

Elvin Adams, MD, MPH

Elvin Adams, MD, MPH, FACPM is a 78 year old and nearly retired specialist in Internal Medicine and Public Health. His most recent focus has been in the treatment of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C. Adams has authored several books, most recently, “The Principles and Practice of Health Evangelism” and “Jesus Was Thin, So You Can Be THIN Too. Adams is also the author of the Best Weigh Nutrition and Weight Management Program.

Description:

How does the health professional expand his or her evangelistic reach beyond the practice and into the local church and community? How can health or evangelistic resources be judged as to their appropriateness for use in the practice or the community? Exploring the difference between “effort analysis” and “goal analysis.”

Objectives:

1. Identify the top three most important institutions in which to foster health evangelism.
2. Identify the top three most important personnel to conduct health evangelism.
3. Identify the top three most important variables to measure when conducting health evangelism.

Schedule

Alistair Huong

Alistair is the Executive Director of AudioVerse. An alumnus of Ouachita Hills Academy and College, he also has a graduate degree in business from Southern Adventist University. Alistair and his wife, Deborah, live in Collegedale, Tennessee with their daughter, Leilani. In their free time, they manage a personal finance blog called SavingTheCrumbs.com where they share Christian financial principles along with practical tips from their own experience on living a meaningfully frugal and financially free life.

Description:

As high-earners, many medical professionals have discretionary income to save and invest, but seek Biblical principles to guide those decisions. What are safe investments options? How to prepare for retirement and college savings? Ways to balance risk and returns? This seminar series will provide guidelines for making sound investment choices especially adapted for Adventist medical professionals.

Objectives:

1. Possess a framework for prioritizing personal financial obligations.
2. Recognize the importance of eliminating debt and saving for the future.
3. Understand key Biblical principles that guide a Christian in investing.
4. Develop a scorecard for the evaluation of investment options.
5. Avoid unfavorable and unsafe investment products and practices.

Schedule

Brad Emde, OD

Dr. Emde is a 1992 biology graduate of Southern College of Seventh-day Adventists (now Southern Adventist University). He received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical Center School of Optometry in 1997. He currently lives in the countryside of beautiful East Tennessee. He owns East View Eye Care, P.C., a private group practice in Greeneville, and has been in practice there for 22 years. His wife of over 25 years, Angela, is a high school teacher at Greeneville Adventist Academy where their three daughters attend. Dr. Emde has a passion for medical mission work and has traveled to Costa Rica, Peru, Mongolia, Moldova, and Kenya providing free eye care and glasses to those in need.

Description:

Keeping in mind that nutrition affects so many aspects of our overall health, this presentation will address how nutrition specifically affects the health of our eyes. Several eye conditions and their pathophysiology will be covered. This course is not only beneficial to eye doctors, but also to all health providers.

Objectives:

1. Increase knowledge and competency in understanding of the etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of common eye diseases
2. Describe how nutrition affects macular degeneration and be able to make beneficial recommendations to their patients based on what is presented
3. Describe how nutrition affects other eye diseases such as cataract development, glaucoma, and dry eye syndrome and be able to make beneficial recommendations to their patients based on what is presented

Schedule

Eddie Ramirez, MD

Dr. Eddie Ramirez (@EddieRDMD) has a passion for researching and sharing the Adventist health message. He has published over 130 studies and lectured in 85 countries. He is a co-author of the 3rd edition of the textbook of Lifestyle Medicine of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and of the book ‘Rethink Food’.

Dr. Ramirez is married to Susan, a massage therapist, and they have three daughters, Talitha, Rebekah and Elizabeth with whom they enjoy traveling and spending time together.

Schedule

Brian Schwartz, MD

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.

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Chad & Fadia Kreuser

Chad and Fadia have a video ministry called Anchor Point Films, in which they produce the documentary series entitled, “Scripture Mysteries Documentary Series.” They also share seminars on health, the gut-brain connection, overcoming habits, and Biblical subjects. They have taught in Europe, Africa, Asia and throughout North America, and travel full time.

Description:

Is it possible that many aspects of depression, anxiety, anger and lust could stem from the gut? Right now study after study is being published on the gut-brain connection. In this seminar we will look at both cutting edge science and inspiration on how our levels of happiness are affected by this gut-brain connection.

Objectives:

1. Review Biblical evidence and scientific studies that point toward a gut-brain connection.
2. Demonstrate how the gut-brain connection can impact addictions and depression.
3. Outline dietary factors that can positively influence mood and well-being.

Schedule

Stephen Wright, DDS

As a “kid dentist” in respects to both my profession and my age, I have much to learn. After graduating dental school in 2013, my family and I moved to Peru where I served as a dental missionary for 2 years. I then worked as an associate for a pediatric dentist for 2 years and now I am currently a pediatric dental resident in Ft. Lauderdale. Since my profession will take up such a large portion of my time, here on this earth, it’s important to me that I use it effectively for God’s glory.

Description:

A presentation meant to:

1. Equip dentists in the treatment of patients with autism through behavior guidance and non-invasive procedures.
2. Motivate doctors to have the faith to incorporate an “eternal perspective” in their practice through personal mission stories from our family’s time in Peru.

Objectives:

1. Demonstrate new treatment modalities for patients with autism and how they can impact your practice
2. Discuss ideal methods for evaluation of business success
3. Illustrate how to incorporate sustainable, long-term missions and charitable giving into your practice

Schedule

Jukes Namm, MD

Jukes P. Namm is a husband and father of three who hails from Michigan where he was involved in CAMPUS at the University of Michigan. He obtained his medical training at Loma Linda University. He was a NIH T32 research fellow in tumor immunology at the University of Michigan and completed surgical oncology and clinical ethics fellowships at the University of Chicago. He is currently a surgical oncologist and clinical ethicist at LLUH.

Description:

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States and there is growing scientific evidence regarding its link to lifestyle. By better understanding the nature of cancer as well as the prevalent misconceptions on the treatment of this disease, clinicians can better help cancer patients to wholeness.

Objectives:

1. Identify the risk factors associated with the most common cancers
2. Demonstrate knowledge of updated cancer screening guidelines
3. Identify patient and physician factors that affect cancer-related outcomes
4. Appreciate the physician’s eternal impact on a cancer patient

Schedule

Ken Matthews, MD

Kenneth Mathews Jr. MD is a physician since graduation from Loma Linda University in 1975. He has resided in Greeneville TN, since 1980. He has worked in Public Health, taught Preventive Medicine at East Tennessee State University, and is current a Corrections Physician. He is the author of a two-volume commentary on Revelation entitled Revelation Reveals Jesus, which has been in print for five years.

Description:

This presentation discusses the core issue of Christianity; what must I do to be saved? With so many religions opting for and “experience” as proof of salvation, what does the Bible offer? What is the connection between the heart and the mind in the salvation process?

Objectives:

This breakout session intends to investigate:

• The willing mind (2 Cor 8:12)
• The willing heart (Exodus 35:22)
• The necessity of being obedient (Isaiah 1:19)

1. What is a willing mind? How might we have one?
2. What is a willing heart? How might we have one?
3. Is obedience a necessary part of being willing?

Schedule

David Small, MD

Dr. David Small grew up in Loma Linda, CA with the blessing of a solid, conservative SDA home. Following medical school and residency in 1965, He served five years as Medical Director of the Montemorelos, Mexico, Adventist hospital. In 1970, he and his wife Nancy, moved to Kettering, OH where he has served for 47 years as faculty at Kettering Medical Center. Dr. Small recently retired from teaching, practice, and administrative work but ministry is still a part of his daily life. He and Nancy are blessed with 3 children and 5 grandchildren.

Description:

Drs. Brian Schwartz and David Small will share stories where praying with patients was the pivotal factor to achieving a great physical outcome, in addition to the spiritual impact it has had on their patients. You will be inspired by the simplicity – just starting to pray with patients has transformed their practices into a ministry.

Objectives:

1. Discuss the value and importance of praying with (for) patients
2. Identify “do’s and don’ts” in clinically based prayer
3. Demonstrate how to begin praying with patients

Schedule

Gayle Daniels, OD

Born into a military family, Dr. Daniels’ passion for service was nurtured at an early age. She attended Oakwood College and then Pennsylvania College of Optometry in Philadelphia. Upon graduation, she was commissioned as a Captain in the Air Force and stationed at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, DC. It was a mission trip to Mexico that ignited the flame for mission work. This flame still drives her today. She has an intense passion for service and ministry. Dr. Daniels owns a practice in Fort Worth, TX and learned Spanish to better serve her patients. Daniels created a program called “Better Vision Better Hope” which provides humanitarian services to those in need locally and internationally. She also partners with United Hands, Inc providing care in St Kitts, St.Vincent, South Africa, Jamaica, Haiti, Guatemala and Honduras. Locally, the program partners with several homeless shelters, churches, and numerous other charitable organizations in her effort to fulfill her mission of service.

Description:

Demonstrating effectiveness of single field fundus photography in early screening for diabetic retinopathy, especially in community free clinics. Comparing digital imaging to current standards of screening methods. Introducing diabetic research project utilizing the varying demographics of the free medical clinics with retinal imaging for early screening of diabetic retinopathy in all diabetic patients.

Objectives:

1. Understanding Single Field Photography usage in community free clinics
2. Understanding Basic Diabetic Retinopathy
3. Demonstrating importance of early screening for diabetic retinopathy

Schedule

Debbie Beihl

Debbie Beihl is a 3rd year OBGYN resident in Reading, PA. Originally a nurse, she fell in love with evangelism while teaching a Biblically based MCAT course at Weimar College. Her fondest memories at Loma Linda include having united prayer with the School of Medicine class chaplains, organizing vespers featuring AMEN physicians, and working with AMEN members which greatly influenced her current practice. She chose OBGYN because of her passion to optimize prenatal influences as well as provide spiritual and emotional support at critical points in women’s lives. Debbie enjoys playing the piano, cooking, kayaking, and spending time with family and friends.

Schedule

Stephen and Katie Waterbrook

Stephen is a general surgeon practicing in Grass Valley, California and Katie is a registered nurse who recently graduated with her masters in public health. Together they enjoy raising their daughter Savannah and partnering together in ministry through Stephen’s office.

Description:

Stephen and Katie will be sharing about a recent experience of lost health and disappointed hopes that provided them an experience to test God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises. This is a story of realizing that sometimes our greatest blessings come as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death.

Schedule

Norman McNulty, MD

Norman McNulty, M.D., is a board-certified neurologist practicing in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. Prior to starting his neurology practice, he served for two years as a missionary at the Adventist hospital in Trinidad. He is a Loma Linda School of Medicine graduate and also completed neurology residency and clinical neurophysiology training at Loma Linda.

Dr. McNulty enjoys studying the Adventist prophetic message and travels around the world speaking in his free time. He is the author of the recently published book ‘Daniel: Practical Living in the Judgment Hour’. He is married to Joelle, and they have four young daughters, Saralyn, Anneke, Madeline, and Ruby.

Description:

What does it take for God to humble us? And how is that related to justification by faith and the third angel’s message? Is it possible that pride of position and influence is limiting our usefulness as physicians and dentists in the cause of God? We will explore these ideas from a biblical standpoint, especially as it relates to the time we are living in right now.

Schedule