Dean’s Message

In the last academic year, faculty, staff and students in the College of Health & Human Services (CHHS) worked together tirelessly to achieve the mission of the college, which is to provide excellence in education for healthcare, wellness and architecture professions that foster collaboration, research and service, thus promoting the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to restore in humanity the image of God. With the support of our alumni and community partners, we expanded interdisciplinary education opportunities with training to combat human trafficking in healthcare settings and a presentation by a senior drama group to bring awareness to health and social challenges faced by the elderly population in navigating the healthcare system and in everyday life. In Spring 2022, we had the annual poverty simulation for students, faculty and staff and we organized career fairs that brought to campus recruiters from architecture firms and health care institutions across the country.

The theme of this newsletter is “Co-workers in God’s service.” As world changers in a changing world, we aim at being God’s hands extended in all that we do. Our students learn in the best way possible to seek knowledge, affirm faith and change the world from day one. Our faculty combine rigor and grace; they are grounded in the word of God, and they facilitate the learning of their students with eternity in mind.

Working together, faculty, students and alumni achieved remarkable results. The following are some of the projects that changed lives at the local, national and international levels: a campus master plan for the Adventist University of Central Africa; a voice and posture awareness program; participation in Pathway to Health, which provided free healthcare to more than 4,500 people; support to the HERBIE Health Clinic, providing physical therapy services and medical laboratory tests that have aided in the detection and management of both acute and chronic diseases in Southwest Michigan; a new on-campus lifestyle medicine clinic; and the annual calendar of healthy stretches for the Andrews University community.

God blessed us beyond measure in the last year. In addition to a variety of projects that made lasting impact to communities nearby and far away, we are expanding our program offering next year with the following new degree and certificate programs: Master of Health Administration (MHA) and Graduate Certificate in Culinary Medicine in the School of Population Health, Nutrition and Wellness; and MLT to BSMLS (medical laboratory technician to bachelor of science in medical laboratory science) as well as MLS Technologist Certificate in the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences.

In order to sustain quality and increase enrollment, we need a state-of-art training and learning faculty that will facilitate interprofessional evidence-based education, sustain and expand learning experiences, utilize the most advanced technology to enhance learning and prepare graduates in interprofessional service. To make a donation to the building fund, see p. 63. We are very thankful for the generous gifts we have already received for this project.

I take this opportunity to congratulate our recent graduates. Upon graduation, they immediately joined the workforce where they were much needed to address the needs of people nearby and far away. Because of their service, this world is a much better place.

At Andrews University we welcome students from all over the world and know how to make them feel at home in a Christian environment. Our small classroom size and internationally diverse campus, where health and wellness, research, innovation and entrepreneurship are top priorities, make Andrews University an exceptional place to live and learn.

In this newsletter, you will learn about individual academic programs, major accomplishments of our faculty, students and alumni, as well as our plans and goals for the future. We welcome your feedback (survey on back inside cover) and solicit your prayers and support.

Emmanuel Rudatsikira, MD, MPH, DrPH

CLICK LINK FOR THE HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES BUILDING BROCHURE

https://www.andrews.edu/chhs/hlth-prof-bldg-dev_ chhs_brochure_20191105_web.pdf