Bert C. Connell — Distinguished Service Award
Adjunct Instructor, Graduate Program in Human Nutrition, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University Associate Professor, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tirgu Mures, Transylvania, Romania B.S. Walla Walla University 1968 M.S. Loma Linda University SAHP 1972 Ph.D. University of Missouri 1981 Fellow, American Dietetic Association Fellow, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Faculty of the Year Award, Loma Linda University SAHP 2012 Distinguished Service Award, Loma Linda University SAHP 1993
Bert C. Connell served Loma Linda University (LLU) for more than four decades as an educator and food service administrator. He first joined in 1972 as an administrative dietician in the medical center. In 1974, he became faculty in the School of Allied Health Professions, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, professionally advancing from assistant professor to full professor; he served as chair of this department for 28 years. He has been a highly productive scholar and leader in nutrition and dietetics. Dr. Connell’s interest in nutrition began when he studied abroad at Newbold College in the United Kingdom, where he was employed in the college cafeteria. From that point on, he decided to pursue a major in Food and Nutrition, and subsequently pursued graduate degrees in food systems management. A trip to Slovakia in 2000 resulted in a continuing 20-year involvement in the Health Club program in Slovakia and Czech Republic. The Health Club is a community-based health education program conducted by local Seventh-day Adventist church members. He led out in regular train-the-trainer programs, taught local Adventist church members about nutrition, menu planning, healthful cooking methods, exercise, and principles of healthful living. Dr. Connell has been involved in expanding the Health Club ministry idea to Kenya, Serbia, and in the Russian Far East. Since his retirement in 2015, Dr. Connell has continued to be involved in a number of health promotion activities and development of nutrition and dietetics programs around the world in Tasmania, Australia, Philippines, Romania, Rwanda, Mozambique, Kenya and Zambia. For more than four decades of exemplary and committed service to this institution, for his long-standing contributions in promoting a healthy lifestyle and establishing community-based nutrition education programs, and for his unwavering commitment to the motto of this institution – “To Make Man Whole;” Loma Linda University Health honors Dr. Bert Connell with the DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD. This award was presented to him during Homecoming earlier this year.
19
