Plenary Session Presenters
Dr. Daniel Binus, MD
Dr. Binus believes in whole-person care. His goal is to understand and address the emotional, physical, and spiritual factors that influence each patient’s well being.
Dr. Binus serves as clinical director of Beautiful Minds Medical. He provides outpatient psychiatry and oversees the Intensive Outpatient Program. He’s also on the medical staff at Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital, and a clinical instructor for Loma Linda University.
Training
Dr. Binus completed his medical training and psychiatry residency at Loma Linda University, where he became fascinated by the beauty of the mind. Dr. Binus spent many hours studying the emotional, physical, spiritual, and biological factors that influence mental health. This study made him passionate about treating the cause of mental illness, and not just masking the symptoms.
Dr. Binus completed a master’s degree in Public Health Education and enjoys conducting lectures and workshops on depression and other mental health topics. He also developed a mental health curriculum for the HIV/AIDS orphans of sub-Saharan Africa, which is currently being implemented in the country of Lesotho. Dr. Binus believes that proper mental-health education can greatly improve the lives of people and communities.
Beautiful Minds Medical
In March, 2011, Dr. Binus and his wife Melissa moved to Auburn and founded Beautiful Minds Medical. Since that time, the practice has grown to include psychiatry, counseling, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy and intensive outpatient care. Dr. Binus is grateful for the opportunity to work with the Auburn community, one beautiful mind at a time.
Dr. Angeline Brauer
Dr. Brauer has served as the Health Ministries Director for the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists since 2016. She holds a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree in Nutrition from Loma Linda University School of Public Health and a Master of Health Science (MHS) in Epidemiology from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She previously worked at the Seventh-day Adventist Guam Clinic as wellness director and dietitian, and at Johns Hopkins as a senior research assistant.
As a public health epidemiologist, her role at the NAD includes producing health content on a variety of topics, championing the work of health professionals, training lay members, providing health resources and mentorship for college students, advising NAD administrators on health-related issues, facilitating collaboration among Adventist organizations, and communicating with governmental leaders on the Adventist Church’s health resources. Dr. Brauer believes that healthy living should be practical, understandable, and enjoyable for everyone. She believes that comprehensive health work includes physical, mental, social, and spiritual wellbeing, and that all of us have a vital part to play in ministering hope and wholeness to our communities.
She enjoys going on adventures with her husband Jonathan, cooking, working on craft projects, taking long walks, teaching, and playing with her nieces and nephews.
Dr. G. Alexander Bryant
Glenward Alexander (“Alex”) Bryant, DMin, serves as the president of the North American Division and vice president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Prior to his current position, he served as executive secretary of the North American Division and president of the Central States Conference as well as Temperance director, Youth/Pathfinders/National Service Organization director, and superintendent of Education.
Dr. Bryant earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in theology and business administration from Oakwood College in 1981. In 1982, he began his ministry in Springfield, Missouri and in Coffeyville and Independence, Kansas. He was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1986 and earned his Master of Divinity degree from Andrews University in 1988. In December 2011, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary.
Dr. Bryant also served as a student missionary to Japan for a year. In college, his gift of administration flourished, and he started to serve as director of Adventist Youth at Oakwood College and as president of the Black Students Association of the Seminary (BSAS) at Andrews University.
The General Conference Executive Committee also recognized that God had given Dr. Bryant the special gift of leadership and elected him to serve as executive secretary of the North American Division in October 2008, in Manila, Philippines. He was re-elected in Atlanta, Georgia at the 2010 General Conference Session as executive secretary of the North American Division.
Dr. Bryant is married to the former Desiree Wimbish, current associate director of the NAD Ministerial Association. She formerly served as assistant director of the NAD Education Department, superintendent of Education of the Central States Conference, and principal of the V. Lindsay Seventh-day Adventist School in Kansas City, Kansas. Dr. and Mrs. Bryant are the proud parents of Travis, Traven, and Terrence.
Daniel E. Dawes, JD
Daniel E. Dawes, J.D., is a widely respected healthcare and public health leader, health policy expert, educator, and researcher who serves as executive director of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine and a professor of health law, policy and management. A trailblazer and nationally respected voice in the health equity movement, his scholarship and leadership, particularly the innovative political determinants of health framework that he pioneered, have resulted in increased policies and laws prioritizing health equity. By tackling upstream determinants of health, he has ventured into such uncharted territory as the intersection between equity and the social and political determinants of health to change the course of domestic and global policies for the better.
His groundbreaking works, 150 Years of ObamaCare, which document the health equity movement in America and elevates the health equity-focused provisions of the Affordable Care Act that he led in negotiations and formulation, and The Political Determinants of Health, which provides an in-depth lens on the root causes of inequities, both published by Johns Hopkins Press are now nationally and internationally recognized and used as top health policy books. His passion for addressing health inequities is exemplified in his unyielding commitment to building collaboratives, including the HHS grant-funded National COVID-19 Resiliency Network and the Health Equity Leadership & Exchange Network, both exist to leverage evidence-based research and develop actionable solutions to advance health equity.
Professor Dawes’ work focuses on health reform, health equity, mental/behavioral health inequities, social and political determinants of health, poverty, and health system transformation. His work bridges research, technology, healthcare, population health and public health – the translation of research discoveries into all communities, including under-resourced, vulnerable, and marginalized communities. Professor Dawes brings a forward-thinking, inclusive, and multidisciplinary approach to address issues impacting diverse populations in urban and rural communities in our progressively complex health system, including a national study examining the health and economic impact of mental health inequities in the United States and a major research project which created the nation’s first health equity tracker. Among his many achievements, he was an instrumental figure in developing and negotiating the Mental Health Parity Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act, and an architect of the Affordable Care Act’s health equity-focused provisions, among other landmark federal policies.
Professor Dawes is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and an elected fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine. He serves as an advisor to The White House COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force and an appointed member of the CDC’s Advisory Committee to the Director. Highly respected for his ability to achieve sound policy changes in a nonpartisan manner; Professor Dawes serves or has served on several boards, commissions and councils focused on improving health outcomes and elevating health equity in the United States and around the world, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Subcommittee on Health Disparities, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights – Health and Human Rights Institute Advisory Committee, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Policies for Action National Advisory Committee, the National Football League/National Football League Players Association’s National Committee on the Racial Disparities of COVID-19, the National Medical Fellowships Primary Care Leadership Program’s National Advisory Committee, the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health National Advisory Council, the Healthcare Georgia Foundation Board of Directors, the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities Board of Directors, the National League of Cities National Advisory Board, the CDC Foundation’s Community COVID Coalition Advisory Group, and the Children’s Mental Health Network National Advisory Council. He is an advisor to international, national, regional, state, and municipal policymakers as well as think tanks, foundations, corporations, and nonprofit organizations.
Angel Easton
Angel Easton is Digital Projects Supervisor for the Adventist Information Ministry. Learn more at CallAIM.org
Wendy Eberhardt
Wendy is the Vice President of Ministries for the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists.
Dr. Anita Everett, MD, DFAPA
Dr. Everett is the Director of the Center for Mental Health Services. In this role, she provides executive leadership for federal efforts to improve the nation’s mental health service systems.
Prior to her arrival at SAMHSA, she served as the Section Chief of The Johns Hopkins Bayview Community and General Psychiatry in Baltimore, Maryland. She was on the faculty of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the Bloomberg School of Public Health. At Hopkins, she directed 22 community psychiatry programs that provide a range of services to individuals from preschool age to older adults and through a range of programs that include intensive acute services as well as recovery support services for persons with Serious Mental Illnesses. More recently at Hopkins, she has been involved with the leadership of health system behavioral health integration into accountable care structures. Earlier in her career, Dr. Everett served as the Senior Medical Advisor to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. There she worked on the promotion of access to quality services and access to medications in the Medicare prescription drug benefit. From 1999 to 2003 she served as the Inspector General to the Office of the Governor in the Department of Mental Health in Virginia. During this time she completed over 80 inspections of Institutions operated and licensed to provide mental health services in Virginia. She received the Patrick Henry award for outspoken advocacy.
Dr. Everett has served on the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Advisory Council. She is active in several professional organizations including the American Psychiatric Association where she has received a commendation for her work in healthcare reform. She is a past president of the Maryland Psychiatric Society and the American Association of Community Psychiatrists. She has been engaged in a number of international projects which have included consultation with the Ministries of Health, Department of Mental Health in Iraq and Afghanistan on the implementation of mental health services in these countries.
Dr. Marissa Leslie, MD
Education
MD; Loma Linda University School of Medicine (2002)
Residency
Loma Linda University School Of Medicine (2006)
Fellowship
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (2007)
Hospital Affiliations
Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center
Dr. Carla Park, Ph.D.
Dr. Carla Park, Ph.D., is a health care and academic leader who integrates moral and spiritual values into organizational processes, policies and projects through “meaningful stories” and analytics. Social scientist, speaker, preacher, nurse, public health educator, theologian, writer, administrator, professor, counselor, filmmaker and poet. Envisioning the future and working with teams create reality.
Dr. David R. Williams, PhD, MPH, MDiv
David R. Williams is the Florence Sprague Norman and Laura Smart Norman Professor of Public Health and chair of the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He is also a Professor of African and African American Studies and Sociology at Harvard University. Previously, he served 6 years on the faculty of Yale University and 14 at the University of Michigan. He holds an MPH from Loma Linda University and a PhD in Sociology from the University of Michigan.
Dr. Williams is an internationally recognized social scientist focused on social influences on health. He has been invited to keynote scientific conferences in Europe, Africa, Australia, the Middle East, South America and across the United States. His research has enhanced our understanding of the complex ways in which socioeconomic status, race, stress, racism, health behavior and religious involvement can affect health. He is the author of more than 475 scientific papers and he has served on the editorial board of 12 scientific journals and as a reviewer for over 75 others. The Everyday Discrimination Scale that he developed is the most widely used measure of discrimination in health studies.
He has received numerous honors and awards. He was elected to the National Academy of Medicine (formerly Institute of Medicine) in 2001, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2007, and to the National Academy of Sciences in 2019. He has also received distinguished contribution awards from the American Sociological Association, the American Psychological Association and the New York Academy of Medicine. He was ranked as one of the top 10 Most Cited Social Scientists in the world in 2005 and as the Most Cited Black Scholar in the Social Sciences in 2008. In 2014, Thomson Reuters ranked him as one of the World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds.
With funding from the National Institutes of Health and the sponsorship of the World Health Organization, Dr. Williams directed the South African Stress and Health Study, the first nationally representative study of the prevalence and correlates of mental disorders in sub-Sahara Africa. This study assessed the effects of HIV/AIDS, exposure to racial discrimination and torture during apartheid, on the health of the South African population. He was also a key member of the team that conducted the National Study of American Life, the largest study of mental health disorders in the African American population in the U.S. and the first health study to include a large national sample of Blacks of Caribbean ancestry.
Dr. Williams has been involved in the development of health policy at the national level in the U.S. He has served on the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics and on nine committees for the National Academy of Medicine, including the committee that prepared the Unequal Treatment report. He also served as a member of the MacArthur Foundation’s Research Network on Socioeconomic Status and Health. Dr. Williams has played a visible, national leadership role in raising awareness levels of the problem of health inequalities and identifying interventions to address them. He served as the staff director of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Commission to Build a Healthier America. This national, independent and nonpartisan health commission was focused on identifying evidence-based non-medical strategies that can improve the health of all Americans and reduce racial and socioeconomic gaps in health. He has also worked on ethnic inequities with the Toronto Public Health Department, the National Health Service in the U.K. and the Pan American Health Organization.
He or his research has been featured by some of the nation’s top print and television news organizations and his TEDMED talk was released in April 2017. He was also a key scientific advisor to the award-winning PBS film series, Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?
Dr. Ricardo Whyte, MD
Dr. Ricardo J. Whyte is an experienced medical director with a demonstrated history of almost 20 years in the healthcare industry. He is skilled in healthcare consulting, case management, prevention, addiction medicine, and healthcare information technology (HIT). Additionally, Dr, Whyte is the proud Founder of the Master Mind Institute that has developed the Thrive Membership that supports its members in establishing life balance and resilience fortification.
Since 2017, Dr. Whyte has served as the Section Chief of Psychiatry at the Community Hospital of San Bernardino, a Dignity Health Hospital. Prior to his current leadership role, he was the Medical Director of the Chemical Dependency Unit at the Behavioral Medicine Center of Loma Linda University Health and the Medical Director of Outpatient Psychiatry at the Behavioral Health Institute of Loma Linda University Health. Also, he was formerly on faculty at Loma Linda University as an Assistant Professor in its Department of Psychiatry.
Dr. Whyte is a graduate of Atlantic Union College with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, Cum Laude. He then earned his Medical Doctorate from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. Dr. Whyte completed his Psychiatry Residency at Loma Linda University School of Medicine. Dr. Whyte went on to complete an Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and achieved Double Board Certification in Adolescent and Adult Psychiatry as well as Addiction Psychiatry.
As a distinguished thought leader and subject matter expert, Dr. Whyte launched www.Blacktherapy.com to start a campaign for the healing of the Black Community in response to the recent racial tensions.
Dr. Whyte was born in the Republic of Panama and grew up in Bedford Stuyvesant Brooklyn, New York. He is married to the lovely Florence Vincent and their union has been blessed with a beautiful young lady by the name of Alexi Genevieve.
To learn more about Dr. Whyte visit www.drricardowhyte.com.
Review Committee / Seminar Facilitators
Dr. Alina Baltazar
Alina Baltazar, PhD, MSW, ACSW, LMSW, CFLE, Associate Professor and Director of the MSW program in the Social Work Department and Director of the Center for Prevention Education at the Institute for the Prevention of Addiction at Andrews University, and psychotherapist at Psychiatric and Psychological Specialties, St. Joseph, MI. Ms. Baltazar received her BA in psychology from Andrews University, Master of Social Work from University of Michigan, and Ph.D in Human Development and Family Studies from Michigan State University. In the area of academics, Ms. Baltazar, has worked as an adjunct faculty in social work, behavioral sciences, and family studies, and as a research scientist. Her research areas are in religiosity and parental influence on health risk behaviors, domestic violence, and mental health. She has published textbook chapters, peer reviewed journal articles, magazine articles, and presented at church and national conferences as well as given presentations in the community on these topics. Ms. Baltazar has been a social worker for over 17 years. As a social work clinician, Ms. Baltazar has worked in the areas of medical social work, out-reach counseling, psychiatric social work, domestic violence program administrator, and psychotherapy.
Tiffany Bartell, LPC, MHSP
Tiffany received her master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. Tiffany is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Mental Health Service Provider in the state of Tennessee and National Certified Counselor. She is a Certified Clinical Telemental Health Provider, is EMDR trained through PTI and has completed Gottman Level 1 and 2 trainings for couples therapy.
Individual clients of all ages with a variety of issues welcome Tiffany’s intuitive touch and care. Using an integrative approach, tailored to meet the need of each client, Tiffany has a passion for helping individuals and couples work through the challenges of life. Clients with anxiety, stress and depression or those with issues in relationships, transitions, parenting, trauma, self-esteem and abuse can find assistance and partnership in her care. Tiffany brings compassion and empathy to each therapy session, and has a focus on developing strengths and promoting personal growth for her clients. Tiffany lives in the Chattanooga area with her husband, two children and dog.
Dr. Torben Bergland, MD
Dr. Torben Bergland is one of the Associate Directors of the Health Ministries Department of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the global headquarter of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He is originally from Norway and comes from a pastoral family. As a lay member he has served as a Youth leader, Sabbath School leader and an ordained elder in local churches. Dr. Bergland holds his M.D. from Copenhagen University, Denmark. He did his residency in psychiatry at the Modum Bad Clinic, Oslo University Hospital and Vestre Viken hospitals, Norway. He trained as a psychotherapist at the Institute for Psychotherapy, Oslo, Norway. As a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, he has taken a special interest in working with patients with depression, anxiety and personality disorders, as well as integrating relational, religious and existential perspectives in psychotherapy. He served as Chair of the Depression Department at Modum Bad, Vikersund, Norway, an esteemed private hospital run by a Christian foundation that specializes in psychotherapeutic treatment and research. In 2015, he accepted the call as Health Ministries Director of the Trans-European Division based in St Albans, England. In 2018, he transferred to the General Conference as Associate Director with a special focus on mental health, and the health and wellbeing of church workers. He considers it to be a great privilege to serve God and the Church through the gifts he has been given. He enjoys and prioritizes spending time with friends and family. He is a cyclist, runner, skier, and has climbed nine 4,000+ meter (13,000+ ft) mountains in the Alps, among them Mont Blanc (4810 m/15,780 ft), the highest mountain in Western Europe.
Dr. Angeline Brauer
Dr. Brauer has served as the Health Ministries Director for the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists since 2016. She holds a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree in Nutrition from Loma Linda University School of Public Health and a Master of Health Science (MHS) in Epidemiology from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She previously worked at the Seventh-day Adventist Guam Clinic as wellness director and dietitian, and at Johns Hopkins as a senior research assistant.
As a public health epidemiologist, her role at the NAD includes producing health content on a variety of topics, championing the work of health professionals, training lay members, providing health resources and mentorship for college students, advising NAD administrators on health-related issues, facilitating collaboration among Adventist organizations, and communicating with governmental leaders on the Adventist Church’s health resources. Dr. Brauer believes that healthy living should be practical, understandable, and enjoyable for everyone. She believes that comprehensive health work includes physical, mental, social, and spiritual wellbeing, and that all of us have a vital part to play in ministering hope and wholeness to our communities.
She enjoys going on adventures with her husband Jonathan, cooking, working on craft projects, taking long walks, teaching, and playing with her nieces and nephews.
Dr. Zeno L. Charles-Marcel, MD
Zeno L. Charles-Marcel is privileged to serve God through caring for people as individuals and in organizations. His service is characterized by variety and personal challenge: medical practice, public health, healthcare administration, academia, private consulting, medical ministry, business and entrepreneurship, NGO work, media and public speaking, writing, research, innovation, disaster relief and medical missionary work. He engaged in formative studies at four universities: McGill (Biophysics), Howard (Medicine) and Loma Linda (Internal Medicine residency) and the University of Arizona (Leadership and Health Diplomacy). He is a lifelong learner at the foot of the cross and through formal and informal courses selected to “improve his service. He co-founded the first academic Lifestyle Medicine Fellowship in the US, and has served as a medical missionary in India, the Middle East, and Latin America. He has learned a lot from serving in administrative leadership in US governmental and denominational systems, overseas mission hospitals, lifestyle centers and academic programs. He is a former Dean of Health Sciences at Montemorelos University and holds adjunct faculty appointments at three universities.
Dr. William Cork, D.Min, MPH©
William Cork is Assistant Director of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries for the North American Division, with responsibility for the Great Plains Region, consisting of the Mid-America and Southwestern Union Conferences. He spent twenty years as a chaplain in the National Guard and the US Army Reserve. In his final assignment he was part of the Strategic Initiatives Group at the Office of the Chief of Chaplains. In 2013 he deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He also has eleven years experience in full-time public campus ministry and taught world religions at a Houston area community college. He pastored for five years in the Texas Conference. He graduated from Atlantic Union College, began graduate study in church history at Loma Linda, and received his M.A. in church history and his M.Div. from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. He is currently a Master of Public Health student at University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, and is an active member of state and national suicide prevention organizations. Bill and his wife, Joy, live in Houston, TX, and have two young adult children, Andrew Cork and Aimee-Joy Hearn.
Dr. Kiti Freier Randall
Dr. Kiti Freier Randall is an internationally known Pediatric Neurodevelopmental Psychologist. Her passion is child advocacy as a means to promote optimal and healthy living.
She has dedicated her career to providing direct service and/or training to children, families, professionals, organizations and communities with a goal to enhance the physical, cognitive, emotional, and spiritual lives of children and their families. She is especially committed to ameliorating the trajectories of children in her local and global community. Through her work, she has facilitated moving from understanding risk to promoting resiliency via training in over 40 countries and throughout the United States.
Dr. Kiti has a considerable academic career with professorship positions at University of Miami, Brown University, Andrews University and Loma Linda University. In addition, she has extensive experience, spanning over 26 years, with infant, child, and adolescent populations, together with specialized expertise in the area of infant and toddler high risk populations, developmental disability, trauma, and pre and postnatal substance exposure.
Currently, Dr. Kiti is Director of Psychological Services for the Department of Pediatrics at Loma Linda University Health Care and Medical Director for the Inland Empire Autism Assessment Center of Excellence. In addition, she is also a professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Public Health at Loma Linda University as well as a consultant expert on high risk 0-5 year olds, for Children’s Network of San Bernardino County’ California. Dr. Kiti is a lead neurodevelopmental consultant for the six San Bernardino County SART centers (transdisciplinary 0-5 high risk clinics), as well as to Desert Mountain SELPA (education) and Inland Empire Health Plan (managed behavioral health care).
Additionally, Dr. Kiti is the author and director of the Trauma, Loss & Compassion (TLC™) program; a bereavement support group for preschoolers which has been implemented in San Bernardino County Preschools for 7 years. Alongside her development of TLC™, she has also designed and implemented ‘Time-In™’ strategies to assist schools in enhancing social/emotional development and learning.
Dr. Kiti is a Board Member for the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children, Making A Difference Association, and the International Commission for the Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug Dependency. She is a member of the Advisory Committee for Prevention Partnership International, and DEC Canada Steering Committee.
Dr. Fred Hardinge, DrPH, RD
Fred Hardinge, DrPH, RD is an ordained pastor who has focused his ministry on church/community based health outreach in North America and internationally. He is currently Associate Health Ministries Director of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He is married to April, has two adult children, and four grandchildren.
Maria McClean, RN
Maria McClean, Director, Health and Prayer Ministries, Ontario Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
Registered nurse, clinical chaplain, pastoral counsellor, educator
Member of the Health and Prayer Ministries Advisories for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada
Patient and Family Advisor volunteer for the William Osler Hospital System
Dr. Duane McBride, PhD
Executive Director, Institute for Prevention of Addictions & Director, Center for Drug Policy Research
Dr. McBride joined the Department of Behavioral Sciences in 1986. His areas of expertise are criminology and drug abuse, and he has been published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, Journal of Drug Issues, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Criminology, Journal of Criminal Justice, International Journal of Criminology and Penology, Youth and Society, Human Organization, Addictive Diseases: An International Journal, British Journal of Addiction, Chemical Dependencies: Behavioral and Biomedical Issues, and Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine. Dr. McBride has also authored two books: Legal and Illicit Drug Use: Determining Drug Abuse Treatment Needs and Drug Use and the Courts. His current research is in the areas of juvenile delinquency and the AIDS virus infection of IV drug-users. He has membership in the American Sociological Association and the American Public Health Association. Currently he is co-principal investigator on a Health Services Research Center funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and chairs a grant review committee for the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Dr. McBride currently teaches the following courses: Criminology, Introduction to Sociology, Drug Use in American Society, Theories of Addictive Behavior, and Juvenile Delinquency. He has received a variety of awards for his teaching, research and contributions to Andrews University.
Teresa Nelson, BSN, RN
Teresa is a graduate of Loma Linda University, has worked as a med/surg nurse, as a public health nurse, then transitioned to maternal-child health, working in labor, delivery, postpartum as well as outpatient OB/GYN. In 1998 she responded to an opportunity to transition to the specialty practice of Faith Community Nursing, served as Faith Community Nurse Coordinator for Adventist Health, and coordinated the Faith Community Nurse/Health Ministry outreach program for Adventist Health Sonora for ten years.
Dr. David and Beverly Sedlacek
Dr. David and Beverly Sedlacek, Co-Founders of Into HIS Rest Ministries, are a happily married Christian couple, with over six decades of combined clinical practice that uses biblical principles as the source for emotional healing and an “ebony/ivory” approach to counseling.
David Sedlacek, Ph.D. LCSW, CFLE is passionate about ministering to hurting people. He loves using biblical principles to integrate faith and practice. His more than 40 years of experience as a therapist, pastor, educator, author, administrator and researcher is reflected in his writings and teaching as CEO of Into HIS Rest Ministries. He is Professor of Family Ministry and Discipleship at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. He is the Co-Author of the book, Cleansing the Sanctuary of the Heart: Tools for Emotional Healing as well as the accompanying workbook.
Beverly Sedlacek, DNP, PMHCNS-BC, is a gifted speaker, therapist, author and educator with nearly 40 years of experience. Like her husband, Beverly shares a passion for ministering to hurting people, connecting the hearts of those in need of emotional healing to Jesus Christ. She is Clinical Director of Into HIS Rest Ministries and in private practice. Beverly is also in private practice counseling hurting individuals. She loves developing materials and practical tools to help others in need of emotional healing. Beverly is a much sought after speaker at churches, seminars and retreats for women. Along with her husband David, she co-authored Cleansing the Sanctuary of the Heart: Tools for Emotional Healing as well as the accompanying workbook.
Ingrid Slikkers, LMSW, CCTP, CFTP
Ingrid Weiss Slikkers, LMSW (Clinical & Macro), CCTP, joined the Andrews Social Work Department in 2016 having practiced social work since the early-1990’s. She comes from an Argentinean/Uruguayan pastoral family having lived in various places including overseas. Early in her career she worked at a homeless shelter, juvenile detention center, specialized summer camps, and at a psychiatric hospital for children. After receiving her graduate degree, she worked as a child and family therapist for many years focusing on the treatment of trauma, loss, and family issues. She is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and part of the International Association of Trauma Professionals. Slikkers has significant experience doing and advocating for culturally appropriate therapy within multi-cultural groups doing concentrated work within the Latino community. Prior to coming to Andrews, she served as a program manager for Southwest Michigan Bethany Christian Services shifting from a clinical therapist position to management and development of programs to serve immigrants and refugees. Most recently, Slikkers has been involved with leadership and development of the new International Center for Trauma Education and Care additionally facilitating the School of Social Work to function as a Trauma – Informed organization (as proposed by SAMHSA) and supporting infusing trauma awareness within each course taught by the school. She is a Trust Based Relational Intervention Practitioner (TBRI).
She is married, has two young adult sons, a new daughter-in-law, and enjoys reading and traveling. Having been involved in children and family church ministries and education, she is daily in awe of the intersection of faith and science and the hope and healing this brings.
Catherine Walsh
Catherine Walsh is a wife, mom, nana, and a Holistic Health Practitioner in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. She does Live blood analysis, lifestyle management, and encourages people to be the best that they can be. Catherine is currently the Maritime Conference Health Ministries Director.
Seminar Presenters
Dr. Tabitha Abel
Tabitha Abel is now retired from a career in midwifery, critical care nursing, teaching and public health. She worked in maternal-child health for ADRA in the Republic of Armenia after graduating from Loma Linda School of Public Health with a doctorate in health education. In 2015, she co-founded the Association for Sexual Abuse Prevention International to assist teens and young adults who find themselves with an unwanted sexual attraction to children, and is excited that research is building that provides hope and supports professional mental health therapy for minor-attracted people which in turn reduces the risk of sexual maltreatment in children.
Jason M. Aragón Castillo, MPH
Jason M. Aragón Castillo has spent 20 years working with wellness programs in universities, teaching lifestyle interventions to university students (nutrition, exercise, stress management, and addictions). Aragon is the former secretary of WSKW (Western Society for Kinesiology & Wellness, and an international speaker and personal trainer. He specializes in sports disciplines (swimming, basketball, and track and field). Aragon is the founder and vice president of the Mexican College of LM (CoMeMEV). He currently serves as the president-elect of a network of public and private health-promoting universities in the country of Mexico, with the collaboration of PAHO/WHO (Red Mexicana de Universidades Promotoras de la Salud).
Tiffany Bartell, LPC, MHSP
Tiffany received her master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. Tiffany is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Mental Health Service Provider in the state of Tennessee and National Certified Counselor. She is a Certified Clinical Telemental Health Provider, is EMDR trained through PTI and has completed Gottman Level 1 and 2 trainings for couples therapy.
Individual clients of all ages with a variety of issues welcome Tiffany’s intuitive touch and care. Using an integrative approach, tailored to meet the need of each client, Tiffany has a passion for helping individuals and couples work through the challenges of life. Clients with anxiety, stress and depression or those with issues in relationships, transitions, parenting, trauma, self-esteem and abuse can find assistance and partnership in her care. Tiffany brings compassion and empathy to each therapy session, and has a focus on developing strengths and promoting personal growth for her clients. Tiffany lives in the Chattanooga area with her husband, two children and dog.
Dr. Torben Bergland, MD
Dr. Torben Bergland is one of the Associate Directors of the Health Ministries Department of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the global headquarter of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He is originally from Norway and comes from a pastoral family. As a lay member he has served as a Youth leader, Sabbath School leader and an ordained elder in local churches. Dr. Bergland holds his M.D. from Copenhagen University, Denmark. He did his residency in psychiatry at the Modum Bad Clinic, Oslo University Hospital and Vestre Viken hospitals, Norway. He trained as a psychotherapist at the Institute for Psychotherapy, Oslo, Norway. As a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, he has taken a special interest in working with patients with depression, anxiety and personality disorders, as well as integrating relational, religious and existential perspectives in psychotherapy. He served as Chair of the Depression Department at Modum Bad, Vikersund, Norway, an esteemed private hospital run by a Christian foundation that specializes in psychotherapeutic treatment and research. In 2015, he accepted the call as Health Ministries Director of the Trans-European Division based in St Albans, England. In 2018, he transferred to the General Conference as Associate Director with a special focus on mental health, and the health and wellbeing of church workers. He considers it to be a great privilege to serve God and the Church through the gifts he has been given. He enjoys and prioritizes spending time with friends and family. He is a cyclist, runner, skier, and has climbed nine 4,000+ meter (13,000+ ft) mountains in the Alps, among them Mont Blanc (4810 m/15,780 ft), the highest mountain in Western Europe.
Nestor Bruno
Nestor started his studies in South Africa and continued them in Argentina (where he is from) obtaining his theology degree and his license as a psychologist at River Plate Adventist University. He holds Mental Health Certifications from M.R.I., Palo Alto (Systemic Therapy); University of Barcelona (Group Therapy) and EMDR Institute, USA (PTSD and trauma treatment).
For the past 14 years he has combined clinical and pastoral work as a chaplain and psychologist in England, Brazil, Argentina and at Kettering Health Network. Before coming to Kettering, he was the director of Chaplaincy Ministries at a network of 4 behavioral health hospitals, in Buenos Aires, Argentina where he also developed his private practice.
He has been a psychology professor in River Plate Adventist University (Argentina) and invited professor at Chillan Adventist University (Chile).
Now he is the Director for MinistryCare and Mision&Ministry department at Kettering Health in Ohio.
Miriam Feese, LCSW
Miriam is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California, graduate of University of Michigan School of Social Work with a Master’s in Social Work. She is currently employed as a counselor and Behavioral Health Integration manager at Stallant Health clinic, a Seventh-day Adventist run Rural Health Center in Northern California. She has experience in individual counseling (depression, anxiety, trauma, co-dependency, parenting, conflict resolution, and other relationship and spiritual issues) and couple’s and family counseling. Her approach addresses the whole person (physical, mental, and spiritual) and follows evidence-based practices, such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy.
Dr. Roy Gaton, DMin., BCCC
Dr. Roy Gaton is a pastor, marriage and family therapist , chaplain, and professor. Currently Dr. Gaton serves as professor of pastoral care & counseling and director of counseling services at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University. Prior to joining the faculty at the seminary, he served as director of pastoral care for Baptist Health South Florida, senior pastor at New Community Church, and as a professional counselor in private practice in Miami, Fla., with specialties in marriage & family counseling, spiritual counseling, and life coaching. In addition to his work as a chaplain, pastor, and counseling practitioner, Dr. Gaton holds teaching appointments at Loma Linda University, Loma Linda University Medical School, and Florida International University Medical School. Before going to south Florida, Dr. Gaton served as administrative director of spiritual life & pastoral care at Castle Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, and also as family ministries director for the Hawaii Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Before moving to Hawaii, Dr. Gaton served as senior chaplain at Glendale Adventist Medical Center in Glendale, California. Dr. Gaton is also a certified bereavement facilitator and educator, and has specialized training in clinical ministry (clinical pastoral education), chemical dependency treatment, and spiritual formation.
Dr. Gaton has the distinction of serving as team chaplain for the Los Angeles Dodgers (major league baseball) and Glendale Police department in Glendale, California.
Dr. Gaton received a B.A. with a double major in theology & Spanish literature, and a Master of Divinity from Andrews University. He also has a Doctor of Ministry degree in pastoral care & counseling from the Claremont School of Theology. Dr. Gaton completed a clinical residency in clinical pastoral education at Florida Hospital in Orlando, Fla. and is a Diplomate in psychotherapy with the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy.
Dr. Daniel Giang, MD
CONDITIONS TREATED
- Multiple sclerosis
- Optic neuritis
- Sarcoidosis
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
MEDICAL SCHOOL
- Loma Linda University School of Medicine
RESIDENCY
- Loma Linda University Health, Internal Medicine
- Strong Memorial Hospital, Neurology
FELLOWSHIP
- Strong Memorial Hospital, Behavioral Neurology
BOARD CERTIFICATIONS
- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Neurology
Zachary Ginder, PsyD, MSW
Dr. Zachary Ginder has a passion for service to others, which is exemplified by his direct practice and leadership within the fields of health, human services, and education. His experience comprises a diverse portfolio of work in healthcare, homeless and residential services, and educational settings; service populations include families and children experiencing homelessness, runaway and foster youth, transitional age youth, early through post-secondary education students, neurodiverse populations, employee assistance and organizational settings, and individuals, children, and families impacted by HIV/AIDs.
Dr. Ginder has also been an educator in post-secondary and graduate level settings, and a presenter for workshops and conferences on topics related to caregiver and healthcare provider stress reduction, workplace wellness, and contemplative practices. He holds a Doctorate in Psychology and a Master’s in Social Work. He is currently the Executive Director of the Inland Empire Autism Assessment Center of Excellence (AAC), a non-profit organization providing the gold standard in autism and neurodevelopmental evaluation.
Samantha Graham, MSW, LICSW, LISW-CP
Samantha Graham received her Masters in Social Work from Southern Adventist University in 2015. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in the state of Washington and a Licensed Independent Social Worker-Clinical Practice (LISW-CP) in South Carolina. She has worked with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault for the past 6 years in Washington, and is currently transitioning to a group practice in South Carolina working with various populations and issues. She also has experience working with eating disorders, substance abuse, and various mental health diagnoses. Samantha is passionate about healing from trauma and utilizing holistic approaches, and believes the Bible holds so much healing for those who have experienced trauma. She is excited to open up the dialogue about trauma and healing and what role the church can play.
Nadia Hasse, RN, BSN
Nadia Hasse received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Weimar University. She now works as a case manager for the Substance Use Disorder treatment program at Stallant Health in Weimar, CA. She aims to bring physical, emotional, and spiritual health to each patient using God’s methods of healing.
Dr. Gary Hopkins, PhD
Associate Director, Institute for Prevention of Addictions & Director, Center for Prevention Research
Dr. Jill Kahli, Ph.D., LMFT, LMHC, CPA
Dr. Jill Kahli is a rare combination of an accomplished businesswoman, entrepreneur, CPA, and psychologist. She has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and decades of experience through her work for a fortune 500 company, the founding of a CPA practice, becoming a forensic accountant, and joining forces with her husband to build the Avalon Park traditional neighborhood communities. Her professional expertise, along with her life experience as a wife and mother of biological and adopted children allows her to bring unique perspectives and insights to her research and clinical work in psychology. She earned her PhD in psychology for her research on the topic of humility. She is a devout Christian and deeply loves God.
Dr. Michael Lombardo, DMin, BCC, CCISM
Michael Lombardo is now retired from a 42-year career in pastoral care in the church, prison, and hospital setting. He received his Doctor of Ministry from Andrews University in 2004 focusing much of his research on grief facilitation. Mike has facilitated more than sixty 6-week grief support groups over the past 40 years and has taught various seminars on grief support and crisis intervention throughout his career. Mike is married to Mona Lombardo and they live near their daughter, Rachel, and two grandchildren, Bradley who is 12, and Lily who is 10 years of age.Dr. Duane McBride, PhD
Executive Director, Institute for Prevention of Addictions & Director, Center for Drug Policy Research
Dr. McBride joined the Department of Behavioral Sciences in 1986. His areas of expertise are criminology and drug abuse, and he has been published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, Journal of Drug Issues, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Criminology, Journal of Criminal Justice, International Journal of Criminology and Penology, Youth and Society, Human Organization, Addictive Diseases: An International Journal, British Journal of Addiction, Chemical Dependencies: Behavioral and Biomedical Issues, and Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine. Dr. McBride has also authored two books: Legal and Illicit Drug Use: Determining Drug Abuse Treatment Needs and Drug Use and the Courts. His current research is in the areas of juvenile delinquency and the AIDS virus infection of IV drug-users. He has membership in the American Sociological Association and the American Public Health Association. Currently he is co-principal investigator on a Health Services Research Center funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and chairs a grant review committee for the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Dr. McBride currently teaches the following courses: Criminology, Introduction to Sociology, Drug Use in American Society, Theories of Addictive Behavior, and Juvenile Delinquency. He has received a variety of awards for his teaching, research and contributions to Andrews University.
Dr. Ernesto P. Medina, DrPH
Ernie Medina, Jr. graduated from Andrews University, and went on to complete his Masters in Public Health (MPH)-Health Education and his Doctorate in Public Health (DrPH)-Preventive Care from Loma Linda Univ. School of Public Health in 1993. For over 21 years, he worked in health education at Beaver Medical Group, focusing on weight loss, diabetes, smoking cessation, and stress management. He led small group classes and saw patients one-on-one for lifestyle behavior change.
In 2014, Dr. Medina, Jr. came back to LLU School of Public Health to join the faculty, teaching in the Masters in Health Education and Wellness Coaching program, and the DrPH in Preventive Care program. He’s also the Alumni Representative for the SPH Alumni Association.
He’s a certified exercise physiologist with the American College of Sports Medicine, and a board certified health and wellness coach with the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaches. Finally, he works with various LLU employee wellness programs for diabetes prevention and smoking cessation. In the summer, he helps lead out in a pediatric obesity summer camp called Operation Fit, a program that teaches health living to kids.
Dr. Medina, Jr., nicknamed the “Physical Activity Evangelist”, and his family practice what they preach when it comes to physical activity. He currently coaches a kid’s mountain biking club on weekly rides, while also heavily involved with pickleball as board member on the national governing body, USA Pickleball, a USA Pickleball Ambassador, and a certified pickleball coach.
Finally, he is an adjunct professor at LaSierra Univ and Crafton Hills College where he teaches pickleball classes and guest lectures for various health classes. His wife, Keri, teaches in the LLU School of Nursing and is an avid runner, and his daughter, Summer, is a video producer/editor for Loma Linda Univ Church Media team and is also a runner and mountain biker. They have 2 dogs, Roxy and Davy.
Dr. Fayth L. Butler, Ph.D.
Fayth L. Miles Butler, PhD, is an assistant professor and investigator at Loma Linda University with appointments in the School of Public Health and the School of Medicine. She is conducting research with the Adventist Health Study-2 cohort, examining the interplay of lifestyle factors with biological alterations, particularly the association of dietary patterns with metabolic and genomic signatures that can predict disease states. She also has expertise in the gut microbiome, which hugely impacts physical and mental health. She is hopeful that her research will translate into lifestyle and therapeutic interventions to promote wellness and address health disparities.
Dr. Eddie Ramirez, MD
Dr. Eddie Ramirez, @EddieRDMD, is a medical doctor, research scientist, published author and international speaker. He is the director of HealthWhy’s Lifestyle Medicine which serves as the health ministries department of the Pennsylvania conference. Dr. Ramirez major research interest has been how food and lifestyle can prevent and reverse physical and mental disease. This research has resulted in over 140 publications which he has shared in 86 countries. He is in the editorial board of the journal Frontiers in Psychology. His work has been featured on NBC’s Texoma , Icelandic National TV, Ecuavision & KBC in Kenya. He is the author of Pandemic Busters and a co-author of the 3rd edition of the textbook of Lifestyle Medicine and also the book Rethink Food together with Neal Barnard, Michael Greger, Hans Diehl, Joel Furhman and other lifestyle medicine leaders. He enjoys traveling and serving others with his family.
Dr. Donna Scott, MD
Donna J. Scott is a board certified psychiatrist who is currently semi-retired. She was trained in the city of Detroit—in its streets as well as its schools of higher education. Her undergraduate degree is in Biology. She finished medical school for her Doctor of Medicine degree from Wayne State University. Donna’s psychiatry certification was achieved at a Christian psychiatric hospital that was affiliated with Ohio State University. For many years, she worked in private practice in Ohio and then in Georgia. She later moved to a small, southern city in Alabama in order to be near her grandchildren. There, she worked more in the community and learned the more practical side of grief. Donna learned that grief is more than an experience that should end in approximately six months. Instead, grief is a journey that, once embarked upon, can remarkably enhance your relationship with God and help you develop into a new and fulfilled person with a mission.Dr. David and Beverly Sedlacek
Dr. David and Beverly Sedlacek, Co-Founders of Into HIS Rest Ministries, are a happily married Christian couple, with over six decades of combined clinical practice that uses biblical principles as the source for emotional healing and an “ebony/ivory” approach to counseling.
David Sedlacek, Ph.D. LCSW, CFLE is passionate about ministering to hurting people. He loves using biblical principles to integrate faith and practice. His more than 40 years of experience as a therapist, pastor, educator, author, administrator and researcher is reflected in his writings and teaching as CEO of Into HIS Rest Ministries. He is Professor of Family Ministry and Discipleship at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. He is the Co-Author of the book, Cleansing the Sanctuary of the Heart: Tools for Emotional Healing as well as the accompanying workbook.
Beverly Sedlacek, DNP, PMHCNS-BC, is a gifted speaker, therapist, author and educator with nearly 40 years of experience. Like her husband, Beverly shares a passion for ministering to hurting people, connecting the hearts of those in need of emotional healing to Jesus Christ. She is Clinical Director of Into HIS Rest Ministries and in private practice. Beverly is also in private practice counseling hurting individuals. She loves developing materials and practical tools to help others in need of emotional healing. Beverly is a much sought after speaker at churches, seminars and retreats for women. Along with her husband David, she co-authored Cleansing the Sanctuary of the Heart: Tools for Emotional Healing as well as the accompanying workbook.
Dr. Jonathan B. Singer, Ph.D., LCSW
Jonathan B. Singer, Ph.D., LCSW is Associate Professor of Social Work at Loyola University Chicago, Past-President of the American Association of Suicidology and coauthor of the 2015 Routledge text, Suicide in Schools: A Practitioner’s Guide to Multi-level Prevention, Assessment, Intervention, and Postvention. He is a two-time winner of the National Association of Social Workers Media Award (2012 and 2016). He was a 2014 Visiting Scholar at Fordham University, the 2017 Lucille N. Austin Scholar at Columbia University, and the 2018 Distinguished Lecturer at Weber State University.
Dr. Singer is a well-regarded international speaker who has given hundreds of continuing education workshops, keynote addresses, and presentations on youth suicide, ethics, technology, adolescent development and attachment-based family therapy in the USA, Latin America, Asia, and Europe. He is the author of over 75 publications and his research has been featured in national and international media outlets like NPR, BBC, Fox, Time magazine, and The Guardian. His co-authored article with Arielle Sheftall and John Ackerman about the news media’s reporting on the suicide deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain won the prestigious 2019 SDX prize for research on journalism. He is an NASW Expert, Healio Psychiatry Peer Perspective Board member, and on several national youth advisory boards including Sandy Hook Promise, JED Foundation, Suicide Prevention Resource Center, and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
A pioneer in the integration of technology and social work, Dr. Singer is an original member of the online suicide prevention social media community #SPSM, past-Treasurer for the international human services Information Technology association, co-lead for the Social Work Grand Challenge initiative “Harness Technology for Social Good“, and member of CSWE’s Technology Advisory Group. Dr. Singer is the founder and host of the award-winning Social Work Podcast, the first podcast by and for social workers. The Social Work Podcast has over 40,000 followers on social media, listeners in 208 countries and territories, and a million podcast episode downloads per year. He lives in Evanston, IL with his wife and three children and can be found on Twitter as @socworkpodcast and Facebook at facebook.com/swpodcast.
Dr. Curtis VanderWaal, PhD, MSW
Curtis VanderWaal, PhD, MSW, is Chair and Professor of Social Work at Andrews University, where he has taught since 1990. He is also Director of the Center for Community Impact Research at the Institute for Prevention of Addictions. He teaches classes in drug and alcohol addiction and treatment, values and ethics, and program evaluation. The majority of his research has focused on addiction treatment, prevention and faith-based ministries and he regularly publishes and presents in these areas. He has completed numerous program evaluations, including projects for the United Way of Southwest Michigan, Christian Record Services for the Blind, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the National Institute of Justice, and the DeVos Family Foundations.
VanderWaal received his Master of Social Work (MSW) degree in 1987 from The University of Michigan and his Ph.D. in Social Welfare in 1995 from Case Western Reserve University, in Cleveland, Ohio. He currently serves on the board of Caring Circle, providing hospice and grief services to Berrien County.
Sabbath Program Presenters
Dr. Angeline Brauer
Dr. Brauer has served as the Health Ministries Director for the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists since 2016. She holds a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree in Nutrition from Loma Linda University School of Public Health and a Master of Health Science (MHS) in Epidemiology from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She previously worked at the Seventh-day Adventist Guam Clinic as wellness director and dietitian, and at Johns Hopkins as a senior research assistant.
As a public health epidemiologist, her role at the NAD includes producing health content on a variety of topics, championing the work of health professionals, training lay members, providing health resources and mentorship for college students, advising NAD administrators on health-related issues, facilitating collaboration among Adventist organizations, and communicating with governmental leaders on the Adventist Church’s health resources. Dr. Brauer believes that healthy living should be practical, understandable, and enjoyable for everyone. She believes that comprehensive health work includes physical, mental, social, and spiritual wellbeing, and that all of us have a vital part to play in ministering hope and wholeness to our communities.
She enjoys going on adventures with her husband Jonathan, cooking, working on craft projects, taking long walks, teaching, and playing with her nieces and nephews.
Dr. Carlos Fayard, PhD
Dr. Carlos Fayard, PhD, has been a practicing clinical psychologist for over 30 years. He is an associate professor of psychiatry, chair of thepsychiatry & religion program, director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Training and Community Mental Health, and director of the clinical psychology internship at the department of psychiatry, Loma Linda University School of Medicine. He is the head of the behavioral health integration service at Riverside University Health System, and a consultant for the Pan American Health Organization Mental Health Action Plan 2015-2020. He edited A Christian Worldview and Mental Health: Seventh-Day Adventist Perspective (Andrews University Press, 2011) and Vida Abudante: Psicologia Positiva desde la Cosmovision Cristiana (Editorial Universidad de Montemorelos, 2014), and is the author of Christian Principles for the Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (Westbow Press, 2017) and Corazon Tranquilo (Inter American Division Publishing Association, 2021—also available in English and French).
Jaime Jorge
Born in Cuba in 1970, Jaime began violin studies at age five. When he was ten, Jaime’s family immigrated to the United States and he began lessons with the eminent violinist Cyrus Forough, a student of the great David Oistrakh.
Jaime’s mom wanted him to be a violinist, but he dreamed of becoming a missionary doctor. When he entered college in 1988, he began to take all the pre-med courses, in order to prepare to go to Medical School. In 1992, Jaime was accepted into the University Of Illinois Medical School, but into his second year of Medical School, Jaime felt the Lord’s call to leave medical school for a life of service dedicated to music ministry. The rest, is history in the making, for God’s honor and glory.
Jennifer LaMountain
Thousands worldwide have witnessed the grace and passion of Jennifer’s ministry. The beauty and energy of her music is contagious. She bubbles over with enthusiasm. “Our God is so amazing,” she says, “and with a Friend so precious – how can I keep from singing?” From her first church solo at age three, to her roles in opera, to regular appearances on religious television and worldwide satellite programming, Jennifer continues to inspire listeners. Since 1993, Jennifer has been a featured artist on radio and television and appears on numerous religious programs in the United States, Canada and worldwide. She has sung from many of the major halls and stages in the world to numerous churches and special events, including the Crystal Cathedral, Manhatten Center, The St. Louis Busch Stadium, PICC ……and the list goes on. Jennifer is proud to be representing the media ministry of “Faith For Today”. Jennifer is also an Artist Associate with World Vision and regularly speaks on their behalf.
Kelly Mowrer
Speaker, writer, and concert pianist, Kelly founded and heads Live at the Well, a ministry encouraging others in the joy of practical, vital friendship with God. With over 20 years in full time ministry, Kelly conducts seminars at churches, conference retreats, and camp meetings around the country.
Her solo piano concerts are worship events interweaving music with Scripture passages and stories of music throughout the history of the church brought alive with practical application for today.
Kelly lives with her husband and two sons in TN.
Pastor John Rengifo
John Rengifo is the Lead Pastor at Ellicott City Seventh-day Adventist Church. His first experience in ministry came by knocking on doors, studying the Bible with people, and building friendships. His passion is helping people grow to become effective in personal and public evangelism. John and his wife Denny live in Columbia, MD and have three children.
Trainings Presenters
Your Content Goes Here
Jonathan Betlinski, M.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Oregon Health & Science University, where he also gets to be the Director of the Division of Public Psychiatry. Among other projects, he serves as Medical Director for the Oregon Psychiatric Access Line about Adults, as Clinical Advisor to the Oregon ECHO Network, as Program Committee Chair for the Oregon Psychiatric Physicians Association, and as a certified trainer for adult and youth Mental Health First Aid. Dr. Betlinski believes in the power of family, community, relationship, diverse perspectives, multi-disciplinary approaches, theater, being outdoors, a good night’s sleep, and leaving the world better for having spent time in it.
Dr. Angeline Brauer
Dr. Brauer has served as the Health Ministries Director for the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists since 2016. She holds a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree in Nutrition from Loma Linda University School of Public Health and a Master of Health Science (MHS) in Epidemiology from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She previously worked at the Seventh-day Adventist Guam Clinic as wellness director and dietitian, and at Johns Hopkins as a senior research assistant.
As a public health epidemiologist, her role at the NAD includes producing health content on a variety of topics, championing the work of health professionals, training lay members, providing health resources and mentorship for college students, advising NAD administrators on health-related issues, facilitating collaboration among Adventist organizations, and communicating with governmental leaders on the Adventist Church’s health resources. Dr. Brauer believes that healthy living should be practical, understandable, and enjoyable for everyone. She believes that comprehensive health work includes physical, mental, social, and spiritual wellbeing, and that all of us have a vital part to play in ministering hope and wholeness to our communities.
She enjoys going on adventures with her husband Jonathan, cooking, working on craft projects, taking long walks, teaching, and playing with her nieces and nephews.
Dr. Des Cummings
Des Cummings MDiv, PHD, has served in all three areas of Christ’s ministry, as a Pastor/Youth Director, AU Seminary Professor, and AdventHealth Executive. He has authored or co-authored 8 books. Des lead the design team for the “Hospital of the Future” in the Disney city of Celebration and has received 2 recognitions for his work in designing healthy communities. A Honorary Doctorate in Health Education (D.H.Ed), from AdventHealth University and the John Maxwell Leadership award for Health and Wellness. Mary Lou and Des have 2 children, Derek Cummings and Tracy Beaulieu who have blessed them with 4 grandchildren. The “Psychology of Love” principles continue to be the basis of their family life and passion for sharing God’s plan for renewing our minds.
Ashley R. Dillon, M.A. Clinical Therapist, Certified PCIT Therapist, LPC-MHSP
Ashley graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2011 with a Bachelor’s in Psychology. She went on to graduate with Master’s in Professional Counseling from Richmont Graduate University in 2015 where she specialized in children and adolescents. Ashley completed her clinical internship at the Richmont Community Counseling Center in Chattanooga under the supervision of Dr. Bill McGee. She became certified in Parent Child Interaction Therapy in 2016. Ashley has also completed training in counseling juveniles with sexually offending behaviors through the Juvenile Sexual Offending Counselor Certification Program at the Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville. She worked as a clinical therapist for a local community mental health center beginning in the fall of 2015 to the spring of 2017. Ashley started work at the Transformation Center in the spring of 2017, where she primarily works with children, adolescents, and families. Her passions include seeing communities transformed through individual and family healing, working with children to increase resiliency skills, and helping teenagers make meaning of and overcome past traumas in order to live successful productive lives in the future. In her spare time Ashley enjoys spending time with friends and family, hiking, and cooking.
Stephen Eccles, MSc, MSA
Stephen currently works as a Chaplain for Kettering Health in Ohio after previously working in the IT industry for 25 years in the UK and Europe. He has a Masters in Community Development from Andrews University where he focused on developing community-based support programs for those suffering from addiction issues. He has been an active member of recovery groups for over 15 years and has helped to establish several new groups. His involvement was prompted by his own personal suffering with more than one addiction and then finding recovery through the 12-Step program, and the power of God that he encountered during that process. He participates in a number of 12-Step groups each week in Ohio and online.
Michael Harpe
Michael Anthony Harpe is the director of Stewardship Ministries for the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists.
Elder Harpe is an ordained minister of the gospel. He served the South Central Conference for 28 years before being called to serve the North American Division on December 1, 2019. His 28 years of conference service included 12 years in pastoral ministry, four years in education as a chaplain and high school Bible teacher for Oakwood Adventist Academy (K-12), and 13 years as a departmental director, at times, in overlapping capacities: communication (7 years); Planned Giving & Trust Services (10 years); ASI (10 years), and, finally, Stewardship Ministries (7 years).
He is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and was baptized at age 12 during an evangelistic tent meeting.
Elder Harpe’s life in ministry began in 1985, serving as youth pastor under the leadership of Pastor S. T. Lewis at the Glenville Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cleveland, Ohio. Later, while matriculating at Oakwood College (now Oakwood University), he served as a church intern, assisting Pastor E. C. Ward at Oakwood Church in Huntsville, Ala. He graduated in 1991 with dual Bachelor of Arts degrees: theology with a minor in biblical languages, and mathematics with a minor in business management. In 2005, he obtained his Master of Arts in homiletics and Church growth from Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tenn.
To educate the South Central constituency in all aspects of Christian stewardship, Elder Harpe developed “Stewardship Breathe” seminars and workshops inspired by Psalm 31:6–8 (MSB): “…I’m leaping and singing in the circle of your love; you saw my pain, you disarmed my tormentors. You didn’t leave me in their clutches but gave me room to breathe.”
Harpe is happily married, since 1983, to his girlfriend Selita Atchley of Charleston, W.V. Selita is Elder Harpe’s partner in life and ministry. Her contributions to the ministry are innumerable.
Elder Harpe believes God’s generosity is revolutionary and relational. It is because of our relationship with Him that we delight to partner with Him in funding the mission—to share the everlasting gospel with the world. Our relationship between ourselves as stewards (life managers) and the Creator (Owner) is the foundation of biblical stewardship. Stewardship is not just about money. Relational generosity must be emphasized first. God (Owner) has given us dominion over His possessions, so we must remain in close relationship with Him for guidance. Faithful management of His stuff is relevant and woven into every aspect of life.
Orlan Johnson, JD
Prior to Mr. Johnson’s appointment to serve as NAD Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Director, he was a partner at Saul Ewing, and co-chair of the Securities Transactions & Regulations Practice Group. Mr. Johnson was of counsel at Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy, LLP where he served as co-head of its regulatory practice in the Washington, D.C. office and worked on federal and state disclosure issues for corporate governance issues related to executive leadership positions at energy and other regulated industry companies. Previously he served nine years as Staff Attorney & Branch Chief in the Division of Investment Management for the United States Security Exchange Commission. In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Johnson was appointed by President Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to be the Chairman of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC).
Mr. Johnson received his B.A. degree from Andrews University (National Honor) and his J.D. from Howard University, Washington, D.C.
He and his wife Zina have three children.
Dr. Jill Kahli
Dr. Jill Kahli is a rare combination of an accomplished businesswoman, entrepreneur, CPA, and psychologist. She has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and decades of experience through her work for a fortune 500 company, the founding of a CPA practice, becoming a forensic accountant, and joining forces with her husband to build the Avalon Park traditional neighborhood communities. Her professional expertise, along with her life experience as a wife and mother of biological and adopted children allows her to bring unique perspectives and insights to her research and clinical work in psychology. She earned her PhD in psychology for her research on the topic of humility. She is a devout Christian and deeply loves God.
Esther Knott
Esther R. Knott, Associate Director for the NAD Ministerial Department, is the newly appointed Director for the InMinistry Center at Andrews University, Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. In her new role, Esther will direct the division’s efforts to support local conferences in building a comprehensive, sustainable continuing education system for pastors, with similar standing and expectations that are required of professionals in other fields. Esther’s previous focus, since 2009 has been on initiating division-wide special projects and providing support and professional development to more than 100 Adventist women clergy employed in various capacities across the Division.
Knott has been a pastor for more than 28 years. She has served as campus chaplain at Broadview Academy and Andrews University. From 1987 to 1990 she was the director of the NAD Education department’s Harvest 90 Education Project, where she developed a curriculum for teachers to use in educating Adventist K-12 students about early Adventist leaders and the history of Adventism. From 1990 to 1997 she was associate pastor at Sligo Church in Takoma Park, Maryland. There she encouraged evangelism, small group Bible study, and faithful stewardship. Esther also established and led the church’s women’s ministries program and for many years served as the minister of worship.
In 1997 Knott joined the staff at Pioneer Memorial Church at Andrews University, where for the last 16 years she has focused on congregational nurture, discipleship, small groups, personal evangelism and community engagement. This year, she and Dwight Nelson, senior pastor, along with the staff, launched a major initiative to move Pioneer into a strong small group model for intentional discipleship. In the first semester of the program, more than 800 members were involved weekly in small groups. “We as a university congregation have been especially blessed with Esther’s creative leadership,” Nelson said. “Her passion for ministry and soul-winning and her devotion to God have kept her on the cutting edge of pastoring, and I know she will significantly impact the new team she is joining. We will miss her!” Working with a team from Pioneer and AdventSource, Knott was a lead developer of Contagious Adventist, a new seminar that helps Adventists learn to recognize and create contagious Adventist moments where they can naturally introduce specific Adventist teachings to other Christians. Knott has also been very active in developing strong relationships with various organizations and agencies and leaders in the surrounding community through her involvement with Rotary, Big Brothers/Sisters, and Christian Worlds Services’ CROP Hunger Walk.
Knott holds a BA in religion and a MA in religious education from Andrews University. She is married to Ronald Alan Knott, who is director of Andrews University Press; the Adventist Church’s only regularly established academic publishing house, and the publisher of the Andrews Study Bible. The Knotts have one daughter, Olivia, a junior religion and communication major at Andrews University.
Derrick Lea
W. Derrick Lea serves as the Director of North American Division Adventist Community Services. His responsibilities focus on the Disaster Response, Emotional & Spiritual Care, and Young Adults Emergency Services Corps Ministries. He retired as Deputy Chief over operations after 20.5 years of service for the Prince George’s Country Fire/ EMS Department in 2011. Using the background developed in Public Safety, he began consulting and creating Development Plans for organizations. This led to the largest Muslim organization in the United States, Islamic Relief USA asking him to lead their effort in forming a Disaster Response Team. After 3 years of successful work assisting those experiencing crisis, the organization asked that he lead all of their US Programs, which included Community Engagement, Grants, and Disaster Relief work.
Additional service activities include serving on the Emotional/Spiritual care Committee for the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), working as a board member of the Community Blessings Center in Danville, VA along with working as past chair of the Maryland Emotional Spiritual care Committee. Derrick also holds certifications as an EMT B, Hazmat II and Executive Level credentials for County Government. Derrick has been married for 20 plus years, has two adult children, and his favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 3:6, in all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.
Dina R. Madrid, Dr.P.H., MSN, R.N.
Dr. Madrid received her doctorate in public health specializing in preventive care from Loma Linda University School of Public Health in 2000. She has been certified by the National Council for Behavioral Health, as a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor. Dr. Madrid knows how to recognize and respond to people who may be living with a mental health problem, or experiencing a crisis. In the late 1980s and during the 1990s she worked as a registered nurse in the field of behavioral health and substance abuse both at Katonah, NY and at Redlands, CA. Thereafter she served in Academia, attaining the rank of Professor and Chair of the School of Public Health at Montemorelos University in Nuevo León, Mexico. Dr. Madrid teaches others the skills and tools needed to provide the initial help to someone experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. She worked at Adventist HealthCare in clinical education and learning and professional development from 2007 until 2019. Currently she partners with Adventist HealthCare in community outreach both as a Faith Community Nurse and as an MHFA Instructor.
Steve & Karen Nicola
Steve and Karen Nicola have weathered the fierce storm of grief following the death of their first born, 3 year old son, Dawson. Today, they work together helping others discover the tools necessary to cooperate with God’s faithful healing for broken hearts. They also educate well-meaning friends with skills to confidently step close and comfort those who grieve.
Both Steve and Karen come to this ministry with nearly 40 years of classroom teaching. Karen’s roll in the team is the speaker, workshop instructor, grief coach, and author. Steve contributes to seminars and workshops with the male perspective. In addition he brings valuable wisdom and utilizes his skills as a terrific listener. As the Director of sales for their book, Comfort for the Day, Living Through the Seasons of Grief, he arranges for personal and bulk orders. Together, it is their passion to encourage others toward God’s healing and learning how to support those who mourn.
In their personal lives, Steve and Karen enjoy great vegetarian ethnic foods, riding their Goldwing motorcycle, and hosting friends and family. They have two fabulous adult children and two beloved granddaughters.
Gabriela Phillips
Gabriela Phillips serves as the coordinator for Adventist Muslim Relations in the North American Division. In this capacity, she describes her ministry as a two-arm human bridge. One arm is for mobilizing and equipping Adventists to develop Kingdom relationships with Muslims in the NAD territory by offering a particular understanding of God’s mission in these last days. The other arm serves to embrace Muslims, that they may come to taste the blessings of the gospel that makes us whole and gives us hope.
Gabriela Phillips believes that God, in His providence, has brought an amazing diversity of more than 50 Muslim people groups into our territory that, by engaging with them, we may reach the world. That’s part of God’s design for the diaspora movement in our territory. Gabriela and her family have dedicated more than 25 years to this ministry, and she currently is completing doctoral studies at Andrews University in the area of intercultural studies and Adventist mission.
In her capacity as NAD AMR coordinator, Gabriela offers training to local churches, assists in establishing interfaith events/relations, nurtures ministries that support refugees (in collaboration with Terri Salee, NAD coordinator for immigrant and refugee ministries), and mentors those serving on the front lines of Adventist Muslim Relations.
She is happily married to Marty Phillips and has two adult children who are special gifts to her life. You can contact her at gabrielaphillips@nadadventist.org.
Rudy Salazar
Elder Rudy Salazar is the Associate Director for Stewardship Ministries of the North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He grew up in Tijuana, Mexico, and came to the United States when he was 20 years old. Elder Salazar received a bachelor’s degree from Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. He also completed Master of Divinity and Doctorate in Pastoral Ministry degrees from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich. He has pastored churches in Arizona, California, and Oregon. Elder Salazar also did Trust and Stewardship work in the Oregon, Texas, and Central California Conferences. He met his wife, Janet Baden, in Lincoln, Neb. They have been married for 35 years and have two adult children. Pastor Rudy likes cooking, hiking, ping-pong, and likes to play scrabble and many other table games.
Terri Saelee
Terri Saelee has been working with refugees and immigrants in various capacities since 1982 when she was a student at Union College. She spent four years as a student missionary in Thailand working primarily among Lao, Hmong, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Mien, and Khamu refugees. Returning to the States to finish her education, she stumbled upon refugees who spoke the very languages she had learned in Southeast Asia and felt a life-long calling to cross-cultural ministry. Together with like-minded Weimar students, she launched SEARCH (Southeast Asian Refugee Community Helps), a joint outreach from Weimar College and the Sacramento Japanese Church. This grew into two refugee church plants—Lao and Hmong—in the Sacramento area. Terri has served as secretary of the Sacramento Area Refugee forum, job developer and employment service worker helping refugees find jobs, Asian Outreach Coordinator for a legal organization protecting the rights of people with disabilities, and has been church planting with her husband, Ko Saelee, among Lao and Hmong refugees since their marriage in 1995. They are now church planting with their three children among Hmong families living in Wisconsin where her husband is Hmong Coordinator for the Wisconsin Conference. Terri coordinates Adventist Refugee and Immigrant Ministries in the North America from their home in Rio, Wisconsin.
Dr. David Sedlacek
Dr. David and Beverly Sedlacek, Co-Founders of Into HIS Rest Ministries, are a happily married Christian couple, with over six decades of combined clinical practice that uses biblical principles as the source for emotional healing and an “ebony/ivory” approach to counseling.
David Sedlacek, Ph.D. LCSW, CFLE is passionate about ministering to hurting people. He loves using biblical principles to integrate faith and practice. His more than 40 years of experience as a therapist, pastor, educator, author, administrator and researcher is reflected in his writings and teaching as CEO of Into HIS Rest Ministries. He is Professor of Family Ministry and Discipleship at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. He is the Co-Author of the book, Cleansing the Sanctuary of the Heart: Tools for Emotional Healing as well as the accompanying workbook.
Ingrid Slikkers
Ingrid Weiss Slikkers, LMSW (Clinical & Macro), CCTP, joined the Andrews Social Work Department in 2016 having practiced social work since the early-1990’s. She comes from an Argentinean/Uruguayan pastoral family having lived in various places including overseas. Early in her career she worked at a homeless shelter, juvenile detention center, specialized summer camps, and at a psychiatric hospital for children. After receiving her graduate degree, she worked as a child and family therapist for many years focusing on the treatment of trauma, loss, and family issues. She is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and part of the International Association of Trauma Professionals. Slikkers has significant experience doing and advocating for culturally appropriate therapy within multi-cultural groups doing concentrated work within the Latino community. Prior to coming to Andrews, she served as a program manager for Southwest Michigan Bethany Christian Services shifting from a clinical therapist position to management and development of programs to serve immigrants and refugees. Most recently, Slikkers has been involved with leadership and development of the new International Center for Trauma Education and Care additionally facilitating the School of Social Work to function as a Trauma – Informed organization (as proposed by SAMHSA) and supporting infusing trauma awareness within each course taught by the school. She is a Trust Based Relational Intervention Practitioner (TBRI).
She is married, has two young adult sons, a new daughter-in-law, and enjoys reading and traveling. Having been involved in children and family church ministries and education, she is daily in awe of the intersection of faith and science and the hope and healing this brings.
Sarah Willis-Herndon, LPC-MHSP
Sarah Willis is licensed through the state of Tennessee as a Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Service Provider designation. Sarah received her Bachelor’s Degree in both Counseling and Bible at Johnson University. She received Master’s Degrees in both Marriage and Family Therapy along with Professional Counseling from Johnson University in 2005. Sarah has worked with children and families in a variety of settings ranging from crisis intervention to individual and family counseling in a community mental health setting as well as in a foster care agency. Sarah works with children, adolescents, and adults. She specializes in anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, grief and loss, stress, life transitions, anger, and trauma. Sarah is passionate about working with individuals who are struggling with trauma and help them process those memories so they can become the best version of themselves. She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as well as Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Sarah has also been trained in Play Therapy.
Lynval Williams
Lynval Williams is a native of the beautiful island of Jamaica and currently resides in Frederick, Maryland. Lynval is married to the former Daniella Daley and they are the proud parents of Enoch and Zoe.
Lynval currently serves as a chaplain at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center in Behavioral Health Services. He is also an elder at Wheaton Seventh-day Adventist Church and a certified Mental Health First Aid trainer.
He has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion with a Minor in Metropolitan Ministries and a Master’s in Religion Degree with an emphasis in chaplaincy both from Washington Adventist University. In addition, Lynval just recently earned a Master’s in Divinity Degree from Wesley Theological Seminary.
His philosophy for pastoral care is to encourage self-awareness and he empathizes with others by providing care through bifocal listening.