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Alumni Association, School of Medicine of Loma Linda University

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Alumni Association, School of Medicine of Loma Linda University

Although it was officially incorporated in 1932, the Alumni Association started when alumni gathered informally in 1917.

The Alumni Association, School of Medicine of Loma Linda University is a nonprofit organization composed of both alumni and affiliate members, organized to support the School, to promote excellence in world-wide health care, and to serve its members. Learn more about our history on our website at www.llusmaa.org/history.

07/25/2025

Did you know that a U.S. Congressman once worked at the Alumni Association?

Jerry L. Pettis was the Alumni Association’s first business manager. Congressman Lewis was instrumental in bringing the V.A. Hospital to Loma Linda. It opened for business December 27, 1977 and was named the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans’ Hospital in his memory.

After Congressman Pettis perished February 14, 1975, in a single-engine plane crash, his wife, Shirley Pettis, ran for and won his congressional seat. “Jerry told me many times that if anything happened to him, he wanted me to take his place,” she said.

Fifty years ago, in 1975, the May to June issue of the ALUMNI JOURNAL contained a news story that was reported nationally—“Mrs. Pettis Goes to Washington: Congressional seat won in landslide victory.”

07/22/2025

This past weekend, alumni of Loma Linda University School of Medicine gathered in Portland for a warm and memorable Alumni Gathering! Hosted at the home of Dr. Mackett, guests enjoyed delicious Thai food, great conversation, and the joy of reconnecting with classmates and making new connections. During the Gathering, Dr. Barbara McKinney, president of the Alumni Association, welcomed fellow alumni and shared an update about the Association. Dr. Tamara Thomas, dean of the School of Medicine, gave an update on the school. Thank you all who attended for making it an evening to remember!

07/18/2025

From Zimbabwe to SCUBA tanks, textbooks to stained glass — Lester D.R. Thompson ’88 has never stayed in one lane.

An internationally recognized expert in head and neck pathology, Thompson made an impact in his specialty with over 440 research papers, 12 textbooks (including the go-to Head and Neck Pathology, now in its 4th edition), and leadership roles across global organizations—including World Health Organization (WHO) and International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting (ICCR).

Thompson has come a long way since the halls of Loma Linda University, from teaching anatomy and organizing class socials as a medical student, to shaping how the world understands head and neck tumors. He completed a residency in pathology and a fellowship in cytology at UCLA, and post-doctoral training at UCLA.

His accomplishments include serving as a U.S. Navy CAPT, division chief at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology; co-founding the Head and Neck Pathology journal (2007–22); serving as president of the North American Society of Head and Neck Pathology; championing the ICCR for head and neck and endocrine organs; and collaborating as an editor on the fifth edition World Health Organization (WHO) classification volumes on head and neck and endocrine organ tumors.

Thompson combines precision with curiosity and science with humanity. When not consulting for Head and Neck Pathology Consultations or editing tumor classifications, he’s likely underwater, under a barbell, or visiting his 126th country. His impactful career was built on anatomy labs, global perspective, and many stamps in his passport.

07/16/2025

As class rep all four years of medical school, Henry Hongo ’26 has been a steady voice for the class of 2026—building community, leading with heart, and helping direct meaningful alumni support where it matters most.

As a member of the Alumni Association’s Student Affairs Council, Henry has played a key role in shaping how donations are used to meet student needs. “The Alumni Association has been with us from the welcome picnic during orientation to headshots, post-exam treats, and scholarships,” he said. “Every act of generosity has made a difference, and none of it has gone unnoticed.”

In his first year, he helped launch the Jeffrey Cao Away Rotation Scholarship to support students during clinical rotations—a student-led initiative that continues to grow. He also has advocated for expanded funding for community service projects.

Beyond serving on the student council, he and his fellow class officers bring energy to student life—organizing first- and second-year class galas, hosting anatomy reviews, and assembling United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step care packages. “Being class rep has truly been one of the highlights of my time at Loma Linda,” he says. “Many of us served for several years together, and I’m blessed to call them some of my closest friends.”

Henry describes his class as connected, spiritually grounded, and generous. “A special shoutout to our class pastors,” he said, “and those who have started and lead prayer groups, Bible studies, community outreach, practiced spiritual care with patients, and so much more.”

07/15/2025

School of Medicine alumni are often talented beyond medicine. Michael Momohara ’19, is a classical composer and conductor.

In September of 2023, a large group of Adventist Musicians from Loma Linda and across the country gathered in Moab, Utah, for an evangelistic series titled “Wildernezz Wanderings.” It featured original compositions for symphonic orchestra and choir illustrating Christ’s life on Earth.

Momohara was tasked with scoring Christ’s death, journey to the tomb, His rest, and resurrection. His piece, titled “The Resurrection,” is a nineteen-minute journey of music that bring those events to life.

Since premiering the piece in Moab, Momohara has created a professional recording of The Resurrection. Click here to listen to his masterful work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZXRCu-7nmE

Loma Linda University School of Medicine

07/11/2025

Wyatt Anderson, class of 2024, shares his love for poetry and how it has taught him important lessons about life and medicine.

07/09/2025

Congratulations to Karen R. Studer ’10, chair, department of preventive medicine at Loma Linda University, on her appointment to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Review Committee for Preventive Medicine.

The ACGME Committee helps shape graduate medical education nationally, setting accreditation standards and evaluating residency and fellowship programs. Studer’s appointment recognizes her leadership and commitment to advancing education in public health, prevention, and physician development.

We are proud to celebrate this milestone achievement and Dr. Studer’s continued impact in academic medicine.

07/08/2025

The 2025 Minority Introduction to the Health Sciences (MITHS) summer program for high school students is underway at LLU. During the immersive three-week program, students are listening to LLU courses, experiencing labs, and practicing care at the simulation center. They are also studying anatomy and physiology, mathematics, and writing.

In the 20 years the MITHS program has been running, more than 400 students have completed it, many of whom became physicians. Are you a MITHS alum? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.

07/04/2025

It wasn’t the 21st night of September…but July 3rd was a night we will remember!

Our 2nd Annual Hollywood Bowl Alumni Outing to hear Earth, Wind & Fire was another unforgettable night under the stars!

07/03/2025

Did you know that in the late 1950s radio listeners in the Inland Empire could tune in to KDUO, a FM radio station owned by the Alumni Association?

The station, which was owned and operated by the Alumni Association beginning in July, 1958, attracted a “large, loyal audience,” according to the Alumni JOURNAL. In April 1960, the Alumni Association Board, inspired by opportunities its growth could bring to the Adventist Church, passed a resolution to gift Station KDUO to the Pacific Union, Southeastern California, and Southern California Conferences. The actual transfer took place January 1, 1961.

Group photo: Adventist Church and Alumni Association leadership who signed agreement to transfer ownership of Radio Station KDUO from the Alumni Association to the three Conferences included Conference presidents and
Joseph C. Hayward ’36, Alumni Association president, 1960-61 (standing, second from right), and F. Harriman Jones ’37, treasurer, Alumni Association (far right, standing)

The contract for transfer of ownership of KDUO is held by Elder R.C. Baker, Southeastern California Conference (left), who is joined by Joseph C. Hayward ’36.

07/01/2025

Janet T. Strausbaugh ’78-A finds the most rewarding part about retirement is doing what she enjoys with gorgeous ocean views in the Florida Keys. “It’s truly good for the soul,” she said.

Strausbaugh grew up in a medical family. Her father, Gordon W. Thompson ’48 was an internist. As a child she wanted to be a physician also, but she had few female physician mentors, so first earned her RN before becoming a physician. Her career includes working in a large anesthesia group, then in a large pediatric group, and then for the last 10 years of her career working as an academic pediatric hospitalist at CHOP.

Her advice to young physicians is to remember that “Medicine is a calling, not just a job. You have to love people.”

Read more about Strausbaugh thoughtful insights in the Spring 2025 ALUMNI JOURNAL.

06/27/2025

Kirby Oberg ’91 became connected with the Alumni Association in 2000, after becoming a full-time LLU faculty member. “For me, the Alumni Association has provided an avenue to serve and improve the lives of the next generation of health care professionals,” he said.

Oberg chairs the Annual Postgraduate Convention (APC) Governing Council. He enjoys planning and attending APC for the outstanding presentations and the opportunity to “catch up with old friends and make new ones, all with a similar mindset and mission.” His leadership also includes previously being a member of the Association’s Board of Directors.

A specialist in Pediatric Pathology and Developmental Biology, he’s Board Certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and in Pediatric Pathology. He has taught embryology to LLU graduates for 35 years and trained nearly 200 students and postdocs through the Medical Summer Research Program.

His achievements include co-developing a classification scheme for congenital hand differences that fostered registries globally to study and understand these disorders.

Outside of medicine he enjoys travel, woodworking and illustrating genetic/developmental concepts. The illustrations he creates are “therapy and education all in one,” he said. He dreams of experiencing the Northern Lights from an iglooin a Nordic country and seeing the Taj Mahal. He considers raising two compassionate daughters with his wife, Chris, his most import accomplishment.

Address

Loma Linda, CA

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 6pm
Tuesday	8am - 6pm
Wednesday	8am - 6pm
Thursday	8am - 6pm
Friday	8am - 12pm

Telephone

+19095584633

Website

http://www.llusmaa.org/

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