By James Ponder
“Mission Possible” is the theme of this year’s Homecoming celebration for all eight schools of Loma Linda University Health as well as Medical Center staff and students. The event will be held Thursday, Feb. 28, through Monday, March 4, on the university campus.
This year marks the third time the organization has hosted a unified homecoming instead of individual weekends for each school. The event is designed to foster unity as people from multiple generations, disciplines, cultures and faiths memorialize their shared heritage at Loma Linda University Health.
Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, president of Loma Linda University Health, said the theme was chosen to highlight stories of alumni, students and staff carrying the organization’s mission “To continue the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ to make man whole” into their communities and around the world.
“Alumni come together to celebrate their alma mater, their education and their family legacy,” Hart said. “They tell me how special it is for them to be able to come back to Loma Linda University together.”
The schedule features special events open to all attendees as well as dozens of smaller occasions specific to each school. The open activities include:
- Today’s Healthcare Challenges: an Interprofessional Approach to Suicide and the Opioid Crisis, will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28, in Damazo Amphitheater of Centennial Complex.
- 31st annual Cardiology Symposium will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28, in Wong Kerlee International Conference Center of Chan Shun Pavilion.
- An All-School Research Poster Presentations will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, March 1, on the fourth floor of Centennial Complex.
- Continuing Education Classes will be held in a variety of locations on Thursday, Feb. 28, Friday, March 1, and Sunday, March 3.
- Mission Emphasis Breakfast will be held from 7 to 8 a.m. in the Wong Kerlee International Conference Center of Chan Shun Pavilion.
- Hospital Construction Tours will be available from 1 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, March 1. Tours will start at the shuttle stop on the north side of Centennial Complex. The shuttle runs every hour and there will be two tours per hour.
- Mission Possible: Alumni Feature Stories will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 1, in the sanctuary of Loma Linda University Church.
- Prayer Walk will be held from 8 to 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, at the Mission Globe on Centennial Pathway.
- Sabbath School/Parade of Flags will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, in Drayson Center.
- Church Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, in Drayson Center.
- Homecoming Haystacks will be served at noon on Saturday, March 2, in the tent at Drayson Center Field.
- Mission Vespers will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 2, in the sanctuary of Loma Linda University Church.
- Loma Linda’s Got Talent will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 2, at Drayson Center.
- Pancake Feed will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 3, in the tent at Drayson Center Field.
- Pickleball Tournament will be held at 8 a.m. on Sunday, March 3, at the Drayson Center Pickleball Courts.
- 87th Annual Postgraduate Convention will be held from Friday, March 1, to Monday, March 4, at a variety of locations. For times, topics and venues, visit apc.llusmaa.org.
For information on continuing education courses offered by the schools of Allied Health Professions, Behavioral Health, Dentistry, Nursing, Public Health, Pharmacy and Religion, visit www.llu.edu/homecoming. For information on continuing education courses offered by the School of Medicine, visit apc.llusmaa.org.