This September, All Nations church collaborated with Loma Linda University (LLU) School of Medicine and the Institute for Community Partnerships and Adventist Health Glendale (AHG) to host a community health day Sabbath to celebrate health workers and showcase health careers.
The morning worship service featured LLU students and a message from Dexter Frederick, M.D., LLU School of Medicine associate dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion. A lunch and learn with a health career panel discussion followed the morning service. Panelists featured health professionals in different stages of their careers who took the opportunity to share about their experience in their fields and answer any questions asked by attendees. After the panel discussion, the health fair portion of the event began, providing services such as dental exams, vaccines, and other screenings available from AHG’s mobile health unit. The L.A. County Public Health department also brought in a team of trainers who gave Hands-Only CPR, Narcan (reversing opioid overdose), and Stop the Bleed (bleed control) trainings.
As the health ministry director at All Nations, Melissa Eusebio has wanted to host a health fair for a long time. Through encouragement and support from Eustace Laurie III, pastor, and other leaders of the church, Eusebio and her team went to task, with plans developing as early as March.
“First and foremost, we aimed to be of service to the local Monrovia community,” Eusebio said. “We wanted to help any families in the neighborhood who wanted health screenings and vaccines but didn’t have access to them. But having Loma Linda University as a partner in planning our event added another dimension because they were able to share exciting information on health careers as well.”
A significant outcome of this health day was making a connection with Santa Fe Middle School, located just around the corner from the church. The school was part of the church’s outreach to local middle school, high school, and college students. This event, combined with a recent school supply drop off All Nations coordinated, has led to the middle school reaching out to collaborate planning a holiday food distribution together.
“For me, this was just the start,” Esuebio said. “I hope that with the partnerships we’ve formed, we can consistently be a resource for our community and they’ll find our church to be a valuable part of their lives.”
