The Southern Asia Pacific Division (SSD) hosted the Adventist Health Professional Summit through Zoom and live-streamed over Facebook to bring together various professionals for fellowship, prayer, and recognition on Saturday and Sunday, September 25 and 26, 2021.
SSD Health Ministries Director, Dr. Ma. Rizaline Alfanoso, opened the program by greeting attendees from 14 countries in the territory. “I would like to welcome you to the virtual appreciation program. This is to honor our medical heroes, our medical front liners, for your priceless contribution to the comprehensive health ministry.” The program was divided into four parts- first is mission and service, second is prayer and fellowship, third is awarding and recognition and fourth is inspirational lectures and sermons.
Testimonies of initiatives were shared by Dr. Elvin Alcoriza of the Adventist Medical Evangelism Network (AMEN) Philippines who said, “Our mission is to motivate, train, and equip Seventh-day Adventist physicians, dentists, and other healthcare professionals to team with pastors and members, uniting the church to restore Christ’s ministry of healing to the world, hastening his return."
Dr. Edward Nathan of AMEN Malaysia and Dr. Johannes Alexander Mamahit of Alpha & Omega Ministry Indonesia shared also what their organizations were accomplishing.
Testimonies of missionary initiatives were given by the Adventist Medical Students Network, Mental Health Resilience Podcast, MMVS Health Coach, and Adventist Mental Health Association. Dr. Zeno Charles Marcel, Associate Director for Health Ministries of the Adventist World Church, delivered a lecture: “We should be the most loving people on the planet. People will recognize who we are as Jesus’ disciples when they see love and compassion. We must become, frontline workers, we must become ambassadors- of peace, of shalom, we must become ambassadors of hope, we share the blessed hope, through our actions and sometimes through our words. We must become ambassadors of reconciliation bringing together human beings with the loving Savior by showing what He has done for us... We should be ambassadors of hope.”
Dr. Peter Landless, Director for Health Ministries gave his message: “I appeal to you- keep Jesus first in your life! Surrender fully. Experience peace, joy, and assurance despite the circumstances you’re in. And He who has promised is faithful. Renew your commitment to Him today, right now! This summit is not just a get-together. It’s a time of renewal. It’s a time refocusing. It’s a time of reevaluation! By His grace, let us not let opportunities slip away.”
Testimonies by front-liners were shared by Covid-19 ICU Unit nurses, Dwight Gadon and Alcila Fides Cas, who was caring for severe-to-critical patients at Adventist Hospital Palawan. Bible reading was done before the testimony and was followed by a prayer of comfort after each testimony. A prayer session was done in breakout rooms and a litany on “I Will Go” capped the Sabbath Program. The second day was opened with a lecture on mental health by Dr. Neda Salazar who asserted: “Christ Jesus who is our hope will definitely give us hope in times of pandemic.” The two-day event culminated with the awarding of the health professionals in the SSD territory where Dr. Alfanoso emphasized: “We certainly recognize you for making a difference!”
Dr. Ian Kenneth Bermeo, Adventist Hospital Palawan