Class of 2023 Tigers Roar Into Next Phase of Life

Takoma Academy’s (TA) Class of 2023 recently celebrated its graduation weekend with its consecration and baccalaureate services at Sligo church in Takoma Park, Md. This year’s graduation ceremonies honored 58 students who persevered and completed the requirements necessary to now be called alumni of one of Potomac Conference’s largest high schools.

On Sabbath, Carlton Byrd (pictured), speaker/ director of the Breath of Life Television Broadcast, and whose niece, Cailyn Sterling, is a member of the graduating class, spoke for the baccalaureate service. Byrd’s sermon focused on four key character traits for success: purpose, preparation, perseverance and proclamation.

Graduating senior Santana Robinson says, “That was one of the best sermons that I’ve heard in a long time! Pastor Byrd reminded us that you have to plan for the future in order to be successful. He also warned us that you have to realize that the friends you have now might not be a part of your destiny, and you have to be prepared for that.”

Sunday morning, Jheanelle K. Wilkins (pictured), Maryland delegate for District 20, spoke for the commencement service. According to biographical information provided by her team, “Delegate Wilkins is the vice chair of the House Ways and Means Committee where she also chairs the Subcommittee on Election Law, leading the House in passing election policy and expanding voter access for incarcerated individuals and expansion of early voting sites.”

Wilkins is no stranger to TA. In 2019, she hosted TA students at the Maryland House of Delegates, and this year, a few graduating seniors met with her there on a field trip.

Senior Lysle Follette recaps Wilkins’ commencement address: “Delegate Wilkins spoke about being the first African-American woman to represent Maryland’s District 20. Immediately, this drew pictures of barriers being broken, and her perseverance inspired me and galvanized me to go and break some barriers of my own.”

Graduation weekend was filled with excitement, as the Class of 2023 began a new chapter in their lives. During the commencement service, Madison Evans, class pastor, charged her peers with the following statement: “No matter the different accomplishments that we might be blessed to put on our resumes, there is only one thing that will matter when Christ comes, and that is having our name written in the Book of Life. Is heaven going to be our home?”

After the tassel ceremony, the Class of 2023 graduates celebrate with selfies.

Framing Optimal Results

Have you ever thought about the way in which a frame around a photo or work of art changes the way we see and appreciate it? Or thought about why we also frame certificates or diplomas? Humankind has been making frames for centuries –to protect, showcase and add artistic expression. Furthermore, we even say that important events and experiences have defining characteristics that shape and “frame” them.

At Adventist HealthCare, our very Mission to extend God’s care through the ministry of physical, mental and spiritual healing is realized within the framework of our RISES Values:

• Respect: We recognize the infinite worth of every individual.

• Integrity: We are conscientious and trustworthy in everything we do.

• Service: We care for our patients, their families and each other with compassion.

• Excellence: We do our best every day to exceed expectations.

• Stewardship: We take ownership to efficiently and effectively extend God’s care. Respect for each person enables us to both communicate and connect, creating a supportive environment where patients can feel valued and understood. When we follow through and do what we promise, we demonstrate integrity and strengthen the confidence that patients have in the care they receive. Our service is rooted in compassion and effectiveness – to every person, every time – which combine to bring both hope and healing. The continuous pursuit of improvement and desire to exceed expectations fuels our value of excellence. And finally, our commitment to stewardship motivates our responsible management and allocation of resources, allowing us to more effectively serve those entrusted to our care.

Our Adventist HealthCare Values provide the framework that guides us to deliver high-quality care and the most positive patient experience.

Terry Forde President and CEO Adventist HealthCare

Groundbreaking Celebrates Start of Shady Grove Medical Center’s Tower Construction

Adventist HealthCare hospital leaders and caregivers welcomed community partners and government officials for a joyous groundbreaking event to mark the start of construction for the new patient tower at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center. The ceremony featured a commemorative set of shovels, each one decorated by a hospital unit with art symbolizing the themes of care, compassion and community.

Adventist HealthCare President and CEO Terry Forde discussed Shady Grove’s importance within the Adventist HealthCare system and acknowledged the work of numerous people in making the tower a reality. “Many committed team members have worked hard over the years to study our delivery of care in light of our community’s evolving needs. They listened, studied, proposed, designed and advocated for facilities to bring next-level care to Shady Grove.”

Shady Grove Medical Center President Dan Cochran affirmed this visionary planning saying, “When the pandemic came, it left no doubt: Hospitals needed to be ready to adapt to unpredictable emergencies. We need rooms that enhance the care and comfort of the critically ill. We need to create a healing environment that nurtures and supports our healthcare workers – because as the world worked from home, this hospital was their home.”

When the tower opens in 2025, it will feature:

• A modernized and more spacious Emergency Department

• A larger, state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit

• A new Medical-Surgical Unit with all-private patient rooms

• Updated patient units, including one for medical observation and one for emergency mental health conditions

• Repositioned critical care services, such as the hospital’s Cardiovascular Interventional Radiology Unit, that will create better efficiencies for patients and caregivers

• Relocation of the helipad to its rooftop

• Eco-friendly elements, including a 20,000-square-foot green roof and outdoor patios for families and team members

We extend God’s care through the ministry of physical, mental and spiritual healing.