Our Medical College and Its Needs by W. A. Ruble

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 23, 1911

Our Medical College and Its Needs

By W. A. Ruble

The reasons for establishing a medical college at Loma Linda are understood by a large proportion of Seventh-day Adventists throughout the world. The lack of a college where our young people could study the healing art under God-fearing instructors, and where they might be taught to treat the sick without poisonous drugs, together with the pointed, definite instruction of the spirit of prophecy regarding the establishment of our own medical school, made it imperative that a medical school be chartered at Loma Linda.

In accordance with the instruction received, and the action of the executive board, consisting of twenty-one members, comprising the presidents of the General Conference, of most of the union conferences in the United States, and of the Southern California Conference, the second annual session of the college opened Sept. 29, 1910. The college had been chartered in November, 1909, and one class had completed the first year’s work.

Requisites for a Medical School

Four things are necessary to any educational institution: (1) Students desiring such education as is offered by it; (2) a constituency which will maintain the school, and from which it may draw students; (3) instructors who are in harmony with the principles of the institution; and (4) facilities for giving the instruction required, and, in case a home is maintained, accommodations for caring for those connected therewith.

Our Students

From the response of our young people from all parts of the world to the proposition to have a medical college of our own, it is evident that the time is certainly ripe for establishing such a school. When the college was organized last May, the board planned for not more than twenty students in each class. To our surprise, twenty-nine entered to take the first year’s work. These, with the eleven who were in attendance the previous year, made forty students in the medical department at the beginning of the present year.

A standard of preliminary education for entrance has been held, equivalent to that required for any first-class medical school; namely, the matriculation standard of the American Medical Association and the Association of American Medical Colleges. Were it not for this high standard, a much larger number would necessarily have been admitted. The prospect is that next year will see an even larger class entering the college.

These students comprise members of the three-year medical evangelists’ course and those taking the complete medical course, covering five years. It is expected that a large number of those pursuing medical studies at Loma Linda will secure the needed training in the evangelistic course, and will go out into the great harvest-field as medical missionaries.

One year in addition to the regular four years ordinarily devoted to medical studies is made necessary in our school, in order to give instruction in

Bible, and special studies, such as hydrotherapy and allied subjects employed in our system of therapeutics.

That the school is of general importance to the entire field, is shown by the fact that our students represent more than a dozen States and countries.

Constituency

The second requisite of the school is a constituency, those who will sustain the enterprise. The board, acting in accord with the direction of the Lord’s Spirit, have moved out by faith in establishing the school,—faith in God’s leading and faith that our brethren will as willingly accept the responsibility of this movement as their leaders have done. Will we do it? The responsibility rests upon the denomination as a whole and upon each one of us individually.

An important part of a college of this kind is a faculty that can give the necessary training in scientific lines. Thus far a faculty of nine physicians, three ministers, and a number of assistants has been chosen. We need the support and prayers of our people everywhere, that we may meet the mind of the Lord in this great undertaking. If we do that, we have no fears but we shall meet all the requirements of the State.

In regard to this latter point, I might say that it is imperative that we meet the standard of the State in our curriculum, faculty, and equipment. No other class of our workers is under such strict legal surveillance as our physicians. The requirements by the State cover the life of a physician from the time he begins his medical studies until he gives up the practise of medicine. Not one of our other schools is required to meet State requirements in every way as is our medical college; hence the necessity of thorough work, backed up by the faithful support of a loyal constituency.

And now to the important point of this question. We have our students—a goodly number of the flower of the denomination. In coming to Loma Linda, they feel that they are turning their backs upon the great and popular colleges of the world, in response to the call of God. They give themselves heartily to the work of building up a medical school after the plan and pattern that has been shown us, fully expecting and believing that the rank and file of the denomination will faithfully do their part.

Standing of the College

The standing of the school before the State boards is not established yet, nor can it be until our first class has completed its course, and has passed the examination before the State. This will be one of the determining factors in securing recognition for our college. To be sure we are chartered as a medical college, but our standing as such will depend upon three things: (1) The efficiency of our students, as determined by State board examinations after they have completed their course; (2) the number and standing of the physicians composing the faculty; (3) the buildings, appliances, and apparatus for giving instruction in medical subjects.

A great responsibility rests upon these young people, as their efficiency will be so large a factor in determining the standing of the school; but they have accepted the situation, and the earnest, faithful work they are doing leaves no doubt that they will succeed. As to the faculty, it will be strengthened from year to year as the students increase in numbers, and classes multiply.

Shall We Have the Buildings and Necessary Facilities?

At the organization of the college, the board of managers saw the necessity for several buildings,—a laboratory, a hospital, dormitories for the students, and, later on, a main college building, with appropriate equipment for the school proper.

At a later meeting the board authorized the expenditure of twenty-five thousand dollars this year for a dormitory for the young women, and a laboratory in which to do our scientific work, provided the money could be raised. The building of a ladies’ dormitory has been pushed forward as rapidly as the gathering of means would permit, and we hope it will be ready for occupancy in a few weeks.

At a meeting of the board held July 24, it was planned to erect a laboratory building, to be ready, if possible, in December. But because of the lack of funds, the work on this building has not yet begun. The twenty-nine students in the first-year class are carrying on laboratory work in chemistry in a room fifteen feet wide and forty feet long—like bees in a hive. Another laboratory class is endeavoring to do its work in a little room fifteen feet square. These are the only laboratories we have.

Urgency of the Situation

Now the situation is this: Under direct instruction from the spirit of prophecy, the College of Medical Evangelists has been established. The board, the faculty, and a large class of students have accepted the situation, and are doing their part, fully believing that the denomination will do its part in the matter. The requirements for the school are as enumerated above. There are but three years in which to accomplish the work of erecting all these buildings, and getting the school into first-class running order as a whole. Of course, our classes are running, with full work in the two years; but each year will add a class, and the prospect from the correspondence is that the number in the school next year will be doubled.

From all this, it is evident that in order for us to have our laboratory, our hospital, and our school building finished, and in running order in time for the inspection which we must undergo by the State boards during 1913, we must get busy at our buildings.

Students Willingly Co-operate

Elder J. A. Burden will tell the story of the excellent missionary work our students are doing,—how they went out in the missionary campaign and gathered over three hundred dollars; how they are going to neighboring towns, and holding Bible readings, selling our books and other literature, and doing medical missionary work in many places.

Elder G. A. Irwin will testify that the students and helpers at Loma Linda are willing to bear their share of the expense in constructing these buildings, and he will appeal to you for donations to this work. It is our conviction that our people have thousands of dollars in banks and other worldly enterprises, that ought to be in the work of the Lord. We shall be glad to correspond with any who wish further information regarding the medical school. Funds must be provided. The Lord has spoken regarding this work at Loma Linda. Who is ready to assist in the enterprise?

W. A. RUBLE, M. D., President.