News

Kettering Health's Dr. Patel and his team

Story by Ben Riggs

 

Get Dr. Akil Patel talking about his kids, and you’ll hear his fatherly pride. He leans forward, grins ear to ear, and has countless pictures on his phone. Get him talking about the human brain, and you’ll hear his child-like wonder. He explains it using his hands, eyes widened behind his thin, black- rimmed glasses, and has stories galore on his mind.

The 37-year-old vascular neurosurgeon knows a thing or two about the three-pound organ between our ears. From residency at the University of Maryland to training at Johns Hopkins and Seattle’s Swedish Neuroscience Institute, he has committed all his brain to understanding ours.

Image by Lubos Houska from Pixabay

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Many local elementary students will have new books in their school libraries, thanks to customers at Potomac Conference’s LivingWell store in Silver Spring, Md.

This fall, the LivingWell Adventist Book Center received 160 books worth $1,583 during the store’s first book drive.

Graphic by inspiredimages on pixabay

Story by Ariana Jervis

As the world of health care evolves, numerous fields offer fulfilling, impactful career opportunities. One such field that gets overlooked is Respiratory Care. Often overshadowed by more familiar health care occupations, Respiratory Care is a field that embodies compassion, expertise and the remarkable ability to help people breathe with ease.

Senior Asha Caruthers and sophomore Elisa Muñoz attend the annual spiritual retreat.

Story by Tim Soper

The start of a school year brings new challenges, opportunities and stresses. Establishing a solid foundation for success is paramount. Hence, the high schoolers at Chesapeake Conference's Spencerville Adventist Academy (SAA) began their school year at SAA’s annual high school spiritual retreat, focusing together on the promise found in Philippians: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (4:13, NKJV).

Story by Evan Knott

Members of the Chesapeake Conference Executive Committee recently voted to appoint Shelvan Arunan as associate Ministerial director, creating a new position aimed at providing additional support and training resources for pastors and local church leaders.

Arunan, an experienced pastor, chaplain and counselor, with doctorates in Pastoral Counseling and Family and Organizational Psychology, most recently served as the pastor of the Calvary Southern Asian and Mizo churches in Burtonsville, Md.

Highland View Academy students pray during a week of prayer.

Story by April Lutz

Every new school year brings its joys, challenges and new faces. This year at Highland View Academy (HVA), it also brought the presence of Gem Castor,
a missionary and prayer coordinator for ASAP Ministries, who led the fall Week of Prayer. Students were immediately taken with his exuberant personality, easy-going nature, genuine desire to spend time with them, and dear connection with Christ through constant prayer.

Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Looking for a fun, festive event to host this holiday season? Chesapeake Conference’s Rock Hall (Md.) church is hosting its 13th cookie party this year. Since 2010, members have decorated and baked cookies together with church and community members at the church’s holiday party.