Dr. Ted Hamilton ’73 began his medical career in rural North Carolina before transitioning to medical education and later physician leadership, earning an MBA and holding key administrative roles at major healthcare institutions including Florida Hospital and Loma Linda University. Throughout his career, he has remained dedicated to clinical practice, community service, and improving patient care, while also publishing extensively and supporting underserved populations. Dr. Hamilton, who enjoys an active personal life with his family, believes that physician wholeness—balancing purpose, meaning, and personal well-being—is essential for effective leadership and high-quality care.
Dr. Creamer is triple ABMS certified in Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine, and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. He is also board eligible in Sleep Medicine and Acupuncture Medicine; studying all these fields with the goal of being the best Pain Medicine doctor he can be and with the ultimate goal of continuing the healing and teaching ministry of Jesus the Messiah. He is proud to be serving at the Department of Veteran Affairs taking care of those who have selflessly given their lives to protect the freedoms of this country. He is equally proud to be Assistant Professor for Loma Linda University School of Medicine in the departments of both Anesthesiology and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation for the Pain Medicine Fellowship. He was APC governing board chair for 7 years. He actively gained accreditation with the American Cancer Society by the Commission on Cancer for a hospital in Florida to be a cancer center. He served as president of the LLU subchapter of AMSA during medical school. He received his BS with honors in Business Administration from Pacific Union College where he also was awarded religious leader of the year for co-leading homeless ministries and employee of the year being head lab instruction for organic chemistry. Dr. Creamer has been on numerous overseas mission trips traveling to the poorest regions on the globe, given health and spiritual talks on international broadcasts, and enjoys spending time with his family and in the Word of God.
Assistant Financial Officer and Iterm-chair, Media Advisory Council
Jenny Jaque ’04
Assistant Financial Officer and Iterm-chair, Media Advisory Council
Dr. Jaque, MD, FACOG Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southern California Permanente Medical Group
Dr. Jaque is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist with a distinguished career in academic medicine and clinical leadership. She earned her medical degree from Loma Linda University in 2004 and completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Southern California (USC).
During her tenure at USC, Dr. Jaque served as faculty and held multiple leadership roles, including Residency Program Director, Director of the LAC+USC Women’s Medical Home, and Division Chief of General OB/GYN. She was deeply involved in medical student education and mentorship and was honored with several accolades, including the prestigious APGO CREOG Excellence in Teaching Award.
Dr. Jaque has contributed to the field through multiple research publications and co-authored book chapters in obstetrics and gynecology. She currently serves as Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Southern California Permanente Medical Group, where she continues to lead with a focus on excellence in patient care, education, and innovation.
Secretary / Spiritual VP, Fundraising Council Member
John Klim ’84
Secretary / Spiritual VP, Fundraising Council Member
JOHN N. KLIM ’84, FACP, SFHM, is the associate lead for the Providence Internal Medicine Hospitalist program at Sacred Heart Medical Center and Holy Family Hospital in Spokane, Washington. His practice interests include geriatrics, end of life care, supporting undeserved populations, quality improvement, and leadership in medicine. He has mentored many pre-med students, medical students and internal medicine residents. Presently he serves as a faculty member at Washington State University, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. An elected member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, he is the recipient of numerous awards including: excellence award in diabetes care from the National Committee on Quality Assurance, Outstanding Value-based Ethical Decision-making Award from the Providence Ethics Committee, and the Excellence in Teaching Award from Washington State University. He is an adventurous traveler, enjoys spending time working on his German language skills, likes to work in the woodshop, and is a volunteer at the local community food bank.
Barbara C. McKinney ’88 is a physician surveyor with The Joint Commission and has been involved in laboratory quality and safety improvement in Africa and Asia since 2006. She formerly led quality improvement teams at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.
Joseph M. Verska ’87 is an orthopedic surgeon in Boise, Idaho, where he introduced minimally invasive spine techniques and artificial disc replacement surgery. He founded the Spine Institute of Idaho and is passionate about short-term overseas mission service.
Dr. H. Del Schutte Jr. ’84, chief of surgery and director of orthopedics at East Cooper Medical Center, discovered his passion for orthopedics late in medical school, combining his love for hands-on work and creativity. He completed advanced training in orthopedic and reconstructive surgery, going on to hold influential leadership roles and receiving accolades for his dedication to medical education. Deeply committed to global service, Dr. Schutte has led numerous international orthopedic missions with his family, reflecting a lifelong dedication to healing, teaching, and making a global impact.
Kerby C. Oberg ’91 is a pediatric pathologist and developmental biologist and the scientific director for LLU School of Medicine’s summer research program. He has taught medical embryology to first-year medical students since 1990.
Dr. Mohr is the founding director of the Palliative Care Program at Loma Linda University Health. She is an assistant professor in the department of family medicine and serves as chair of the Ethics Committee for Loma Linda University Medical Center and the Children’s Hospita
ANGELINA P. Y. CHENG ’96 completed her pediatric residency in Loma Linda and currently practices in Ontario, California, with her husband, GEORGE ’87. She enjoys organizing mission trips and mentoring students. She has two adult children: Alysa and Gerald (’24).
GLADYS FRIAS ’94 completed an OB-GYN residency at LLUSM. After 16 years at Kaiser Riverside, she moved to practice at Hawaii Pacific Health Wilcox Hospital. She is a clinical professor teaching medical students. She has a blended family of six daughters and three grandchildren.
JASON W. GATLING ’02 is an associate professor in the department of anesthesiology at LLUH and director of the anesthesiology residency training program. After a cardiothoracic fellowship at Emory and private practice in Georgia, he has returned to LLUH.
LAURA ANN FOSTER ’12 is a neurologist at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. She serves as medical director for the ALS clinic and leads clinical research in ALS. She supervises trainees, and leads small groups in the medical school.
KATHRYN L. HAYES ’84 is an OB-GYN in Riverside. She is mostly retired from Kaiser. She loves to travel, help family, and go on mission trips. She and her husband, Mike, have two red-haired adult children and a small orange grove.
ROBERT J. WAGNER ’69 completed a residency in OB-GYN, followed by a GYN oncology fellowship. He served as adjunct associate professor for the department of OB-GYN at LLU until retiring in 2022, but continues as emeritus on the GYN tumor board. He enjoys time with his wife, Marian, and their adult children.
TAMARA M. SHANKEL ’88 completed a residency in internal medicine/pediatrics. Her career has centered around medical education. She served as the senior associate dean for medical student education from 2017-2024, and is currently a course director for clinical skills, cardiopulmonary and renal. Her husband, TED ’88, passed away in 2020. She has three adult children, Jaci, Matt, and Katie.
CHARLES E. STEWART IV ’00 is a third-generation LLUSM graduate. He completed a fellowship in head and neck oncology and microvascular reconstructive surgery. He was an assistant professor in the department of OHNS at LLU and is now working at Kaiser South Sacramento.
SHELIA HSU ’04 has been working as an attending physician for Providence, Southern California initially as a hospitalist for 10 years and most recently in urgent care and primary care. She is married, has two children, and a Labrador Retriever. Her many hobbies include international travel and live music at the Hollywood Bowl.
KENNETH JUTZY ’77-A has been on the faculty of LLU in the division of cardiology since finishing fellowship in ’83. He continues to work in the division as an interventional cardiologist.
MILTON THEODORE MACKETT ’68 is now retired. He is the board chair of Portland Adventist Academy, a member of the Oregon Conference Executive Committee, and member of the Adventist Medical Center board and clinical sub-committee. He enjoys spending time with family in Oregon and England and going on family cruises.
Dr. David Maxwell graduated from Loma Linda University School of Medicine in 2005 and completed his Emergency Medicine residency at Loma Linda University Medical Center in 2008. He has since practiced in a variety of clinical settings throughout the Pacific Northwest and has spent the last decade as a full-time emergency physician at Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla, Washington. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Maxwell has held numerous leadership positions, including Chair of the Department of Medicine, head of the Medicine Subcommittee, and Director of Emergency Medicine Quality Assurance. His work in these roles has helped shape departmental policy, improve patient care, and guide quality initiatives in emergency medicine.
A passionate educator and mentor, Dr. Maxwell serves as teaching faculty for Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, and Idaho State University. He is deeply committed to training the next generation of physicians and regularly hosts medical and physician assistant students in the clinical setting. Outside of medicine, Dr. Maxwell enjoys traveling, riding motorcycles, and traveling with his family. He lives in Walla Walla with his wife, Janisse —his college sweetheart—and they are proud parents to three children. A firm believer in Loma Linda University’s mission, Dr. Maxwell has sought to live out that motto through compassionate service and dedicated care in the communities he serves.
GREGORY LAMMERT ’13 completed his residency in general surgery at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. He then returned to his hometown to join the Wenatchee Valley Medical Group. He loves teaching and sharing knowledge and skills with students and residents. He enjoys assisting students and residents in pursuing a surgical career.
WILLIAM SANDBORN ’87 is a gastroenterologist and specialist in inflammatory bowel disease. He is the former vice chair of gastroenterology and hepatology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and professor emeritus and former chief of gastroenterology at UC San Diego. He is currently the chief strategy officer at Mirador Therapeutics, a biotechnology company in San Diego, California.
CARL ERMSHAR ’68 is a retired otolaryngology head and and neck surgeon. He worked 40 years Glendal Adventist Hospital and 10 years at St. Helena and Clearlake hospital. His leadership including four years chief of staff at Glendal and four years chair of surgery at Glendale. He retired in Napa Valley.
ELAINE HART ’00, is an LLUSM associate professor, OBGYN student clerkship director, regional campuses assistant dean, and associate program director for OBGYN transitional residency. She treasures family time and is married with 5 children and 12 grandchildren. She loves reading, traveling, gardening, and road biking.
JAMES MATIKO ’77-A was a private practice orthopaedic surgeon until his retirement. The most satisfying aspect of his career was mentoring Loma Linda orthopaedic residents at the SBC Medical Center and Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. He looks forward to helping grow the Alumni Association.
TIFFANY PALOMERO ’15 complete her pediatric residency and chief year at Loma Linda, then a global health fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital. Currently she leads service-learning and SDOH curriculum for the LLU School of Medicine and support LLU global health activities including Global Health Pathway.
LARRY POTTS ’73-A is board-certified in family practice and emergency medicine. He completed a rotating internship at Marion County Hospital and a family practice residency at San Bernardino County Hospital ED. For the Majority of his career, he worked at San Antonio Regional Hospital, retiring in 2018.
MARY ANN SCHAEPPER ’96 is a dedicated psychiatrist specializing in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry. She is board-certified and trained at LLU and UCLA. Outside of her professional work, she is active with Peace of Heart, mental health coaching to refugees in Lebanon. She is an avid adventurer, fluent in three languages, and has been happily married for over 45 years.
SONDRA SHIELDS ’89 is an anesthesiologist practicing in Tampa, Florida, for the past 27 years. Prior, she completed her residency and fellowship at Mayo Clinic and worked in the US Army at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. She is married to DAVID SHIELDS ’88 and has three daughters, LAUREN ’25, KRISTEN ’28, and Meagan.
ROB TAYLOR ’96 complete his anesthesiology residency at Loma Linda University. He returned to his home state of Tennessee and has been practicing anesthesiology for the past 25 years near Nashville. He lives in Tennesee with his wife, Jennifer. They have two children, Courtney, and Colton, (28). His interests include golf, snow skiing, and pickleball.
WAYLENE WANG-SWENSEN ’86 is a radiation oncologist with special a interest in breast cancer at the University of Washington. She served as medical director at Northwest Hospital and taught medical students and residents. She and her husband, RON SWENSEN ’84, have three children, SASHA ’20, SHAELYN ’24, and Micah.
ALLISON A. AKA, MD, FACS, FASCRS ’13 completed her General Surgery residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, followed by a Colon and Rectal Surgery fellowship at AdventHealth Orlando. She is board certified in both General Surgery, as well as Colon and Rectal Surgery. She currently serves as an assistant professor of surgery at Loma Linda University Health and as a staff surgeon at the Loma Linda VA. She returned to LLU to be closer to family, to train the general surgery resident, and to be involved with the LLU School of Medicine. She serves as the Surgery Clerkship Assistant Director for the 3rd year medical students, and actively participates in giving regular lectures and provide mentorship to residents and medical students. And she is excited to finally bring a Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship program to LLUH, as it has been a long time dream of hers.
Assistant Chair of Financial Council, Missions Council Member
Dwight Evans ’73-B
Assistant Chair of Financial Council, Missions Council Member
DWIGHT C. EVANS ’73-B is an LLUSM associate professor of medicine. He has served as vice president for medical affairs at Montemorelos University and the CMO at the Loma Linda VA. His passion is for quality improvement. For 21 years he has consulted for the General Conference Health Ministries Department and the past three years for Adventist Health International.
As class rep all four years of medical school, Henry Hongo ’26 has been a steady voice for the class of 2026—building community, leading with heart, and helping direct meaningful alumni support where it matters most.
As a member of the Alumni Association’s Student Affairs Council, Henry has played a key role in shaping how donations are used to meet student needs. “The Alumni Association has been with us from the welcome picnic during orientation to headshots, post-exam treats, and scholarships,” he said. “Every act of generosity has made a difference, and none of it has gone unnoticed.”
In his first year, he helped launch the Jeffrey Cao Away Rotation Scholarship to support students during clinical rotations—a student-led initiative that continues to grow. He also has advocated for expanded funding for community service projects.
Beyond serving on the student council, he and his fellow class officers bring energy to student life—organizing first- and second-year class galas, hosting anatomy reviews, and assembling United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step care packages. “Being class rep has truly been one of the highlights of my time at Loma Linda,” he says. “Many of us served for several years together, and I’m blessed to call them some of my closest friends.”
Henry describes his class as connected, spiritually grounded, and generous. “A special shoutout to our class pastors,” he said, “and those who have started and lead prayer groups, Bible studies, community outreach, practiced spiritual care with patients, and so much more.”
As a class representative for the class of 2029, Cathlyn (Cat) Junio ’29 works to strengthen connections within her class and links her peers with Alumni Association resources, mentorship opportunities, all part of the Alumni Association’s commitment to supporting students. As a class rep, Cat also serves on the Alumni Association Student Affairs Committee, shaping how the Alumni Association serves her class and all medical students.
“I’m grateful to be surrounded by kind, intelligent classmates who genuinely enjoy spending time together,” she said. “The connections I’ve made have enhanced collaborative learning, provided emotional support during challenges, and given me a sense of community. I hope to encourage others as we journey through medical school.”
As a child, Cat watched a family member receive compassionate, life-saving treatment at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital. She remembers experiencing whole-person care delivered with dignity, which led her to pursue medicine.
Before beginning medical school, Cat earned her bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science at the School of Allied Health Professions (LLU). While in the program she received the Wil Alexander Whole-Person Care Award, one of her proudest achievements.
“I came to the School of Medicine with a strong calling to train as a Christian physician, integrating faith into my practice,” she said. Cat is currently interested in internal medicine, particularly cardiology or gastroenterology, and hopes to provide care that addresses spiritual, emotional, and physical health in harmony with the Adventist health message. “My goal is to share the gospel while promoting whole-person healing,” she said.
Her advice to newly accepted students: “The Alumni Association is an incredible support system. Alumni are eager to mentor, guide, and uplift you. Don’t hesitate to reach out—they’re here to help you thrive.”
Before attending Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Staci Davenport earned a BS in International Rescue and Relief from Union College. From 2014 to 2018, she trained in family medicine at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, TX, completing their four-year track in maternal-child health. Since late 2018, Staci has been serving at Béré Adventist Hospital in Chad, Africa.
Dr. Denny Hong is currently serving as a missionary physician at Kendu Adventist Hospital in rural western Kenya. After graduating from Loma Linda University School of Medicine, he completed residency in internal medicine, fellowship in global health, and board certification in lifestyle medicine. He is passionate about palliative care, lifestyle and preventive medicine, and medical evangelism. His wife Jayeon Hwang is an internal auditor and CPA, and they have 3 children (David, Abigail, and Sophia). Their interests include classical music, outdoor hiking, and traveling.
