Dear Friends, Alumni, and Supporters of the School of Public Health,
Something is shifting in how America thinks about health, and it is long overdue. Across the country, we are seeing tangible changes: renewed attention to food safety and nutrition standards, a reimagining of our national dietary guidelines, and a growing public appetite for honest, evidence-based conversations about what we eat and how it shapes our lives. For many, these feel like new ideas. For the Loma Linda University School of Public Health, they are the foundation upon which we were built.
Since our earliest days, this School has been a pioneer in nutritional science and plant-based health research. Our faculty and researchers have spent decades producing the rigorous, peer-reviewed work that is now informing national policy and shaping public understanding. The Adventist Health Studies, our leadership in vegetarian nutrition research, and our graduates working in communities around the world — all of this represents a legacy of scholarship and service that is more relevant today than ever before.
The Three-Year Bachelor’s in Global Health
One of the most exciting developments at our School is the launch of our three-year Bachelor’s Degree in Global Health, an accelerated, affordable, and forward-thinking program designed for the next generation of public health leaders. Through case studies, fieldwork, and interdisciplinary projects, students will develop the competencies needed to address today’s most pressing global health challenges, including community outreach and health communication, culturally responsive care, and evidence-based practice.
This program reflects our deep commitment to accessibility and workforce alignment. We designed this pathway because we believe that an extraordinary education should not come at the cost of time or financial opportunity. I invite you to share this news with anyone who might benefit from this remarkable program.
Meet Janet
Sometimes a calling finds you in the most unexpected places. For Janet Rendón-Estrada, a first-generation MPH student in Global Health, that place was the classroom. Janet recently shared her inspiring journey to the School of Public Health, what brought her here, what excites her about the field, and why global health has become her life’s passion. Her story is a beautiful reminder of why this School exists: to open doors, expand horizons, and equip people with the knowledge to change lives.
I encourage you to watch Janet’s video and share it with those who might see themselves in her story. Students like Janet are the heart of this institution, and their journeys deserve to be celebrated.
Gathering the World’s Best Minds: International Vegetarian Nutrition Congress
For over 35 years, the International Congress on Vegetarian Nutrition has stood as the premier scientific conference on the health effects of plant-based diets — and the School of Public Health has been proud to be at its center. This gathering brings together health professionals, researchers, and thought leaders from across the globe for plenary sessions, symposia, oral and poster presentations, and meaningful collegial exchange.
I hope you will join us and be part of this extraordinary gathering of science, mission, and community. You can find more information about the congress at vegetariannutrition.org. Details on dates and registration are forthcoming.
We are living in a season of extraordinary momentum. The ideas this School has championed for generations are now echoing across the national stage. I am grateful to each of you — our alumni, our friends, our donors, our partners — for being part of a community that has always dared to look further, think deeper, and serve more fully.
With gratitude and great hope,
Adam Aréchiga, PsyD, DrPH
Dean, School of Public Health