(From left to right) Dr. Barbara McKinney, president of the Loma Linda University School of Medicine Alumni Association; Dr. Monica Reed, president and CEO of UChicago Medicine AdventHealth; Dr. Tamara Thomas, dean of the Loma Linda University School of Medicine. [Photo credit: Jonathan Davidson / Alumni Association, School of Medicine of Loma Linda University.]
The honored alumni are chosen through a nomination process by their peers. The nominated individuals are then reviewed by a committee and the final list is sent to the previous presidents of the Loma Linda University Alumni Association for selection.
“[This award] is a great honor as it is a recognition of alumni not by industry but rather by their peers, who recognize and respect the work that the alumna has done,” shared Calvin Chuang, executive director of the Alumni Association for Loma Linda University School of Medicine. “Dr. Reed joins an exclusive group of alumni that have been awarded as honored alumni in the Alumni Association’s 102-year history.”
The award ceremony adds a unique and unforgettable touch to the event, transforming it into a memorable experience for both attendees and honorees. This prestigious black-tie gala brings together alumni and graduating medical students in celebration. During the ceremony, Loma Linda proudly recognized Dr. Reed's exceptional contributions as a clinician, honoring her remarkable dedication and more than 30 years of service at AdventHealth.
During her acceptance speech, Dr. Reed shared how her time at Loma Linda University was pivotal to her life. “Not just because I was learning how to treat disease and studying all the things that we do, but because it was also an opportunity for me to really reflect upon ... what it means to ‘make men and women feel whole,’” she said. “That spiritual foundation in Christ and understanding what it means to deliver medical ministry has been a part of my career for over 30 years—whether it was as physician, medical news reporter, author or the 20 years I’ve spent as a health care administrator. It has always been my calling to treat people as human beings and to do everything I can to maximize that feeling of wholeness.”
“Dr. Reed’s outstanding contributions and dedication to whole-person care have made a significant impact on our organization,” shared Andrew Jahn, president and CEO of AdventHealth’s multi-state division, in a LinkedIn post celebrating Dr. Reed’s award. “She continues to live out our leadership framework – leading herself, leading others and leading meaningful results. She is an inspiration in transformational leadership, and we are honored to have her as part of our team.”
Watch Dr. Reed’s full award video and acceptance speech here.
Elizabeth Camps, stakeholder communications manager at AdventHealth
