Heritage Snapshot Part 232: Anne Berit Petersen, RN

LOMA LINDA>> When the Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital emerged as a successful tertiary-care institution, gaining fame and recognition throughout China, it became financially solvent with significant profit potential. During the first five years, occupancy sometimes exceeded 100 percentand patients were sometimes held in holding areas and even hallways until rooms became available later in the day. Anne Berit Petersen, RN, a member of the faculty of Loma Linda University School of Nursing, went to China in 1998, during the fourth-year of the new hospital’s operation. It was thriving and already operating at full capacity, with a diverse population and an excellent reputation. By that time, Chinese citizens in Zhejiang province were beginning to experience economic stability on an individual level. They had money for food and housing and their basic needs were being met. It seemed to her that, beyond the basics, now they were searching for meaning in life. The rural hospital property was still surrounded by little farms. On early morning walks around the hospital property, she saw farmers watering their beautifully manicured gardens. Unable to share a language, some of the good memories she said she still has is of recognizing faces over time and friendly, nonverbal communications. Profound change was starting to be observed on multiple levels. Old buildings were coming down and new buildings were going up, including five-star hotels. She left in 2000 and returned in 2003 and said she could hardly recognize the city. Construction cranes were everywhere and to see a society change so dramatically in such a short period of time, “was such an amazing experience to witness,” she said. One of the most powerful experiences she said she had was at the end of the first, 5-year period regarding a decision that had to be made whether the Seventh-day Adventist Church should continue funding its part of the project. A controversial decision had to be made regarding the future of a very complex, unconventional and nontraditional effort. People had strong opinions on both sides. Some felt that the denomination had fulfilled its five-year commitment and its resources could be better spent in other ways. On the other hand, some of the LLU staff felt that it was a God-ordained project, and that it was no coincidence that it was located in Hangzhou; a more open city than other settings in China. Americans working there were convinced of the value of the project. Dr. Gordon Hadley, the president of the institution, called together the American staff and advised them that it was not their job to convince the powers-that-be of the merits of the venture. “If God wants this project to continue,” he said. “He will make that happen.” Even though nobody would ever be able to find anyone who was more enthusiastic about the project, he did not want to promote a personal agenda. His comments were perceived by his staff as an example of Godly leadership. Staff from Loma Linda were invited to attend the devotional, first part of this critical meeting of General Conference and Loma Linda University administrators. Petersen noticed that standing just outside of the conference room door was Dr. Wu Jinming, a member of the Chinese Communist Party and Hadley’s Chinese counterpart, accompanied by representatives of the provincial government and administrators from Zhejiang University. They were aware of the importance of the meeting and that a decision would be forthcoming regarding the future. After perceiving that they were not on the agenda, she whispered to Hadley, “I think you need to give them (an) audience.” The visitors were invited in and their resulting comments, in what became “a defining moment,” changed the whole tone of the meeting and its agenda. One after another, they extolled the impact and virtues of the project. They called it “a window to the West,” and unequivocally expressed how much it meant to China and health care in China, stating, “We value this, we appreciate it, and hope that it will continue.” Their comments changed the potentially bleak outcome of the meeting. American hearts were melted by what Wu and others said and committed to, giving Loma Linda University financial support to go forward. Before the end of the weekend, critics could not stop singing the praises of the project and thanking the Americans for being there. The Chinese response motivated Loma Linda’s continued involvement in the project. “Without a doubt in my mind, it was God intervening," Petersen said. "It was such a testimony to me of God’s power and his ability to work with very human organizations. It was a powerful reminder that His will can prevail and it does.”