Learning and Community-building Series

The Global Anabaptist Health Network (GAHN) is an emerging network linking Anabaptist health professionals and institutional leaders together. The GAHN advances its work in concert with Mennonite World Conference. 

You are invited virtual learning and community-building events sponsored by the Global Anabaptist Health Network (GAHN).

These event will offer you an opportunity to 

• learn about important and relevant global health topics
• build relationships with Anabaptist brothers and sisters who share a passion for integrating faith and practice

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Saturday, 12 March 2021

9:00 - 10:30 a.m. I. EST (New York)

Can Faith, Health and Miracles coexist?

The example of the leprosy and compassionate touch of Jesus. Do you believe in miracles? Does God use modern science to heal the sick and troubled?

The Kingdom of God that Jesus preached often testifies to the power of faith to physically heal the needy. How does our faith and belief translate in the miracles of science into action in our healing professions now? Are we now approaching with the same compassion that Jesus showed to those suffering?

Join our panel of speakers, representing organizations providing support and treatment to people affected by leprosy. Participants will also have the opportunity to hear first-hand testimonies from people affected by leprosy, as we discuss modern miracles and the compassionate touch that Jesus exemplary. 

Spanish and French interpretation will be available.

Saturday, 19 June 2021

Come be inspired and challenged

9:30-10:45 AM Eastern Time (UTC -4) click here to find the time in your local time zone

Has the COVID year highlighted the need to put your faith into practice?

Whether you have wisdom to share on the journey or are just beginning to uncover how faith informs lifestyle choices, career decisions and even everyday routines, come listen to our remarkable speakers share their personal journeys on how their faith has inspired their career and life choices.

• Lyubov Slashcheva
• Leon Hoover

Then join our breakout groups to connect more deeply with each other about your own faith stories. French and Spanish translation will be available and breakout rooms will be in English, French and Spanish.

Speaker bios:

Lyubov Slashcheva is a public health dentist with the non-profit Apple Tree Dental, focusing on care for adults with special needs and older adults. She is also a Research Collaborator with the Mayo Clinic Rochester Epidemiology Project and involved with many public health and dental associations. She lives in Rochester, MN with her husband and three kids, attending Rochester Mennonite Church.

Leon Hoover has over 30 years of experience in behavioral health, starting as a clinician providing mental health and substance abuse services and moving on to senior administrative work. His career has spanned different leadership roles at faith-based behavioral health organizations, recently retiring from Kings View as their CEO. Leon and his wife Carolyn live in Fresno, CA, and are Fresno Mennonite Community Church members.

Saturday May 15, 2021

Health care and health systems in DRC

9:30-10:45 AM Eastern Time (UTC -4) click here to find the time in your local time zone

We have the privilege to hear from three Congolese doctors and the work they each are contributing to for the Congolese healthcare and health systems. 

Dr. Emery Bewa Gindaye Teto will be sharing his research on strategic purchasing in the context of a low resilient health system. 

Dr Blaise Kutala will present his clinical research on liver disease and nutrition as well as access to primary care in peri-urban and rural areas together with Dr Delphin Kapasa Mulongo.  These three speakers bring their expertise as well as their life experiences of working in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Drs. Bewa, Kutala and Kapasa will answer questions and comment on input from participants.

Dr. Murray Nickel, GAHN steering committee member, will moderate the session.

Simultaneous Spanish and French translations will be available for the event.

Past events

Saturday, March 27

Global Anabaptist perspectives in fighting a pandemic. Does faith make a difference?

Presenter:  Mark Shelly, MD, Infectious Disease physician, Healthcare Epidemiologist, Geisinger Medical Center; professor, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA

Dr. Mark Shelly will present about the unique contribution of Anabaptist perspectives in the battle against infectious diseases around the world including approaches used in different parts of the globe, guiding values, exemplary practices, and the role of faith.

• Our Anabaptist faith has brought light to many tumultuous times.
• How does faith inform our response to science and uncertainty?
• How does love shape our collective life in the midst of disruption and fear? 
• Dr. Shelly will answer questions and comment on input from participants.

Dr. Murray Nickel, GAHN steering committee member, will moderate the session.

Wednesday, 27 January 2021

Integrating Anabaptist Christian perspectives in health, peacebuilding and leadership development

Presenter: Pakisa Tshmika (Doctor of Public Health, International Public Health)

Dr. Pakisa Tshimika, executive director and founder of Mama Makeka House of Hope, will share unique aspects of the Anabaptist faith that apply to global health based on his extensive leadership, teaching, and organizational development experiences in Anabaptist global health over several decades.

• He will tell stories of his many ventures into Anabaptist global health, and specifically will share about the development of the Mama Makeka House of Hope in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
• He will also engage participants in dialogue.

Dr. Rick Stiffney will moderate the session.

Wednesday, 18 November 2020

Anabaptist health-related global activities and research

10:00-11:15 AM Eastern Time (UTC-5)

Our presenters include: 

• Dr. Virgo Handojo, Professor of Psychology, California Baptist University, and Anabaptist pastor, who will give a summary of research findings on love, wellbeing, and spirituality among Indonesian populations in Indonesia and the U.S., and implications for dealing with COVID-19
• Dr. Chiang-Liang Wu, Superintendent at Mennonite Christian Hospital (MCH) in Hualien, Taiwan, who will give an overview of impact of the Mennnonite Christian Hospital in the Hualien region of Taiwan 
• Paul Shetler Fast, Health Coordinator, Mennonite Central Committee, who will talk about Mennonite Central Committee health programming and engagement with Anabaptist health services

Wednesday, 16 September 2020

Anabaptist-related responses to COVID-19

We will begin to explore Anabaptist responses to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Rick Stiffney (PhD), former CEO of Mennonite Health Services, and executive consultant will moderate our learning and sharing. The session will include: 

• Implementing a Care Group model in a COVID-19 health promotion and prevention project in the Mathare community of Nairobi, Kenya (Judith Siambe Opiyo, Program Officer, Centre for Peace and Nationhood, Kenya Mennonite Church) 
• Responding to COVID-19 through Sistema de Salud Menonita (SSM) in a large geographic region of Puerto Rico (Dr. Luis Torrellas Ruiz, Pneumologist and Medical Director in SSM)

Click here to read about the 16 September 2020 event.

Welcome to the development of the Global Anabaptist Health Network.

Please click here to email GAHN for more information or to offer suggestions.