Rick Stevens, area TB coordinator for Florida Department of Health, spoke to Adventist University students and faculty at the symposium on January 23, 2013.

When the first academic symposium was held in September 2012, a new tradition began at Adventist University of Health Sciences.

The weekly symposiums bring healthcare professionals and Adventist University faculty, administrators, and students together to discuss scholarly interests, academic specialties, or intellectual and clinical accomplishments.

The symposiums are a venue to learn simply for the sake of learning. Russ Butler, professor in the Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences, said that this environment allows for a stimulating educational experience.

“It instills interdisciplinary thoughts and team scholarship. Students are learning contemporary intellectual interests,” Butler said.

The symposiums also provide information about future professions. At one symposium Rick Stevens, DrPH, area TB coordinator for Florida Department of Health, spoke and encouraged students to go into a field they were passionate about.

“Some of you may be wondering about your future careers,” Stevens said. “I had a passion to protect the public and I’ve been very fulfilled in my profession.”

So far the weekly meetings have been well-received.

“Sometimes the students are blown away by what they hear,” Butler said. “There are no tests; it’s an environment for them to listen, learn, and interact with faculty, administrators, and professionals in the field.”

-by Sarah Crowder