Adventist University in Mexico Receives Important Award

Montemorelos University, an institution operated by the Seventh-day Adventist in Inter-America, was granted a special Silver Medal from the French National Academy of Medicine last week. The medal was presented to Ismael Castillo, president of Montemorelos University, during the institution’s first Healthy Lifestyle Summit on Nov. 2-4, 2017, in Montemorelos, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.

“This Silver Medal represents special recognition to the institution for its contribution to the advancement of medicine and marks a further step in the relationship that we share,” said André Parodi, honorary president of the French National Academy of Medicine.

Parodi said the recognition was “an extension to what was signed months ago,” referring to the memorandum of understanding made earlier this year on the collaboration of health projects and events being developed with the “I Want to Live Healthy” network of organizations.

The “I Want to Live Healthy” initiative consists of a plan which promotes eight remedies, or healthy habits, such as drinking purified water, fostering a positive attitude, consuming fruits and vegetables, getting plenty of rest, eliminating junk food, eating breakfast and less dinner, and being happy.

“Moving forward with our integrated health projects is a real honor for us,” said Castillo, as he received the medal.

More than 200 medical students, health professionals, and church leaders attended the Healthy Lifestyle Summit where Parodi and other speakers shared scientific findings and reviewed the Adventist health message. Presenters also reported on interventions made to promote a healthy lifestyle and provide training on the prevention and cure of chronic non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory complications, and diabetes.

Among the speakers was Peter Landless, Health Ministries director for the Adventist world church, who spoke on the importance of health and spirituality, as well as the role prevention plays in the health challenges that young people face.

Topics discussed during the summit included plant-based nutrition, vegetarian diets and longevity, food and genetic expression, intervention for anxiety and depression, exercise, obesity intervention, the role of health in the plan of salvation, and more.

Inter-America health ministries director Belkis Archbold spoke on the importance of rest, healthy living, and the benefits of the prevention of non-communicable diseases, a message she has been sharing across churches and institutions every year in the IAD.

“The summit was very important because it highlighted the fact that we need to bring about more awareness as to how lifestyle affects the health of every person,” said Archbold, who also coordinates the “I Want to Live Healthy” programs across the territory.

Archbold also urged listeners to commit to spreading the health principles promoted by the church.

“Our [Adventist] health message is based on the Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy [the writings of church co-founder Ellen G. White], and science, and we must actively promote it,” she said.