About the Department

 

The Health Ministries Department serves as a resource for information and counsel on health and temperance affairs; advises the Church and its departments and related agencies on health and/or temperance related policies and programs; promotes a healthful life-style among church members through literature, programs and Sabbath services; provides through publications, services, and programs, an ongoing witness to the world concerning the physical, mental and soul-destroying effects of tobacco, alcohol and other substances.

Dr. Barbara Choi was welcomed by the Northern-Asia Pacific Division in 2005 beginning with the new GC Session 2005-2010, on a voluntary, part-time basis.

Dr. Choi has worked in health ministries of the Seventh Day Adventist church since 1970. She received her doctorate degree in Health Education from Loma Linda University. She has been involved with programs such as the Five-Day Stop Smoking Seminars, Health Seminars and the NEWSTART programs. Her ministries have taken her to many of the Pacific Rim countries such as Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.

Her rich background in health education as well as her leadership experience makes her the ideal coordinator of the Health Ministries Department. Dr. Choi is presently Professor of Health, Chair of the Arts, Humanities and Health Division as well as the Nursing Program Coordinator of HKAC, a position she will continue to hold in addition to her responsibilities as Health Ministries Coordinator at NSD.

In the past Dr. Choi has held various leadership positions within Asia.  She has been the nursing school director for HKASON, hospital president of TWAH, chief health educator for the National Institute of Health Education of China, Director of collaborative program in China LLU, and health director for the South China Island Union Mission.