TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

<U> </U>The Seventh-day Adventist faith is a Christian religion, with belief in biblical teachings at its core. Its name comes from the observation of the seventh-day Sabbath (Saturday) and a belief in the second coming (advent) of Jesus.

A healthy diet, exercise and lifestyle are emphasized, as are a holistic understanding of the person, promotion of religious liberty and conservative principles.

The church is a relatively new one, formally established in 1863 in Battle Creek, Mich. Among its prominent founders were Joseph Bates, James White and Ellen G. White, whose extensive writings are highly regarded in today's church.

Reportedly, the church today has a worldwide membership of more than 16 million people. It is listed as the 12th largest religion in the world and the sixth-largest international religion.

According to Jarrod McNaughton, a vice president at San Joaquin Community Hospital, the Adventist hospital in Bakersfield, James and Ellen White promoted "returning to the basics" -- biblical basics.

In 1866, Adventist pioneers established Western Health Reform Institute, the church's first medical institution in Battle Creek.

"It was almost a spa environment," McNaughton explained. The facility offered the best medical treatment of the day, with an emphasis on preventing disease through lifestyle changes, such as better nutrition, exercise and cleanliness. John Harvey Kellogg, the superintendent, developed breakfast cereals as a health food. This led to the founding of the Kellogg's cereal company by his brother, William, who worked as the facility's bookkeeper.

Renamed a sanitarium, the facility attracted a wide range of patients, including many celebrities. In 1902, the sanitarium burned down. A disagreement over the future resulted in John Kellogg splitting away, said McNaughton. But the concept of a sanitarium and prevention-focused care prevailed.

San Joaquin Community Hospital is affiliated with the nonprofit Adventist Health system. The oldest existing Adventist hospital today is the more than 100-year-old St. Helena Hospital in Northern California. Loma Linda University in Southern California is the premier medical school and hospital.

The religion's core beliefs and values are a driving force in the operation of Adventist hospitals.

"We are not here to convert people to Adventist. We want to reach out to everyone where there are needs," explained Bob Beehler, San Joaquin's chief executive officer. "We see our community as being really big."

"Sunlight, water and fresh air are strong factors in Adventist hospitals," said McNaughton, noting that the 130,000-square-foot North Tower addition to San Joaquin, which was built in 2007, reflects these elements. Patient rooms are arranged to provide each with a window for sunlight.

"We are a people of faith. Our calling is healing, although that may not result in curing," said McNaughton. "Love heals. We love people through quality and service."

San Joaquin staff talk a lot about "mission," whether it refers to the hospital-wide commitment to "sacred work," community volunteer projects or international initiatives.

"The concept means a lot of different things to every person," said McNaughton, explaining employees are given a paid leave of 20 hours a year -- above their vacation and other benefits -- to volunteer.

Community outreach projects include health and immunization clinics. Hospital-affiliated projects also reach overseas. McNaughton has headed teams from San Joaquin that have assisted at an Adventist hospital in Nigeria and brought medical care to rural African villages.

In response to this year's devastating earthquake in Haiti, the hospital matched staff contributions, sending $65,000 to aid an Adventist hospital in that country. This summer, Beehler and a team from San Joaquin traveled to Haiti to explore developing an ongoing relationship with the Haitian hospital.

"The experience of helping third world countries is impactful to the people who go," said Beehler. "They see some of our fellow human beings living in very difficult situations. They come back realizing what is really important."