Fit to Lead Seminary Workshops

Three workshops have been identified for first-year UM seminary students; areas of specific focus within the topics will be based on the health self-assessment tool results. Leaders will be identified by the General Board.

The first workshop will be held at Garret Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill., on August 26. Click on the links below to read the full bios of the Fit to Lead presenters.

	Rev. Dr. Gary R. Gunderson Gary's two leadership roles focus on building the capacity of religious institutions to advance health and wholeness. Since the Interfaith Health Program began at The Carter Center in 1992, Gunderson has explored the confluence of health and faith by working with an international network of community leaders and multi-disciplinary scholars. That work has now “come to ground” in the Center of Excellence in Faith and Health at Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare. Read Gary Gunderson's full bio.
	Teresa Cutts, Ph.D. As the faith-health academic and community liaison in her work and community roles, Dr. Cutts hopes to help Memphis become the “Beloved Community” envisioned by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and others. Dr. Cutts believes in the concept of faith as preventive medicine and is passionate about translating academic research to help the underserved and to redefine the way that medicine is practiced. Read Teresa Cutts's full bio.
	Dr. James Early James Early, M.D. is currently a clinical associate professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita and the medical director of Via Christi Regional Medical Center’s Solutions for Life™. Read James Early's full bio.
	Judy Johnston Judy Johnston is a registered and licensed dietitian with more than 16 years experience in management and clinical hospital dietetics, specializing in diabetes management. She has nearly 20 years of public health experience. She earned a bachelor's degree in Dietetics and Institutional Management and a master's degree in Adult and Occupational Education from Kansas State University. Read Judy Johnston's full bio.
	Mark Conner Mark is a certified employee benefit specialist (CEBS) and certified financial planner (CFP®). After graduating from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in 1979 with a Master of Divinity degree, Mark’s vocation became clear. He has worked for almost 30 years at two United Methodist Church general agencies. Read Mark Conner's full bio.
	Lynette Rice Lynette D. Rice, CPA, is a benefits education specialist at the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits. She formerly worked as a financial planner with the financial planning and planned giving ministry of the General Board of Global Ministries. She has a master's degree in Management from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. She is a member of the Grace United Methodist Church in Lake Bluff, Ill., and a lay member of the Northern Illinois Annual Conference. Read Lynette Rice's full bio.