Your Door Awaits

Dr. Denise Hinds is the chair of the Health Wellness and Physical Education department at Washington Adventist University. Growing up, she wanted to become a pediatrician, due to her love for infants. Dr. Hinds mentioned that whenever her mother would search for her after church, she’d always find her tending to the babies. Thus, her love for children increased as time progressed. 

Her inspiration followed her to college. She attended Columbia Union College, where she studied Respiratory Care Therapy. Her advisers had assured her that this was the path that would enable her to get into medical school. In her junior year, she received her associates in  Respiratory Care, and by her senior year she began to work in a local hospital. 

While she worked in the hospital, she realized she no longer wanted to be a clinician. Therefore, she began to do some research and found the answer that she longed for. During her research, she came across the Loma Linda School of Public Health and discovered the field of Maternal and Child Health. It was in this moment where she had gained an epiphany; this was what she wanted to do ,and she had to act upon it. After two years of studying, she eventually received her MPH (Masters of Public Health) in Maternal Child Health at Loma Linda School of Public Health.

After graduating, she first worked as a health educator for a non-profit substance abuse program for women with young children. Then, she worked for the county, where she supervised teen pregnancy programs. At one point, she worked independently as a health educator consultant for a few years, and later worked for another non-profit program as a prevention specialist focused on the health disparities among African Americans. After having worked for a number of years, she returned to school to pursue her doctorate in Public Health.

While working on her doctorate, she was faced with some challenges. It became extremely difficult to balance work, full-time school, and social life. In addition, finding a job in her field of interest was a challenge—primarily because some jobs required specific amount of experience. In the midst of the storm, she had a strong support team that motivated her. She was very active in her church, and many of the church members became that constant support system. They’d pray for her when she needed it the most. 

As the job hunt continued, she began to search for teaching opportunities. Teaching in a community setting was the path she initially desired, as opposed to academia. However, the doors were closing for her in that area, and doors were opening for her in academia. Dr. Hinds describes this as a Jonah experience. Just as Jonah avoided going to Tarshsih, she also avoided and tended to run away from the academia world. In this time of confusion, she continually prayed to God to lead her into the direction He had intended for her. In His timing, God opened a door for her at Washington Adventist University. She recalled that God led her here—the place where she had once studied. When she received the offer, she recalled that she was pleased and extremely grateful.

As the current chair of the department, Dr. Hinds recalled that being at Washington Adventist University has not only allowed her to bring her skills to the table, but to grow spiritually. She’s had moments where she would pray with some of her students in her office, and talk to those who needed encouragement. In fact, some students have asked her if they could use her office to pray. 

In addition, she was asked if this institution was what she had expected. She answered the following: “I always prayed to have my profession and ministry all in one package. It was here at Washington Advenist University where I was able to do that…being able to be in a faith-based setting has been an enormous blessing.”

At some point in her life, she would like to continue her passion in Maternal and Child Health, yet she is also happy in the place she is currently at. Being able to teach about health in a faith-based institution is the dream she always had. God led her here for a purpose, and was not by pure coincidence. Some doors remain locked for a reason. If God has a door for you, he will do everything in His power to make the path to that door clear for you. Your door awaits and when the time is right, you’ll be able to enter it. 

 As the chair, Dr. Hinds desires for the department of Health Wellness and Physical Education to keep growing into one that can impact a community to strive for better health. 

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own” (1 Corinthians 6:19)