Darrell, originally from Minnesota, graduated from Miltonvale Wesleyan College in 1970 with an Associates of Arts degree. He was encouraged by his pastor to visit the college and then decided to attend. Several of his fondest memories include dorm life, professors showing their caring manner while interacting with students, and a setting that was conducive to learning. He recalls that the spiritual life at MWC set in motion a part of his life that remains in him to this day. While attending MWC he met many people who had given great service to not only the college, but also the church. They were great examples of leaders with their humility, love and compassion.
Why did you decide to attend Miltonvale?
I had attended a small Wesleyan country church in Minnesota (South Troy), where I was encouraged to attend hospitality days by my pastor. It was such a great time that the decision was made and I looked no farther.What are your fondest memories of attending Miltonvale?
I loved the dorm life, professors and their interactions with students in a caring manner, and the setting that was conducive to learning. The spiritual life there set in motion a part of my life that remains in me to this day. Little did I know however that God was already working His will in my life so as to prepare me for serving.
College is a time to learn and experience new things. What lessons did you learn while at Miltonvale?
I met many people who had given great service to not only the college, but also the Church and who were great examples of leaders. There were great examples of Humility, love and compassion. I was impressed with the faculty taking such an interest in me a poor country boy from Minnesota who still needed to develop in so many ways.
How did attending a Christian institute impact your life?
MWC revealed to me the ways of service to God by way of dorm prayer meetings which were blessed with tears of emotion, honesty, and the the reality that God does inhabit our prayers. The chapel services gave a me sense of God’s presence in our lives even during the week, and of course many were great examples of how God works in other peoples lives as well. This setting tended to reinforce the need for a more personal development of my spiritual life…and to let it come to maturation with God’s direction.
What message/advice would you give to the next generation of college students attending OWU?
As a young student there are so many possibilities in life thru man’s eyes, but to me the verse in Romans 12:2 sums up the possibility which can make all the difference in a good life and a fruitful life that truly gives satisfaction. Once one can come to grip why they are here and for whose purposes, then one of the biggest hurdles is crossed. Students at OWU have an excellent setting for not only sorting this out but putting it on track to bring them a life that only God could have orchestrated.
After graduating from MWC, did you know that you wanted to be a doctor or was it something you always wanted to become and what lead you to this career path?
Actually, I had no idea that I would be a doctor, however going to school with dr’s kids during high school made think about it. The idea was not really acted upon at the time as no money for education, and surely not realistic coming from a small Christian college. However, the verses in Proverbs 3:5,6 proved to be more true to me than I knew at the time. A job at a local hospital, coupled with a pathologist’s suggestion that I could look at a career in medicine were used by God to get me to look more closely at this direction for my life. God answered prayer for time, financial assistance, and the opportunity to go to medical school. I can truly look back on the time and see God’s direction of the path.
When did you know you wanted to specialize in pediatric surgery and what was it about pediatric surgery that appealed to you?
During my General Surgery residency, the pediatric surgical fellow was gone for a period of time that led to an opportunity for me to spend more time on the service. This I see as a divine direction that I couldn’t have controlled. My interest in pediatric surgery had actually started in medical school although I didn’t know then that I would be able to see it thru to fruition. You see, it involved a match system for about 17 slots, and there were over 300 applicants. I owe God the thanks for one of the slots that opened the door to the surgical care of not only babies, but also small children. He showed me how this could be a ministry to the young parents that crossed my path. Never could I have dreamed of the opportunities that God has afforded me to see how He chooses to work. thru us for His purposes. I indeed have been blessed to have been able to experience healing not only physically, but more importantly, spiritually.Could you share a time when God used you as a physician to perform a miracle?
Yes, little Ashley was sent to me as a newborn with multiple anomalies, involving multiple areas of the body. She was left to die as felt to be helpless. God had other plans despite her many problems. We agreed to oversee her care. After multiple operations, and now 18 yrs later, she is singing His praises as she has learned to function and to accommodate with less than the normal body. I feel like God gave us the patience, compassion, and care to be patient with her and her family during these many procedures in which we literally had to trust Him for the guidance. Again, He was faithful. God has answered many prayers over the years regarding the physical healing and the spiritual healing of my patients.
As a doctor who prays with his patients and their families, what do you say to those who believe a doctor does not need to involve himself in the patient’s spirituality?
I believe that in order to fulfill the purposes that God has for me, it is necessary to avail myself of His wisdom, guidance and direction. I first of all need His direction to be to my patient and their family what He needs me to be. It is with this in mind that I can share with the family faith in God for protection, direction, healing, and further, purpose for their lives that only can come from their Creator.
I believe that to separate out the spiritual from the physical is to leave out the source of life itself. Scripture sharing has been powerful as well.Do you have a favorite inspirational scripture, song, quote, story, etc., that has significance in your life? Please share what the significance is and, if any, a specific instance the words of inspiration impacted your life.
Romans 12:2 Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind so that ye may test and approve that which is His good, perfect and pleasing will.Also an old Swedish proverb, “if you want to sing a song, you will find a song to sing.”
This has helped me to remember that God can give us that song that we can daily sing.