By Sara Therlonge
March 29, 2026, may well be remembered as a milestone in the history of the Health Ministries Department of the Quebec Conference. On that day, the very first gathering of the Quebec Adventist Health Professionals Association took place at the Saint-Hubert Seventh-day Adventist Church.
This initiative, long envisioned by the department leaders—Dr. Marianne Lemay, Joseph Tchelibou, and Danielle Noël—became a reality with the participation of more than 50 attendees.
At first glance, the concept may seem simple: bringing together Adventist health professionals from across the province. However, beyond the logistical considerations—such as providing online participation for members living in remote regions and interpretation services for English-speaking participants—this inaugural meeting sought to establish the foundation of the association. Discussions focused on defining its mission, values, objectives, governance structure, bylaws, and working committees.
Participants enthusiastically embraced the process, actively contributing to the development of the project. Their involvement ranged from designing the association’s visual identity and logo to proposing frameworks for scientific research, evaluation, and professional collaboration.
In addition to these meaningful exchanges, attendees were honored by the presence of Quebec Conference President, Pastor Ngoy Kyala, who shared encouraging insights about the positive community impact of similar health professional associations in Europe.
Dr. Marianne Lemay, who chaired the meeting alongside her team, also presented an informative seminar on hearing health—an especially relevant topic for many local churches.
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. The enthusiasm generated during the event was evident as attendees eagerly discussed plans for their next gathering. This first meeting demonstrated both the need for and the potential of a strong network of Adventist health professionals throughout Quebec.
Let us pray that this new initiative will become a blessing and a light to our communities. The possibilities are numerous: educational programs in schools, one-day community clinics, emergency response initiatives, and many other forms of outreach and service. The potential is great, and our God is infinitely greater.
May this first step lead to many meaningful accomplishments in the years to come.
