Rosemary Graham Vita

AGENCIES

9/98 – Present National Council of Churches in Christ Committee on Disability – Executive Leadership Chair
3/95 – Present NAD of SDA Commission for People with Disabilities – SAC Rep.
9/97 – Present South Atlantic Conference (SAC) of Seventh-day Adventist – Disabilities Ministries Director
11/94 – Present Black Women’s Health Study – Boston/Howard University School of Medicine – Advisory Board member
1990 – 1993  National Black Women’s Health Initiative Board Member
1989 – Present Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., Greater Atlanta Chapter Patient Advocate, Minority Outreach Coordinator, and Volunteer

HONORS

02/07 -  Service Appreciation, Southern Union Conference of SDA
10/03 - Distinguished Service Award, Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., GA Chapter
3/99 -  “Coordinator of the Year Award”, NAD/SDA Commission for People with Disabilities
11/96 - CTM Award Certificate – Toastmasters at the Project
10/91-96 - Certificate of Appreciation – Lupus Foundation, Greater Atlanta
1/92 - Certificate of Appreciation – MLK Center for Nonviolent Change

EDUCATION

4/90 - Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Self Help (SLESH) Course Training Certificate
10/90 -  Arthritis Self Help (ASH) Course Training Certificate
7/74 -  B.S. – Secretarial Science/Business Administration, Oakwood College, Huntsville, AL
6/70 -  H.S. Diploma, Central H.S., South Bend, IN

The following is a list of activities Rosemary has completed.

COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES

• Presentations (Sermons and workshops) on Disability Awareness at South Atlantic Conference SDA churches, camp meeting, officer’s meeting, worker’s meeting, usher federation, women ministries retreats, and education board/principals meetings.
   
• Testify to State of Georgia Legislators – House Appropriations Committee, on behalf of lupus patients (re:  PDL”S – preferred drug lists; and PA’s – prior authorization)
   
• Testify to Georgia legislators in Washington on behalf of lupus patients (re:  Medicare cutbacks, FDA reform, and other health concerns).
   
• Participate in area health/ADA fairs at various businesses, schools, and churches
   
• Former Facilitator - SLESH Course at area hospitals
   
• Conduct pubic screening survey at area health fairs
   
• Help establish SWILE (Spelman [College] Women’s Initiative on Lupus Erythematosus) for three years.
   
• Facilitate a support group in DeKalb Medical Center (90/91)

PUBLICATIONS

SAC/SDA Disability Publications

• “Disability Informant” (editor) SAC Newsletter for church Disability Ministry Coordinators
• Brochures:  Call to Action, Understanding Mental Illness,
• Access & Accommodation Guidebook – Breaking Down Barriers of Architecture for People with Disabilities
• “Greeting People with Disabilities – A Guide for Ushers, Hosts, and Hostesses”
• Disaster Tips for People with Disabilities Booklet
• “God’s Call to Be A Comforter”, February 2, 1999 - ENERGIZED SDA Devotional Book
• “Living with a Chronic Illness”, MESSAGE (SDA Magazine), July, ‘90

Lupus Articles

• – “Living with Lupus”, ESSENCE Feature Story - Oct., ’95
• “African American Women and Lupus:  Knowing the Facts, Vital Signs Newsletter, National Black Women’s Health Project, June, ’94, and Oct., ’91)
• “What is Lupus” Nursing Matters”, Black Nurses Association – Georgia and Alabama, 3/93