Longtime president of Seventh-day Adventist-owned Loma Linda University Dr. Lyn Behrens announced her retirement December 13 to board members of the Loma Linda, California-based Health Sciences Center.

Behrens, who acted as Chief Executive Officer for the institution and presided over the Loma Linda Health Sciences Center, University, and University Medical Center since 1990, said she is planning a March 2008 retirement.

“Dr. Behrens’ 17-year term as president has been the longest for any president in [Loma Linda’s] history,” said Lowell Cooper, board chair and a vice president of the Adventist world church. Cooper described Behrens’ leadership as “outstanding” and said her term was marked by an “unswerving” commitment to both the “spiritual dimension of healthcare” and the “denominational identity” of the university.

During her term, Behrens oversaw a major reworking of the institution’s administrative structure. Her leadership also led to university expansion—including a health sciences university and four new medical centers—and a number of international outreach efforts, such as developing and upgrading hospitals in China and Afghanistan. Loma Linda conducted the Adventist Health Studies during Behrens’ term. Funded by the U.S. National Cancer Institute, the studies explored the relationship between lifestyle choices and longevity.

“I believe [Loma Linda] is poised for unprecedented success in our work as educators of health professionals, scientists and scholars; in our ability to impact health care regionally, nationally and globally; and in our commitment to the mission and heritage of the organization,” Behrens said after her announcement.

Behrens began working at Loma Linda in 1966 as the institution’s first and only pediatric resident. She was also the university’s first woman to serve as president. The university board has appointed a search committee and expects to fill her position by late February.