Medical missionary to speak at young women's conference

Between 150-200 girls are expected for the event, which will be Saturday, March 13. The conference will begin at 9 a.m. in the Student Center. About 30 hands-on workshops will precede Berggren’s presentation at 3 p.m.

Dr. Berggren, a graduate of Chadron State, is now semi-retired in Golden, Colo. Her activities have included being chief coordinator for the Home and Village Prepared Weaning Food Project sponsored by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She and her husband, Dr. Warren Berggren, also designed Save the Children’s survival programs that have operated in more than 26 developing nations.

The Berggrens began their career as medical missionaries in Congo. Their work later took them to Haiti and a number of African countries while serving on the faculty of the Harvard School of Public Health for more than 25 years. They now volunteer time to numerous faith-based organizations and are involved in nutritional programs in Haiti and other developing countries. They have been to Rwanda and Haiti during the past year, and plan a mission to Madagascar this month.

Mrs. Berggren’s numerous honors include being selected one of six “Children’s Health Champions” by the United Nations Children’s Fund in 1992. She also received the International Health Award from the hands of Mother Theresa in 1986 and the American Public Health Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999.

She received her bachelor’s degree from Chadron State in 1954, and was awarded CSC’s honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in December 2000. She also received Chadron State’s Distinguished Service Award in 1983 and holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Nebraska School of Medicine.

More information about Expanding Your Horizons and registration materials may be found at the conference’s Web site: www.csc.edu/eyh. Preregistration is due Feb. 13.

--By JUSTIN HAAG, Communications Coordinator