Dr. Donald G. Pursley retired in May after serving the Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center (LLUAHSC) for 13 years. Pursley, who holds a doctorate in business administration (DBA), was executive vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer.

B. Lyn Behrens, MBBS, president and CEO of LLUAHSC, honored Pursley with the President’s Medallion, the highest award given by Loma Linda for service.

“In 1999, in a time of unparalleled challenges, you assumed the financial leadership role at Loma Linda University Medical Center,” writes Behrens in her address to Pursley. “Your diligence, determination and untiring efforts led to an extraordinary financial turnaround. The systems you put in place continue to contribute to a strong, fiscally accountable operation. The mentorship of the financial team will continue to impact Loma Linda into the next generation.” Behrens was also pleased to present him with an original Thomas Kinkade painting as a parting gift.

In 1961, Pursley entered the United States Air Force pilot training school. Following completion of his training, Pursley served as a pilot, instructor pilot, flight examiner and officer in charge of a flight instrument school in Europe, Southeast Asia, the continental United States and Alaska.

In 1969, Pursley received the Silver Star, the nation’s third highest decoration for valor, for combat service in Vietnam. He was cited for performing “an extremely hazardous tactical emergency resupply airdrop of vitally needed supplies to the besieged defenders of Khe Sanh last year as commander and pilot of a six-man C-130 Hercules transport. He did it in spite of intense enemy mortar and antiaircraft fire, rain, heavy clouds and having to dodge many friendly helicopters swooping in and out of his drop area.” That flight was among more than 600 combat sorties Pursley flew in Vietnam.

In 1991, Pursley was offered the position of vice president for financial affairs at Loma Linda University. Eight years later, he was appointed to the position of senior vice president for finance at Loma Linda University Medical Center.

Through the years, Pursley has been key in keeping the entities that constitute Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center on a sound financial basis as the institution enters the 21st century.