Dear friends and supporters,
Five years of true education
Five years since a bold idea took root at Herghelia — and today we can say with gratitude: every step has been worth it.
Two graduating classes. A generation of character.
Before we tell you about the new school year, we want to celebrate with you the second graduating class of the “Vasile Dan” Herghelia Nursing School.
This was not an ordinary group. These were mature adults — with families, jobs, and real sacrifices behind them. Some completed part of their studies remotely. One young mother sat her diploma exams just weeks after giving birth. None of them gave up.
They took their final exams in collaboration with the “Dr. Luca” Nursing School in Cernica, Bucharest — and the examiners specifically noted the seriousness of their preparation and the quality of their training at Herghelia. The feedback confirmed what we already knew: this direction is worth pursuing.
The Class of 2025–2026: 23 students who are already surprising us
The new school year brought with it 23 first-year students — and honestly, they exceeded our expectations from the very first month.
Many of them are professionals in career transition: they have other jobs, children at home, full lives. And yet they choose to start something new. They choose to learn not only classical nursing, but also what Herghelia uniquely offers: natural remedies, prevention, and lifestyle medicine.
One example that particularly moved us: Ema, an economist by training, quickly became the class representative — not through authority, but through character. Through her ability to motivate, to unite, to raise the bar for everyone around her. The teachers appreciate both her and her classmates for something rare: they want to understand, not simply pass the exam.
A pilot project pre-approved by the Ministry of Education
This is the big news of the year: we have received approval to apply for a pilot project that integrates three important directions.
- Lifestyle medicine in the curriculum. Future nurses will understand not just symptoms, but causes — not just how to treat, but how to prevent and educate.
- A hybrid format for career changers. Theory online, from home. Practice at Herghelia. A real solution for those who cannot leave their families or jobs behind in order to study.
- A school that forms whole people. Not just medical professionals — people who grow, discover their calling, and become a blessing to those around them.
We have already tested this model. It works. And with your support, we want to expand it.
Right now, we are in Croatia
As we write these words, some of our students are in Croatia as part of a partnership with ADRA Croatia.
They go from house to house, visiting elderly people — often alone, often forgotten. They measure blood pressure, pulse, blood glucose, and body composition. They listen. They refer. They carry out basic health screenings and identify situations that need urgent medical attention.
For our students, this is not just practical training. It is service. Empathy. Character formation.
We will share stories from Croatia in the next newsletter.
Thank you
Those of you who support Herghelia through prayers and donations are part of every graduate, every life touched, every step this school takes.
Every changed life matters. And you are part of that.
With gratitude,
By the Team of the “Vasile Dan” Herghelia Nursing School
Herghelia, Romania
Newsletter XXII Summary
The patient program at Herghelia continues to function well, though due to economic hardship in Romania, the average number of patients per session in 2025 declined from 51 to 48.
Following the cancellation of the presidential elections in December 2024, social trust declined and social anxiety increased, compounded by economic downturn and the broader global crisis.
My name is Ovidiu, and I am a nurse and therapist at Herghelia. After nearly 22 years of repeating that introduction to patients, it feels completely natural — but the road that brought me here was one I never could have planned on my own.
I grew up in the flatlands of southeastern Romania, in a large and beautiful village, the way all the places of our childhood seem beautiful. My family was traditional, and like most people in our area, we were Orthodox. My grandmother had a deep spiritual side and passed that on to me from an early age. We even had a relative who served in the local church, and my grandmother dreamed that her grandson would one day become a priest.
As the chaplain of the institution, I spend one hour with our guests each session during the first week, meeting as a group on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. I usually teach them a couple of Scripture songs and deliver a short spiritual message.
This session, two gentlemen are joining us at Herghelia for the first time, one of whom is a magistrate. At our first meeting, they both arrived a little after my presentation had begun. I was speaking about the importance of a positive attitude in life and how we can develop one. Basing my message on Psalm 42, I highlighted three main ideas, supporting each with illustrations
I am grateful to God for what He continues to do at Herghelia. I come here every year in my role as auditor for the institution, but I always look forward to the spiritual experiences God has in store for me beyond my professional duties.
Some of you may remember Isaiah, my Pentecostal friend whom I first met at Herghelia four years ago — I shared that story in a previous newsletter. Last autumn we were here together again, and we made plans to return this spring for a fourth visit. In September I stopped by to see him and his family in their hometown. We spent a wonderful few days together — enjoying the scenery, visiting local sights, and hiking in the Jiu Valley. We paused now and then to pray and thank God for the beauty of nature. When we said goodbye, we were looking forward to meeting again at Herghelia in the spring. But then something unexpected happened.
When her turn came to introduce herself at the welcome gathering that session, Mrs. M — one of our guests — openly admitted that she had been afraid to come to Herghelia. I was eager to learn more, and later that evening we had a chance to talk. She shared with me that she had been planning to come for a long time and genuinely needed our services but had hesitated. Although all of her friends who knew us had exceptionally good things to say about our medical care, when it came to the fact that we are Adventists, everyone had advised her to be cautious. I appreciated her honesty and assured her that Herghelia is the safest place on earth as far as her soul is concerned — her personal relationship with God.
Five years since a bold idea took root at Herghelia — and today we can say with gratitude: every step has been worth it.
Two graduating classes. A generation of character.
Before we tell you about the new school year, we want to celebrate with you the second graduating class of the “Vasile Dan” Herghelia Nursing School.
HERGHELIA – URGENT NEEDS
- Scholarship Ethiopia: 7500 USD
- Scholarship Uganda: 6000 USD
- New Wing Project: 160.000 USD
- Medical Missionary Nursing School – Online/On-site Pilot Program – $15,000
2 ways to donate via OCI tax deductible:
A. Donate ONLINE:
Go to OCI website: https://outpostcenters.org/en/oci-website/donate
Choose Herghelia Institute as the recipient, choose or write the amount of donation and in the cassette where is written “Leave them a note” please write “For Ethiopians training” or “For dr. Ivan’s training” or “Scholarship Ethiopia and Uganda” or “ New wing” or “ Nursing School”
B. Write a check to:
OCI International
5132 Layton Lane, Apison, TN
37302 United StatesIn the MEMO please write: For Herghelia Institute – Scholarship Ethiopia and/or Uganda or, For Herghelia Insitute New wing or, For Herghelia Institute Nursing School
- Contact person: Valentina Dan
Phone: +40-748-118-084
E-mail: valentinadan1964@yahoo.com