On Friday, October 20, 2017, students from the College of Allied Health were invited to hear a special presentation by Dr. Swaid Swaid in the Administration Auditorium. As a Harding alum and one of the world’s most renowned neurosurgeons, Dr. Swaid brought a message of encouragement, compassion, and humility. With words that were as sharp as his scalpel, but yet as delicate and skillful as he, Dr. Swaid’s message was able to leave everyone innervated, excited, and full of energy.
As part of his presentation, Dr. Swaid presented videos that highlighted his masterful talents and skillful abilities to bring people much needed healing and relief. He was quick to point out that the skill and healing came from God above and much like the scalpel, Dr. Swaid says he is simply an instrument that our Creator, Healer, and Great Physician uses to make others whole. Additionally, through his personal narratives, Dr. Swaid instilled in the audience a sense of encouragement and confidence of what an education from Harding University means. He spoke of the confidence that he had as a medical student, knowing that Harding University had prepared him with the knowledge and encouraged his deep relationship with God. Both proved to be integral in the journey through medical school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He gave specific examples in which simple acts of kindness and compassion, made a difference in the lives of his patients and their families. He encouraged all students and faculty to make that difference while approaching their careers from a Christian world-view with compassion, kindness, and the willingness to let God use us for His service. He challenged us to be confident in our education from Harding University and forever humbled by the opportunities God puts before us to serve His people.