James A. Gray Lecture Series - Winston-Salem State University

Theme: Faith & Healthcare

Date: March 20, 2025

Location: DJR 100

Speaker: Vickey Maclin

Topic: Faith & Mental Health

Time: 9am-9:50am

Is it possible for a Christian to consider seeking out mental health services? Shouldn’t the Christian’s faith be enough to deal with anything that they face, even if it is an emotional crisis? Often faith and mental health are held in opposition to each, but an alternative perspective will be offered to challenge this belief.

Dr. Maclin teaches at the Charlotte campus where she also serves as the Associate Director of Graduate Programs in Counseling. She is a Licensed Psychological Associate in North Carolina. She received her MA in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary (1997) and her PsyD in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College (2007).

Dr. Maclin served for 18 years as a missionary with Cru discipling and training high school students and in the National Office working with several different ministries. In addition to teaching in the counseling program she also provides counseling services to children, adolescents, families, individuals and couples for a diversity of issues. She serves her church by speaking with individuals who are dealing with personal struggles. Her areas of interest are in teaching and training related to diversity and multicultural issues. Her area of research is in this same area of helping individuals to gain clearer understandings of how issues of diversity, such as race, ethnicity, culture, and religion can factor into the development and clinical services that are offered to individuals. She has spoken at several different conferences on topics related to multicultural sensitivity in the field of counseling. When Dr. Maclin isn’t teaching or counseling, she loves engaging with the many close and dear friends who have been a part of her life for years.

Speaker: Dionne Roberts

Topic: The HOSEA Project.

Time: 10am-10:50am

Because the church is a pillar in African American communities, the faith-based setting was considered ideal for educating this population about prediabetes, diabetes prevention strategies, and evaluating diabetes risk factors. HOSEA Project will highlight the importance of faith in addressing chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension.

Dr. Dionne Roberts is an Associate Professor and Interim Chair of the Graduate Nursing Program at Winston-Salem State University. She has been a nurse educator and certified family nurse practitioner for over 25 years. Her research focus is prevention and control of cardiovascular risk factors, such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia.

Speaker: Morine Cebert

Title: Being Fruitful When They Can’t Multiply: The Tension of Faith & Infertility

Time: 11am-11:50am

Infertility is a medical condition causing the inability to conceive or achieve a live birth. Infertility affects millions of couples in the United States every year with a disproportionate impact on Black women attempting to build their families. Those with infertility are known to experience profound challenges that influence their personal, biological, financial, and social lives. Religious identity and faith beliefs profoundly impact how conflicts or coping mechanisms are formed in the face of involuntary childlessness.

This presentation will examine fertility and infertility in the Bible, historical and contemporary religious discussions of infertility and fertility treatments, and how religious leaders, scholars, and communities can shape the conversation around infertility and alternative forms of family building.

Dr. Morine Cebert, PhD, FNP-C, is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at the Dr. Susan L. Davis, RN & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing at Sacred Heart University. Her work explores multidimensional factors that influence treatment seeking behaviors of Black women experiencing infertility.

Dr. Cebert has 12 years of experience in clinical, research, and entrepreneurial women’s health. Dr. Cebert is a Connecticut native who is excited to serve those who are in need of convenient, respectful, and high-quality care. After seeing the need for after-hours women’s health services that won’t break the bank or cause unnecessary billing issues with insurance, she created Evening GYN to fit the needs of busy working women who cannot obtain care during traditional business hours and for those who don’t want to sit in urgent cares for hours while experiencing uncomfortable gynecological or urinary challenges.

Luncheon Speaker: John H. Lyon, III

Topic: Faith & Food (featuring the University Choir)

Time: 12pm-1:00pm - OPEN TO THE FIRST 100 REGISTRANTS

In the Holiness tradition, the call to holiness extends beyond moral and spiritual conduct—it includes how we care for our bodies. Drawing from scriptures such as Romans 12:1, 1 Peter 1:16, and 1 Corinthians 10:31, this presentation explores an inclusive understanding of holiness that encompasses our dietary choices. As a nation, we are experiencing rising health issues linked to the Western diet, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. How might a faith-informed approach to nutrition transform both our physical well-being and spiritual discipline? With over 13 years of experience in nutritional science, I will discuss practical ways to eat and supplement for better health and performance. This session will challenge students to see their dietary choices as part of their spiritual walk, honoring God through mindful stewardship of the body.

John Lyon III is a distinguished scientist, product developer, and faith leader with over 13 years of experience formulating more than 150 dietary supplements that can be found on shelves today. As Vice President of Product Development at Stingray Direct, he leads innovation in health and wellness, ensuring products meet scientific and regulatory standards. His expertise has contributed to the success of major brands and collaborations with high-profile figures such as Steve Harvey, Dr. Travis Stork, and Sherri Shepherd.

John holds a Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience with a minor in Public Health and Health Policy from Harvard University, where he also played college football. He later earned a Master of Divinity from Wake Forest University, concentrating on Food and Faith. His published research on probiotics and metabolic health underscores his commitment to advancing health knowledge.

A Pentecostal preacher and campus minister, John integrates faith and nutrition to inspire healthier lifestyles. He is a devoted husband and father of two sons.