In this episode of Connecting Our Conversations, Rev. Dr. Shannan Vance-Ocampo is joined by Dr. Heidi DeBlock, Visiting Research Scientist with NASA’s Johnson Space Center Cardiovascular Laboratory, for a thoughtful conversation about space exploration, human physiology, scientific discovery, and the sense of awe that comes from seeing Earth in the context of the wider universe. Together, they reflect on what missions like Artemis can teach us about the human body, our shared future, and the wonder that connects science and faith.

About Dr. Heidi DeBlock
Dr. Heidi DeBlock grew up in Upstate New York and frequented Maine to ski, enjoy the beaches and honeymoon. She graduated from the University of Rochester with a degree in Astrophysics and attended the SUNY Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Science. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine and a Fellowship in Critical Care Medicine at the University of Rochester’s Strong Memorial Hospital.

Dr. DeBlock moved to the Portland area and is a hospitalist/intensivist for Maine Health Stephens Hospital . She is now a coach for students of the Tufts Medical College as well as teaching Problem Based Learning at TUSM. For the past 24 years she was an Associate Professor of Surgery at Albany Medical Hospital where she was an attending physician in both the Surgical and Neurosciences Intensive Care Units. She was on the faculty of the Albany Medical College and was the Director of the Critical Care Clerkship.

She has been working with NASA, Johnson Space Center's Cardiovascular Laboratory since 1990 as a Visiting Research Scientist. Her areas of study have included both Earth and Space based research on the areas of arrythmogenesis, orthostatic hypotension and their countermeasures. She was awarded the Spaceflight Achievement Award from NASA in 2003 for her contributions to research in Cardiovascular Physiology. Although based in Houston, Dr. DeBlock’s research has taken her to the Kennedy Space
Center and the Dreyden Spaceflight Research Center to attend shuttle landings over the past many years. She is currently working researching arrhythmias as a result of long duration spaceflight on the International Space Station. Dr. DeBlock talks about her research and work with NASA to many local schools, clubs and associations.

She was an adjunct professor of Science and Technology at Schenectady Community College, was the President of the Board of Directors of the Challenger Learning Center, is an avid skier, triathlete and enjoys traveling and playing a variety of instruments. She is the proud mother of 3 daughters and the wife of the Reverend Dr. Scott DeBlock.

In this episode, Rev. Dr. Shannan Vance-Ocampo, along with Rev. Gusti Newquist, pastor at Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church, discuss a key pillar of nonviolence: The Universe is on the Side of Justice.

Together they discuss how nonviolence is lived out in everyday ministry, and challenge us all to trust that even in complexity, God is on the side of justice.

In this episode, Rev. Dr. Shannan Vance-Ocampo talks with Rev. Trina Portillo of Burlington Presbyterian Church in Burlington, MA about the fifth pillar of Kingian nonviolence: Avoid Internal Violence of the Spirit as well as External Physical Violence.

Together, they reflect on ministry, immigration justice, public witness, righteous anger, and the discipline of nonviolence in a time of fear and harm.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Bearing Witness website: https://bearingwitnessne.org/
Bearing Witness Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1459429958807792/
Weekly witness: Wednesdays, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at 1000 District Avenue, Burlington, MA
Burlington Presbyterian Church: https://burlingtonpres.org/