Healing Purpose: Dr. Mark Topazian on Finding Joy, Faith, and Fulfillment in Medicine
Dr. Mark Topazian joins host Dr. Mike Chupp and co-host Dr. Bill Griffin for a conversation on finding joy, faith, and fulfillment in medicine. A world-class gastroenterologist who has taught and practiced at Yale University and the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Topazian now serves with his wife, Janet, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as missionaries with SIM. Drawing from his new book, Healing Purpose: Finding Satisfaction in a Healthcare Career, Dr. Topazian explores what happens when our calling to help others meets the realities of exhaustion and spiritual fatigue, and how God’s presence transforms even the hardest days of clinical work. Through stories from academic medicine and mission service, he reveals how faith and science form one unified story of healing, and how practicing whole-person care renews both the patient and the provider. Whether you’re a student, a practitioner, or a weary soul in need of renewal, this episode will remind you that your daily work is sacred and filled with purpose.
CMDA is here to support and equip you at every stage of your journey. As the nation’s largest faith-based professional healthcare organization, membership connects you with a community of like-minded colleagues, resources, and opportunities to live out your faith in practice. Learn more and get connected at cmda.org.
This weekend, November 14-15, 2025, in Fort Worth, TX, take part in Saline Process Witness Training, a 10-hour interactive course designed to equip healthcare professionals and students to confidently live out their faith and be witnesses for Christ in clinical settings. Research shows that most patients want their healthcare providers to consider their spiritual needs, yet many clinicians feel unsure how to do so with sensitivity and respect. Through engaging teaching, discussion, and practical application, you’ll learn how to care for both the physical and spiritual well-being of your patients while honoring their values and your calling.
And mark your calendar for the 2026 CMDA National Convention, April 23–26 in Loveland, Colorado – a time to renew your spirit, recharge your faith, and connect with fellow believers in healthcare. We’re thrilled to welcome John Stonestreet, President of the Colson Center and co-host of Breakpoint Radio, a nationally recognized voice on faith, culture, theology, and Christian worldview. Convenient lodging is available at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Loveland Conference Center and SpringHill Suites by Marriott, with special CMDA room rates reserved for attendees. Learn more or register for either event at cmda.org/events.
Video Podcast:
Meet Our Guest(s):
Mark is a gastroenterologist and professor of medicine. He’s taught and practiced medicine at Yale University, Mayo Clinic and in multiple sub-Saharan countries.He and his wife Janet now live and work in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
