Christian Medical & Dental Associations®, Author at Christian Medical & Dental Associations

“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:18, NIV 1984).

He called me on my cell and asked if he could come to see me today. My clinic was light due to the virus and he was welcomed. I’ve known him for a few years as a patient and as a brother in Christ. He had a few symptoms to discuss but mostly wanted to talk. After settling into the chair beside my desk, he placed his cap in his lap and asked how long he might live, given the status of his illness. “I’m not afraid of my own death,” he said. “But I want to be sure to spend my last days well. I have people I need to see. I want to give them hope.”

“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13, KJV).

For most of us on the planet, life has been turned upside down over the last few months. An event that no one (or possibly very few) living today personally remember has taken the world by storm, and many are struggling to adjust to a new way of life. Society appears to be fragmenting, not just across the country but around the globe. Just before all these things began, I moved to Kenya to start a dental clinic in a rural mission hospital. This is something that has been on my heart for many years. I have been here a few months tackling Swahili, and now I am working to acquire materials and doing administrative groundwork for the clinic. There are many days when I feel like I’m running an uphill marathon.

As healthcare professionals, we know our patients have brains, we know they have hearts. We know these exist because we can see them and study them. They are physical, they are material. But is there a part of us that is immaterial, or is this just a lie we’ve bought into? If so, how can we possibly know it?

When somebody asks me why I am a Christian, I give them two reasons.

Reason #1: Because I met Jesus and He radically changed my heart (my personal testimony).
Reason #2: Because there is excellent objective evidence that Christianity is true.

Renowned British journalist Malcolm Muggeridge once said: “All news is nothing more than new people experiencing old things.” Over the last weeks accumulating into months, the word “unprecedented” has quickly become a favorite and frequently used description of the COVID-19 times we are living in.

Beacon Christian Community Health Center (www.beaconcchc.com), in conjunction with personnel from South Korea and Europe, created a first-of-its-kind comprehensive outpatient protocol at the start of the height of COVID-19 cases in New York City.

Dr. Daniel Lewis joins Dr. Jeff Barrows on today’s CMDA Matters podcast to discuss being a patient of COVID-19.

Dr. Jennifer Huang Harris joins Dr. Mike Chupp on today’s CMDA Matters podcast to discuss Downcast, a new book on depression she co-authored with Dr. Harold Koenig and Dr. John Peteet.

Drs. Chad and Etta Nabors, a married couple who met through their campus CMDA chapter, join Dr. Mike Chupp on this week’s CMDA Matters podcast. They will be discussing how and why a group of 12 students from their medical school banded together for their clinicals so they could continue with community, fellowship and Bible study after completing medical school.

Today’s interview is with Dr. Thomas Robey, the chair of the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons. We hope you will find this interview inspiring as he discusses with Dr. Mike Chupp the history of PAACS, including the critical role CMDA played in its mission and growth to train and disciple African surgeons.

Dr. Chris Hook joins Dr. Mike Chupp in today’s CMDA Podcast to discuss CMDA’s Public Policy statements related to COVID-19, Duties of Christian Health Care Professionals in Pandemic Infection and Triage and Resource Allocation. Dr. Hook’s comments are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Mayo Clinic.

Dr. Bill Geiger, long-time CMDA member and the CMDA Tennessee State Representative joins Dr. Mike Chupp on today’s podcast. Dr. Geiger shares his testimony how he survived medical school and residency and how he is paying it forward now in his retirement years.

On the podcast today, Dr. Mike Chupp is joined by Dr. Matthew Eppinette, the Interim Director of The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity (CBHD), who talks with him about the initiatives underway at CBHD, the upcoming conference and an update on the leadership changes. The interview includes an excerpt from former President and CEO of CBHD Dr. John Kilner’s presentation, “Dignity and Life on the Line: Ending Well,” which he gave at their 26th Annual Conference.

Do you consider yourself to be a “preferred provider” of healthcare services? Dr. Farr Curlin discusses this trick question with Dr. Mike Chupp on the demoralization of medicine and the consequences of being a “provider” in this episode of CMDA Matters focusing on healthcare right of conscience.

Dr. Jeff Barrows, CMDA’s new Senior Vice President for Bioethics & Public Policy, joins Dr. Chupp in this last issue of CMDA Matters for April. Dr. Barrows shares his testimony on becoming a follower of Jesus Christ, his journey into medical missions and the fight against human trafficking and his vision for the future of CMDA’s engagement in the public square.

New Chinese Study Opens Ethical Can of Worms October 19, 2017

The Co-Chairs of CMDA’s specialty section Christian Academic Physicians & Scientists (CAPS) Dr. Kim-Lien Nguyen and Dr. David Larson join Dr. Mike Chupp on today’s podcast discussing this important specialty section what it is, what it is doing and what it hopes to do.

On the podcast today, Dr. Mike Chupp is joined by Jeff Haanen, who talks with him about his book An Uncommon Guide to Retirement: Finding God’s Purpose for the Next Season of Life.

Jeff says that at this point of his career, he has decided there’s nothing so fun as making new things, from new organizations like Denver Institute for Faith & Work to new articles. And the more he works he gets a nagging feeling that he is made to reflect the image of the Creator (Genesis 1:27). Creative, joyful service of others through our work—that’s the goal and what keeps his engine running.

On the podcast today, Dr. Mike Chupp is joined by Drs. David and Janet Kim, who are working to fight COVID-19 at ground zero in New York City. Their ongoing prayer and hope is that their story shows they are still trusting in a God who is a perfect Shepherd, even as they walk obediently through the valley of the shadow of death.

In addition, we have included in this week’s podcast a “Quiet Moment” with Ken Jones from CMDA’s Center for Well-being. Ken asks the question, “What are you doing?” He encourages that a time of reflection is needed in order to answer that question and three additional questions he asks in this “Quiet Moment.”

Dr. Mike Chupp is joined by Tim Goeglein, the author of American Restoration: How Faith, Family and Personal Sacrifice Can Heal Our Nation. And then CMDA’s Vice President for Campus & Community Ministries Bill Reichart joins him to talk about how the unique challenges COVID-19 crisis has had on campus and community ministries across the country.

CMDA has provided this online forum to share devotionals for encouraging and uplifting a community of members and believers.

CMDA has provided this online forum to express your prayer requests to a community of members and believers who can pray for you and bring you encouragement.

Dr. Mike Chupp is joined by CMDA CEO Emeritus Dr. David Stevens to discuss how Christian healthcare professionals can respond with courage during these ominous days of COVID-19. Following that interview, he speaks with Philip Yancey on his updated book Fearfully and Wonderfully: The Marvel of Bearing God’s Image, which is a fresh update of Philip’s collaboration with Dr. Paul Brand, one of our heroes in medicine.

He does not recall where he may have been exposed. While he works in a medical setting, every precaution was taken from the time (and perhaps a little before) it became a common mandate. Could it have been in the community?

Of course, everything is a bit on hold right now. So far I’ve only seen an official count of two cases of the coronavirus documented here, and so we’re several weeks behind most of you. The country has had a bit of a different approach to the virus.

I’m working the respiratory screening clinic at our critical access hospital/clinic. Personally, this medical crisis has actually acutely resolved my feeling of burnout.

Reverend Dr. Stephen Ko, a pastor and former CDC medical officer returns to CMDA Matters this week with an update on the Coronavirus. Dr. Rick Sacra, a CMDA member who is a missionary to Liberia and an Ebola survivor, talks with Dr. Mike Chupp this week recounting his experience with Ebola and how God used it to open the door for ministry.

This week’s interview on CMDA Matters with Dr. Mike Chupp features Mrs. Linda Rooks, the author of Fighting for Your Marriage While Separated: A Practical Guide for the Brokenhearted.

This week’s interview on CMDA Matters with Dr. Mike Chupp features Reverend Dr. Stephen Ko, a pastor and former CDC medical officer. With a real and present danger of widespread community COVID-19 in the U.S., Dr. Ko gives insight into how Christians can be the hands and feet of Christ without fear while taking necessary precautions.

Last month, one of my Side By Side sisters, Christon Sawatsky, pushed me out of my comfort zone. Christon asked me to post a statement for Side By Side surrounding racism and the death of George Floyd. I am not proud of my initial response to her. Frankly, I was just not sure what to say. I am thankful, however, for her insistence I write the statement. To begin, Christon urged me to examine my own life by looking in my heart for the presence of racism. She had already done this and had been doing research to more fully educate herself. Christon was gentle but insistent with me, pointing out she did not believe that I, a white woman, understood the real truth about the plight of my black sisters. She also said she had heard that Side By Side was not a welcoming place for our black sisters. I did not know why this was the case, and I truly believed it was not true. I never imagined it because I thought I welcomed and loved everyone. Didn’t everyone else?

“Mom, Tatonka is the only chick who wants to be held,” my eldest observes. Yes, the smallest of our chicks is often perched on a shoulder, held in a hand or hiding under someone’s knee as they sit crisscross apple sauce. The chick knows my kids are safe and, of course, she wants to feel safe.

Let’s face it, I would never be “voted off” the island. I tell my kids this all the time, and they are smart enough to agree with me. Mostly it’s because I can cook, but also because I’m good in a crisis and have a working knowledge of first aid. My husband says that out of our entire family I would be the one person voted “Most Likely to Survive if Dropped Alone in a Wilderness Area.” He actually tells people that I don’t think a campfire is big enough, unless it can be “seen from space.”

One of the perks of moving around the country is that we have added a beautiful cast of friends to our family. We often joke that the “writer” of our family sitcom thought the cast needed to be jazzed up a bit when he brought certain characters into our storyline. We love the variety of loved ones who are brought to live life alongside us!

My life hasn’t always been busy. My husband’s residency, for example, was not a busy time for me. He, of course, had an overloaded schedule, but I had left the workforce and entered life as a stay-at-home mom. Difficult? Yes, beautifully difficult. Rushed? Not so much.

This week’s interview on CMDA Matters with Dr. Mike Chupp features Luke Goodrich, the author of Free to Believe: The Battle Over Religious Liberty in America. With rising threats to religious freedom and concerns that our beliefs will soon be marginalized, Luke Goodrich offers a reasoned, balanced, gospel-centered approach to religious freedom.

February is Black History Month which commemorates the considerable achievements and contributions of African Americans in the United States. And today on CMDA Matters Dr. Mike Chupp and Vice President of Campus and Community Ministries, Bill Reichart, talks with Dr. Omari Hodge about the efforts by CMDA to combat racism and embrace diversity.

This week’s interview on CMDA Matters with Dr. Mike Chupp features Dr. Bruce Boria who is this year’s National Convention Bible Teacher. The theme of this interview could be called “Picking Up the Pieces,” as Bruce discusses how different aspects of his pastoral ministry have involved helping the body of Christ recover from the moral failures of a leader. How do you be strong and courageous when facing bad circumstances that could affect your calling from God? This interview is only a small taste of what he will be sharing with us at the CMDA National Convention in April in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Will technology usher in a new future, or have we gone too far? Unprecedented developments in bioengineering, biotechnology and biomedicine—breakthroughs that could improve the lives of people with debilitating diseases and injuries—can also serve as stepping-stones to technologies that can enhance human beings and alter human nature, raising fears about how biotechnologies could be misused. Should we discourage advances in biotechnology and bioengineering that can be used for human enhancement? Or should we take control of our own “evolution” and usher in a posthuman age? Is there another option?

In Humans 2.0, authors Fazale “Fuz” Rana and Kenneth Richard Samples open a window to the new world of human enhancement technologies and transhumanism, their promises, potential and pitfalls.

This week’s interview on CMDA Matters with Dr. Mike Chupp features Fazale “Fuz” Rana as we discuss this dilemma of technology.

I have spent the majority of my adult life trying to be perfect. That is a terrible admission to make, but those who know me will say it’s true. Never able to relax, and hardly ever able to lean back and rely on Jesus to be good enough for me.

If you’re reading this, you already know this is a big and extremely relevant problem for the vast majority of dental and medical graduates under the age of 45. It’s not uncommon these days to graduate dental school with $300,000+ in debt. Heck, I have friends who graduated with close to $500,000 in debt (and when I say friends, I may or may not be referring to myself). This isn’t news.

On the podcast this week, Dr. Mike Chupp is joined by CMDA’s Vice President of Campus & Community Ministries Bill Reichart as they chat with Zachary Meade. Zachary is a medical student at Carle Illinois College of Medicine, where he is also a CMDA student leader on his campus.

Gene Editing to Make Better Human Beings? September 14, 2017

This week’s interview on CMDA Matters features Dr. Jean Wright, Chief Innovation Officer for all of Atrium Health in Charlotte, North Carolina. She is responsible for leading the advancement of innovation initiatives. Her focus is on working with teams to raise the bar for patient care and population health through human-centered design, business development and novel medical technologies.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all you heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24, NIV 1984).

Transgender has risen to the top of concerns that trouble our members. This interview with Dr. Andrè Van Mol will help you navigate the waters as you come in contact with patients who are struggling with their identity. In addition, our position statement on transgender identification can be found on our website at www.cmda.org/transgender, along with many other resources including blog articles that Dr. Van Mol has written.

This week’s interview features one of our 2020 National Convention speakers, Dr. Christopher Yuan. His powerful testimony articulates a biblical view of sexuality through the narrative of his personal transformation from an agnostic gay man to a Bible professor. Not only does God turn his unbelief into belief, but God also freed him from the bondage of drugs and promiscuity. This inspirational story of redemption and grace transcends the topic of sexual identity touching on issues such as drug addiction, promiscuity, incarceration and HIV.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to join InterMed NYC, a network of Christian physicians and trainees in the tri-state area, to check in with CMDA students and residents and learn about the needs of their community.

After training for a few months, I met some of my dearest girlfriends for a Side By Side reunion weekend in Minnesota a few years ago. We ran a 10K together, and by “together” I mean we were all either IN the 10K or the sister-5K but our paces were varied, so the together part was definitely at the beginning and the end.

In this inaugural issue of CMDA Matters, Dr. Chupp talks with the legendary Dr. James Dobson about the moral decline of our culture, his influence and catching up on what he is doing today.

In this podcast, CMDA’s new CEO Dr. Mike Chupp is joined by Dr. James Avery about his new book, Marijuana: An Honest Look at the World’s Most Misunderstood Weed. Next, he interviews Dr. Gene Rudd about Encore, a new CMDA ministry.

In this podcast, CMDA’s new CEO Dr. Mike Chupp interviews Dr. Eric McLaughlin, a family medicine missionary physician, about his book Promises in the Dark: Walking with Those in Need Without Losing Heart. Next, he is joined by Dr. Peter Saunders, the Chief Executive of the International Christian Medical & Dental Association.

As Best I Can Al Weir, MD December 26, 2018

Last year I read a book by Os Guinness entitled Impossible People. I read something that really set me back on my heels:

“The truth is that the world, as Christians have known it for many centuries, has gone—gone and gone for good…gone so decisively, any simple return or reclamation is out of the question—Christian culture warring has been in vain” (p. 45).

In this month’s podcast, CMDA’s new CEO Dr. Mike Chupp interviews Dr. Michael Davis about his work with infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS. Next, he is joined by Dr. Ray Barfield, the director of the Duke University’s Medical Humanities Program for the Trent Center for Bioethics, Medical Humanities and History of Medicine.

Cancer is a meddlesome yet surmountable disease. During my internal medicine rotation at York Memorial Hospital in York, Pennsylvania, I worked with patients in the hematology/oncology unit. It was a difficult few weeks. However, as I spent more time on the wards, I grew comfortable learning medicine and, more importantly, growing closer to patients.

“Everyone who is called by name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made” (Isaiah 43:7, NIV 1984).

In Part 1 of this blog series, a search for the meaning of life was presented. That was due to observations of recent events suggesting a concern for humanity’s appreciation for life. In that search, a scientific basis for the meaning of life was presented, but then it was argued to be self-limiting. In contrast, a Christian worldview was presented, and a clearer meaning for why God created us was introduced. Simply, God created us for His glory. As I mentioned in Part 1, being informed that our existence is for some known or unknown God’s glory may instill negative emotions. However, the purpose of this blog is to grow in greater understanding of what it means to be created for God’s glory. To better understand that meaning, let us first look at the biblical meaning of the word “glory.”

End-of-Life Care | Biblical Anthropology | Medical Ethics

In this month’s podcast, CMDA’s new CEO Dr. Mike Chupp interviews Dr. Eleanore Kue about her work serving the underserved in Michigan. Next, he is joined by Pastor John Ensor about his book regarding resources for crisis pregnancy intervention.

Paddington and Winnie, I know them well. As a mom, I’ve read a few chapter books aloud and these bears, Paddington Brown and Winnie-the-Pooh, are two favorites. And what’s not to like? The epitome of their problems revolves around honey and marmalade. As I read, I have confidence it’s going to be okay. Chapter after unfolding chapter, everything is hunky-dory.

In this month’s podcast, CMDA’s new CEO Dr. Mike Chupp is joined by Dr. Ruth Haley Barton, the CEO of the Transforming Center, about her book, Pursuing God’s Will Together. Next, he interviews Barney Davis, Jr., MD, a general psychiatrist, about the importance of sabbath and rest.

When Wade and I were going through our pre-marital counseling, our beloved minister had us take a personality test. It was more than just our thoughts on ourselves, though. I had to fill one out on Wade, and he me. We had to have several friends fill out the test and mail them in, and then all the results were sent to our minister who carefully went through a weekend retreat with us and two other couples to discuss how our unique personalities would affect our relationship, our interactions with each other, our view of the world. It was amazing. And a bit jarring.

In this month’s podcast, CMDA’s new CEO Dr. Mike Chupp interviews author and physician Dr. Walt Larimore about his new book, Fit Over 50. Next, Dr. David Stevens is joined by Drs. Timothy and Maureen Gaul, the leaders of Medical Education International’s teams to Macedonia. Finally, Vice President for Campus & Community Ministries Bill Reichart interviews Dr. Ron and LeAnne Blackmore about their recent trip to Macedonia.

Is mental illness a spiritual issue (the result of sin), or is mental illness a medical issue? Is a person with mental illness struggling spiritually or are they physically sick? Is a Christian supposed to have mental illness? Can’t God cure mental illness?

“…To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:11, ESV).

Everywhere I go I carry a little brown NIV Bible. This particular Bible possesses significant sentimental value to our family. Firstly, it is the Bible my father used during my wife’s and my wedding. In between the pages are love notes from my wife, drawings from son, an ultrasound of my daughter, our wedding vows and other cherished memories that are all used as bookmarks. Furthermore, inside the cover is a note written by my father. This note details some of his emotions regarding his role as a first-time officiant of our wedding. Despite his fears, he found comfort in the fact that his role was ultimately “all about God.” In other words, it was a moment for God’s glory and our glorification of Him. That is the ultimate message that will be discussed in this blog series.

By now, some of you have just finished your first month in a new job, which also may have meant a new home and a new city.

I empathize. My husband and I moved 3 times in 6 years in between med school and career. Each location seemed more remote and further away from family than the last. Finally, we reached the exotic location where we would live for the next 30 years; Lincoln, Nebraska. When we got here, we told our real estate agent that she was our best friend in town. (She was the ONLY person we knew in town!)

As you practice your faith, the words “follow the Lord” are often heard and shared. The direction of the Lord does not have a yellow brick road. The words are meant to send you to prayer and develop your sense of discernment. As a dentist, dozens of people will ask you to follow them. These requests are loud and clear and often do have a yellow brick path. Some follow their golden paths before them. God blesses each of us with guidance, and for some it is easy to determine the guidance because many of us in the dental profession can use wise counsel and success to guide our steps. There are roles in every community for successful dentists. I respect the best in my community and love all my colleagues for their shared commitment to excellence. The dangers of greed and ethical challenges are to be lifted up to the Lord likewise to turn our steps to bless those around us. We are guided by the Lord’s work in our hearts, often to avoid missteps as often as we discover blessings.

In this month’s podcast, Dr. David Stevens interviews Dr. Den Trumbull about his book Loving by Leading. Next, he is joined by Dr. Mike Chupp, CMDA’s new and incoming Chief Executive Officer.

Photo: Photo credit: ruifo on Visualhunt.com / CC BY-NC-SACopy

As the director of a healthcare ministry in one of the largest medical communities in the world, I am constantly thinking through obstacles and evaluating the goals we wish to accomplish as the ministry develops. One of the biggest hurdles that I’ve encountered in this ministry is time. In my experience, the healthcare student and provider schedule is often jammed with events and activities. Constantly, they are confronted with new challenges where they are forced to expend voluminous amounts of energy to accomplish their tasks.

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15, KJV).

Our new home is not exactly a new house. It has been standing here for almost 100 years. Never having owned an old home, I was concerned about the home inspection prior to our closing. My girlfriend looked at me and said, “Relax. That house has been standing forever. It is fine.”

In this month’s podcast, Dr. David Stevens is joined by Dr. Tyler VanderWeele to talk about the link between religious upbringing and health. Next, Senior Vice President Gene Rudd interviews Dr. Ron Bryce about his book Fingerprint of God. Finally, listen and learn more about Dr. Bill Griffin, CMDA’s new Dental Director.

Like most of my writings, much of what I have to say is me preaching to myself. Recently I have been struck by several encounters with patients who were either very irritated or irritating. Either way, what should our response be? When someone is being demanding or has unrealistic requests and is upset when we cannot fulfill them? Or maybe they are just plain rude? What do we do?

Thank you for your review, feedback, and shout-outs given toward last month’s newsletter. It was our first newsletter for this ministry and we pray that it blessed you. I give a personal shout out to my colleague and graphic designer Mariah, whose talents helped our content to shine. I pray that this month’s content blesses you as you read the story of one of our medical students who shares her journey of faith and how CMDA, her godly community and her peers have helped to disciple her faith.

Emerging Leaders Pass on the Ministry of Dentistry June 17, 2019

“For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel” (Ezra 7:10, NKJV).

Author | Contributor Richard A. Swenson, MD

Richard A. Swenson, MD, received his B.S. in physics (Phi Beta Kappa) from Denison University (1970) and his M.D. from the University of Illinois School of Medicine (1974). Following five years of private practice, in 1982 Dr. Swenson accepted a teaching position as Associate Clinical Professor within the University of Wisconsin Medical School system where he taught for fifteen years. He currently is a full-time futurist, physician-researcher, author, and educator. As a physician, his focus is “cultural medicine,” researching the intersection of health and culture. As a futurist, his emphasis is fourfold: the future of the world system, western culture, faith, and healthcare.

Warren Kinghorn, MD, ThD, received his MD from Harvard Medical School and his ThD from Duke University Divinity School. He is assistant professor of psychiatry and pastoral and moral theology at Duke University Medical Center and Duke Divinity School. He teaches and mentors divinity students, medical and other health professions students and psychiatry residents at Duke.

William P. Cheshire, Jr., MD, is professor of neurology at the Mayo Clinic and an expert on disorders of the autonomic nervous system. At Mayo Clinic in Florida he chairs the Ethics Committee and leads the Program in Professionalism & Values. The neurology department chose him as teacher of the year in 2015. At CMDA Dr. Cheshire chairs the Ethics Committee.

Dónal P. O’Mathúna is Senior Lecturer in Ethics, Decision-Making & Evidence in the School of Nursing & Human Sciences at Dublin City University (DCU), Ireland, and Chair of the Academy of Fellows at the Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity in Chicago. He is a member of CMA and the Paul Tournier Institute speaker’s bureau. He is the Chairperson of the DCU Research Ethics Committee and a member of the St James’s Hospital Ethics Committee in Dublin.

Dr. Matthews practices general internal medicine in McLean, Virginia and is a staff physician in the Primary Care Division of the Virginia Hospital Center Physician Group (Arlington, VA). He conducts research and lectures nationally and internationally on the doctor-patient relationship and the psychological and spiritual dimensions of medicine, including the role of faith, religion, and prayer in clinical care and healing. He has served on the general internal medicine faculty at three medical schools: Yale University, University of Connecticut and Georgetown University. He also teaches continuing medical education courses for the Continuing Medical Education, Inc. University at Sea program. He is the author of The Faith Factor: Proof of the Healing Power of Prayer (Viking, 1998).

Reginald Finger, MD, MPH received the Doctor of Medicine degree in 1981 and a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology in 1983 from the University of Washington in Seattle. For much of his career, Dr. Finger has worked in disease prevention and health promotion in state and local health departments. Dr. Finger has been a CMDA member since 2003.

Kenneth Earl Dudley, MD teaches Ethics and Epidemiology at Michigan State University (MSU) College of Human Medicine as an associate professor. His PowerPoint presentations have been outreach events for medical and college students, or tailored to CMDA and church audiences. He has a BA in Bible-Theology from Moody Bible Institute, a BS in Biology and an MD from MSU. He has practiced as a board certified Family Physician since 1983.

Dr. Jeffrey Barrows is an Obstetrician/Gynecologist who in 1999 joined the staff of the Christian Medical & Dental Associations to help administrate a medical education mission outreach called Medical Education International (MEI). While working with the Christian Medical Association, he was asked by the U.S. State Department in 2004 to research the health consequences of Human Trafficking. From 2005-2008, he compiled and submitted an annual report to the Director of the State Department’s -Office to Monitor & Combat Trafficking of Persons. This research resulted in the article Human Trafficking and the Healthcare Professional published in the May 2008 Southern Medical Journal.

Autumn Dawn Eudaly Galbreath, MD, MBA is an internist in San Antonio, Texas, where she lives with her husband, David, and their three children. Though they met in medical school, David now owns a restaurant in the San Antonio area. Between the two of them, they have experienced multiple career transitions, and weathered the resultant stresses on their marriage and family.

Team Leader, Global Health Outreach
Dr. Sam Molind left his Montpelier, Vermont practice in 1998 to begin Global Health Outreach (GHO) and directed it for 12 years. Prior to his work with GHO, Dr. Molind served as Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Vermont Medical School and had a private oral and maxillofacial surgery practice in Montpelier.

Jonathan Imbody serves as Vice President for Government Relations and directs the Christian Medical Association’s Washington Office. As CMA’s liaison with the federal government, he makes more than 200 personal contacts with Congressional leaders and government officials each year.

Walt Heyer was a husband, father and corporate executive who underwent gender reassignment surgery at the age of 42, going from man to woman.

Omari Hodge is originally from Brooklyn, New York but moved to Stone Mountain, Georgia in his teens. He attended college at the University of West Georgia where he met his wife Kiera Hodge. Through his wife’s hard work and support he was able to attend Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta. By the time medical school was finished there were a total of four kids in the Hodge family. He spent three years in Greenwood, South Carolina for residency and has since relocated to Marietta, Georgia. He and his wife have served on a number of trips with CMDA and have recently decided that God was calling them to lead an annual trip in Ethiopia.

Ryan T. Anderson, PhD, is the William E. Simon senior research fellow at The Heritage Foundation, and he is the founder and editor of Public Discourse, the online journal of the Witherspoon Institute of Princeton, New Jersey. He is the author of When Harry Became Sally: Responding to the Transgender Momentand Truth Overruled: The Future of Marriage and Religious Freedom, and he is the co-author of What Is Marriage? Man and Woman: A Defense and Debating Religious Liberty and Discrimination.

André Van Mol, MD is a board-certified family physician in private practice. He serves on the boards of Bethel Church of Redding and Moral Revolution (moralrevolution.com), and is the co-chair of the American College of Pediatrician’s Committee on Adolescent Sexuality.

Allan Josephson, MD, is Professor and Chief, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in the Department of Pediatrics with a joint appointment in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Louisville School of Medicine.

Walt Larimore, MD, Award-winning Family Physician and Best-Selling Author, Nationally-Recognized Family Physician and Educator Dr. Larimore has been a practicing family physician for over 30 years (delivering over 1,500 babies).

Dr. Robert Orr received his MD, CM from McGill University in 1966, did residency training in family medicine and practiced in Vermont for 18 years. He was named Vermont Family Doctor of the Year in 1989.

On the Side: June 2019 Marathons and Medicine by Shelly Wyrick

With the weather warming, I now can wear my favorite sun visor. The words “Missoula Marathon” are written across the headband with a silhouette of a moose that has running shoes dangling from his antlers. It’s super cute. But as I wear it like a trophy, people don’t realize the backstory.

In this month’s podcast, Dr. David Stevens is joined by Dr. Steve Sartori to talk about CMDA’s new Center for Well-being. Next, he interviews Dr. Matt Montgomery about his experience on mission trips with CMDA’s Global Health Outreach.

Spirit of the Everlasting God May 29, 2019

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12, ESV).

Why do you follow Jesus?

These are answers I hear a lot: The Bible says so. I grew up in a Christian home. I had an experience with God.

But we are told our lives will be more difficult. That does not sound good. There will be a reward, but not necessarily in this lifetime. Jesus is not always a “nice guy.” Do we want to believe what is pleasant and easy, or what is true? Even though I don’t like my phone bill, I know it is true.

“Doctors make the worst patients,” or so the saying goes. Being trained as a physician myself, I refuse to comment, because I am a little biased. But, since I am also married to a physician, I can say that doctors are often non-compliant patients. I could tell you stories that would prove this, but I won’t do so here. You probably have your own examples!

Feeling the ‘Burn’ in Burnout February 28, 2017

In this month’s podcast, Dr. David Stevens interviews healthcare missionary Dr. Eli Horn about his experiences with burnout. Next, he’s joined by Dr. John Chuck about personal health for healthcare professionals and how to create a balance between work and life.

“And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them” (John 17.10, NKJV)

Resurrection Sunday blesses the calendars of our lives uniquely this Sunday. It lifts up the life of our Lord as a model for so many transitions we face along the journey into which Christ has commissioned us. The passion of our Lord’s heart – poured out in His high priestly prayer of Gethsemane’s Garden – reveals how Jesus evaluated the preparations He made for the transition He would face.

Her eyes met mine as she poured out her heart: “I have a great husband. A wonderful child. We matched and already sold our house. So, why do I feel so depressed?”

Christian Doctor’s Digest – April 2019 background

In this month’s podcast, Dr. David Stevens is joined by Dr. Steve Manning, a physician from North Carolina who made the jump to Direct Primary Care. Next, he interviews Dr. Tim Elmore about his new book Marching Off the Map.