A Legacy of Faith and Leadership with Dr. Don Wood
This week on CMDA Matters, we’re honored to be joined by Dr. Don Wood, former CMDA President and our oldest living past president. With a life marked by service, humility, and unwavering faith, Dr. Wood offers wisdom that spans generations. From practicing medicine to mentoring future healthcare professional leaders or guiding CMDA through seasons of growth and challenge, his impact runs deep.
Join us for a special legacy interview as we delve into Dr. Wood’s early years in healthcare, the hurdles he overcame as a Christian physician, and the timeless lessons he’s gleaned from decades of dedicated service. His insights on calling, leadership, and enduring faith are both comforting and catalytic for those serving today.
Whether you’re new in your healthcare journey or nearing retirement, this conversation will strengthen your sense of purpose and inspire you to keep Christ at the center of your calling. Let’s dive in.
Last week, we shared CMDA’s fiscal year-end giving goal of $900,000 by June 30. We want to sincerely thank those who have already given. Your generosity and encouragement inspire our national ministry team to finish the year strong and enter the fall ready for all the assignments God has given us.
Together, through our service and giving, we have the opportunity to see CMDA’s ministries flourish in ways we’ve never seen before in our 94-year history. Your role in bringing Christ’s hope and healing to the world is deeply valued.
If you haven’t had a chance to give yet, I invite you to prayerfully consider doing so today. Every gift helps us move closer to claiming the incredible $640,000 matching opportunity available through June 30. To donate, visit cmda.org/give, or reach out to our Stewardship Team at 888.230.2637 or [email protected].
Meet Our Guest(s):
Dr. Don Wood was born on July 14, 1940. He was born again around 1947, through the guidance of his mother, who pointed him to Christ. His father was a pastor’s child, and both of his parents, along with many faithful members of our church community, mentored him in his walk with Christ.
Don graduated from high school in 1958 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois in 1962. He completed my medical degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1966. That same year, on September 10th, Don married Linda B. Cruickshank Wood. They have been blessed with five children and fourteen grandchildren.
Following medical school, Don completed my internship at the University of Illinois Chicago Research and Education Hospital and pursued a surgical residency there from 1966 to 1971. Don became a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons in 1972. He also served as a Clinical Fellow of the American Cancer Society and completed a fellowship in Surgical Oncology.
From 1972 to 2017, Don served on the faculty in Academic Surgery at the University of Illinois Chicago, College of Medicine, in the Department of Surgery.
Dr. Wood joined the Christian Medical Society in 1963 and was actively involved in the governance of the Christian Medical and Dental Associations (CMDA) from 1983 to 1998, serving as President from 1995 to 1996. In addition, he served as an elder in local churches, chaired the board of Clearwater Christian College, and was President of the American Messianic Fellowship. He also taught adult Sunday School for many years.
Throughout his career, Don had the opportunity to lecture and perform surgeries in Sudan, Central America, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Zaire.
One of the guiding verses in Don’s life has been: “Faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:24.
