Bringing Faith into Patient Care: Lessons from the Saline Process with Drs. Alwyn and Marjorie Rapose
Dr. Alwyn Rapose and Dr. Marjorie Rapose join host Dr. Mike Chupp and co-host Dr. Bill Griffin to talk about caring for patients as whole persons, addressing spiritual needs alongside caring for patients’ physical health. Alwyn, an infectious disease physician, and Marjorie, a general dentist, began their careers in India before building their practices in Massachusetts. They share how the Saline Process Witness Training gave them the confidence to bring faith into everyday patient care, whether that means taking a spiritual history or simply recognizing when a conversation or a prayer might be welcome. Along the way, they describe how practicing medicine and dentistry with the support of the Saline Process has transformed their experience of caring for patients, renewed their joy in their work, and deepened their sense of calling. If you’ve ever wondered how to reflect Christ in the middle of a packed clinical day, this episode is full of practical encouragement.
Co-Host: William “Griff” Griffin, DDS
William “Griff” Griffin, DDS, has been a member of CMDA since dental school and has served on the Dental Advisory Council since 2013. He is a 1983 graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, and he has been practicing in Newport News, Virginia for 37 years. Dr. Griffin formerly served as Board Chairman and Dental Director at the Lackey Clinic, a Christian medical-dental clinic in Yorktown, Virginia.
If today’s conversation has you thinking about how to more intentionally integrate your faith into patient care, consider attending a Saline Process Witness Training. This course equips healthcare professionals to confidently and respectfully address the spiritual needs of their patients through practical tools like taking a spiritual history, recognizing opportunities for faith conversations, and praying with patients when appropriate. Used by more than 50,000 healthcare professionals in over 120 countries, the Saline Process combines biblical principles with hands-on learning you can apply in your practice right away. Join us October 30th and 31st in Birmingham, Alabama, or November 20th and 21st in Boston, Massachusetts. To learn more or register, visit cmda.org/saline.
If you’re looking for encouragement in your work as a dental professional, consider joining us for the 2026 Great Commission Dental Conference, September 11th and 12th in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Hosted by CMDA Dental Ministries and the Christian Dental Society, this event brings together dentists, hygienists, students, and dental teams to explore what it looks like to faithfully serve Christ through dentistry. You’ll hear inspiring stories, connect with colleagues from across the country, and earn up to nine hours of continuing education credit. Learn more and register at cmda.org/events.
Video Podcast:
Meet Our Guest(s):
Alwyn Rapose, MD, FACP, FIDSA
Born in India where he completed medical school and then post-graduate training in Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, Dr. Rapose migrated to the USA in 1999. He obtained his MD in Internal Medicine at Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester, MA, then specialized in Infectious Diseases at the University of Texas medical Branch, Galveston, Texas. He returned to Massachusetts when his teachers invited him to join their ID practice. In December 2008, he married Marjorie and together they have sought to follow God’s direction for their lives, both personally and professionally. He has always felt the need to pray for patients, but when COVID hit, and all his patients in that first wave were dying, he knew he had to pray with all his patients. He is convinced that addressing spiritual aspects of a patient’s health is an essential component of optimized care.
Marjorie Rapose, DMD
Marjorie Silva Rapose obtained the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) from Goa University, India. After practicing there for 8 years, she migrated to the United States in 2008 when she married her husband Alwyn Rapose. She graduated from the Advanced Standing DMD program at Boston University with high honors, in the Dean’s list and was inducted into the National Honor Society (Omicron Kappa Upsilon.) Since 2013, Dr. Rapose has been practicing as a General Dentist in Leominster, Massachusetts. Dr. Rapose loves the Lord, is a Lifetime Member of CMDA, and now serves as CMDA State Representative for Massachusetts.
