Grant Hewitt on “Cut Flower Medicine”: Recovering Healthcare’s Christian Roots
In this episode of Faith in Healthcare, Grant Hewitt, CMDA’s Southern Director, unpacks the powerful metaphor of “cut flower medicine”—a picture of modern healthcare severed from its Christian roots. From the influence of early Christians who pioneered hospitals, to chilling lessons from Nazi doctors, Grant challenges us to consider: What happens when medicine loses its moral foundation? Joined by Rev. Bill Reichert and host Dr. Mike Chupp, this conversation explores: • The Christian origins of hospitals and compassionate care • Why secular healthcare struggles to sustain true human dignity • Disturbing parallels between Nazi medical ideology and today’s ethical debates • How Christian students and professionals can stand firm in a spiritually dark culture • The importance of community chapters and mentoring for lasting impact Whether you’re a student, professional, or simply care about faith and medicine, this discussion will inspire you to reclaim the roots of healthcare that honor Christ and uphold the value of every human life. #FaithInHealthcare #ChristianDoctors #MedicalEthics #CutFlowerMedicine #CMDA
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To learn more about the wide range of resources we offer at CMDA to support you in your calling – from the CMDA GO! mobile app for community and event access, to nearly 400 online courses available through our Learning Center – visit us at cmda.org/learn. You’ll also find the Healthwise PSA radio library, a faith-based bookstore, the quarterly CMDA Today magazine, and the new The Point of Medicine forum, all designed to help you live out your faith with excellence and compassion throughout your professional journey.
To learn more about the wide range of resources we offer at CMDA to support you in your calling – from the CMDA GO! mobile app for community and event access, to nearly 400 online courses available through our Learning Center – visit us at cmda.org. You’ll also find the Healthwise PSA radio library, a faith-based bookstore, the quarterly CMDA Today magazine, and the new The Point of Medicine forum, all designed to help you live out your faith with excellence and compassion throughout your professional journey.
Upcoming CMDA Events
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Midwest Fall Conference
September 26–28, Maranatha Retreat Center, Lake Michigan
Join us for excellent teaching, CE credit, and refreshing fellowship on the shores of Lake Michigan. -
Northeast Regional Retreat
October 24–26, Sandy Cove Ministries, Maryland
A weekend of rest, renewal, and connection with other Christian healthcare professionals. CE credit is being offered. -
Saline Process Witness Training
November 1 – Toronto, Canada
November 5–6 – Louisville, KY
November 14–15 – Dallas–Fort Worth, TX
A 10-hour training that equips healthcare professionals with practical tools for integrating faith into patient care. Learn how to take a spiritual history, pray with patients, and foster real-time connections with God in the clinical setting.Explore the full lineup of CMDA events and register today at cmda.org/events.
CMDA honors the life and ministry of Dr. Doug Lindberg, who went to be with his Savior on August 30 after a battle with cancer. Doug faithfully equipped healthcare professionals and students to live fully surrendered to Christ through his work with the Center for Advancing Healthcare Missions, including Remedy Conferences, Pre-field Orientation, Capstone, Journal Club, and more.
We will miss his humor and heart, but his legacy lives on through the missionaries, students, and countless lives he touched. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to continue Doug’s mission of sharing Christ’s love through medical care at the Center for Advancing Healthcare Missions: cmda.org/center-for-advancing-healthcare-missions.
Video Podcast:
Meet Our Guest(s):
Grant has been with CMDA since 2017. In the early 2000s, at the University of Nebraska (Lincoln) he met his wife Kelsi, earned a B.S. in Exercise Science, but most importantly, was brought to saving faith in Jesus Christ at the age of 21. Up until that point, his goal was to attend physical therapy school, but after his conversion he instead accepted an invitation at his church to be a pastoral intern for 2 years. The next eight years were spent teaching at, and directing 3 medically-supervised diet and exercise programs in Omaha, NE. But again, God had other plans. After reading Jim Elliot’s biography, The Shadow of the Almighty, he decided to redirect his priorities and entire life. In early 2014, following much prayer and heart searching, he along with his pregnant wife, decided to sell their newly purchased “dream home”, quit his career, and move their three little children (4, 3, and 1, at the time) to Kentucky to attend Southern Seminary in Louisville. 3 years later, by the grace of God, he found CMDA.
