The Point of Medicine
A forum of Christian Medical & Dental Associations®
The Point of Medicine aims to stimulate thought and discussion on the most pressing issues in healthcare. Through this forum, we hope to educate, encourage, and equip healthcare professionals and the Church to practice and advocate for good medicine – that which is God-honoring and committed to the flourishing of the patient as an image bearer. Articles on this forum are intended to promote scholarship and Biblical wisdom, providing clarity on the issues of the day, to bring glory and honor to God.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily express the views of CMDA. To stimulate thought and discussion, articles will end with questions under the prompt, “What Is The Point?” We encourage you to join the conversation on our website with intrigue and humility and share your experience, insight, and expertise. CMDA has a rigorous and representative process in formulating official positions, which are largely limited to bioethical issues. Those official positions can be viewed here.
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BIOETHICS Articles
The Blessing of Justin: Seeing God’s Purpose in Our Son’s Life
By David Beyda, MD |
Justin—a man with intellectual disabilities whose life has revealed the quiet power of love, faith and belonging. What began as a journey filled with uncertainty became one of profound grace, reminding us that God’s greatest gifts often come through the lives of those who teach us how to love without condition.
How Can We Disagree Well?
By Nicole D. Hayes |
"I wish we could have civil conversations to discuss an issue and share perspectives. That doesn’t seem to be possible anymore.”
Abortion Perspectives Among Christians
By JC Bicek |
I was recently reading an essay by Beverly Wildung Harrison, titled “Theology and the Morality of Procreative Choice,” where, from a “Christian” perspective, Harrison defends abortion. In another article for the POINT, I noted that our advocacy team is often questioned about our engagement on certain issues.
Itinerant
By Brick Lantz, MD |
“Itinerant, adjective, traveling from one place to another, usually to work for a short period.”
Human Trafficking is Still a Horrendous Problem
By Jeffrey Barrows, DO, MA (Bioethics) |
With the media focusing primarily on the sweeping changes brought about by the Trump administration, it is easy to lose sight of underlying social evils such as human trafficking. Unfortunately, the COVID pandemic and the increasing proliferation of social media both contributed to an increase in the prevalence of human trafficking.
A Call to Compassionate Care
By Steven A. Foley, MD |
There is a growing group of individuals whom the healthcare community has largely overlooked—those who have undergone gender transition and later realized it did not resolve their underlying struggles. These individuals now seek to detransition and return to living in alignment with their natal sex.
Done Early
By Francis Nuthalapaty, MD |
I was on the verge of getting “done early” as I stepped off the elevator and into the hallway of the medical ward. I expected the scene to resemble every hospital I had walked through in the last 25 years.
The Assassination of Charlie Kirk
By Brick Lantz, MD |
My reaction to the assassination of Charlie Kirk was deep visceral lament. Charlie enjoyed discourse, debate, and dialogue, especially with those who disagreed with him. He was adamant about his beliefs.
Mourning and the Christian Response
By Robert E. Cranston, MD, MA (Ethics) |
Mourning is the outward working of processing significant loss. It may involve talking, counseling, journaling, memorializing, or thoughtful reflection concerning the loss(es). It may be very hard work, and may take a long time. It is during this process that we as caring believers may serve others in love.
Dr. Julie Hamilton’s “Counseling Gender Dysphoric Children and Teenagers”
By André Van Mol, MD |
There exist more honest answers to gender dysphoria than the chemical sterilization and surgical mutilation of able young bodies for a mental health problem that usually desists by adulthood (unless affirmed, which derails natural desistance).
People with Disabilities Are Under Threat from Rationalized State-Sanctioned Killing
By Nicole D. Hayes |
For vulnerable populations, such as those with disabilities, the elderly and those struggling with mental illness, assisted suicide represents corruption and erosion of trust in healthcare professionals and the patient-physician relationship.
Lasting Lessons from a Toddler: How I Became a Vaccine Enthusiast
By Amy Givler, MD |
Since 1985, because of the vaccine, the incidence of Hib has plummeted by 99 percent. It’s a great success story. And that is just in the United States. Worldwide, since 1974, almost three million lives have been saved from this disease.
Treasures, Tombs and Eternity
By Autumn Dawn Galbreath, MD, MBA |
One thing the Egyptians are incredibly good at is the preservation of their artifacts and education about them. The last stop we made yesterday was to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, a museum that tries to teach the 7,000+ years of Egyptian history chronologically, tying the artifacts, structures and stories together in a way that gives an arc and a progression to the story.
CMDA Should (Re)-Assert Support for Childhood Vaccination
By Jon Holmlund, MD, MA |
The current measles outbreak in Texas, the ascension of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to the post of Secretary of Health and Human Services and broad societal trends have prompted widespread debate over the wisdom and future of vaccinating children for preventable infectious diseases with meaningful, even major, morbidity and mortality.
In the Trenches: Why Bother?
By Thomas W. Eppes, Jr., MD |
The issues facing physicians are numerous, covering a broad spectrum. From the nuts and bolts of managing daily practice, providing great care as we stay up to date, dealing with the ethical dilemmas facing our patients and communities—it can be overwhelming.
PUBLIC POLICY Articles
CMDA Should (Re)-Assert Support for Childhood Vaccination
By Jon Holmlund, MD, MA |
The current measles outbreak in Texas, the ascension of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to the post of Secretary of Health and Human Services and broad societal trends have prompted widespread debate over the wisdom and future of vaccinating children for preventable infectious diseases with meaningful, even major, morbidity and mortality.
In the Trenches: Why Bother?
By Thomas W. Eppes, Jr., MD |
The issues facing physicians are numerous, covering a broad spectrum. From the nuts and bolts of managing daily practice, providing great care as we stay up to date, dealing with the ethical dilemmas facing our patients and communities—it can be overwhelming.
President Trump’s Executive Order on IVF
By André Van Mol, MD |
On February 18, President Trump signed an executive order titled, “EXPANDING ACCESS TO IN VITRO FERTILIZATION.” Noting “the importance of family formation,” the prevalence of infertility (“as many as one in seven”), and the high cost of IVF ($12,000 to $25,000 per cycle), the administration committed itself to a policy which would “ensure reliable access to IVF treatment” by “Lowering Costs and Reducing Barriers to IVF.”
Federal Judge Blocks Gender Mandate
By Brick Lantz, MD |
We want our CMDA members to be aware we are tracking the outcome of President Trump’s orders to protect vulnerable youth from transgender distortion.
The USAID Imbroglio: A Misinformation Campaign—Part 1
By Steven Willing, MD |
Between my junior and senior years, I worked a summer job as a secretary-typist with the reviled United States Agency for International Development (USAID). What can I say? I was only 18 and not yet attuned to the subtle tells typically attributed to international criminal organizations.
An Update on PEPFAR from CMDA
By Jeffrey Barrows, DO, MA (Bioethics) |
In 2003, President George W. Bush launched a program called The President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has become one of the most successful foreign aid programs in United States history. According to the State Department, as of September 30, 2023, PEPFAR has saved 25 million lives and enabled 5.5 million babies to be born HIV-free.
Empty Cradles, Empty Nurseries
By Steven Willing, MD |
As if reading from the same script, both the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal ran feature-length articles recently on the plummeting birth rates of the advanced Euro-American and East Asian nations. This phenomenon has been known for some time and continues to grow. Why is it a problem? What are the causes? What are the solutions?
Protecting Life Before Actions Can’t be Undone: 2024 State Abortion Ballot Amendments
By Nicole D. Hayes |
If the electorate is not transparently educated about the devastation these amendments will bring, we can almost be assured the trickery used by abortion proponents will result in permanent loss. Repealing constitutional amendments is extremely difficult, so we must pray and do everything we can to oppose the amendments.
The Power and Permanence of State Amendments
By Jeffrey Barrows, DO, MA (Bioethics) |
The pro-abortion forces in our country now recognize an effective path forward to remove all abortion restrictions around the country. It requires spending tens of millions of dollars, but it’s well worth it since that money will be earned back from all the abortions that will be allowed once state amendments are passed.
We encourage you to join the conversation here on our website and share your experience, insight and expertise. CMDA has a rigorous and representative process in formulating official positions, which are largely limited to bioethical areas.
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