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T o d a y ’s C h r i s t i a n D o c t o r
Editorial
by David Stevens, M.D., M.A. (Ethics) – CMDA Executive Director
THE MEANING OF COMMUNITY Webster defines community as “a group of people who live in the same area.” While I don’t often disagree with dictionaries, I think the point here is missed. “Community” is much more than a group of people living together—it is a group of interdependent people with common backgrounds, shared interests and similar desires who join together to accomplish a common good. Being part of a community bestows both benefits and obligations. That is one of the reasons why we decided a few years ago to call CMDA’s work with students and graduates, “Community Based Ministries.” The term we had used before, “field ministries” described a top-down approach. Full-time staff did the ministry and student and graduate members benefited from it. This approach didn’t work that well in large part because the job was too big. How does a Regional Director with 30 or more schools even begin to have an impact on students when, at best, he would see them twice a year? Ministering to graduates was squeezed out by the need to minister to budding professionals in the most formative time of their education. It was easy for Christian doctors to think that being a CMDA member was all God required of them in outreach. A community-based view of ministry is radically different. The basic responsibility to minister rests with the Christian doctor. God didn’t give an “opt-out” clause when he commanded each of us to “go and make disciples.” We have the duty to bring on the next generation of Christian doctors and to reach out to our colleagues in the name of Christ. No one else can do it. The most attractive part of the gospel is seeing Christ personified in an individual. Much of what we need to impart is better taught than caught. Students, residents and doctors are eager to see what a doctor who is a Christian looks like. CMDA’s role is to motivate, train and equip you to that end. We are the facilitators. We want to inspire you to action through articles in Today’s Christian Doctor, a great interview in Christian Doctor’s Digest or a stirring message at a conference. We want to train you to be an effective witness through the Saline Solution or teach you how to carry on a successful local ministry to students and graduates. We want to equip you with the tools to carry out your task with evangelism
materials, apologetic helps and many other resources. Our goal is to create the climate and opportunities for you to be able to accomplish your God-appointed task through a local chapter meeting, networking opportunities, mission trips and much more. For example, Dr. Scott Ries recently returned from a week-long Global Health Outreach trip to Honduras he led with 37 physicians, dentists, residents, students and volunteers from Indianapolis. Incredible growth took place in individuals’ lives. CMDA created the situation where this could happen. Our core strategy is to get Christian doctors to come together in the community where they live to form local councils. In my experience, it takes two or three doctors to carry the banner for this. They are the catalysts that motivate a core group of 10-20 doctors who come together to pray, plan, set goals, fund and direct the local ministry. Each community of Christian doctors knows their local needs, the key players and resources needed to get the job done. Often the local council, with CMDA’s assistance, finds part- or fulltime staff members to help them accomplish their task. Increasingly, this person is a retired or part-time doctor who has great ministry skills. Other times, it is an InterVarsity staff that works a day or two with students each week or a full time clergy that becomes a CMDA staff member. This new paradigm has caused a ministry explosion. In San Antonio, Memphis and Jackson, MS, to name a few, the local council has focused on student ministry. In Augusta, GA, the council has concentrated on reaching their medical and dental colleagues. In Richmond, VA, the local council has done a great job in bringing churches together and in reaching out to local schools. Is your life a little stale? Are your sensing God wanting to use you in new ways to help build His kingdom? As you read the following stories, ask, “God, how do you want to use my influence, talents, time and resources to impact individual lives?” If God is moving in your heart, contact a CMDA Regional Director to see how you can get plugged in. Working together in community, we can do much more than any of us could ever do alone. We can change the face of healthcare by changing the hearts of doctors.
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CONTENTS V OLUME X X X V I , N O. 2
( O u r 5 5 t h Ye a r )
Summer 2005
The Christian Medical & Dental Associations ––changing hearts in healthcare—since 1931. SM
Features
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Doing What Only You Can Do
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by Michael J. McLaughlin, M.Div. Cover photo and lead story photos by Dave Bushong, CMDA’s Director of Digital Media Center
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From Medicine as a Practice to Medicine as a Ministry Interview by Today’s Christian Doctor
Tsunami Relief
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by David Hopper, M.D.
How to Build Good Family Relationships by Patti Francis, M.D.
Departments 8 Progress Notes 30 Advertising Section
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TODAY’S CHRISTIAN DOCTOR®, registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. ISSN 0009-546X, Summer 2005, Volume XXXVI, No. 2. Printed in the United States of America. Published four times each year by the Christian Medical & Dental Associations at 2604 Highway 421, Bristol, TN 37620. Copyright © 2005, Christian Medical & Dental Associations . All Rights Reserved. Distributed free to CMDA members. Non-doctors (U.S.) are welcome to subscribe at a rate of $35 per year ($40 per year, international). Standard presort postage paid at Bristol, Tenn. Postmaster: Send address changes to Christian Medical & Dental Associations, P.O. Box 7500, Bristol, TN 37621-7500. Editor: David B. Biebel, D. Min. Editorial Committee: Gregg Albers, M.D., Ruth Bolton, M.D., Elizabeth Buchinsky, M.D., John Crouch, M.D., William C. Forbes, D.D.S., Curtis E. Harris, M.D., J.D., Warren S. Heffron, M.D., Rebecca Klint, M.D., Samuel E. Molind, D.M.D., Robert D. Orr, M.D., Matthew L. Rice, Th.M., D.O., Richard A. Swenson, M.D. Director of Communications: Margie Shealy. Classified Ad Sales: Patti Kowalchuk (423) 844-1000. Display Ad Sales: Patti Kowalchuk (423) 844-1000. Design & Pre-press: B&B Printing. CMDA is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). SM
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The tsunami ripped off limbs many feet from the ground.
Articles and letters published represent the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the Christian Medical & Dental Associations. Acceptance of paid advertising from any source does not necessarily imply the endorsement of a particular program, product or service by CMDA. Any technical information, advice or instruction provided in this publication is for the benefit of our readers, without any guarantee with respect to results they may experience with regard to the same. Implementation of the same is the decision of the reader and at his or her own risk. CMDA cannot be responsible for any untoward results experienced as a result of following or attempting to follow said information, advice or instruction. Scripture references marked (NASB) are taken from the New American Standard Bible. Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Scripture references marked (KJV) are taken from King James Version. Scripture reference marked Living Bible is from The Living Bible © 1971, Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved. Undesignated biblical references are from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For membership information, contact the Christian Medical & Dental Associations at PO Box 7500, Bristol, TN 37621-7500; telephone: (423) 844-1000 or toll free, (888) 231-2637; fax: (423) 844-1005; e-mail: main@cmdahome.org; Web site: http://www.cmdahome.org.
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Sam Molind, D.M.D. Awarded Global Health Bureau Outstanding Citizen Award The U.S. Agency for International Development USAID Administrator Andrew S. (USAID) has awarded Dr. Natsios (l.) and Dr. Sam Molind Sam Molind, who heads up CMDA’s Global Health Outreach, the USAID’s Global Health Bureau Outstanding Citizen Award. Dr. Molind is the first individual to receive the award, which “acknowledges the efforts of U.S. volunteers who have had an impact on the well-being of people around the world.” Dr. Molind has devoted over 15 years of his life to treating needy patients around the world. He has trained doctors and helped establish organizations that promote overseas voluntarism and has sent thousands of volunteers to Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America. “Sam has dedicated his life to serving others while sharing the ‘Good News.’ It is an honor to have him as a member of our team. His efforts and influence around the world are second to none, and provide an example for others to follow,” said David Stevens, M.D., Executive Director, CMDA. An award ceremony was held at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C. on April 19 to present the award.
2006 ICMDA 13th World Congress It is a great pleasure to invite you to the ICMDA 13th World Congress to be held in Sydney in July 2006. The Congress theme is Health and Hope. Student and Graduates Conference 7 - 11 July 2006 Meroo Christian Conference Centre Western Sydney XIII ICMDA World Congress 11 - 16 July 2006 Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre Tour Hosts Conference & Exhibition Organisers GPO Box 128 • Sydney, NSW 2001 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61 2 9265 0700 Fax: +61 2 9267 5443 Email: icmda2006@tourhosts.com.au 8
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Washington Bureau Update • CMA representatives Drs. Jeffrey Barrows and Clydette Powell recently met with officials from the State Department, Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to discuss how doctors can be more involved in fighting human trafficking. CMA is an official participant in the Rescue and Restore project of HHS, which promotes awareness of modern-day slavery for sex and labor that traps an estimated 20,000 victims in the U.S. and hundreds of thousands of victims worldwide. •“History shows that danger arises not when the public oversees scientists but when arrogant scientists act as if they transcend public morality. Using societal values to guide publicly funded scientific endeavors is hardly a slippery slope —it is a cornerstone of democracy.” —CMA Sr. Policy Analyst Jonathan Imbody, in “Values must guide all scientific studies,” published in The Baltimore Sun. • Newspapers including USA Today, the Washington Times and the Baltimore Sun recently published CMA commentaries on abortion, human cloning and the role of faith-based ethics in science.
Media News • Dr. Stevens did multiple interviews regarding Terri Schiavo and the need to have an Advance Directive which included interviews with Fox and Friends, Rhema Broadcasting in New Zealand, Family News in Focus, CDR Network, Information Radio Network, CHML News/Talk Radio in Ontario, Canada, CNS, World Magazine, Agape Press and Newsday in New York. CMDA member Dr. William Cheshire’s involvement in Terri Schiavo’s evaluation generated media coverage that included CNN, MSNBC, Associated Press, World Net Daily, New York Times, Miami Herald and Tampa Tribune. • CMDA developed a Christian Advance Directive Kit just before the Terri Schiavo case became national news. It is available for download free of charge through the web site. Go to www.cmdahome.org under Top Picks. Over 3,300 people accessed the document in the first week. • Gene Rudd was interviewed by the Associated Press in Rome regarding the death of Pope John Paul II.
President’s Message Is Your Christian Walk Ataxic? Over the past few years I’ve given quite a few talks to medical students and the one that they usually want to hear is: “Is Your Christian Walk Ataxic?” Some of the interest in this talk may be in the neurological descriptor applied to our personal Christian walk. In Romans 2:17-29 the apostle Paul says: “Now, if you call yourself a Jew (Christian)...and brag about your relationship to God...if you are convinced that you are a guide to the blind, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants...you, then who teach others, do you not teach yourself?... A man is not a Jew (Christian) if he is only one outwardly.... No, a man is a Jew (Christian) if he is one inwardly....” No matter what we say or how much we talk about being a believer, our patients and colleagues are watching how we walk. You know, the idea that “I would rather see a sermon than hear one any day.” So being an ataxic Christian isn’t anything people want to emulate. Yet when I think of any impact I may have on their eternal destinies, I often hear a little voice saying, “Physician, heal thyself.” I’m ataxic in my Christian walk. Are you tipsy, unstable, unpredictable, or unable to stand under stress? Then you’re ataxic too. I’ve found myself to be ataxic in trusting God in the stressful times in my practice. I find myself trying to solve every
problem, but my PA educated me when she said, “Ruth, if this is God’s clinic, then it’s God’s problem.” He does solve problems in a very timely way, and totally different from the way I would have tried to solve them. CMDA is here for you to get closer to that “inward” Christian God is calling you to be. This is the true sanctification that we are called to in the years God has given us on this earth. The closer we come to avoiding “ataxia,” the bigger impact we will have on those to whom we wish to witness. Yet how infrequently we give this the attention it deserves. I challenge you to take some time, soon, to sit on your examining table - as a patient - and give yourself some of your own wisdom. You know how God wants you to live and you can make an impact. Be a cooperative patient for once since “your doctor” will have a lot of wisdom to give you - if you pay attention. Serving you by serving Him,
Ruth A. Bolton, M.D.
Regional Ministries
Western Region Michael J. McLaughlin, M.Div. 17720 NE Halsey Street • Portland, OR 97230 Office: (503) 661-6470• Fax: (503) 669-7478 Cell: (503) 522-1950
Central Region Douglas S. Hornok, Th.M. 13402 S 123rd East Ave. Suite 100 Broken Arrow, OK 74011 Office/Cell: (918) 625-3827 • (918) 455-6036 CMDACentral@cs.com
Northeast Region Scott Boyles, M.Div. 120 Cinnamon Road • Thorofare, NJ 08086 Office & fax: (856) 384-0433 Cell: (609) 502-2078 cmdanortheast@earthlink.net
Midwest Region Allan J. Harmer, Th.M. 9595 Whitley Dr., Ste. 200 Indianapolis, IN 46240 Office: (317) 566-9040 • Fax: (317) 566-9042 cmdamw@sbcglobal.net
Southeast Region Will Gunnels, M.Div. 106 Fern Drive • Covington, LA 70433 Office: (985) 898-0895 • Cell: (985) 789-2539 wdgunnels@charter.net
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Medical Education International Calendar * UPCOMING TEAM OPPORTUNITIES August 26-September 7, 2005: A team will be traveling to Afghanistan to teach in a variety of medical/dental specialties. There is a need for women to teach Obstetrics as well as Family Physicians and specialists to teach in their various medical and surgical specialties. September 17-October 1, 2005: A team will be traveling to Mongolia for 2 weeks for the purpose of teaching at the various specialty hospitals in Ulaanbaatar. We are looking for teaching in almost all medical and surgical subspecialties as well as the basic sciences, but there is an acute need for a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, a general pediatric surgeon, and a gastroenterologist. September 17-October 1, 2005: A team will be traveling to China to hold an academic exchange at a medical school there. Teaching is needed in all specialties. September 17-October 1, 2005: MEI will be participating in a joint venture with Medical Missions Response. A teaching team will be traveling to China to teach in various medical/dental school/hospital settings. There is a need for all medical and dental specialties, especially neurology, surgical specialties, radiology, infectious disease, and radiology.
October 2005: MEI is helping to recruit for an oncology seminar within the Middle East. Medical oncologists are needed as well as a pharmacist with oncology experience. Please contact us for additional details. October 15-30, 2005: A team will be traveling to China to teach rural physicians. Teaching is needed in the areas of Internal Medicine, General Surgery and Pediatrics. If you are interested in finding out more information, please contact us. October 14-22, 2005: A team will be traveling to Kosova to teach in a medical school there. All specialties are welcome. November 11-20, 2005: A team will be traveling to Afghanistan to teach in a variety of medical/dental specialties. There is a need for women to teach Obstetrics as well as Family Physicians and specialists to teach in their various medical and surgical specialties. For more information on any of these projects, contact: Jeffrey J. Barrows D.O., F.A.C.O.O.G. Director, CMDA-MEI 7334 C.R. #10 Zanesfield, OH 43360 E-mail: jeffreybarrows@yahoo.com
*PARTIAL LISTING ONLY. SEE WWW .CMDAHOME.ORG/GO/MEI FOR MORE INFORMATION
Global Health Outreach Calendar September 24-October 1, 2005
October 3-14, 2005
El Paraiso, Honduras Primary Medicine & Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nurses Urgent Needs! Afghanistan Anesthesiology, ENT, Plastic Surgery, Pediatrics, Dermatology, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, General Dentists and Specialty Dentists (Endodontists, Periodontists, Pedodontists), Nurse, Pharmacist
October 22-30, 2005
San Marcos de Colon, Honduras Primary Medicine & Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nurses
November 5-19, 2005
Vilcabamba, Honduras General Surgery, Anesthesiology, Primary Medicine & Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nurses
December 3-11, 2005
Alianza/Valle, Honduras Primary Medicine & Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nurses
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Corral the Morale It has been said that morale is was mid-sentence in a conversation with my cousin when he faith in the person at the top. Iinterrupted, Many top leaders are doing noth“Oh no! Someone left the gate open and the horses got out.” Quickly he ran out the back door to corral the horses and get them back where they belonged. In conversations recently with many people who work in office environments or in the medical community, it appears that the gate has been left wide open and the morale of the team has escaped. What’s troubling is that very few leaders have even noticed because they’re right in the middle of something that is demanding and draining their attention. Never underestimate the role that morale plays within your team and in your office. General Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, “Morale is the greatest single factor in successful wars.” Nothing stops momentum like low morale. It is the leader’s responsibility to corral the morale when the gate is open. Effective leaders do not try to eliminate that responsibility by trying to delegate it to someone else in the office or organization. They keep their eye on the gate before it’s too late.
ing about the morale issues in their office because they believe the only way to corral the morale is through money. The truth is that when it comes to morale, doing nothing can be very expensive. Research on this subject seems to suggest that some of the best ways to lift low morale is through some very low-cost leadership practices. Let me suggest a few ways you can corral the morale in your office: 1. Treat your team with respect and value. Tim Elmore said, “Treat people like they’re the best, and you’ll get the best from them.” 2. Recognize and affirm regularly the contribution your team is making, especially when they are going above the call of duty. A word of thanks or a note of encouragement can really lift the spirits (see Jeremiah 38:4, NLT). 3. Ask and value their input and opinion on issues facing your team. When a team has the opportunity to weigh in, they usually buy in. 4. Take some time to step out of your office and into theirs. Lead
Faith Flag Opportunity: Are you looking for “faith flags” for your waiting room? “Ministry Through Magazines” offers family-friendly magazines with-
by walking around. Randomly stop by to see how they are doing or if they need anything. 5. Give your team members regular feedback on the work they are doing. When your workers have to guess if they are meeting your expectations, they produce less. 6. Deal with people in your office who keep leaving the gate open (see 2 Chron. 32:8, Message). If you don’t treat it, it will deplete it! 7. Interact with your team in settings that allow your team to be relaxed and to be themselves. My favorite way to do this was through a weekly staff lunch. Our team enjoyed the fun we shared away from the office. Remember, when morale is high, we maximize our strengths and we minimize our weaknesses. When morale is low, we maximize our weaknesses and we minimize our strengths. As a leader, take a moment and check the office gate. If it’s open, corral the morale. Bert Jones Director of Leadership & Church Ministries; Christian Medical & Dental Associations
out the hassles of laborious searching for the right publication and renewing different subscription services. They offer 20 top Christian magazines at a discount. Choose as many as you want, with the convenience of one order. When it comes time to renew, it’s one easy renewal. And it can all be done in minutes online. For more information, check out: www.ministrythroughmagazines.com.
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Our special thanks to CMDA member Dr. Dale Willis and his staff for participating in these photos by Dave Bushong
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by Michael J. McLaughlin, M.Div.
“You’re doing what?” You sit here all day, six days a week listening to case after case, hour after hour, with no end in sight—cases of all kinds, big cases, little cases, important disputes and insignificant spats. This is not a wise use of your time and your gifts. You’ll kill yourself if you keep this up much longer. Use your head. I recommend that you screen out all but the most important cases and train others to settle the small stuff. That way you will do the things that only you can do - and allow others to do the things only they can do. Internet Web site:
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My physician mentor has been one of the greatest influences in my spiritual growth to date. She has already walked in my shoes and is uniquely qualified to guide me and to pray for me. God’s love, wisdom, and discernment are evident in her ability to know exactly where I am and to meet me there. —Kimberly Arledge, MS4; Loma Linda University School ofMedicine
Allocation of Resources
CMDA’s leadership model incorporates similar principles: • Dr. David Stevens, CEO of CMDA could still be in Africa being a missionary doctor. He was really good at it but there were others that could and did fill his role. His unique abilities as a leader, communicator and teacher were most needed at CMDA. • Gene Rudd, M.D., Associate Director of CMDA, had a very successful practice “by the Book” in rural North Carolina. But through CMDA he focuses his relationship, management, writing and leadership skills where they can best be used by God to impact the most people. • Sam Molind, D.M.D., left a thriving practice, leadership positions in medical, community and national organizations to lead CMDA’s Global Health Outreach. His enthusiasm, organizational skills, surgical capabilities and pioneer spirit uniquely qualify him to develop and direct GHO.
The principle of allocation of resources is clearly taught in Scripture. In the early church, the Holy Spirit gave spiritual gifts as He willed, intending that each one put their gift to the best possible use. It would have made no sense for one gifted with teaching to sit on some church board, administrating the business of the church, or waiting tables. To modernly paraphrase the Apostles: “It is not a good use of our time and skill set in order to serve tables when we are gifted by God to study and to teach the Bible to this growing church. Appoint several spiritually mature men to administrate the distribution of food for those in need - and let us get back to the work that God intended for us to do.”
I could go on, but my point is that God surely intends that we invest well and specifically the gifts and resources He has entrusted to us. Many good and worthwhile ministries call out to us through the pastors, priests, friends and para-church leaders in our communities, but not every good need requires that we respond personally. Here’s how I try to handle this quandary when I face it myself, as I did recently with an opportunity to serve in my own home church. The conversation went something like this: Pastor—“How am I going to get you to serve on the Board?” Me—“I don’t think that’s something I can do presently.” Pastor—“You didn’t even say you’d pray about it.” Me—“I am convinced that it’s not the best investment of
Discipleship may occur while taking care of patients
One day a couple thousand years ago, Jethro (Moses’ father-in-law) came for a visit and attended Moses’ court, witnessing what surely was a waste of Moses’ time and gifts. In short order, Jethro pointed out what should have been apparent to Moses, but he was in too deep to see the forest for the trees—trying to do it all himself. If all of the important cases were to be settled in Moses’ lifetime, he would have to enlist the assistance of others to settle lesser cases and invest his time more wisely in the most weighty ones.
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my time and gifting as I consider the things God has entrusted to me. Certainly there are many other men in the church who can sit on the Board. God has entrusted me with other things to do that only I can do.” Pastor—“How can we influence the leaders in our church with your insights and wisdom if you don’t sit on the Board? There are five or six other key leaders like you in our church who serve in national ministries and I wish that all of you would take your turn on the Board.” Me—“Why don’t you invite us one at a time to spend an occasional Saturday morning with the Board over breakfast, discussing a critical issue or leadership in general. That way I can concentrate in the areas only I can do.”
T he Crucial Question
I spent part of the summer between my first and second years of medical school at the Summer Medical Institute (SMI) Northwest. We spent our mornings in discipleship and mentoring with Christian physicians from the Portland, OR/Vancouver, WA area, and in the afternoons we went door to door in poor neighborhoods offering various health screenings. Being discipled by Christian physicians helped me understand just how integral my faith is to my practice of medicine. Others in my life have provided mentoring, but only other physicians have had the insight into what my professional life is and will be. Whenever I hear Mike McLaughlin give this talk, I’m challenged to continue that tradition and do what only I can do by trying to touch the lives of the students and residents around me every day. –Kirsten Morissette, M.D., Family Medicine Resident — Billings, Montana
As we travel and talk with our members across the USA, CMDA regional and area directors often hear of our members, physicians and dentists, fully invested in many good ministries in their churches, Christian schools and other wonderful para-church ministries. I often joke about having arrived in a particular city a couple days earlier and tell our members that I had met with other groups of professionals including teachers, real estate agents, accountants, architects, professional athletes, attorneys and even pastors for the purpose of challenging them to disciple CMDA students, residents and doctors. Immediately, they get the point and most invariably respond with, “Why don’t you talk to the doctors? They could do it so much better.” Yet when CMDA staff do approach our members with various ministry opportunities, we often find they are involved serving God via very important and worthwhile ministries and don’t have the margin to mentor students or residents, or serve in an inner city clinic now and then, etc. Of course, it is not for me or anyone else to say which ministry you should do. My encouragement is simply this: If the above principle is clearly in agreement with Scripture, then each time you consider involvement in a ministry, first ask the question, “Is this something that only I can do?” The answer will help you determine the best investment of the influence, gifts, You may be able to serve the church board as a consultant skills and resources entrusted to you by Internet Web site:
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You can reach out to your staff in a wide variety of ways God. There are many good opportunities in which you could invest yourself; there are only a few that are best. I once presented these ideas to a group of doctors. Afterward, a man approached me and said, “I came here tonight intending to resign from my ministry of discipling medical students. But I guess after hearing what you had to say, I need to continue doing what only I can do.”
One final caveat: Make good on the commitments you’ve already made. Don’t use this challenge as an excuse to get out of something where others are counting on your faithfulness. It may take awhile to more properly align your gifts and possible ministry involvements. But this realignment will happen more surely if you remember, the next time you are asked to take on something new, to ask yourself: Is this something that only I can do?
Michael McLaughlin, M.Div., has served as the CMDA Western Regional Director since 1984. Three years ago, he also took on the role as Director of Community-Based Ministries, overseeing the CMDA Field Staff and related field ministries. He lives in Portland, Ore., with his wife, Linda, a NICU/PEDS nurse for 15 years. They have two adult married children, Andrew and Amy. To contact him write: CMDA; 17720 NE Halsey Street; Portland, OR 97230; Phone: 503.661.6470, E-mail: michaelm@cmdawest.com. 16
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(from left to right) Lem Howard, M.Div., CMDA Virginia Medical/Dental Director John Pierce, M.D., Medical College of Virginia CMDA Campus Advisor, Debby Read, R.N., B.S.N., and Ed Read, M.D., CMDA Richmond Medical/Dental Directors.
An interview with Ed and Debby Read, Richmond, Virginia Medical/Dental Directors, on their experience in transitioning from medicine as a practice to medicine as a ministry
TCD: When did you first see medicine as ministry? Reads: Jack, a third year Family Practice Resident and his wife, Kathy, were used by God to begin the process of drawing our hearts to medicine as ministry. The year was 1977 and Ed was a first-year Family Practice resident. This couple, despite their busy lives, reached out to us with the love of Jesus. We came to know Him and grew in our new faith with the help of their Internet Web site:
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mentoring. Ed was shown how to treat patients with compassion and Debby was helped with the transition from full-time RN to full-time mom (and often, single parent). We personally experienced the difference a Christ-centered marriage makes as we grew closer and sadly watched half of the residents in Ed’s class end their marriages over the next five years. This gave us a desire to reach out to other struggling couples, not because we had it all together, but because we experienced many of their same issues and wanted to share what God was teaching us.
TCD: How did you make the decision related to the transition? Reads: We believed God was using us where we were (and we loved our friends and our community in State College, Pennsylvania), but really sensed His will for us was to be involved in the lives of students, residents and practicing doctors. That opportunity with students and residents was not available where we lived, so we asked God to show us where He wanted us. The next two years were spent praying about and seeking to discern God’s leading.
TCD: What led you to increasingly see medicine as ministry? TCD: Reads: God began to give us opportunities to reach out Where did God lead you? to others as He moved us around the world with the Navy (fulfilling an obligation for Ed’s military scholarship for medical school). After serving for eight years, Ed began to practice Emergency Medicine in Pennsylvania. Our involvement in our church there led us to teach a couples’ Bible study and do pre-marital/marital counseling. God continued to equip us and refine us through our five children (the two youngest adopted with attachment issues and special needs) and the stresses of a career in medicine. The unique challenges and joys of a medical marriage began to draw our hearts to minister to physicians and their families. A bimonthly outreach Bible study and times of fellowship were used by God to change hearts and lives. It was a great opportunity for us to minister together and to watch God at work. Our hearts were drawn to do this more purposefully and to devote more of our time to encouraging these healers who often needed healing themselves. It was a blessing to see what a difference it made to invest in the lives of these individuals and couples...especially those early in their marriage and career years.
Reads: Ed desired to practice emergency medicine parttime to allow teaching and relationship building opportunities. We desired to work together in ministry to those in the medical field, and we desired to use our home for fellowship, refreshment and encouragement for whomever God brought our way. Our family had fond memories of lake vacations and sightseeing in Virginia, so this seemed like a good place to start our search. God opened doors in Virginia to all three of these desires we sensed He had laid on our hearts.
TCD: How did you get involved in ministry with CMDA? Reads: As a life-time member already familiar with the ministry of CMDA, Ed contacted the Virginia CommunityBased Ministries Director, Lem Howard, to see if there might be an opportunity in Virginia. Lem shared that he had been praying for years for a doctor to work alongside him in
Ed with M1 student, Janet Ma, treating patients in a rural village of El Salvador.
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Students at the Friday Noon Bible Study on the campus of the Medical College of Virgina of Virginia Commonwealth University.
Virginia. In particular, there was a great need for a director in Richmond with all the students at the Medical College of Virginia and the many doctors in the area. Ed then contacted the Director of the MCV Emergency Department who was surprised and said, “It is interesting that you would call us now, because we have a need for a Board Certified ER physician to work part-time.” He was pleased that Ed wanted to work with students and residents and do some teaching. The job seemed like a good fit. We were delighted when God provided the third piece of what we sensed He was laying on our hearts to do. He provided a home on our favorite lake that we could use for hospitality. God confirmed this was His will in many ways (including our children being thrilled and our church family seeing it as a perfect fit). We became the Richmond Medical/Dental Directors for CMDA after meeting and sharing our vision with CMDA leaders Dave Stevens, Gene Rudd, Mike McLaughlin, Will Gunnels and Lem Howard. These men were supportive and willing to allow us the opportunity to do something that had not been done before. Together, as a married couple, we share a fulltime position. Each of us works part-time, using our unique God-given gifts, making us more effective as a team. It has been a joy for us to minister together, to co-labor with so many godly people in Richmond CMDA, and to see God confirm this is where He wanted us.
TCD: How did you raise support when making this transition? Reads: Ed is using his practice buy-out option from the ER group he belonged to in State College to enable us to support ourselves for three years. The money goes to CMDA headquarters to pay for our ministry expenses and our part-
time salaries. Our hope and prayer is that over these three years we will build relationships with people who will desire to partner with us and support us financially and prayerfully. God is already causing this to happen.
TCD: What results have you seen in your lives and the lives of others? Reads: The love and appreciation we have received has been humbling and uplifting. God has done incredible things in Richmond since we arrived 18 months ago. The weekly student Bible study has grown in attendance from twelve to 50, a monthly graduate and student fellowship has been started, we are individually mentoring students, hosting fellowship events and yearly leadership retreats at our home, encouraging marriages, doing premarital counseling, taking students on medical mission trips (a team of five went in 2004; a team of 20 went in 2005) and whatever else God brings our way. We are fully aware that what is happening is a result of God’s grace and the faithful prayers of the men and women of Richmond CMDA. We often feel inadequate, but God only asks us to be willing and be open to be used by Him. Working with the medical and dental students has been a blessing beyond our wildest hopes. We have loved being with them and are so amazed by their desire to grow spiritually and use their profession as a ministry. Comments from students are a great encouragement, such as Gina saying, “Thanks for all you do to make our time in Richmond so enriched with God’s purposes. I really do appreciate the fact that there are people like you to look up to...you guys make such a great difference.” Amy said, “I had some good quality time talking with my parents about the latest updates in my life and I couldn’t
Team picture of El Salvador mission trip - March 2005.
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Ed (left) with orphan at My Father's House in El Salvador; Debby (above) with students at the monthly student-graduate fellowship time.
TCD: What do you see God leading you to focus on in the future? Reads: God is the one making the difference in lives help noticing how many times CMDA came up while sharing God’s goodness. I am so thankful that I can study medicine and continue to grow in Christ, encouraged by the fellowship on campus and by you (Debby) and Dr. Read.” God knew these students would need someone to come alongside them in their walk with Him. How thankful we are that He is allowing us to be those people. We marvel at how blessed we are with the privilege of being involved in the lives of students, residents and graduates here. There is still much to learn and God continues to show us that our dependence must be on Him as we minister here. The task is beyond us, but He is faithful to supply all that we need.
TCD: Have you had good support from local CMDA Graduates? Reads:
Absolutely! The graduates have warmly welcomed us, prayed for us and supported us by giving us the freedom to follow God’s leading in our ministry here. The monthly meetings with them have been a delight as we pray and fellowship with this inspiring group of men and women. Each of them has a unique ministry that God has called them to that we desire to be a support to them in. The leader of the local graduate council, Dr. James Anderson, recently wrote, “Richmond CMDA brought this fellowship to a certain place but Ed and Debby Read have brought it to the next level for which we are thrilled and excited and blessed. We had plateaued at a level of activity for two to three years. Now we are at the place to impact student healthcare workers and graduate healthcare workers in significant numbers. The medical and dental school campuses are a gold mine of leaders and there is no better way to impact our world for Christ, national and international, than by raising up and affirming servant-leaders in the next generation of healthcare workers.”
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here. It gives us great joy to have this opportunity to grow with and share our lives with people in the medical profession and their families. We know what a difference Jack and Kathy made in our lives and we are so blessed to be able to pass their example on to others. They showed us the way to God and how to allow God to use our professions for His purposes. Now we have the incredible opportunity to bring others to a personal relationship with God, to encourage them in their faith, to help them keep priorities balanced so God is first in their lives and there is time for family and friends, to come alongside them in their struggles and to show them how to practice medicine as ministry. Hopefully, we are modeling to them how to pass all this on to others whose lives they will touch. Paul’s challenge to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2 has become our focus: “Pass on what you heard from me to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others.” These men and women we work with are reliable leaders in their homes, communities and nations. God, in His goodness, is allowing us to pass on what was passed on to us. We pray this cycle continues with those whose lives we are investing in. Ed Read, M.D., F.A.C.E.P. and Debby Read, R.N., B.S.N. are currently serving the Lord in Virginia where they share the position of Richmond Medical/Dental Directors for CMDA's Community-Based Ministries. In addition, Ed works part-time as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Medical College of Virginia Campus of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. They have been married for 31 years and are blessed with five children.
by David Hopper, M.D.
Reflections of a CMDA member who ministered the love of Christ to those in need after one of the worst natural disasters in recorded history.
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hen I heard of the tremendous earthquake and tsunami which had caused massive damage around the Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004, I began praying for the Lord to use me as
needed in helping meet the needs. I contacted CMDA, Samaritan’s Purse, and another large organization I had previously been overseas with. None seemed to have an immediate slot for me, so I finally concluded it might not be the Lord’s will for me to serve this time. That was okay, since our practice has been going through some major struggles despite which my partner and I have committed ourselves to serving in missions as the Lord leads us. Then I received Internet Web site:
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an e-mail through a sister of a friend January 15th that a group from North Carolina needed another doctor for a trip leaving the following week. It was a clear voice from the Lord to me, and with the blessing of my wife and my church I went for two weeks to Banda Aceh, Indonesia, to serve amid an unreached people who have never had interaction with Christians. It was a blessing to have this opportunity, and I wish to share a little of it: As I was standing by the roadside where we had been eating a picnic lunch, I looked out over the flat valley plain piled with rubble from the tsunami. Not a single house was standing. Immediately in water, and he last saw him It was a clear voice from the Lord to me, and front of me was a pile of waving his arms and yelling with the blessing of my wife and my church boards, trees, chunks of “Daddy, daddy!” He and his concrete walls, roofing tin and one son were all that were left. trash. An Islamic man and his We cautiously walked out onto to serve amid an unreached people young son stopped and the mound of rubbish and who have never had started talking to me in very could smell the odor of decayinteraction with Christians. broken English. I called over ing bodies. Underneath us my interpreter who helped were a half dozen of his relame accurately get the story. Under the pile of rubble was tives, including his wife, two children and parents. He what used to be his home, sitting on the edge of the valley longed for heavy equipment to dig them out. With his only yards from high ground. When the tsunami hit, he permission, I prayed to Isa (the word for Jesus in the Koran) grabbed two of his three children by the hands and ran for that God would see fit to bless and restore him, and bring the hills. One was ripped from his grip by the force of the God’s Word to him in this Islamic part of the world where
I went for 2 weeks to Banda Aceh, Indonesia,
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there are less than 50 known Christians out of 3.5 million Acehean people. What else can one say or do with such a sad situation? That afternoon, as I was holding clinic in a mosque, we had finished registering the patients and one final woman with a two-year-old child showed up. I offered to quickly see her even though we were closing up the footlockers of medications to end up the day. I grabbed John, a young Indonesian Christian man from Jakarta who had given up his vacation to come translate for us. The mother was a beautiful young woman, clad in her conservative Islamic headgear. She said the child had a cold, but a quick exam revealed he was really quite healthy looking. She began to cry, and told us of going across the village to see someone. The tsunami hit, killing her husband and other child as well as her parents. She cried some more, and said she just wished someone would help her buy food to feed her baby. Although many international agencies were providing all sorts of relief, the task was huge and she was apparently not in the right village area to get relief. I had about $17 in Indonesian currency on me, and quietly gave it to her with an admonition not to tell others for I did not have cash to give out. John shared with her that we were there because of Christ’s love in our hearts that made us love others. I must admit I shed a few tears
myself as I prayed (with her permission) for her and her child who had nothing left. One of my fellow doctors saw a young woman whose child had severe autism and seizures. This lady also broke down and cried, telling of having moved to Banda Aceh from
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I must admit
I shed a few tears myself as I prayed (with her permission) for her and her child who had nothing left.
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Do short-term missions help?
I believe they do. The missionaries with whom we worked will be trying to keep their foot in the door and minister to these previously unreached people.
When my teammate got hold of some anticonvulsant medication several days later and went back to that village to the woman’s home with the medication for the disabled child, the lady again told the same story, this time in front of her Islamic husband. Will this be an initial breakthrough for the gospel, or will this lady be martyred for her faith? We may never know. Do short-term missions help? I believe they do. The missionaries with whom we worked will be trying to keep their foot in the door and minister to these previously unreached people. This disaster was like none other we know of in history. However, our God is still in control and can use these terrible circumstances to lead people to a saving knowledge of Him. As Christians, each of our jobs is to answer His call to us and preach the gospel to the lost and not veil God’s Word from those perishing around us here or around the world. Prepare yourself for it, open the door to opportunity, and the Lord will use you.
Dr. David Hopper, M.D. another area several hundred miles to the south. She had been a professing Christian and even done evangelistic work. When she married her Acehean husband she converted to Islam, but said she still often prayed to Jesus as she knelt at the mosque. When the earthquake hit, she, with many other women, ran to the mosque. She began praying out loud to Jesus. When the tsunami hit, the water stopped 100 yards from the mosque. She just thanked Jesus for saving them. She had told no one about this since then.
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and his wife, Liza, live in Princeton, W.Va., where he has practiced at Total Life Family Practice Center since 1979. Over the past few years he has participated in short-term missions in Ecuador, China, North Korea, south Sudan, Uganda, and most recently Indonesia. He has been a CMDA member since 1973.
by Patti Francis, M.D. Adapted from the new CMDA resource: Practice by the Book (see the ad, page 30, to find out how to order) With hard work, deep commitment and lots of love, you can build strong relationships at home
We made it to the top of Mt. Whitney - th e highe st poin t
M
on the continen tal US!
y dad was a family practice physician and my younger brother is one. So I’ve been surrounded by medicine since the beginning. Growing up, I could see that my dad was married more to his work than to my mom, but she was faithful and accepted her role. I admired her for that over the years. When I was in college, I spent time in my dad’s office. I learned about a whole other side to him! At home he had not been available emotionally and had rarely made it to any of my Scouting events like the other dads. But then I saw him with his patients. He was so caring and compassionate; they adored him. I realized that he had given his all to them and didn’t have much left for us at home. Watching him at work helped me let go of my disappointments in him as a dad. Our relationship improved when I understood him better. Internet Web site:
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ane Mitch c i r r u H after s a r u d o Hon Erica and mom travel t But I committed myself to being different, to being there for my kids in the future, even though I felt called to medicine. In my fourth year of medical school I became pregnant unexpectedly and this jolted me into prioritizing the family issue right from the beginning. I knew that God would make me a better doctor and mom by forcing me to make decisions early regarding the raising of my family. I would never regret the path God took us down even though it wasn’t the one Ron and I had mapped out. (Kids were supposed to start in about year seven of our marriage!) I wanted to be a mom first; so I’ve been fortunate to be able to work part-time. Obviously, my two girls would have had more of me if I was home full-time, but I was confident that I had pursued God’s direction after Corrie was born at the end of medical school. I very clearly felt God leading me back to part-time residency and private practice. Life has felt like a whirlwind of busyness from Corrie’s first cry until our first year as “empty nesters.” Now it’s much easier to sit back and reflect on the things we did right and where we could have improved. We did all we knew to do. We had read several books on parenting, taken classes, and said a lot of prayers (sometimes with tears). But we learned as we went, as well. Here are a few of the most important things we learned as we tried to guide the development of our children in five major areas—spiritual, relational, physical, emotional and educational:
Spiritual Development
Spiritually, we desire that our children know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior; that they be obedient to His call; and, that they live a life of holiness with love and compassion for 26
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Ron and Patti's housebu ilding team
in Tijua na, Mexico
God and others. We want our children’s faith to be their own, so here are some things you might do in order to facilitate this: • Make Sunday God’s day. Even when they whine about it, take them to church. Make Sundays entirely a holy day from the beginning so as to establish that early on. • Read a children’s Bible or stories about the Bible when they are young. • Listen to “Adventures in Odyssey” tapes (from Focus on the Family) on any driving vacation when they are younger. This is radio theatre with a Christian message and a Bible verse at the end. • Pray for them often as a couple and at the dinner table. Ask your kids how you can pray for them. • Work as a family in a soup kitchen or with an inner city mission. • Help out with any mission trip your church plans where one of your kids or your entire family can participate. • Sign them up for Christian camp every summer as early as they can go. • Model spiritual leadership. Remember, you have the biggest influence on your children’s faith. Make it a high priority to attend to the spiritual growth of each of your children. It’s the best gift you can give them and the one with the best long-term return!
Relationships
We all want our kids to be happy with who they are and how they connect with others. Most of the brokenness in the world today, outside of not knowing the Lord, is the broken down state of family and friends. Think of all the people you know who are hurting. It is often because they don’t feel loved or because they are suffocating from anger over being
o a, Mexic n a u j i in T s l l a w p u Erica’s team putting
hurt. It is critical that we pay attention to the way our kids relate to us and to others. Here are some suggestions: • Love your spouse. Most well-adjusted kids come from families with strong marriages. So work on your marriage! • Model forgiveness. In your asking and receiving forgiveness, your children will see their own sinfulness and seek God’s forgiveness. They need to see that when we make mistakes toward them and our spouse we know how to apologize humbly, once we’ve admitted we’re wrong. • Spend time with your children’s friends. As you do this over the years, you gain a sense of how they are choosing them. As the saying goes, “Show me your friends, and I’ll tell you who you are.” • Establish sound rules and consequences. Be ahead of the game and not back-pedaling. Start when they are young establishing that mom and dad are the boss. Gather the data and listen carefully for their perspective before you pass judgment. Your anger can triple the consequences for your kids if you do not listen for a reasonable explanation that can bring you to a reasonable consequence. • Hold the standard of sexual purity. Sex education starts in the home when children are preschoolers. The conversations should continue throughout grade school, middle school, high school and young
erland z t i w S iking in h k e e w A father-daughter date - a
adulthood. What you say according to God’s standard will go against the world your child lives in, but if one of your goals is for your child to have a healthy marriage, then it starts with waiting until marriage for sexual intimacy. And you are the most important person they need to hear that from! • Most importantly, love your kids unconditionally. Spend one-on-one time with each child and listen to their own
Erica and her friends invade our home for some rough-housing
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goals and dreams. If they sense your complete love, when you disapprove of their behavior, it won’t jeopardize their relationship with you.
Encourage their physical well-being
As physicians and dentists, we know very well all the medical and dental problems that people can experience. We all want good health for our families and know intellectually what the right answers are. We encourage our patients to make healthy choices so as to live long and live well. Do we do the same for our families? Are we modeling healthy eating and exercise? Here are some things you can do to show your children how to balance their activities: • Model healthy eating and personal exercise. • Eat dinner together as much as possible. It might mean scheduling a few shorter workdays a week, but there are lots of studies showing the benefits of family dinner conversation being beneficial to kids’ intelligence and wellbeing. • Let kids learn to cook at an early age. They tend to be more interested in eating healthier meals if they are responsible for the choices. • Help your kids plant a vegetable garden or their own personal fruit tree. • Let them pay for any junk food out of their own allowance - or don’t have it in the house.
• Don’t over schedule sports and lead your kids to overuse syndromes and stress. • Take family walks together - even in the rain or snow. It’s more fun when there’s a blizzard and you come back home to some hot chocolate. • Encourage sports that you can do as a family, such as tennis, skiing, basketball or soccer. We have an annual basketball game after Thanksgiving dinner and the winner does the dishes!
Nurture their emotional health
Self-esteem has been the buzzword for the past twenty years or so, but attempts by our society to program it for our kids have been a terrible failure. Here are some suggestions for helping your kids find their way to God’s view of who they are in Him: • Start family traditions that your kids want to do every year, such as backpacking trips or other outdoor activities. Establish traditions for holidays and birthdays and other anniversaries. These remind them that they’re part of a family that cares enough to share such things with each other. • Help them pursue their dreams and goals. If you have a child who likes to draw, for example, you might provide opportunities to take classes or participate in a summer program that will support and develop that interest. • Affirm those things about their character that you really like. Perhaps they were kind to a new friend at school. Maybe they are generous in their giving to missions. Praise them for any attempt at a project, not just the grade they received. If they lost at sports, let them know how proud you are of their hard effort and good sportsmanship. • Tell them often that you love them and give them lots of physical touch, even if touch is not their love language. • Be clear on your boundaries for them. Kids will test the limits, but they feel more loved if there are some. • Dads, date your daughters; moms date your sons. This will affirm their gender, which is something they should feel good about and someday will make them want to be attractive to the opposite sex. • Give them an allowance with portions for saving, gifts, missions, spending, and by middle school, for clothing. As they learn what things cost, they will be proud of their ability to spend money efficiently and wisely. Their being generous also adds to their sense of self-worth.
Ron and Patti in Bora Bora still working on their marriage after 25 years
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s Erica's Bible study camp Mom take ing
A family adventure to the bott exchange student, Sarah om of the Grand Ca nyon with our
Support their Education (Without Doing their Homework)
We all had to be on top academically to make it through medical or dental school. We had to push ourselves to the limit physically and emotionally to survive residency. Of course, we think our kids can do likewise. But our kids are not us. We must encourage them to be who God created them to be as they chart their course through the educational system. Here are some suggestions: • Model learning in your home by seeking out knowledge when you don’t know the answer. Have a good set of encyclopedias, other books, or Internet access. • Model reading as much as possible. Read out loud at dinner or on vacations. Read a Christmas novel after dinner during Advent. Encourage your kids to read good biographies of great leaders. We all need heroes. • Attend their school functions as much as possible to show your support. • Don’t pay them for good grades but let them eventually set the standard for themselves. It may take until college before they care. The more you pressure them, the more they will NOT care! • Do let them know there are privileges that come with doing their best (not necessarily making straight “A’s”), such as later curfews, driving, being on their own.
• Limit TV, video games, and computer time to one to two hours a day, or turn them off altogether. Take a stand and say “No” to poor entertainment. • Be involved with the curriculum, especially the sex education material, throughout. Have discussions at home if you don’t agree with the school’s approach. • During the high school years, stay connected in whatever ways you can. Agree that family members should know where other family members are. Parents should know who their children are with and whether adults are present. Cell phones can help! Drugs and alcohol are rampant! Don’t fool yourself. They will be offered to your child. • Whatever your kids end up doing, cheer them on and love them unconditionally!
Patti Francis, M.D., a pediatrician, has been in private practice for over 20 years in Lafayette, California. She has been married to Ron for over 27 years. Their two daughters, Corrie (26) and Erica (21) are spending the year in New Zealand making an animation film for graduate school and taking classes in Parks and Rec, respectively. Patti and Ron have been involved with the Marriage Enrichment Commission for CMDA for the past seven years, which helps their marriage tremendously. She is a graduate of U.C. Santa Barbara and Boston University Medical School. Ron is presently retired from the computer industry and does the laundry, cooks and plays golf.
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Advertising Section Dental Chippewa Ceramics Inc. is a Christian crown and bridge lab seeking Christian dentists. Quality work done at reasonable prices. All work is guaranteed. Thirty-seven years experience. See our web site at: chippewaceramicsdentallab.com. 362/0682/2369
Dentist – North Orange County, CA, seeking caring, experienced general dentist for the growing multi-cultured patient pool dental practice. Great opportunity for a dentist who likes to take less stress at work and wishes to have more time for the family and missionary service. For more information, call Andrea at 714-994-4482 or fax resume to 714-994-3995; mikgina@yahoo.com. 361/0674/2357
Dentist – Two Christian Dentists have immediate opening for full-time associate leading to partnership. Full range of general dentistry. Ministering to underserved at home and abroad. Contact Dr. Bob Zimmerman; 750 S. Potomac St., Waynesboro, PA 17268; e-mail: rrzdds@pa.net H-717-762-4706; W-717-7621515. 343/0331/2190 Dentist: Family practice seeking Christian associate leading to transition to full partner. Progressive, growing, short-term missions oriented practice. For further information see www.transdent.com, Elkhart, IN, David B. Strycker, D.D.S., or e-mail stryck@bnin.net. 362/0680/2664
Dentist: Excellent opportunity for competent dentist to join a practice in beautiful Williamsport located in central PA. Associate status, then buy out retiring general dentist. Excellent area for family. Contact Dr. Boyd; 570323-6116. 351/0569/2298 General Dentisty - Exciting opportunity for Dentist to work in Jr. Faculty position located in underserved urban community in NJ. Full-time position involves patient care and interaction with residents. Competitive salary and benefits package. Contact, Cathie Gorzalski 856-2463548. 362/0683/2370
Overseas Missions Ghana - Year-round opportunites for medical service, most specialties, ST/LT. Baptist Medical Center in “brush” of NE Ghana with 3 full-time MDs on staff. Busy Clinic & Surgical service. Non-medical opportunities too. E-mail hct@africaonline.com.gh, Danny Crawley, MD. 352/0645/2316
Pakistan - Christian physicians urgently needed for ST/LT in rural Shikarpur Christian
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Advertise in Today’s Christian Doctor—you’ll get results!
“We have had numerous responses to our ad. Even though it is small, it has reached a lot of people who are interested in our services. CMDA’s magazine seems to target a group of medical professionals who have a heart for missions like no other publication in which we advertise. Thank you for providing an important tool for ministries to communicate their message.” — Gayle, Blessings International Need an associate? Help with your missions project? Selling your practice? Looking for a good position? Advertise in TCD’s Advertising Section. Contact Patti Kowalchuk by phone 423-844-1000 or by e-mail: patti@cmdahome.org for information and rates.
A comprehensive look at how biblical principles can and should guide the lives of doctors as they relate to God, family, community, and their professions. Paperback, 253 Pages - $16.95 Call 888-231-2637 to get your copy today!
Advertising Section Hospital: female (GP/FP, OB/GYN, GS) for OB/general; male/female pediatrician, OB/GYN for ST teaching GYN surgery. Contact Bill Bowman, MD; 714-963-2620; drbillbow@aol.com. 351/0361/2302
Republic of Congo-Brazzaville - Is God calling you to help start this country’s Pioneer Christian Hospital? We especially need a surgeon, primary-care physician, and missionary nurses able to speak French and/or Lingala. Please contact: JHarvey@UUplus.com. 361/0677/2360
Positions Open Family Physician needed by 7-member FP group in College Station, Texas. Full time practice & full scope. OB a plus. Great Location: college town of 150,000 w/family values/great schools/metro access. Call Dave Knoop: 979-821-6300.
ity of joining us in practice. The clinic has been in existence over 30 years. Clinic owns an onsite, JCAHO accredited Surgery Center. The Clinic and Good Samaritan Hospital are cosponsors of the Nebraska Joint Replacement Center. Good Samaritan Hospital (207 beds) and its staff of 130 physicians provide tertiary care to a largely rural population in Central and Western Nebraska and Northern Kansas. Kearney, NE, is home to the University of Nebraska Kearney, the Museum of Nebraska Art, USHL hockey team, NIFL football team, the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument and Good Samaritan Health Systems. We can help with financial aspects of relocation. Please contact Dr. Chris Wilkinson at 308-865-1406 or cwilkinson@kofc.kearney.net. Our business manager, Vicki Aten, can be reached at 308-865-2512 or vaten@kofc.kearney.net.
362/0596/2367 342/0467/2119
Practice for Sale Psychiatry: Established Christian Adult/Adol. prvt practice for sale, Midland, TX. OP only: consults, evals, med mgmt; no Medicare/Medicaid. Great staff, 2 therapists. $400 K potential gross based on 32 hr. week. 432-684-4070 or 432-522-2166. 362/0684/2371
Paid Advertisement
Looking for a place to start your own practice? Come to my office, use my facility, supplies and staff expertise, all for a nominal fee. Start to build your practice alongside of mine. See my patients when I go on numerous mission trips. When I am ready to retire, within the next three years, you will have the opportunity to buy my practice. Looking for a Christian Pediatrician interested in working in Chicago’s thriving west suburbs. Contact Soon Ja Choi, MD or Mary Williams at 630-393-3400 or e-mail drchoi@speakeasy.net. 362/0681/2366
Ob/Gyn - Opportunity to join a 5-doctor, Pro-life OB/GYN practice in Boise, Idaho, located directly across from St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center. Scope of practice includes general Ob/Gyn, infertility, uro-gynecology, hysteroscopy, laparoscopy and high risk OB. A recent unexpected loss of a physician from our group makes a great practice opportunity for a new associate who is completing residency. Boise is a wonderful community in which to practice with a stable medical community and hospitals. It is a great place to live with excellent schools, 3 universities in the valley and a wide range of cultural activities. Recreational and outdoor opportunities are abundant. Benefits include medical/dental insurance, retirement plan, life insurance, malpractice coverage and partnership generally after the first year. For more information please contact Dirk Carlson, MD at 208-3437501, or e-mail dirk_ocpa@uswest.net. CVs can be sent via e-mail or to Ob/Gyn Center, PA, 100 East Idaho Street, Suite 302, Boise, Idaho 83712. 362/0679/2363
Orthopedic Surgeon needed to join a threephysician orthopedic practice committed to providing orthopedic care with compassion as well as excellence. Time off for short-term missions supported. Kearney Orthopedic and Fracture Clinic would like to talk with general and subspecialty orthopedists about the possibil-
Internet Web site:
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This section represents a portion of our opportunities. To view a complete listing, go to the Placement Section on our web site, www.cmdahome.org
DENTISTRY For more information concerning our Dental Placement Services, please contact Todd Cross by e-mail: todd.cross@cmdahome.org, call 888-690-9054, or visit us online at www.cmdahome.org.
MATERNAL-FETAL MEDICINE
Advertising Section Ohio (PS-149). Independent practice seeking Psychiatrist for counseling, psychological testing and psychiatric treatment.
Contact Rose Courtney: 888-878-2133; fax CV to 423-844-1005; or e-mail rose@placedocs.com.
OPPORTUNITY IN SC
ANESTHESIA
MED/PEDS
OPPORTUNITIES IN AL, CA, IL, NE, NM, NY, OR, PA.
OPPORTUNITIES IN GA, IN, KY, MI, NC, PA, OH, TN, WA
NEUROLOGY OPPORTUNITIES IN AL, MO, OH
NEONATOLOGY
California (AN-138). Independent, singlespecialty group. Inpatient & Outpatient. Call 1:3. New Mexico (AN-135). 2 openings! Independent group with 6 physicians & 7 CRNAs.
OPPORTUNITY IN KY
NURSE PRACTITIONER OPPORTUNITIES IN AZ, FL, MD, NC, OH, SC, TX, PA, WI, WY
OB/GYN OPPORTUNITIES IN AR, CO, FL, GA, ID, IN, MD, MA, MI, MN, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, VA, WA, WI
OPHTHALMOLOGY OPPORTUNITIES IN KY, MI, VA, WA, WV Virginia (OP-140). Busy 3-doctor practice seeking general Ophthalmologist to replace 1 of the doctors that is retiring. This is an independent, single-specialty group. The practice draws from 7 counties in Southwest Virginia.
PEDIATRICS OPPORTUNITIES IN CA, FL, GA, IL, IN, MI, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WA Indiana (PD-220). Independent, single-specialty group of 3 BC Pediatricians, 2 full-time and 1 part-time, seeking another physician.
New York (AN-136). Independent, singlespecialty group. Inpatient & Outpatient, call 1:5. Pennsylvania (AN-141). Independent, singlespecialty group with 1 physician and 2 mid-level providers is seeking a BC/BE Anesthesiologist Interventional Pain Management MD for FT position leading to Partnership. Practice offers broad range of interventional techniques performed in dedicated, high tech stand alone Ambulatory Surgical Center.
GENERAL SURGERY OPPORTUNITIES IN AL, AZ, CA, CO, GA, IA, IL, KS, MD, MI, MN, NY, OH, PA, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI. Alabama (MS-323). Independent, singlespecialty group. Inpatient & Outpatient. “Bread & Butter Surgeries.” Call 1:3. Arizona (SG-252). Phoenix - Independent, singlespecialty group. Call 1:4. California (SG-242). An independent, singlespecialty group. Call is 1:5 or 6.
Washington (PD-229). Growing, independent, single-specialty group seeking a full-time or parttime Pediatrician. Call schedule is 2:4 Monday thru Thursday and 1:4 Friday thru Sunday. Hospital is a 225-bed facility and has a Level II Nursery.
Colorado (MS-220). Hospital owned, multispecialty. Inpatient & Outpatient. Call 1:3.
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT
Virginia (SG-111). Independent, solo practice. Call schedule is 1:3 weekdays; weekend - every other.
OPPORTUNITIES IN FL, MD, NC, SC, TX, PA, WI, WY
PSYCHIATRY
Pennsylvania (MS-211). Single-specialty practice seeking to add 1 BC General Surgeon. No call schedule.
Washington (SG-254). Independent, singlespecialty group. Inpatient & Outpatient. Call 1:2.
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North Carolina (OS-197). Independent, singlespecialty group. Inpatient & Outpatient. 16 physicians in group. Call schedule is 1:4 or 5.
VASCULAR OHIO (VS-106); VIRGINIA (SG-165); MINNESOTA (SG-221); NORTH CAROLINA (SG-120).
Contact Cathy Morefield, CMDA Placement Service at 888-690-9054, fax CV to 423-844-1005; or e-mail: cathy@cmdahome.org
CARDIOLOGY Kansas (CD-123). 20+-year-old practice. Strong CMDA presence in city. Office near hospital in Southern Kansas.
ENDOCRINOLOGY Pennsylvania (END-104). Associate needed due to increased demand and need for services. New building with 6 exam rooms. Office hours 8-5. Located in South Central PA.
GASTROENTEROLOGY Indiana (GI-132). Join very busy practice. New building under construction. Call 1:4. Located in North Central Indiana. Tennessee (MS-136). Multi-specialty group. Brought in as employee with possible buy-in. Call 1:4. Located near Nashville.
HEPATOLOGY Indiana (GI-132). Hepatology physician needed for growing GI practice. New building with plans for expansion. A great place to raise a family.
INFECTIOUS DISEASE Arkansas (ID-102). 2-physician group adding 3rd. They endeavor to glorify and serve the Lord. Call 1:5/1:4. Located in Central Arkansas.
INTERNAL MEDICINE Florida (IM-258). New physician will come into well-established patient base. New state-of-theart facility. Well-informed, educated patients with no HMO involvement. Illinois (IM-262). Well-established 4-physician group. In/outpatient work with call 1:4. Located in upper-middle class community near Chicago.
ORTHOPAEDICS
Iowa (MS-187). Provide healthcare and healing services with Christian compassion. FT commitment is minimum of 184 days per year. Located near Des Moines.
OPPORTUNITIES IN AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, GA, IL, IN, MI, MN, NC, NE, NM, PA, SC, TN, TX, VT, WA, WV.
Ohio (IM-261). Outpatient only. Prefer Geriatric experience or training. Located in Central Ohio.
OPPORTUNITIES IN AZ, AR, IL, MN, NC, OH North Carolina (PS-148). 12-year-old psychiatric group seeking a Psychiatrist for outpatient psychiatric evaluation and moderate management.
Georgia (OS-147). Independent practice. Inpatient & Outpatient. 1-physician in practice. Call schedule is 1 day per week and weekends are every 5th.
Advertising Section Tennessee (MS-136). Multi-specialty group. Call 1:7. Located in North Central Tennessee.
ing of Christian values allowed, but also is encouraged.
Texas (MS-315). Well-established multi-specialty group. Geriatric training preferred. Located in Northeast Texas.
Indiana (MS-331). Independent 5-physician single-specialty group located in Southern Indiana seeking Family Medicine physician with OB. Only 1 hour from Indianapolis and 2 hours from Louisville, KY. The mission of this practice is to provide high-quality, community-sensitive healthcare utilizing Christ-oriented principles.
NEPHROLOGY Tennessee (MS-154). 2-physician group, with heavy emphasis on management of patient with ESRD. Call 1:3. Located in West Tennessee.
OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE Washington (OM-100). Outpatient only clinic looking for associate. Flexible work schedule with 2 1/2 days per week or total 1420 hours per year. Great salary!
ONCOLOGY/HEMATOLOGY Texas (ON-123). General radiation oncology group seeks associate. Call is very rare. Located in East Texas. Great family town.
OTOLARYNGOLOGY Indiana (OT-131). Additional physician needed due to increased patient demand. Practice is Christ-centered and each physician is encouraged to incorporate faith with practice. Located near Indianapolis in a family-friendly neighborhood. Oregon (OT-135). Partner retiring, take over existing patient base. Opportunity to incorporate faith with practice. Located in Southern Oregon with numerous recreational opportunities.
RADIOLOGY Virginia (MS-249). Not-for-profit hospital is adding a physician. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains in a family oriented community with abundant outdoor activities.
RHEUMATOLOGY Texas (MS-315). Multi-specialty clinic seeking associate. Practice consists of 12 physicians and 2 mid-levels. Located in friendly, fast growing, diverse city in Northeast Texas.
Contact Gloria Gentry, CMDA Placement Service, 888-690-9054; fax CV to 423-844-1005; or e-mail: gpgentry@cmdahome.org
FAMILY PRACTICE California (RCT-112). Christian family practice clinic located in Southern California is searching for a BC/BE family physician, OB optional but preferred. Practice located between Los Angeles and Palm Springs and surrounded by the beautiful snow-capped San Bernardino Mountains. The clinic has a mission that is faith-based in which they believe sharing Christian values is beneficial to patient’s health. Not only is the shar-
Indiana (MS-332). Independent, 6-physician multi-specialty group located near Indianapolis needing Family Practice associate, OB optional. Inpatient/Outpatient work required. Daily average of patients per physician: 25-30. Practice provides competent, compassionate care in a friendly environment. Physicians are actively involved in various churches and some meet monthly for a physician Bible study at the local hospital. Michigan (MS-319). Community health center located in South Central Michigan seeking family physicians, OB optional. Inpatient/Outpatient work required. Practice is also considered a HPSA, MUA, and National Health Service Corps site. A physician would have the freedom to pray and witness to patients. The practice shares a common mission of serving others through Spirit-based leadership. Montana (MS-338). Outpatient only practice located in beautiful Northwest Montana searching for Family Medicine associate, no OB. Daily average of patients per physician: 25-30. An integral part of our multi-denominational staff is sharing their Christian beliefs. The practice believes in providing patient care as a team that integrates Christian principles with medical science. North Carolina (FP-1002). Independent singlespecialty group with 4 practices in Eastern North Carolina needing a Family Medicine associate, OB optional. Inpatient/Outpatient required with a call schedule of 1:8. Physicians are actively involved in church/worship within the community and missions. Tennessee (MD-106). Multi-specialty group located in Eastern Tennessee needing Family Medicinephysician, no OB. Inpatient/Outpatient required with a call schedule of 1:4 on weekdays and weekends. Practice desires to walk daily in the Lord’s presence, seeing His power of healing operate in and through them as they minister to the mind, soul, and body and serve as a light in their community. Texas (FP-1008). Located in Southern Texas near the Mexican border, this independent singlespecialty group is searching for a Family Medicine physician, no OB. Inpatient/Outpatient work required with a call schedule of 1:7. Recognizing our calling to Christian health ministry, the prac-
Internet Web site:
tice is committed to quality primary healthcare, by attending to our patients’ physical, mental and spiritual needs. Involved in medical outreach into Mexico. Texas (FP-1000). Located in the heart of Eastern Texas, this independent multi-specialty group is seeking a family physician with OB. Inpatient/Outpatient work required with a call schedule of 1:3 on both weekdays and weekends. Practice vision is that people’s needs can and will be filled and met, spirit, soul, and body. Prayer with patients and others in the practice is acceptable and encouraged as His Spirit leads. Washington (FP-964). Only 45 minutes from Seattle, this independent 4-physician singlespecialty group is seeking Family Medicine associate, OB optional. Call schedule of 1 day per week and 1 weekend per month. Practice is unique in its support of partners who wish to volunteer for short-term service in the third world. Wyoming (MS-330). Independent, singlespecialty group located in Northeastern Wyoming seeking 1 to 2 Family Medicine physicians, no OB. Inpatient/Outpatient work required with a call schedule of 1 day per week and 1 in 6 weekends. Physician would have freedom to pray with patients and as he or she feels led. Ohio (FP-917). Independent single-specialty group located in Northeastern Ohio searching for Family Practice associate, OB optional but preferred. Practice consists of 5 physicians. Inpatient/Outpatient work required with a call schedule of 1:5 on both weekdays and weekends. Practice’s mission is to provide family-centered quality healthcare to the local population. Their Christian foundation is central to their practice of medicine. New York (FP-612). Independent practice located in Western New York needing Family Physician with OB, C-section experience welcome. Practice consists of 7 family physicians located in 3 clinics. Call is on rotating basis with all physicians in practice. Average number of patients: 25-30 per day. In daily practice, the physicians speak openly with patients about spiritual matters and pray with patients. As a Christian practice, we are committed to principles of honesty and integrity in all our business dealings. As employers, we pray for our staff and consider our interactions and relationships with them as much a part of our Christian witness as our interactions and relationships with patients.
For more information, please review www.cmdahome.org or phone Allen Vicars at 888-690-9054. E-mail: allen@cmdahome.org
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CHRISTIAN MEDICAL & DENTAL ASSOCIATIONS P.O. Box 7500 Bristol, TN 37621-7500
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