Searching for the Truth:
Medicine, Morality, and the Media
A Letter From the President
What is truth? Do we find people who think like Pilate in the world today? These thoughts sat in the background of my mind as I attended CMA's successful 91st Annual Educational Conference in Denver, Colorado last month.
Communicating the Truth in a Post-Truth World
Fake news is one key symptom of a deeper trend in culture that now has a stranglehold on politics, media, arts, and science: the denial of truth.
Physician as Advocate: Defending Scientific Truth in the Public Square
One form of physician advocacy is often forgotten, neglected, or ignored: advocacy in the public square. This can include regulatory bodies, state and local medical associations, and legislatures. Public square advocacy can address any number of health care issues, most obviously the serious issues of our day such as abortion, contraception, gender dysphoria, and physician-assisted suicide.
Social Contagion and the Changing Demographics of Sex-Discordant Gender Identity
With the pervasiveness of social media use among adolescents and the known influence of this exposure on body satisfaction, I propose that media and peer exposure to gender ideology of vulnerable adolescents undergoing a critical stage of identity development is a “perfect storm” for the proliferation of sex-discordant gender identification.
Media Addiction and Recovery
Technology has become a means of hooking people in excessive behavioral habits. We have all seen a family sitting at a table texting on their cell phones instead of talking to each other. In this scenario, media causes harm to relationships. Our relationship with media begins with an attraction, continues with attachment and can progress to an addiction.
A New Authentically Catholic Medical School Opening
The Catholic Medical Association has always worked to inspire members to uphold “the principles of the Catholic Faith in the science and practice of medicine.” Now, CMA will have a powerful new ally in the Saint Padre Pio Institute for the Relief of Suffering, School of Osteopathic Medicine.
Chaplain's Corner
I am proud to say that the Catholic Medical Association and its members are committed to using their resources to help their patients, fellow medical professionals and medical students. CMA members gave generously. In addition, CMA is working to assist multiple medical students who have been dismissed from their medical schools because of their Catholic pro-life views.
My Father, the Healer
God is not just some supreme power out there, but God is personal, He is relational, He is loving and not just in generalities, but personally — in a way that changes us — changes everything about us. This is difficult for many — this makes it personal; it demands a response.
Outstanding Student Chapter
The University of Minnesota Duluth CMA Student Section was only founded in the fall of 2021, but already it is 50 members strong and “has achieved measurable growth and effected meaningful change in its community,” an accomplishment that helped it achieve this CMA honor.
Outstanding Guild of the Year
With over 300 members composed largely of physicians but also includes students, physician assistants, nurses, pharmacists, ethicists, and religious, the Denver Guild is a two-time winner, having also been honored with the award in 2020.
2022 Linacre Award
The 2022 Linacre Award was presented to Gerard M. Nadal, Ph.D. for his August 2021 article entitled, "Charting a Course Toward a New Vaccine Strategy." The award was presented by Dr. Barbara Golder, the editor-in-chief of The Linacre Quarterly, during the 91st Annual Educational Conference in Denver, Colorado. Dr. Golder had this to say regarding the recipient:
"Dr. Nadal wrote an exceptional and timely article on the difficulty of finding a vaccine strategy acceptable to sufficient numbers of people that vaccine compliance, and therefore, disease prevention, would not be compromised. He presented a balanced view of the problem, including the need to recognize both that researchers in the area share a desire to relieve human suffering but also that they do not see the issues with long-established embryonic cell lines that Catholics do. His suggestions for moving forward both honor Catholic teaching and provide a basis for discussion and strategizing with those who do not share (or even understand) our ethical objections. This is what makes the article so compelling and what garnered it the Linacre Award."
You can access the article here thanks to The Linacre Quarterly's publisher, Sage, offering all content related to COVID-19 free of charge in an effort to provide the best possible environment for sharing information during the pandemic.
Conference Photo Book
Denver Guild members Drs. Michelle Stanford, Fernando Boschini and Zachary Engelbert enjoy a moment during the conference, where their guild was awarded the Outstanding Guild of 2022.
Catholic Healthcare International (CHI), an exhibitor, announced the location of their new Catholic medical school during the conference.
Medical students Madalyn Genskow and Isabel Grace Derdzinsk enjoy a bite and smiles during the conference.
Dr. Anthony Oliva leads the Q&A session at the General Assembly during the open forum.
Conference attendees having some selfie-fun.
Fiat Integrative Health representatives speak with a CMA member in the Exhibitor Hall.
Speaker Sr. Marysia Weber, R.S.M, D.O. is interviewed after her presentation on Internet Pornography Addiction by Dr. Thomas McGovern, cohost of the Doctor, Doctor podcast.
CMA member Dr. Christopher Tsoi with first time attendees Drs. Kevin and Audrey Tool.
Conference members gather to pray and worship during the White Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver, Colorado.
Archbishop Thomas E. Gullickson concelebrates the White Mass for CMA members at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver, Colorado.
The Guardian of Faith recipients Drs. Timothy Millea and Marie Hilliard pose for a photo with Executive Director Mario Dickerson and Episcopal Advisor Bishop James Conley to the left of them and President Dr. Craig Treptow to the right. Not pictured is recipient Dr. Felipe Vizcarrondo, president of the Miami Guild of the Catholic Medical Association. The award is given to those whose vocation of healing others exemplifies their faith and love of God— both personally and professionally.
Dr. Greg Burke, the conference chair, receives the Harmony Flame Award for his exceptional leadership and service to the success of the 91st Annual Educational Conference. He poses for a photo with Executive Director Mario Dickerson and President Craig Treptow.
Family nurse practitioner Sr. Austin Terese Obiageli Esotu, founder of the Divine Healer Medical Mission in Fort Wayne, Indiana, listens to keynote speaker Fr. David Pivonka during the banquet dinner.
CMA members pose for a group picture after the White Mass during the successful and inspiring 91st Annual Educational Conference.
A Baby Shower in Denver!
The Catholic Medical Association undertook an outreach project in connection with the 91st Annual Educational Conference in Denver, Colorado. Members from around the country donated much-needed baby items for the residents of Marisol Homes run by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Denver, Colorado. Marisol Homes provides safe and secure emergency and community-based extended-stay shelter for pregnant women and single women with children who are experiencing homelessness.
Representatives of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Denver Maria Elisa Olivas and Sara Lugo pose with Marisol Velez, the director of Marisol Homes. Catholic Charities of Denver is one of the largest and most effective social service organizations in Colorado, founded in 1927.
Marisol Velez, director of Marisol Homes, receives CMA’s donation on behalf of the women and children served at the shelter. She stands with Executive Director Mario Dickerson, President Dr. Craig Treptow, and Dr. Greg Burke who presented the gifts on behalf of the Catholic Medical Association.
Summer 2022
CMA: Ready for a Post-Roe America
Spring 2022
Catholic Social Teaching in Action
Fall 2021
In the Midst of the Hardships: Finding Joy in Medicine