We are a community of Christian academic physicians and scientists who are committed to helping one another discern and live up to our faith-based calling. We endeavor to transform our academic communities through faith, fellowship, and scholarship.

News & Events

NEWS

  • CMDA CEO interviewed David L. Larson, MD and Kim-Lien Nguyen, MD about the motivation for CAPS – Listen to podcast at CMDA Matters – to be released April 23, 2020.
  • If you are a CAPS member, we are interested in knowing how we can serve you and the Christian academic medical community. Please complete our CAPS Membership Needs Survey, which will be emailed to you.
  • Local medical center/university group leaders needed – please contact Dr. Kim-Lien Nguyen by completing the form under "Contact Us".
  • If you are already a CAPS member, please explore the membership portal. If you are interested in international medical education, please consider volunteering for CMDA's Medical Education International.

 

EVENTS

Wednesday, January 27, 2021
CAPS Faculty: My Walk in Academic Medicine
Speakers:

Dr. Nicholas Comninellis founded the CMDA chapter at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) in 1980. Following tropical medicine school at Walter Reed, he served five years at Shanghai Charity Hospital in China and Kalukembe Hospital in Angola. Today, he is dean of INMED, the Institute for International Medicine – a graduate school equipping healthcare professionals to serve forgotten people. Many INMED learners are mid-career physicians who say, “It’s finally time for me to do what I’ve always wanted. Can you help me get started?” He is also faculty advisor for UMKC Campus Crusade and the 2009 United Nations Association of the United States World Citizen.

Dr. Nicholas Comninellis

Jad Kebbe, MD is an Assistant Professor of Pulmonary and Critical Medicine at the University of Oklahoma. He has been the Director of the Interstitial Lung Diseases Program at OU since its inception, leading the multidisciplinary team of specialists in pathology, pulmonology, rheumatology and thoracic radiology. His clinical and academic interests include fibrotic and occupational lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis and silicosis. Like many other pulmonary and critical care physicians at this time, he is heavily involved in the care of critically ill COVID-19 patients in the ICU. He is a member of Crosstown Church in Oklahoma City where he is involved in ministry. Jad enjoys conversing over food, practicing hospitality, playing board games, reading books and riding his bike.

Dr. Jad Kebbe
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Monday, February 22, 2021
Six Texts on Cultural Engagement
Speaker:

Darrell L. Bock
Executive Director of Cultural Engagement and Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies

BA, University of Texas, 1975; ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary, 1979; PhD, University of Aberdeen, 1983; postdoctoral study, Tübingen University.

Darrell L. Bock is Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas, as well as Executive Director of Cultural Engagement for the Hendricks Center for Christian Leadership there. Dr. Bock has earned recognition as a Humboldt Scholar (Tübingen University in Germany), is the author of over 40 books (including well-regarded commentaries on Luke and Acts and studies of the historical Jesus) and has been a New York Times best-selling author in nonfiction. He works in cultural engagement as a host of the seminary’s “The Table” podcast. He was president of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) for 2000–2001 and was a consulting editor for Christianity Today for several years. His articles appear in leading publications and he is often an expert for the media on New Testament issues. He currently serves on the boards of Wheaton College, Chosen People Ministries, Christians in Public Service (CIPS) and the Institute for Global Engagement (IGE). He is also an elder emeritus at Trinity Fellowship Church in Dallas. Married for over 40 years to Sally, he is the father of two married daughters and a son, and is also a proud grandfather.

Darrell Bock, PhD
Director of Cultural Engagement, Hendricks Center for Christian Leadership & Cultural Engagement
Professor, Dallas Theological Seminary
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Tuesday, March 23, 2021
8:30 a.m. PST / 10:30 a.m. CT / 11:30 a.m. ET

Abstract for CAPS Seminar on Human Flourishing in Medicine
Tyler Vanderweele, PhD

Medical decisions sometimes affect not only the body, but also the mind, one’s relationships, one’s capacity to work, and numerous other aspects of life. Human well-being or flourishing might be understood as living in a state in which all aspects of a person’s life are good, including one’s happiness and life satisfaction, physical and mental health, meaning and purpose, character and virtue, and close social relationships. While it is arguably not within the purview of medicine to optimize all aspects of individual flourishing, these other aspects of well-being should nevertheless be taken into account in medical decision-making. Flourishing assessments ought to be included in randomized trial evaluations, especially when side effects might be especially prominent, and should be considered in thinking about the lives of, and care for, both patients and clinicians. Discussion is given to the implications of a broad conception of flourishing for patient care, clinician well-being and burn-out, and the promotion of population health. 

Human Flourishing
Speaker:

Tyler J. VanderWeele, PhD, is the John L. Loeb and Frances Lehman Loeb Professor of Epidemiology in the Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and Director of the Human Flourishing Program and Co-Director of the Initiative on Health, Religion and Spirituality at Harvard University. He holds degrees from the University of Oxford, University of Pennsylvania, and Harvard University in mathematics, philosophy, theology, finance, and biostatistics. His methodological research is focused on theory and methods for distinguishing between association and causation in the biomedical and social sciences and, more recently, on psychosocial measurement theory. His empirical research spans psychiatric and social epidemiology; the science of happiness and flourishing; and the study of religion and health. He is the recipient of the 2017 Presidents’ Award from the Committee of Presidents of Statistical Societies (COPSS). He has published over three hundred papers in peer-reviewed journals; is author of the books Explanation in Causal Inference (2015), Modern Epidemiology (2021), and Measuring Well-Being (2021); and he also writes a monthly blog posting on topics related to human flourishing for Psychology Today.

Tyler J. VanderWeele, PhD
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Wednesday, April 21, 2021
5:00 p.m. PST / 7:00 p.m. CT / 8:00 p.m. ET
A Christian’s Walk in Academic Medicine
Speakers:

Robert Hoffman, MD

Robert Hoffman, MD

Inis Jane Bardella, M.D., FAAFP is a disciple of Jesus who is a semi-retired academic professor of family medicine. Her mission is mentoring the remnant through working globally to develop medical education. After attending Washington and Jefferson College and Temple University School of Medicine, she completed her family medicine specialty training at the Washington Hospital Family Medicine Residency in Washington, Pennsylvania. Dr. Bardella has served in several leadership positions including Rwanda Country Project Director for family medicine postgraduate expansion, associate dean for Faculty Development and Global Health Initiatives, head of a Department of Family and Community Medicine and chair of the American Academy of Family Physicians Commission on Education. Since 2000, she has been privileged to contribute to the development of medical education in Kyrgyzstan, Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Uganda and India as well as in the United States. Currently she is part-time faculty at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences South Family Medicine Residency in Magnolia, Arkansas. Dr. Bardella lives with her husband, Robert McConnell, in Fayetteville, Arkansas very near their two sons and their families. Their granddaughter, hiking and bicycling are their main activities.

Inis Bardella, MD
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Wednesday, May 12, 2021
5:00 p.m. PST / 7:00 p.m. CT / 8:00 p.m. ET

Abstract:

The physicians on the island of Cos restructured medicine and their impact lasted into the 19th century. There was no effective medicine to speak of—diet, rest and exercise—but when people know they are sick, they go to the physician for a prognosis, thus learning what they must plan to do with their remaining time. Reassurance is therapeutic, and the Hippocratic physicians knew that they could increase trust by fore-swearing killing (common practice in those days) and emphasizing their moral rectitude. The details will be discussed. This change honored societal norms.

Not until the 1860s did it become a statistically smart move to go to a physician if you wanted to survive. Once the world of medicine began to apply the results of inductive reasoning from the late middle ages, therapeutic progress began, particularly as John Snow conquered cholera and the germ theory of disease was accepted. However, it was not until antimicrobials that dramatic progress was achieved. Medicine allegedly became scientific and therapy complex, requiring detailed knowledge. Evidence-based medicine is the modern answer. While it is a powerful tool, evidence-based medicine is not without problems. Physical facts have no moral power until placed within a metaphysical framework. This has been approached via bio-ethics, but that too needs a metaphysical framework. Our patients live within multiple stories of meaning derived from their upbringing. These stories do not all support evidence-based answers. We need to become much more sophisticated.

Objectives:

  1. Learn some of the history that formed the ethos of medicine.
  2. Understand the centrality of good questions to elicit the worldview of our patients.
  3. Learn to live with the personal meaning of individual patient.
From Hippocrates to Evidence-based Medicine: Profit and Loss
Speaker:

Dr. John Patrick studied medicine at Kings College, London and St. George’s Hospital, London in UK. John has held appointments in Britain, the West Indies and Canada. John’s main academic interest in medicine is the treatment of Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) in various diseases and accident trauma throughout the world. His research has been carried out in UK, Jamaica, Canada and Africa. In the 1970s he worked at the University of the West Indies, Jamaica and was involved in the breakthrough of PEM treatment whilst in Jamaica. He came to Canada in 1980. At the University of Ottawa, John was Associate Professor in Clinical Nutrition in the Department of Biochemistry and Pediatrics for 20 years. He is interested in understanding the link between the treatment of the severely malnourished, their beliefs and their culture.

Dr. Patrick speaks to Christian and secular groups around the world, communicating effectively on medical ethics, culture, public policy and the integration of faith and science. He is currently President and Professor of the History of Science, Medicine and Faith at Augustine College.

John and his wife Sally manage the Hippocratic Registry of Physicians, whose focus is the practice of medicine as a moral activity requiring authority beyond themselves, an absolute commitment to the sanctity of life and freedom of conscience for physicians. John and Sally have four grown children and 21 grandchildren. Their oldest daughter and family are missionaries in Malawi, Southern Africa. Their other children are all based in Ottawa; all attend different denominational churches and are all active in their church.

John Patrick, MD
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Wednesday, June 30, 2021
5:00 p.m. PST / 7:00 p.m. CT / 8:00 p.m. ET
Six Texts on Cultural Engagement: Part II
Speaker:

Darrell L. Bock
Executive Director of Cultural Engagement and Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies

BA, University of Texas, 1975; ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary, 1979; PhD, University of Aberdeen, 1983; postdoctoral study, Tübingen University.

Darrell L. Bock is Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas, as well as Executive Director of Cultural Engagement for the Hendricks Center for Christian Leadership there. Dr. Bock has earned recognition as a Humboldt Scholar (Tübingen University in Germany), is the author of over 40 books (including well-regarded commentaries on Luke and Acts and studies of the historical Jesus) and has been a New York Times best-selling author in nonfiction. He works in cultural engagement as a host of the seminary’s “The Table” podcast. He was president of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) for 2000–2001 and was a consulting editor for Christianity Today for several years. His articles appear in leading publications and he is often an expert for the media on New Testament issues. He currently serves on the boards of Wheaton College, Chosen People Ministries, Christians in Public Service (CIPS) and the Institute for Global Engagement (IGE). He is also an elder emeritus at Trinity Fellowship Church in Dallas. Married for over 40 years to Sally, he is the father of two married daughters and a son, and is also a proud grandfather.

Darrell Bock, PhD
Director of Cultural Engagement, Hendricks Center for Christian Leadership & Cultural Engagement
Professor, Dallas Theological Seminary
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July 2021
BREAK
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
5:00 p.m. PST / 7:00 p.m. CT / 8:00 p.m. ET
A Christian’s Walk in Academic Medicine
Speakers:

Dr. Debra A. Schwinn became Palm Beach Atlantic (PBA) University’s ninth President on May 4, 2020.  Previously she was Associate Vice President for Medical Affairs, Dean of the Carver College of Medicine, and Professor of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Biochemistry at the University of Iowa.  Prior to those appointments, Dr. Schwinn served in senior leadership roles at the University of Washington and Duke University. 

After earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the College of Wooster in her native Ohio, Dr. Schwinn earned a medical degree from the Stanford University School of Medicine where she has also been honored as a distinguished alumnus.  A physician scientist and member of the National Academy of Medicine, Dr. Schwinn’s laboratory was funded for 27 years by the National Institutes of Health.

Dr. Schwinn started leading PBA at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.  She quickly assembled a team of medical professionals who developed a system of safeguards and procedures to protect the health and safety of students, faculty and staff for in-person, transformative education. As a result, the University was able to be amongst only approximately 20% of universities open for in-person instruction and experienced much less COVID-19 impact than local health leaders expected.

What drew Dr. Schwinn to PBA was its caring community and innovation in its institutional DNA.  A recent example is the launch of “Wordship,” the practice of Godly, uplifting conversation that promotes dialogue and healing instead of division.  The combination of Worship, Workship (long-standing PBA tradition of community service as a form of worship, with >3.5million hours served), and Wordship, provide a strong, unique foundation at PBA upon which the integration of faith and academics rests.  With $426M economic impact in the local community, this year PBA also received an incredible $2.5 million donation from Karl Watson Sr., and Karl Watson, Jr.  The beautiful new 510 bed residence hall now proudly bears the name, “Watson Hall.”

On a more personal note, Dr. Schwinn’s interests include CrossFit, reading, and violin. She is married to Dr. Robert Gerstmyer, a religious scholar. They have two adult children and one grandchild and have settled in the Flamingo Park neighborhood in West Palm Beach.  An innovator at heart, Dr. Schwinn is excited to be leading an organization that graduates Christian servant leaders who positively change our world.

Debra A. Schwinn, MD

Richard M. Allman, MD, ACC, is a board-certified geriatrician and a credentialed life and leadership coach. He holds an academic appointment as Professor Emeritus, Department of Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in addition to being a Clinical Professor at George Washington University School of Medicine. Richard served as the national leader for policy and planning for Geriatrics and Palliative Care in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in Washington, DC for 4.5 years.  Richard previously was a faculty member at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and a staff physician at the Birmingham VA Medical Center for 27 years. He was the Parrish Endowed Professor of Medicine and Director, Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Palliative Care, Director, Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging, and the Director of the VA-based Birmingham & Atlanta Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC). He has more than 200 peer-reviewed publications focusing on mobility, cardiovascular disease, quality improvement, and health disparities among older adults. Richard received his MD and completed a residency in internal medicine at the West Virginia University (WVU) School of Medicine. He then did a fellowship in internal medicine and obtained training in clinical epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University. Richard and his wife Connie have both been involved in Christian ministries as lay volunteers since they were married more than 43 years ago.  He serves on the Mentoring and Discipleship Committee of the Christian Academic Physicians and Scientists.

Richard Allman, MD
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Monday, September 20, 2021
5:00 p.m. PST / 7:00 p.m. CT / 8:00 p.m. ET
Six Texts on Cultural Engagement: Part III
Speaker:

Darrell L. Bock
Executive Director of Cultural Engagement and Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies

BA, University of Texas, 1975; ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary, 1979; PhD, University of Aberdeen, 1983; postdoctoral study, Tübingen University.

Darrell L. Bock is Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas, as well as Executive Director of Cultural Engagement for the Hendricks Center for Christian Leadership there. Dr. Bock has earned recognition as a Humboldt Scholar (Tübingen University in Germany), is the author of over 40 books (including well-regarded commentaries on Luke and Acts and studies of the historical Jesus) and has been a New York Times best-selling author in nonfiction. He works in cultural engagement as a host of the seminary’s “The Table” podcast. He was president of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) for 2000–2001 and was a consulting editor for Christianity Today for several years. His articles appear in leading publications and he is often an expert for the media on New Testament issues. He currently serves on the boards of Wheaton College, Chosen People Ministries, Christians in Public Service (CIPS) and the Institute for Global Engagement (IGE). He is also an elder emeritus at Trinity Fellowship Church in Dallas. Married for over 40 years to Sally, he is the father of two married daughters and a son, and is also a proud grandfather.

Darrell Bock, PhD
Director of Cultural Engagement, Hendricks Center for Christian Leadership & Cultural Engagement
Professor, Dallas Theological Seminary
October 2021
TBD
November 2021
TBD
December 2021
TBD