CMDA Western Region Report

By Michael Mclaughlin, Western Regional Director

Over the past decade, medical & dental campuses open annually here in the West and this year will be no exception. Due to the anticipated shortage of physicians and dentists, each year for the past seven or eight years, new medical and dental schools have opened to answer the growing need. 

When I joined the CMDA staff in 1984, there were 26 campuses here in the 12 western states.  This fall there will be 35 campuses with most of the new schools opening in the past ten years. 

• In 2003, Arizona’s first dental school opened at A.T. Still Univ. in Mesa. Last year that same campus opened a new medical school.

• Midwestern Univ. will open a new dental school this fall in Glendale, AZ bringing the number of AZ medical & dental schools to six. 

• This fall two new medical schools open in Yakima, WA—Pacific Northwest University, and in Parker, Colorado—Rocky Vista University. Both universities plan to open several new healthcare schools, almost one a year, over the next five years, including dental, pharmacy, and nursing, at least.=
  

• Three more medical schools are still in the planning stages in Riverside & Merced, CA and Lebanon, OR.

A delightful development has occurred with the two medical schools opening this fall in Yakima and Parker: The deans and associate deans at both universities are Christians and both have contacted my office requesting to meet with me for the purpose of starting CMDA student chapters on their campuses as school commences in August. I feel like I am in Mississippi! This is a first. Never before have I been asked by a dean of a medical or dental school to start a CMDA chapter. So, CMDA will be in on the ground floor as both universities open their doors.

The challenge on these new campuses is that unlike existing programs where second year students usually lead our campus groups, the leaders on both of these campuses will have to rise from the freshman class. Pray that God will touch the hearts of those capable to lead their first year and that they will step up to the challenge of leading a brand new group.

If you live in the vicinity of any of the 35 western medical or dental campuses and sense a willingness to lend a hand, to connect with students or residents, or to join the campus adviser team, we could use your assistance. Email or call me and we can discuss what that might look like for you. Remember, this is something only you and your colleagues can do. 

Also, please pray for our western staff, Darilyn Falck, Ken Jones, Eddie Graber, Mike Roberts and myself as we strive to find and train competent students to lead our campus groups. Every year the leadership turns over, making our task very important. Thank you for your friendship and warm hospitality as I travel around the west.  

Blessings,
Michael

********************

Michael McLaughlin, MDiv
PO Box 2169
Clackamas, OR 97015
Office: 503-522-1950

michaelm@cmdawest.com

Sacramento Area Update
June 2008

Dear Sacramento Area Ministry Partner,

I want to alert you to several exciting opportunities for fellowship and growth.

L’Abri Conference California 2008- Thinking and Living the Way of Christ, July 31st – August 3rd at Valley Springs Presbyterian Church in Roseville, CA. L’Abri is a French word meaning shelter. The first L’Abri community was founded in Switzerland by Dr. Francis and Edith Schaeffer and now there are similar communities in Europe, America, Canada, and Asia where individuals can seek honest answers to questions about God and the significance of human life. This conference is designed to affirm that Christianity is relevant and an intellectually reasonable worldview and will equip you to effectively engage the world for Christ. Speakers include Jerram Barrs, Dick Keyes, Sue Morrell, Jock McGregor and others. For more information and to register go on-line to www.labri-california.org.

2008 West Coast Healthcare Missions and Ministry Conference, September 19th – 20th at Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA. This 3 day conference is geared to meeting the educational and networking needs of Christian healthcare professionals, mission pastors, parachurch workers, and students who are interested in urban and/or global medical missions. Plenary speakers include Noel Castellanos, Ted Lankester, Jeff Lasseigne, Anna Wong-McDonald, and Steve Noeblette. Visit http://healthcaremissions.org  or call (909) 558-4963 for more information.

2008 CMDA Women in Medicine & Dentistry Annual Conference- Basking in the Son, Septemer 25th-28th at the Hilton San Diego/Del Mar Resort. Women physicians, dentists, residents, and students- you need to attend this conference! The mission of WIMD is to encourage and support women physicians and dentists in living out their Christian faith in their professional and personal lives. At this conference you will meet like-minded women and make lifetime friends. Speakers include Nahid Hotchkiss, Dr. Carol Spears, Dr. Gene Rudd…and I’ll be speaking in a panel discussion on infertility. Plan to be challenged, encouraged, renewed, and refreshed. CME is offered. Go to www.cmda.org/go/wimd to find out more about the conference and to register.
 

Northern California CMDA Fall Conference- The Embattled Doctor, October 10th-11th at Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church in Fair Oaks, CA. Doctors face formidable obstacles in being salt to a salt-less world. We can be worn down by time pressures, secretly haunted by our own frailties and brokenness, stressful relationships, and personal failures. So, how can we be effective representatives for Christ when faced with so many demands and challenges in personal life? Dr. Al Weir, Director of CMDA Campus & Community Ministries, and Ken Jones, MDiv, CMDA Bay Area/Redding Director, will help us find answers. For more information and to register, please contact me via email at dcfalck@pol.net. You will receive a mailer and I hope to make on-line registration possible through the CMDA website as well.

Mark your calendars now, invite your colleagues, and plan for some awesome fellowship and excellent teaching in the upcoming months!

Together In His Service,
Darilyn

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

 -I Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Email Dr. Darilyn Falck at dcfalck@pol.net or find out more about the Sacramento Area here.

By Mike Roberts, DDS

Southern California Area Director

Greetings from the Southern California Council of the Christian Medical & Dental Associations

Updated information for Southern California is coming soon.  You may email Dr. Roberts at drmiker@sbcglobal.net.

Co-Chairs, Southern California Council for CMDA
Dr. David Campbell
Dr. Paul D. Holtom
Dr. Harry Drummond
www.cmdacouncil.com

Please pray for Mike Roberts and the ministry overall. The Lord is providing great opportunities and blessings for this ministry. To find out more see CMDA membership

Find out more about the Southern California Area at www.cmdacouncil.com

Donate Online to any CMDA Western Regional or Area Ministry. Under the heading Amount For, find "Regional & Area Ministry (Denote in comment box)" enter the amount on that line and in the comments box below please type in the staff person’s name. Thank your for your generous support!

Western Regional Events