Resources for students, residents, and healthcare professionals who want to learn more about healthcare missions. Includes sessions from the Global Missions Health Conference.
Residents and students learn from others about original motivation, long-haul stamina, pearls and pitfalls of living in community, debt, vision for one’s next step to the nations, and helping the needy now tensioned with investing in education to help others later.
Have you longed to integrate your Christian faith into your patient care—on the mission field abroad, in your work in the US, and during your training? Are you not sure how to do this in a caring, ethical, sensitive, and relevant manner? This “working” session will explore the ethical basis for spiritual care and provide you with professional, timely, and proven practical methods to care for the whole person in the clinical setting. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qpah9kh1lttg6cm1jjop9/Bob-Mason-Ethics-of-Spiritual-Care-revised.pptx?rlkey=0emve2ja8282nv8xc4uinq1hg&st=9033htwx&dl=0
Those who hope to honor God and advance Jesus' Kingdom face powerful opposition from spiritual, physical, and psychological enemies. Successful launching and long term fruitfulness depends on recognizing and, in dependence on the Holy Spirit, waging war against those enemies.
Medical missionaries often feel powerful emotional burden from moral injury, and it is a leading cause of departure from the mission field. But we have learned proven methods of preventing and dealing with moral injury. Use God’s powerful methods to protect yourself and your team, and to grow in wisdom and spirit!
One of the most daunting clinical challenges: tropical fever
Whether you’re a seasoned team member or preparing for your first trip, short-term mission trips have the potential to make a meaningful global impact. In this conversation, we’ll highlight five key principles that help ensure our efforts contribute to lasting, sustainable change in the communities we serve.
As we see an increasing number of culturally diverse patients in our practices or on the mission field, we need to understand how culture influences healthcare including through our own biases. How can we develop an eye to see where a patient’s values and worldview may differ from our own? We will review an approach to cultural humility highlighted by medical missions case studies.
As we see an increasing number of culturally diverse patients in our practices or on the mission field, we need to understand how culture influences healthcare including through our own biases. How can we develop an eye to see where a patient’s values and worldview may differ from our own? We will review an approach to cultural humility highlighted by medical missions case studies.
We developed a holistic approach to educating and ministering to youth who are vulnerable to substance use in a rural Uganda community. This model both instructs and empowers youth and community leaders to address substance youth in themselves and their communities.
Introduction to a new comprehensive health care management course which is values-based
Dive into decision support tools and management options for primary care mental health conditions that often stump the primary care clinician.
What is a call? How does a person know if God is calling them to mission service? Join in a discussion as these and other questions are addressed.
Low resource settings require much innovation and streamlining resources to meet set goals. With healthcare becoming more commercial and profit driven, missional healthcare in low resource settings faces many challenges. Sustainability is a big question with people finance , and equipment scarce and hard to come by. Missional models of healthcare often run into hurdles of sustainability, longevity and relevance even as healthcare slowly turns into business. In this setting of multifactorial challenges and increasing compliances how can missional healthcare be relevant and sustainable? Many saints of God have committed their lives to fulfil this great commission in some of the most underserved and unreached areas of the world. With the birth of Emmanuel Hospital Association (EHA) a different model of missional healthcare emerged in India. Over the last 55 years of its existence, EHA has shown that through all the challenges, this may be one of the ways to sustain missional healthcare in areas of need. With increasing divide between the rich and poor, overwhelmed government systems, a ruthless insurance system, and high end corporate healthcare, it is still possible for missional healthcare to provide low cost, high quality, technologically advanced care to people in need while remaining sustainable. We bring lessons from India and our experience with Emmanuel Hospital Association over the last 3 decades.
This session will examine key considerations for leaders, senders, and international travelers/workers in the areas of duty of care, risk assessment, contingency planning, security, and common pitfalls ("lessons learned") in international mission work.
How do the lures of self-preservation and self-reliance block Kingdom work? A panel of providers, and a student minister share ways they live out the gospel through healthcare among those experiencing poverty. Though the world defines success by our bank account and possessions, living for Jesus looks different and requires sacrifice that Westerners find difficult to pursue.
Medical education has a potentially powerful role in global health. This breakout will explore some ways that medical education can not only support patient care but also augment research capacity building to better care for critically ill patients in resource-limited countries.
A discussion of the Core Missionary Task and how healthcare ministries integrate with the various components and help increase the effectiveness of church planting efforts. Speaker(s): Tom Hicks Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/healthcare-impacting-the-missionary-task
Spiritual care of our patients is critical for effective health care! After exploring the evidence for taking a spiritual history as well as for key interventions including prayer and spiritual community, we will describe approaches to integrate spiritual care into medical care while maintaining patient autonomy. This session will blend a review of the evidence with practical take-homes, drawing from overseas and domestic experience, to help us be more effective in our spiritual care of patients. Speaker(s): Douglas Collins Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/integrating-spiritual-care-into-healthcare-an-evidence-based-review
Although public awareness has increased in the last few years, there remains a general lack of knowledge regarding the extent that trafficking in persons pervades our modern world. Today in every country there are men, women and children trapped in jobs into which they were coerced or deceived and cannot leave. It is estimated that there are 25 million people worldwide subjected to sex work or forced labor. Since many of these victims will pass through medical facilities, it is imperative that health care personnel and missionaries learn the indicators and signs of human trafficking as well as stay up to date on the current trends. This presentation will look at recent case studies in modern day slavery including first hand survivor stories to be better equipped to take a reactive and proactive approach in combatting this horrendous crime. Speaker(s): Sharmayne Brooks Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/case-studies-in-human-trafficking-recent-trends-and-survivor-stories
A resident, 2 doctors, a physician assistant and student minister share ways they live out the gospel through healthcare among those experiencing poverty. If Jesus came to earth today as a healthcare provider, how would he care for patients, staff and the community? Though the world defines success by our bank account and possessions, living for Jesus looks different and requires sacrifice that westerns find difficult to pursue. Speaker(s): Jessie Thomas; Esther Kim; Natalie Bigelow; Anna John; Lisa Werner Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/spiritually-successful-how-a-healthcare-career-can-build-the-kingdom-of-god-instead-of-our-own
Despite great progress in eliminating malaria in the country, cases of malaria remain high in certain areas of Uganda. Understanding the epidemiology of cases and control is a vital component to a successful malaria mitigation project. Using a cloud-based electronic medical record we have created a pilot project to document and track malaria cases in a central Uganda health center. This type of technology can be utilized in other rural health centers to track malaria and other diseases. Speaker(s): Deborah Rodriguez Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/malaria-mitigation-project-in-rural-uganda-health-center
With around five years of experience working among refugees and IDPs, we will talk about some joys or opportunities there are working in a refugee camp setting, but also talk about realistic expectations and barriers that can be experienced. I'll share some background and my story of starting projects and trying to start ways to form groups for people to hear the Good News. Speaker(s): Emelia Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/tent-visits-and-working-with-refugees
Does brushing your teeth regularly decrease Type II diabetes? We'll discuss that question and many others as we explore connections between oral and systemic health. Because we are so used to the American dichotomy between Medicine and Dentistry, people are often surprised to see and hear how mouth health affects body health. This lecture will seek to remedy that by examining how important a role oral health plays in the lives of our patients who are dealing with a myriad of other disease states. We'll show how having dental care available on a missions team can play a synergistic role in combating various diseases. In addition, we will show ways that dentistry can have a strategic impact towards meeting spiritual needs during short-term or long-term missions. Speaker(s): Ryan Bowles Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/oral-heath-connections-to-systemic-heath-why-your-mission-team-needs-a-dentist
In a world that loves a “rags to riches” story, Jesus calls us into his upside-down kingdom where success is not always apparent. Dan* and Hope* have served for over a decade in medically underserved areas of the United States, and most recently, in an unreached, unengaged people group in the Horn of Africa. Drawing from biblical insights and real-world experiences, we will delve into the idea that failure is not merely a disruption but a transformative process integral to our mission. Speaker(s): Dan Fielding; Hope Fielding Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/the-idol-of-effectiveness-redefining-success-expanded
Infectious diseases have been the leading cause of morbidity and mortality throughout history. Today, however, the burden of infectious diseases is diminishing while the mobility from chronic, non-infectious diseases is growing dramatically. Low-resource nations are particularly ill-equipped to manage diabetes, hypertension, chronic lung, and chronic heart diseases. This session illuminates the power of lifestyle improvements, continuity of primary care, and provision of life-saving medications. Speaker(s): Nicholas Comninellis MD, MPH, DIMPH Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/chronic-disease-amid-chronic-poverty
This session will cover a Biblical anchoring for spiritual oppression, the enemy's methods and goals, and tools for resisting the enemy. Speaker(s): Dr. Mark W Anderson Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/standing-firmly-in-our-spiritual-world
This session will review the most common medical considerations you should be aware of before traveling on a short-term medical mission trip. I will review common malaria prophylaxis medications, immunizations, treatment of traveler’s diarrhea as well as other tips and tricks to know. This session is ideal for those with minimal international travel experience. Speaker(s): Charles Mosler Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/vaccines-and-medications-for-short-term-medical-missions-trips
Quality digital systems in low-resource settings empower and engage healthcare workers to provide high-quality care for every person. With a responsive digital platform developed in the field, The Luke Commission (Eswatini, Africa) has piloted a system that priorities accountability, transparency, and efficiency to maximize health outcomes for every patient. Speaker(s): Echo Nomsa VanderWal Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/revolutionizing-compassionate-patient-care-in-low-resource-settings-through-digital-systems
We aimed to assist church members in Hispanic churches to become certified and trained CHWs and mentor them to lead a six-month diabetes self-management program. We found that raising up individuals from the church to become health leaders (CHWs) in their community is a promising model to increase the reach of the church while reducing health disparities. Speaker(s): Betty Nava Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/creating-healthy-communities-a-church-based-community-health-worker-led-initiative
In this session we will discuss the role of people with disabilities in missions as well as how to meet the needs of the global disabled community. Speaker(s): Jenny Smith Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/disability-and-missions-including-people-with-disabilities-in-the-church-and-global-missions
Medical education has a potentially powerful role in global health. This breakout will explore some ways that medical education can not only support patient care but also augment research capacity building to better care for critically ill patients in resource-limited countries. Speaker(s): Burton Lee Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/supporting-global-critical-care-in-resource-limited-countries-through-medical-education
This session will explore the importance of anticipating needs and listening to treat patients successfully. As clinicians, we quickly work towards solving the immediate problem, but the healing process is much more than clinical interventions. Our education and training focus on caring for people, but not always caring about people. How can we best support patients in improving healing from a physical, mental, and spiritual standpoint regardless of the clinical setting? Speaker name(s): Steven Hester Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/not-just-caring-for-people-but-caring-about-people
Your emotional health matters as you join God in His work among the nations. There are four proven biblical keys to receive your emotional healing and use to minister to others. Using these keys will help you to stay emotional healthy as you serve others. Speaker name(s): Francis Bukachi Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/emotional-healing-matters-4-proven-biblical-keys-you-can-use
In this session, 'An Outrageous Hope for the Exploited and Trafficked,' Rachelle Starr, founder of Scarlet Hope and author of "Outrageous Obedience", shares transformative strategies for extending Christ's love and hope to those affected by exploitation and human trafficking. Discover how faith-based outreach can create pathways to healing and empowerment, reshaping lives and restoring dignity in the darkest of circumstances. Speaker name(s): Rachelle Starr Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/an-outrageous-hope-for-the-exploited-and-trafficked
In this breakout session, we will explore cultural aspects of child mental health across the globe. How helpful are our “western” diagnoses for children and adolescents in the Global South? Does autism, trauma, depression, etc. look the same across cultures? Are our therapeutic approaches relevant and sustainable? How do we build the capacity of local providers and encourage Christians to provide care and address stigma? Speaker name(s): Heleen Yoder Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/addressing-child-mental-health-needs-across-cultures
Team discord is one of the most potent causes of healthcare missionary discontent and early departure from the field. However, a few healthcare mission teams report a high level of concord and mutual support. We will explore common characteristics of those "Happy Places" and consider why those factors lead to a more biblical and joyous unity despite challenging circumstances. Speaker name(s): Jim Ritchie Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/the-happy-places-lessons-from-healthcare-mission-stations-with-happy-teams
A collaborative approach to learning more about kingdom-minded Family Medicine residencies: location, vision, etc. Come join this special time with med students and residents. Speaker name(s): Carena Chai (Todd Stephens, Liz Redican, Steve Manock, Cleon Rogers, Jonathon Peters, John McVay and lots of Family Medicine residents) Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/exploring-kingdom-minded-family-medicine-residency-programs
Culture shock is one of the things those serving on cross-cultural missions may experience. There may not be a process in place for those serving to debrief the experience. Often there is so much focus on the task to be done, that processing the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes may be overlooked. Those serving cross-culturally on short-term, mid-term, and long-term assignments could benefit from identifying the benefits and best practices of debriefing. Speaker(s): Rebecca Meyer Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/minimizing-culture-shock-through-structured-debriefing
Two cases of extra-pulmonary tb encountered in LMICs are presented Speaker(s): Scott Armistead Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/case-studies-in-extra-pulmonary-tb
What is a call? How does a person know if God is calling them to mission service? Join in a discussion as these and other questions are addressed. Speaker(s): Rebekah Naylor B.A., M.D Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/a-call
In this session, we will review 10 potentially practice-changing articles for primary care in the developed and developing world from 2020-2025 and will present each of these articles in a few minutes, critically appraising the articles and highlighting the positives and negatives of each. We will also discuss issues related to the applicability of this research in different settings. Speaker(s): Philip Dooley; Jeff Leman Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/top-10-research-papers-in-global-health
Have you ever considered how your professional skills can be used to advance God’s kingdom? Your career and ministry should not function separately — your career is your ministry. Speaker(s): Brian C.; Wes Sheffield Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/ministry-in-the-marketplace
What else might be asked of a physician, dentist, nurse or other healthcare professional serving cross-culturally that may stretch, challenge, and sometimes frustrate the committed and called servant of Christ? Being prepared for such extra tasks and determining to be flexible and joyful might just surprise the new (or old) healthcare missionary who humbly approaches the extended job description. Speaker(s): Dave MD, MA (Bioethics) Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/the-healthcare-missionary-job-description-you-want-me-to-do-what
There are so many options of sending agencies, that many potential missionary workers don’t know where to begin. As a result, they often get overwhelmed and paralyzed. We help make that journey manageable by teaching you what to look for to find your best-fit sending agency. Speaker(s): Josiah Harling; Steve Harling Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/finding-your-best-fit-mission-agency
Short-term missions. Whether you have participate in many or are just considering finding your first one, short-term mission trips do a lot of good around the world. We will be discussing five principles to ensure that our short-term mission efforts have a long-term and sustainable impact on those with whom we serve. Speaker(s): Jaime Saint Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/five-principles-for-long-term-sustaining-impact-on-short-term-trip
India distinguishes itself as one of the worst places in the world to die (Lancet 2015). In rural areas, because of a severe lack of access to appropriate health care, disease often simply ravages the bodies of our precious people completely unchallenged. A host of factors preclude good quality of remaining life, and a good death. Home based palliative care in this scenario is a breath of fresh air, bringing relief, comfort and hope, thus affirming the dignity of human life grounded in Imago Dei Speaker(s): Ashita Singh Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/impact-of-a-replicable-model-of-palliative-care-in-underserved-rural-indian-communities
After a brief overview of the global challenges that human Trafficking presents, we will discuss the role of Christians in the fight. We will present a situation report and tools that Medical Ambassadors International uses to address the problem from a grassroots perspective. We will showcase partnerships with local actors, teaching resources used in different cultural settings and the impact of networks to eliminate Trafficking. Speaker(s): Dr. Bibiana Mac Leod, MD; Zuzana Polackova MS,M.Ed Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/taking-action-against-human-trafficking-from-within-communities
Refugees & Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) face significant challenges to their health & well-being. Caring for people in these situations requires an understanding of their unique needs as well as having realistic goals regarding what can & cannot be done for them. Our experiences in providing healthcare for the victims of in Zaire, Indonesia, Pakistan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Honduras, Nepal, Kurdistan, Turkey, Ukraine, Haiti, Philippines, & other places – both natural & manmade – highlight the need to be well prepared when serving in these difficult situations. Speaker(s): Mitch Duininck MD, FAAFP Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/caring-for-victims-of-humanitarian-disaster-and-military-conflict
I have been pursuing missions as a single female for the past 10 to 15 years. There are so many opinions from the church about what it means to be single and a believer, as well as being a single believer pursuing missions. I am no expert in the field of singleness, relationships, or dating. The goal of this session is to have a panel discussion of the extreme points of view on singleness in the church and try to find a more balanced approach to loving those who are single well in the church. Speaker(s): Clara Formby Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/seeking-truth-in-singleness
How do you keep up with the demands of ministry while balancing the needs of your family, not to mention your own needs? How do you keep doing more with less? How do you protect yourself from burnout while advocating for the least of these? How do you establish boundaries without neglecting the needs of your community? What does work–life – balance look like? These are some of the questions Dr. Thomas and his wife, Jessie hope to explore as they share lessons from the field. Dr. Thomas serves as the Chief Medical Officer at Dayspring Family Health Center answering a call to serve vulnerable and marginalized communities. Jessie serves as the National Director of Student Programming at Christian Community Health Fellowship (CCHF.) They have three teenage children. Serving their family and discipling their children are some of their top priorities. They are also active leaders in their local church. Despite the busyness and numerous challenges of ministry and family life, they have learned the importance of balance, boundaries, and rest. Speaker(s): Jessie Thomas; Geogy Thomas Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/staying-alive-finding-peace-in-the-chaos-of-missional-living
Motivating People to Change Their Health Habits Speaker(s): Dave MD, MA (Bioethics) Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/motivating-people-to-change-their-health-habits
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