The Duke chapter of
the Christian Medical & Dental Association
Changing the Face of Health Care
By Changing the Hearts of Doctors
A Little About Us...
The Duke/UNC-Chapel Hill Christian Medical & Dental Association (CMDA) Chapter was founded in 1992 by two Duke medical students and one Duke medical practitioner. Over the years we changed our name a few times (originally CMS then CMDS), and steadliy grown into a ministry of more than 100 medical, dental, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, nursing and other allied health students of all denominations from Duke and UNC. Additionally, over 30 faculty members (from both schools) oversee and support this ministry. We meet monthly for fellowship, dinner, and discussion regarding application of Christian values to clinical decisions through student testimonies and professional experiences. Additionally, each of the health profession schools hold weekly Bible studies in a small group atmosphere.
Nationally, CMDA was founded in 1931 by Christian medical and dental students as a vehicle for fellowship, bible study and prayer with other professional healthcare students. Today,
CMDA is serving over 14,000 members and sponsors student chapters at two-thirds of the nation's medical and dental school campuses. CMDA provides discipleship and outreach programs while encouraging students to integrate Christian principles into professional practice.
Mission of Duke CMDA
The purpose of the Christian Medical & Dental Association is to motivate and equip health care professionals to practice their faith in Jesus Christ both privately and professionally. Specifically, Duke CMDA strives to do the following:
- To take on more of the character of Jesus Christ every day through loving, forgiving, serving, ministering, and praying.
- To humbly and authentically seek God's will for our professional and personal lives, and to seek His help in integrating medicine into our faith.
- To grow and challenge our faith in Jesus Christ and our understanding of His Creation, including glorifying Him through study, research, and clinical dedication.
- To broaden our understanding of healing to include spiritual, mental, and emotional health as well as physical health. To seek to bring this complete healing to our patients, classmates, and professors.
- To devote ourselves to prayer in everyday life.
- To strengthen Christian fellowship within the Duke health care community, and to facilitate long-lasting relationships between students and health care professionals.
- To equip members who are considering domestic or international medical missions with prayer, faith, relationships, and the information needed to make their decisions.
