DHC biggest ever
This year's Developing Health Coursewas the biggest ever in the course's 40 year history, with 77 participants in total. It's encouraging to see that interest and involvement in international health and mission is as strong as ever. As always, we had an interesting group from both the UK and beyond, including doctors and nurses, juniors and seniors. One of the unique aspects of the course is its integration of medical and spiritual aspects of healthcare.
As we learnt from our 30 expert speakers about the treatment of cholera and cataracts, mental illness and malaria, we also heard a little about their faith and how it shapes their work and their lives. By the end of the fortnight, the participants (and course organisers!) were exhausted, but also equipped and excited about the opportunity to share God's love through holistic healthcare all around the world.
Homecoming
Felicity Mussell (Liverpool) from Bangladesh
Victoria Parsonson (Birmingham) from Madagascar
Elizabeth Harwood (King's College) from India
Obituaries
James Burton OBE (q Edinburgh, 1946), served as a Medical Missionary in Congo and went on to develop Equipment for Charitable Hospitals Overseas (ECHO). Past President of the Medical Missionary Association. Died 18 June 2014.
John Davies (q King's College, 1964) served as a missionary doctor in Uganda, then from 1982-1990 as a GP in Cheshire. For the last 17 years of his career worked as medical advisor for health authorities. Died 29 May 2014.
Michael Elwin (q King's College, 1955) worked for over 40 years as a GP in Bridgwater, Somerset and was a much-loved family doctor. Died 23 March 2014.
David Kerr CBE (q Edinburgh, 1951) a nephrologist who was a founding member of the European Dialysis and Transplantation Association (1963); President of the Renal Association (1980-1983) and President of Kidney Research UK (2000-02). Died 20 April 2014.
Clement Maddock (q Cambridge, 1951) CMF notified 29 May 2014.
Graham Martin(q St Andrews, 1962) CMF notified 26 March 2014.
Farewell to Student Volunteers
Over the last year, Rachel Perry and Emma Pedlar have worked as CMF volunteers while intercalating. They were both involved in rewriting The Electives Handbook. Rachel also updated inhouse resources for elective students and CMF members working overseas, tasks she completed alongside an elective at a mission hospital in Nepal. The rest of Emma's time was spent organising the International Medical Student Conference (IMSC). She said of her year with CMF: 'I loved being part of a team and getting to contribute. I've learnt new skills, made friends from around the world and now have a passion to stay connected and involved with CMF for the rest of my career.'
Rachel said that attending the IMSC was a highlight of her year: '[It was] a fantastic week of teaching and fellowship with medical students from Eastern Europe and Asia…a wonderful opportunity to hear the experiences of students and doctors working abroad.' She also told CMF News: 'Volunteering for CMF has broadened my understanding of my role as a future Christian doctor, especially with regards to overseas mission. The experience has been a privilege and will help me as I strive to serve Christ in medicine.'
A warm thank you to Alice Quaintance who has also finished just under a year with CMF as a volunteer staffworker based in Birmingham. Alice has been supporting the Birmingham junior doctors group and the student group, while training with the Midlands Ministry Training course, her assignment with CMF sandwiched between FY2 and GP training.
If you are interested in volunteering for CMF, please contact the office: info@cmf.org.uk
A big thank you
Thank you to members who gave generously to support the ICMDA Bursary Fund to assist students from resource poor countries to attend the World Congress in Rotterdam, 19-26 July. We raised £24,640 - which is fantastic. In total ICMDA raised $182,000, which has enabled them to reach their target of 200 bursaries for students and doctors from over 50 countries. CMF is providing a free book pack of our titles for those receiving bursaries. Pray that joining with brothers and sisters from all over the world will be a life-changing experience for them.
