Christian Medical Association Promotes Program Encouraging Doctors To Minister To The Poor

The Christian Medical & Dental Associations, the nation's largest faith-based organization of Christian doctors, today announced a new initiative to encourage doctors to give of their time and resources to help the poor.


"We are pleased to be introducing the Four-Percent Solution program to doctors around the country," said Dr. Al Weir, Director of Campus and Community Ministries and Director of Medical Education International for the 17,000-member CMDA. "The Four-Percent Solution offers very practical, tangible ways for doctors to put their faith and compassion into action.


"What we're asking doctors to do," explained Dr. Weir, "is to consider and commit to specific strategies to use God's blessings to them in a way that blesses someone far less fortunate."


"For example," Dr. Weir said, "a doctor may choose to spend two weeks a year--about four percent of the year--in overseas mission work that directly impacts the healthcare, housing, job skills or nutrition of the poor."


Doctors can accomplish their goal through the CMDA's Global Health Outreach or Medical Education International, or through other mission organizations. Global Health Outreach offers over 40 trips a year to minister directly to poor patients, and Medical Education International sends doctors to teach doctors in other countries about the latest patient care techniques. Both outreach programs emphasize not only physical care and training but also spiritual ministry.


Dr. Weir explained, "Other options that doctors may consider for service and giving include accepting one uninsured patient out of every 25 patients--four percent of all the patients they see in their practices. Some doctors may choose to volunteer about eight hours a month in a healthcare clinic for the poor. Others may want to supplement their local church giving by contributing an additional four percent of their net profits to the poor--through the church or another Christian ministry serving the poor."


Dr. Gene Rudd, CMDA Associate Executive Director added, "We doctors often get so busy that we sometimes neglect the very things we consider most important. The Four Percent Solution program helps busy doctors nail down specific commitments that help them to translate their values and their faith into action."


Dr. David Stevens, CMDA Executive Director and author of the book, Jesus MD, added, "The Christian Medical& Dental Associations is pleased to partner in this program with the Baptist Medical Dental Fellowship, the Church Health Center, the Christian Community Health Fellowship and Christ Community Health Services. Each of the groups involved in the Four Percent initiative have a proven history of reaching out to the poor with both physical and spiritual help."


"Our common goal," Dr. Stevens noted, "is to encourage and provide opportunities for thousands of doctors to honor God and His Word by caring for the poor and uninsured. We're convinced that Jesus--the Great Physician--would encourage doctors to focus on opportunities to minister to the needy among us."


Doctors who have already committed to this level of service to the poor, and those who wish to begin are urged to contact Dr. Al Weir at 1-888-230-2637 or by e-mail at 4percentcmda.


To schedule an interview please contact Margie Shealy at (423) 844-1047 or e-mail at Margie.Shealycmda.


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