New student interns
Kerry Lim, who has completed her foundation training, joins us a 'Field Intern', working with students in Southampton while studying at the London School of Theology.
Liz McClenaghan and Vongai Madanire are intercalating by doing degrees in ethics in London. Liz is working for CMF two days a week, particularly with planning the International Medical Student Conference, and Von is able to spend a day each week in the office as the new student editor of Nucleus.
Summer camps in Eurasia
Several CMF students joined a couple of teams to camps in Eastern and Central Europe. Full reports in this issue of Nucleus. It's great that more and more students are getting involved with this key ministry to Eurasian countries, as we help them develop their own fellowships and mission through medicine. We hope a good number of students from these countries will attend our International Medical Student Conference, 7-11 February. Your prayers and financial support would be much appreciated, as many of these students do not have the resources to travel here.
National graduates conference
Swanwick, 29 April – 1 May 2011. Bible readings from Isaiah by Hugh Thomson on Soaring on Wings like Eagles; Rendle Short Lecture on changing the world through medical mission; full supporting programme of worship sessions, seminars and free time! See brochure with this mailing (graduates), and book there or online.
Q&A: Fiona Schneider – new Graduate Staffworker
Fiona started part time with CMF in October, to support more senior doctors in the north of England:
What can you tell us about yourself?
I trained in O&G in London, Oxford and Leeds... US Army as a consultant in Frankfurt…various hospital posts in northern Germany...ran my own O&G practice in Hanover… returning to the UK, became clinical lead for the contraceptive and sexual health service in Leeds...Professional Executive Committee of NHS Leeds…currently studying for an MSc in medical management…married with two sons, keep bees, chickens and a dog, and run for fun...PCC secretary and help with vulnerable people.
What do you think of CMF today?
...always been a reference point for debating Christian ethics and standards in clinical care…thought-provoking literature…the Christian view on issues of life and health when often no other official Christian voice is heard...a meeting point for students and doctors to express their faith…encourages confidence in following Christ in our medical practice.
What appeals to you about this job?
...exciting new emphasis on closer mentoring and support of doctors…pressures on Christian professionals in the public sector are increased by some central policies…have witnessed doctors with burnout through lack of support networks...help to build these relationships to prevent some depression will be very worthwhile…hope to encourage doctors in their faith…expect to learn a great deal more from those I meet.
What would you like to see happen in CMF in the future?
I would love to see CMF maintain and enhance its national and international voice on ethics, and Christian standards...have a greater profile in the local communities where Christian doctors and heathcare professionals serve…channelled through local churches, GP practices and hospitals...a close working partnership with chaplains and church leaders...conferences and regional meetings would support this...hope CMF would attract many more Christian doctors into membership!
National student conference
Swanwick, 11 – 13 February. Bible readings from 1 Peter by David Robertson on Foreign Body? Following Christ in a world that rejects him; full supporting programme of worship sessions, seminars, entertainment and free time! See brochure with this mailing (students), and book there or online.
Conferences
More than 40 UK student leaders came to London for a weekend to work through what it means to lead a university CMF group. As well as discussing the nuts and bolts of planning programmes, a visiting speaker from UCCF helped us consider how best to work alongside Christian Unions.
Nearly 50 students from the island of Ireland came to Greystones, near Dublin for the annual Irish CMF conference. The bulk of the teaching was Confident Christianity, together with Bible readings and discussion with local CMF doctors.
