Meet Hazel Hepner - CMF's new Membership Administrator
Hazel recently joined the CMF team as our new membership administrator. We learnt a bit about her:What experience have you brought to the role?
Having worked in a GP practice I am aware of the need to support doctors. I used to work in a school office and before then in a GP surgery. Many of the skills learned, especially around databases, correspondence, recording finances and reminder letters I've been able to transfer to CMF.
Tell us about your church
I attend a multicultural, community-focused Baptist Church in Hackney. I've been part of the leadership team for five years. We are due to move into a brand new building in the autumn. I'm part of the music group, singing about once a month. I've previously been involved in teaching children and young people.
Your family life? Leisure time?
I've been married for almost 36 years and have two sons, one married to a paediatrician and an eleven-month-old grandson. Opportunities for hobbies have been few in recent years but I enjoy photography, choral singing, doing jigsaws, swimming, walking and reading murder mysteries.
Staff changes and volunteers
Liz Poppleton (née McClenaghan) has been appointed as an associate staffworker for the north-west, based near Preston, starting in August. She has previously served as a CMF intern and chair of the CMF Student Council. She will work with students while continuing to work part time in medicine.
Miriam Brandon, an F2 junior doctor, will join us for one day a week from August for a year to work on the SYD conference and do some writing.
Eve Thangaraj, who has been with CMF on placement through 2014 stayed on until February seeing through the SYD Conference. She will represent CMF at an ICMDA Regional Rep training conference in the US in August.
Alice Campbell has been on work experience with CMF over the summer. Says Alice: 'I've been working predominately in the International and Student departments, with Vicky Lavy as my mentor. One of the biggest tasks was helping organise the Developing Health Course. I became acquainted with CMF due to the numerous medics in my family. My dad is a local CMF Link in Sheffield, so I have often been roped in to help at events and conferences, which gave me the chance to learn more about CMF's extensive and diverse work.
Call to Action
Rob Marris MP has brought a bill to the House of Commons Bill aimed at legalising assisted suicide for mentally competent adults who are terminally ill.
CMF is encouraging healthcare professionals to write to their Member of Parliament, urging them to vote against the bill.
The second reading debate of the bill is expected to take place on 11 September; it is essential that it is defeated at this stage. MPs rise for the summer recess on 21 July and return on 7 September, so time available to influence them before the vote is short.
'This bill is probably the most serious legal threat we have faced in this area in the last ten years,' comments CMF CEO Peter Saunders.
For information on how to write to your MP, see www.carenotkilling.org.uk
Putting faith in global healthcare
The Lancet (7 July) has launched a series of papers calling for greater engagement with faith-based organisations in healthcare delivery in the UK and globally. The key message, writes Steve Fouch, is that indifference or active hostility towards FBOs in the development and global health communities is, 'frankly, counterproductive', since globally 80% of patients have a personal faith or some form of spirituality. CMFmember Andrew Tomkins is a key player in the project. Papers and an audio interview with Andrew is available at bit.ly
Strengthening governance
With the help of external consultants a new development programme and governance manual are being created to strengthen the way CMF is run. Please pray for our Board and Senior Management Team as they seekto lead CMF effectively.
Students
Summer team
This year's summer teams head to Ukraine, Belarus, Philippines, Estonia and Russia. Please believe and pray that these would be eternally significant trips in the lives of the students and those they reach whilst there.
Student talks draw a crowd
Some great recent student events. Laurence Crutchlow spoke at Bart's on 'The resurrection' with over 50 in attendance. John Greenall spoke at St George's on 'Why would a loving God allow children to suffer?' and drew an audience of over 70 in attendance. Alex Bunn has been on the road visiting groups in locations such as Bristol and Norwich. There are always good conversation afterwards, not least with Muslim medics – do pray for eternal fruit. If you would like someone to come and speak at your medical school, contact students@cmf.org.uk.
Graduating?
If you're a student, do remember to update your contact details online at www.cmf.org.uk
Praying for students
During the autumn, thousands of students will arrive at medical schools up and down the country. Please pray for boldness and clarity as CMF student members encourage them to sign up to join their campus-based CMF and enthuse them with CMF literature. Please pray for Christians starting at university that they would quickly settle in and make wise decisions early on.
UCCF Forum
Several CMF leaders will be attending the UCCF Forum (1–5 September). CMF enjoys long-standing strategic links with UCCF and we want to continue to strengthen our partnership: to evangelise and disciple students on campus by training and equipping our student leaders. Please put this on your prayer list.
