Summer Medical Institute

We had a record number of people attend this year's Christian Medical & Dental Association and Medical Campus Outreach's Northeast Regional Winter Conference, including a growing number of residents and practitioners. Dr. John Patrick graced us with four talks on "What Every Christian in Healthcare Needs to Know."

Testimony and Messages

We had the privilege to hear Rafik Hanna give a testimony on our first night. Our main speaker, John Patrick, spoke Friday on surviving a life in medicine with your faith in tact. Serving as our MCs for the night were the usual suspects, Eric Hussar and Katy Balk. On Saturday Mark Mandichak and Gloria Kim gave testimonies on what God had shown them at SMI. To hear these messages or testimonies given at the conference, click here.

Worship and Fellowship

Each session included a time of corporate worship and was followed by a time to reflect in small groups. These more intimate settings allowed people to meet Christians from other schools or hospitals. We had a wonderful group of volunteers for childcare, allowing parents the opportunity to attend sessions together. Though the bonfire was cancelled due to inclement weather on Saturday night, we enjoyed games and unmelted s'mores in the great indoors.

Exhibits and Presentations

New this year during free time was an hour of presentations by exhibitors. This year's exhibitors included Beacon Christian Community Health Center, Christian Medical & Dental Associations, Esperanza Health Center, In His IMAGE Family Practice Residency, Interserve USA, Summer Medical Institute, Valley Baptist Family Practice Residency, and World Medical Mission of Samaritan's Purse. After the presentations was an hour for interested parties to connect with the representatives to ask questions and pick up literature. Also during free time was a residents and an attendings' town meeting with CMDA Northeast regional director Scott Boyles, and a Q&A time with John Patrick.

New Friendships and Reunions

The beautiful Sandy Cove Conference Center was a wonderful setting for campuses to bond, new friendships to form, and old friends to reunite. We had an almost complete SMI 2006 reunion (two pictures below), as well as a SMI 2005 and SMI 2000 class reunions. Sandy Cove served as a tremendous place to be in awe of God's great creation. Hours after the conference ended on Sunday, the speaker was finally able to enjoy the view (lowest left photo).