Workshop #2

There may or may not be people in there to pray with you, but there are some self-directed opportunities to pray and reflect.

Good training for healthcare missions can help minimize culture shock for those who are going to serve overseas. This includes safety and cultural training with an integration of the medical discipline each person brings to the table. Compassion, cultural humility, and servant leadership are also important aspects of best practices in healthcare missions, while not forgetting to provide evidence-based care.  Come to this session to learn effective ways to show honor and respect to others, communicate effectively in cross-cultural contexts, and demonstrate compassion in all situations. 

Rebecca has been a nurse for over 30 years, and in the hospital setting, worked in the PICU/CVICU as part of the ECMO Team and Transport Team, as well as an Educator, Charge Nurse, and Manager. She transitioned to full-time professor in 2010 while also practicing as a faith community nurse. She was leader for the overall curriculum, and co-author of the culture and strategies sections of Christian Global Health in Perspective, a 12-week course available for people as they prepare for missions. She trains with and leads teams of students to serve cross-culturally where they learn to integrate their faith with their discipline.

Rick currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer at Christian Community Health Fellowship (CCHF) in Memphis, TN., and recently as the Interim Chief Medical Officer at Mercy Community Health Services in Franklin, TN. He also serves part-time as an emergency department physician at the Memphis Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Dr. Donlon earned his Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth TX, and his Doctor of Medicine from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans followed by a combined internship and residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Tennessee in Memphis. He is board-certified in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics and holds an active medical license in Tennessee. Dr. Donlon has co-founded several healthcare initiatives, including Resurrection Health and Christ Community Health Services, which focus on serving low-income populations in the Memphis area. His recent publications include contributions to book chapters on healthcare missions, emphasizing the importance of serving underserved populations. Dr. Donlon is an active member of various professional organizations and community boards, including the Community Advisory Board for the Assisi Foundation.

Clinical pearls are small, practical bits of clinically relevant information, insight, or advice that are based on the experience, observation, or wisdom of experienced clinicians, rather than formal scientific studies. These “short, memorable tips” will help you as you consider, begin, or continue in marriage.

Dr. John Tannous is a graduate of the University of Arizona College of Medicine. After completing his pediatric residency, John started the American dream of private practice in suburban Phoenix. However, God had other plans and led John, his wife and two young sons to Kunming, China in 2001. Over the next 20 years, the Tannous family served the poor, orphaned, and marginalized in southwest China. They also added 2 daughters, the youngest via adoption. Dr. Tannous spent 2 “sabbatical” years working in inner city Chicago. After navigating the initial COVID pandemic in China, Dr. Tannous returned to the US with his family in 2021. He now works in a Los Angeles FQHC serving a primarily Asian community.

Throughout the years, Jesus has faithfully opened doors and provided unique opportunities to serve and to watch God at work changing lives.

How do you keep up with the demands of ministry while balancing your own needs?
How do you keep doing more with less?
How do you protect yourself from burnout while advocating for the least of these?
How do you establish boundaries without neglecting the needs of your community?
What does work–life – balance look like?

These are some of the questions Dr. Thomas and his wife, Jessie hope to explore as they share lessons from the field. Dr. Thomas serves as the Chief Medical Officer at Dayspring Family Health Center answering a call to serve vulnerable and marginalized communities. Jessie serves as the National Director of Student Programming at Christian Community Health Fellowship (CCHF.) They have three teenage children. Serving their family and discipling their children are some of their top priorities. They are also active leaders in their local church. Despite the busyness and numerous challenges of ministry and family life, they have learned the importance of balance, boundaries, and rest.

Geogy (pronounced “Joe G”) is a Family Physician and the Chief Executive and Chief Medical Officer for Dayspring Health, a community health center located in the Appalachian Mountains. He loves practicing the full spectrum of family medicine including surgical obstetrics. Geogy and his wife Jessie, planted a church in Williamsburg, KY. Jessie serves as the National Director of Student Programming at Christian Community Health Fellowship (CCHF.) They have 3 grown children who they are immensely proud of.

Geogy was born in India and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. It was at Intervarsity’s Urbana Missions conference that he heard God’s call to serve in medical missions. He received his Medical Degree from the University of Illinois and then completed his residency in Ventura, California.

It would take the NHSC Scholar Program, CMDA, and the hand of God to move the Thomas’s from the beautiful California coast to the majestic Appalachian Mountains. It was in the small town of Jellico, Tennessee that God started to impress upon Geogy the plight of the rural poor and the disparities of healthcare system in America. Twenty-five years later, the Thomas’ are still in rural TN, living out Isaiah 58, as they minister to the poor and preach the Gospel.

Jessie Thomas is the national Director of Student Programming at Christian Community Health Fellowship, working with students who are serious about their faith in Jesus.  She received her Master’s in religious education at Trinity International University and has worked in student ministry for over 25 years. She lives in rural Appalachia with her husband who is a physician in a community health center, focused on those experiencing poverty. When she is not engaging healthcare students, she has spiritual discussions with people through her podcast Being Brown & Bold and her connections in the culinary world @jessoulfood on Instagram.

Follow up from the previous night’s plenary. Absolutely no recording audio or visual during this session.

For her safety we are not able to elaborate on Dr. Mary’s bio.