USA: 93rd Conference in Pictures

93rd Annual Educational Conference In Pictures

September 18, 2024

The 93rd Annual Educational Conference was as much inspiring and uplifting as it was educational and eye-opening. Over 700 attendees gathered in Orlando, Tampa for three days of presentations covering the most pressing medical ethical issues of our day.

“We did not envision that by 2024 we would be facing extreme cultural shifts in how some in the medical field would move towards new previously unthinkable standards of practice,” explained Dr. Felix Rodriguez, the conference chair. “The very definition of sex – the biological determination of maleness and femaleness – has been put into question, often with dangerous consequences to patients and even to health care professionals.”

The theme of the conference was Imago Dei, the belief that every human life is created in the image and likeness of God. Considering this truth, Dr. Rodriguez extended an invitation to seven young people who have been harmed by gender medicine to share their stories during a panel discussion organized by fellow colleague and CMA member Dr. Patrick Hunter. The panel discussion was certainly sobering and it was often hard to hear how those young people were harmed by medical professionals, but attendees greatly appreciated the bravery of the young men and women who spoke out, and it was considered the highlight of the conference.

Other key moments included the White Mass and the banquet dinner featuring keynote speaker, Fr. Robert Spitzer, the award ceremonies and the opportunity for Eucharistic adoration and veneration of first class relics from St. Padre Pio and St. Catherine of Siena.

The 2025 conference is set to take place in Kansas City, MO next year from Sept. 4-6. 2025 and the theme is Ever Ancient, Ever New, so please save the date. Plans are already underway for another great conference.

Over 700 physicians and medical professionals attended the 93rd Annual Educational Conference in Orlando, Fla.

Drs. Frederick Fakharzadeh, Charlie Peters, Felix Rodriguez and Mary Keen Kirchoff, members of the CMA Catholic Social Teaching and Justice in Medicine committee.

Keynote speaker Fr. Robert Spitzer with CMA members Michael Garcia, Cynthia Anene, D.N.P and Dr. Barbara Cardona.

Dr. Wes Ely spoke at the CMA conference about the difficulties physicians experience in the desire to balance advances in technology and whole-person care while offering a path forward to preserve the vocation in the healing art of medicine.

Drs. Jason Phillips (left) and George Delgado

Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami celebrated Mass at the conference.

(L to R) Back row: Drs. Felipe Vizcarrondo, Len Rybak, Greg Burke, Fr. Christopher Kubat Front row: Drs. Cindy Jones-Nosacek, Kathleen Raviele and Marie-Alberte Boursiquot, all members of CMA’s Ethics Committee.

Keynote Speaker Fr. Robert Spitzer addresses attendees during the closing banquet dinner.

White Mass at the Basilica Mary, Queen of the Universe in Orlando, Fla.

Executive Director Mario Dickerson, Conference Chair Dr. Felix Rodriguez and President Dr. Michelle Stanford pose for a picture after Dr. Rodriguez receives an award of appreciation for the incredible conference he put together.

CMA Board Members at the White Mass at the Basilica Mary, Queen of the Universe in Orlando, Fla.

Conference Chair Dr. Felix Rodriguez leads a Q&A session with colleague Dr. Deborah Rodriguez after her presentation speaking about the most vulnerable in the health care system. She addresses how CMA physicians have a unique perspective and call to help those most vulnerable: human trafficking victims, children in foster care and immigrants.