February 22, 2022
Grand Rounds: A Message from CMA President, Craig L. Treptow, M.D.
| As President of the Catholic Medical Association, I write to you with joy and enthusiasm. The CMA has long desired to serve its members and speak truth to power about the intersection of faith and reason in the science and practice of medicine. In our current age, we are beset by challenges on many sides. Some of those challenges are new as we experience a cultural shift under our feet. In my service to our organization to tackle these issues, I look forward to connecting with you as members on a personal and professional level. We started 2022 with a surge of events. Our Board of Directors came together in early January to address how we can better support individual members, build strategic alliances, and enhance our international relationships. Out of the Board meeting came a Conscience Rights Protection Task Force designed to examine concrete support the CMA can offer our members in need on a variety of conscience issues. It will also focus on the erosion of conscience protection in our medical societies and institutions. Last month, the CMA helped launch the Catholic Health Care Leadership Alliance (CHCLA). On behalf of CMA, I wish to congratulate and thank Dr. Steve White, who will serve as President of CHCLA. As prior Chair of the CMA Health Care Policy Committee, Dr. White is well-versed on the pressing medical policy issues facing our nation. His expertise and passion will create meaningful change. On January 21, CMA members from across the country met in Washington, D.C. for the 49th Annual March for Life. Thank you to all CMA members who marched in solidarity with the right to life there, at the Northwest March for Life, and at other state marches. While in Washington, Dr. Robin Goldsmith received the prestigious Innovator Award from Solidarity HealthShare, and we congratulate her for this major accomplishment which recognizes her dedication to Catholic health care. Four CMA physician members attended the National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC) Ethics Symposium in Dallas earlier this month. Invited by the NCBC to meet with Catholic Bishops from around the country (and from other countries), we heard a series of presentations about the importance of the Ethical and Religious Directives. The NCBC is a great resource for Catholic Ethics for those of you interested in that field. You should be receiving the Ethics and Medics monthly email freely provided to you from the NCBC. On a personal note, I have recently recovered from COVID. I thank you for your prayers and ask that you continue to pray for all who are affected by this virus. Despite the turmoil and divisiveness swirling around COVID, CMA member physicians, affiliates, and clergy members are still there for our patients using our skills and art to care for them in the best manner we can. The CMA recently submitted this letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid regarding the CMA Proposed Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Ruling (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2023). Thank you to Ethics Committee Co-Chair, Dr. Marie Hillard, for her work on this. The USCCB and National Association of Catholic Nurses have also taken action on this matter and filed a similar letter. We expect a ruling this April or May. I hope you find some time to read through it, and rest assured that the CMA will remain an active voice on this. Many of you have reached out to us expressing your concerns about a variety of issues, from vaccine mandates to gender ideology to conscience protection rights. We plan to continue to address these issues and keep the momentum going for a productive year. Please stay in contact and offer your support on any issues about which you are passionate. We value your support and all you do. Remember, CMA member physicians, affiliates, and clergy are the backbone of our organization and the means by which our mission can be reached. Please invite your fellow Catholic healthcare providers to join us in our efforts to inspire physicians to imitate Jesus Christ. Sincerely in Christ, |
| Craig L. Treptow, M.D. President |
