President Dr. Michelle Stanford’s Inaugural Message

January 3, 2024

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

As we celebrate Christ’s coming during this Christmas season, I consider Mary’s great role of bearing Christ to the world.

Reflecting on our vision, Inspiring Physicians to Imitate Jesus Christ, we are reminded that a deep interior life within each one of us will generate a fruitful apostolate. In our imitation of Jesus Christ, we also imitate our Blessed Mother by bearing His light and life to others. When we truly live this mission out, we are not discouraged by the current times. Instead, we are filled with joy and hope.  In the face of adversity, we move forward, inspiring one soul at a time. We have confidence in the Lord and His creative work within the Catholic Medical Association.

Over the last two years, Past President Dr. Craig Treptow and the Board, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, have done a tremendous job of supporting individual members, developing national strategic partnerships, and strengthening international relations. With this foundation, I hope to elucidate our internal mission and vision by focusing on both individual and organizational identities. To achieve this, we will hold town halls in each region to hear the current issues our members are facing and give these members the support of the national CMA.

With our gaze focused on our Lord, we can have a unity of purpose for CMA. Our vision, Inspiring Physicians to Imitate Jesus Christ, involves working with God for the good of souls and requires us to live in intimate union with Him. We need to be of one mind with Jesus so we can be truly united in our desire to bring Him to others.

In Christ,

Michelle K. Stanford, M.D.F