ABOUT US
Women Physicians & Dentists in Christ (WPDC) is an outreach ministry to provide resources for Christian women physicians and dentists to integrate their personal, professional and spiritual lives. We encourage and support Christian women and physicians as we share the unique challenges of our multiple roles. To learn more about our ministry and stay abreast of events, subscribe to our monthly newsletter, the PULSE. And be sure to plan to attend our annual conferences and virtual conferences.
Our Mission
Women Physicians & Dentists in Christ provides a ministry of true belonging, support and equipping to address the unique challenges of women physicians desiring to glorify God.
Our Vision
Women physicians and dentists complete in Christ ministering through medicine.
Core Values
Biblical Authority - 2 Tim 3:16, All scripture is inspired
Integrity - Titus 2:7, Colossians 4-6
Authentic Friendships - John 15:12-13, Love one another
Grace-filled Haven - Hebrews 4:16, Grace in time of need, Women physicians complete in Christ, thriving in service
EVENTS & HAPPENINGS
WPDC 2024 Annual Conference
September 5-8, 2024
Come join us for our 2024 conference in Branson, Missouri with the theme: “God Empowered-Beyond Your Wildest Dreams!” Open to all female healthcare professionals.
COMMISSION MEMBERS
Darilyn Falck, MD – 2000-2004
A.J. Demlow, MD – 2004-2006
Gloria Halverson, MD – 2006-2008
Autumn Dawn Galbreath, MD – 2008-2010
Cara Brown, MD – 2010-2012
Leslie Walker, MD – 2012-2014
Holly Austin, MD – 2016-2018
Patti Francis, MD - 2018 – 2020
Regina Frost, MD - 2020-2022
Connie Hahn, DO - 2022-2024
Sarah Rahkola, MD - 2024-2026
Chair
Connie Hahn, DO
Vice Chair
Sarah Rahkola, MD
Dr. Sarah Rahkola is an internist and clinic medical director at Providence Medical Group, Newberg, Oregon. She is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (ACP) and serves as the chair of the finance committee of the Oregon chapter. Her clinical interests are in geriatric medicine, substance use disorder, and team-based primary care. Her husband Rauha and three children Thomas, James and Miriam join her in loving music, reading, traveling, and exploring the outdoors. She has a passion for classical Christian education and for teaching her Sunday school students how to read and interpret scripture.
Secretary | Treasurer
Marilyn Whitney, MD
Marilyn Whitney is a family practice physician in Ossian, Indiana. She attended medical school at Indiana University, and she has been practicing for 26 years in a small-town private practice. With interests in disaster medicine and adult mood disorders, she continues her adjustment as an employed physician in a town of 3,000 people.
Past Chair
Regina Frost-Clark, MD
Dr. Regina Frost is an OB/Gyn and works out of St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit, Michigan. She has been in practice for over 10 years, the majority of which was spent as the owner and solo physician of her former private practice. Regina enjoys educating women about their health and seeing God work in the lives of her patients. She is married to Darren Clark and enjoys serving at church, cooking/eating, reading, exercising, listening to music and spending time with friends and family.
Past Chair
Patti Francis, MD
Patti Francis, MD, has been in private practice in a partnership at Lamorinda Pediatrics since 1985, located in Lafayette CA. Patricia (Patti) graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara, completed her medical degree at Boston University School of Medicine and her residency in Pediatrics at Children's Hospital in Oakland. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics; was a founder and chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Women in Medicine and Dentistry from 1990-1996; and is a member and past chair of the Marriage Enrichment Commission. She has served on the Physicians Resource Council of Focus on the Family, as an Advisor Board Member of the Medical Institute and DiscoveryHealth.com Disease and Conditions; and has worked on missions with Samaritan's Purse, GHO, Kids Alive International, and Women of Vision/World Vision. She is married to Ron and has two daughters-Corrie and Erica.
Commission Member
Holly B. Austin, MD
Holly B. Austin, MD, is a Pediatrician in Urgent Care at Children's Mercy Hospital in Overland Park, Kansas. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, she attended college at Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois and then went to Medical School at University of Missouri-Columbia. She did her Pediatric Residency at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO. She is one of 5 doctors in a Pediatric practice that has been together for 22 years. Married with four dogs and one cat, Holly loves bicycling, skiing and music and is involved in church and community activities. She has a handicapped sister born when she was 9 years old, and has extensive experience with handicapped children in both private practice and on a personal level. She was chosen as one of the top three pediatricians in the greater Kansas City area (pop. 1.5 million with over 270 pediatricians) by a poll of physicians published in Squire Magazine in 2000 and 2003. (poll was completed every two years but magazine is no longer published).
Commission Member
Andrea Braun, MD, PhD
Dr. Andrea Braun received her MD and PhD degrees from the University of Heidelberg in Germany. After medical school, she trained in England for a brief period of time, then in Germany in nephrology, then moved to the US for an internal medicine residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a nephrology fellowship at Harvard in Boston, MA, and a critical care fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. She is board certified in Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Critical Care Medicine and currently practices as an Intensivist (doctor for critically ill patients) at Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center in Houston, TX. She is an Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, in Houston, TX and Associate Program Director for the Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Program. Dr. Braun has an interest in theology and holds a Graduate Diploma of Christian Studies from Regent College, Vancouver, BC, Canada. She enjoys serving in short-term medical missions and in the local CMDA Houston chapter. In her free time, she likes to travel, go hiking, read theology books, and recently took up running as a new hobby.
Commission Member
Martha Courtwright, MD
Martha Grace Courtwright is a Family Medicine physician in Hayward, Wisconsin where she practices full spectrum medicine. She is originally from Monroe, Louisiana. Her parents are both Family Medicine physicians and members of CMDA. She attended Wheaton College where she majored in Theology and attended Medical College of Wisconsin- Green Bay for medical school. She is married to Kyle and has two kids, Isabelle and Liam. She enjoys hiking, camping, reading, crafting, and playing board games. She previously served as the resident representative and now continues to work with the student/resident ministry as a member of the WPDC Commission.
Commission Member
Elisa M. Ghezzi, DDS, PhD
Elisa M. Ghezzi, DDS, PhD has practiced geriatric dentistry for 25 years, providing dental care for residents of assisted living facilities in southeastern Michigan. She graduated from and is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Michigan (UM) School of Dentistry and holds a PhD in Epidemiology from UM School of Public Health. Elisa has been married for 24 years to Steve, a pediatric dentist. They have six children: Elena, Joseph, Luke, Natalie, Dominic, and Michael. Elisa has been a member of CMDA since 1991 and has served as Resident Trustee, on the Dental Ad Hoc Committee, and on the Women in Medicine and Dentistry Commission (2001-2005).
Commission Member
Jordan Immel, DMD
Jordan Immel, DMD, is a general dentist at a community health center in central Missouri. She attended AT Still University, graduating in 2020. Jordan became involved in CMDA while in her second year of training and served as the vice president of her chapter for a year. Following graduation, she became involved in the Women in Medicine and Dentistry Commission, serving as a member of the Dental Task Force since early 2021. Having graduated herself during the pandemic, Jordan has a passion for helping new graduates through their transition from school into their medical profession. She hopes that God may use her in this endeavor while serving as a member of the WPDC commission.
Commission Member
Nancy Mabe, MD
Nancy Mabe is a 1994 graduate of the University of Missouri school of Medicine. She joined CMDA during her first year of medical school. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University in 1997. She joined a private practice in Arlington Heights, IL. In 2001, she moved to Wentzville, Mo, also practicing community medicine and in 2015 she joined the faculty of the University of Missouri. She has been an active member of the WPDC since 1998. Nancy is a fellow of the American College of Physician's and serves on the Missouri ACP Governor's Council. She and her husband Dan have 3 girls: Kaitlyn, Christa, and Allison.
Commission Member
Mike Chupp, MD, FACS
Mike Chupp, MD, FACS, was drawn to the orthopedic surgery service as Tenwek had no long-term bone surgeon. He was also named Medical Director in mid-1997. Tenwek grew remarkably during Mike's tenure as surgeon and medical director to a clinical staff of over 80 physicians and clinical officers and more than 700 total staff. Training programs for interns, family medicine, general surgery and orthopedics were also developed and launched during those years.
Mike and Pam left for Kenya in August 1996 with two small children and added two more while at Tenwek Hospital: Steven, Melody, Kayla and Ashley.
In 2015, Dr. David Stevens invited Mike to consider returning to the U.S. to assume the role of CMDA Executive Vice President. After seven months of prayer and seeking counsel from mission leaders, mentors and close friends, Pam and Mike decided to leave their Kenya home and mission life of 20 years and moved to Bristol, Tennessee in July 2016. Mike has counted it an amazing privilege to serve alongside David Stevens and Gene Rudd and all the national CMDA staff for nearly three years. In September 2018, after an eight-month CEO search process, the Board of Trustees asked Mike to become the next CEO of CMDA, beginning September 1, 2019, when Dr. Stevens steps down. Mike's life verses are from 2 Timothy 1:6-7: "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control" (ESV).
Introducing the WPDC Leadership Team:
Christina Spencer
LOCAL WPDC BIBLE STUDY GROUPS
We are excited that these groups are a local resource for women involved in WPDC. If you know of any such groups in your area, we would appreciate hearing about them so we can also post them. Please contact the WPDC Administrator.
California
Where: Walnut Creek location varies - in Lafayette or Alamo (San Francisco Bay area).
When: Once a month (date set at end of each mtg.) Usually last Thursday of the month for lunch.
Contact: Patti Francis, MD
California
Where: Location varies (Sacramento area).
When: Meets periodically. Contact Darilyn for details.
Contact: Dr. Christine Fleischmann
California
Colorado
Where: Dr. Hotchkiss' home in Greenwood Village.
When: Academic year, every Monday 6:30-8:30 pm; Summer, Saturday twice a month brunch 10-12 noon.
Contact: Nahid Hotchkiss, PhD, 303-941-6348
Florida
Where: "Nurturing Hearts Café" group meets at Panera or at homes, Orlando.
When: Monthly beginning in the fall.
Contact: Dr. Amaryllis Sánchez Wohlever (Dr. Mari)
Georgia
(Atlanta Area): Welcomes physicians, dentists and all female healthcare professionals.
Meets once a month for dinner, fun, fellowship, laughter, encouragement and games. Location varies/usually held on a weekday evening.
Contact: Natalie
Georgia
Where: Dr. Polite's home in Marietta.
When: Once a month, Thursday night at 7:30 p.m.
Contact: Natalie Ali, NP
Illinois
Illinois
Kansas
Where: Greater Kansas City area, meetings held at Dr. Hickman's home in Gardner, Kansas (southern suburb).
When: Every other month, Sunday afternoon. Call Lynn for address.
Contact: Lynn Hickman
Massachusetts
Where: West Boylston (Central Massachusetts)
When: Every 3rd Sunday of the month
Contact: Christina Baah
Michigan
Where: It varies; Grosse Point/St. Clair Shores in suburban Detroit.
When: quarterly / 2nd Wed of Jan/April/July/Oct, 6:45-9p.m. Usually on 2nd Wednesday but subject to change.
Contact: Dr. Regina Frost
Minnesota
Where: Brenda Abraham's home, Minneapolis/St. Paul.
When: 2nd Wed. of each month, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Contact: Barb Bittner, MD
Missouri
Where: Dr. Josephine Glaser's home.
When: Now meeting quarterly for Saturday breakfast and fellowship.
Contact: Josephine Glaser, MD
New York
Where: Rochester, NY at the home of Heather Ma.
When: First Friday of each month.
Contact: Heather Ma
Ohio
Where: Home of Dr. Leslie Walker in Shaker Heights, OH.
When: 7:30 p.m. every 2nd Friday.
Contact: Dr. Leslie Walker
Ohio
Texas
Texas
GET INVOLVED WITH WPDC
An annual four-day conference for Women Physicians & Dentists in Christ providing opportunities for fellowship, continuing education, networking and spiritual growth & refreshment. The conference offers This conference offers educational opportunities each year. Online registration and the downloadable form are available using the button below.
GPS Retreats
Grasping Power through Surrender (GPS)
If you are interested in having a GPS retreat in your area, get together two or three interested graduate physician colleagues and let us know by emailing us at wpdc@cmda.org. WPDC will provide the facilitator, support and advertising to bring together 6-8 female physicians for a Thursday-Sunday GPS retreat. Or if you would like to attend a future retreat in a different area, please email us.
Women Physicians & Dentists in Christ holds events throughout the CMDA National Convention specifically for WPDC members to fellowship and renew their faith.
FRIDAY MORNING – WPDC Breakfast
FRIDAY NIGHT – WPDC Game Night
SATURDAY EVENING AFTER PLENARY – WPDC SOCIAL
All WPDC events are open to any female healthcare professional attending the CMDA National Convention.
Marriage Enrichment Weekends
A weekend conference provided by CMDA's Marriage Commission specifically for WPDC members and their spouses. Save the date for the next WPDC MEW February 23-25, 2024 in Monterrey, California which will offer an opportunity for participants to grow and nurture their marital relationship. Details TBA.
WPDC has been used mightily by God to show His love to prostitutes and trafficked women in Nicaragua through a commitment we made to the women at House of Hope through Go International.
For the last 12 years WPDC has brought mission teams to House of Hope Nicaragua, where we are known in the brothels as ‘angels in white coats’. Unfortunately, our team was denied entry to the country this year, and we will not be able to continue to serve there. Although many of us are very sad and heartbroken over this, we are trusting God to provide new opportunities to serve, in new ways and locations, and we plan to offer several different opportunities including options to teach, to work with other CMDA ministries, and continue to work with GO Intl as they would love to have Healthcare people on every one of their teams Stay tuned, and we hope to present some opportunities in the next several months!
Contact WPDC
Our History
In April 1992, Rev. Marti Ensign became the first director of this outreach, which provided resources directed toward women physicians and dentists, conferences to meet their specific needs and a close-knit network to help them share and grow in Christ. In 1993, members of the (newly formed) WIMD Commission attended the American Medical Women's Association meeting, where many expressed an interest in CMDS. In April 1994, the first CMDS/WIMD national convention was held in Philadelphia.
In 2000, Rev. Marti Ensign retired from the leadership of WIMD and Harriet Askew became the new director. She worked on behalf of the ministry from 2000-2002. Since 2002, WIMD has created a monthly e-newsletter that is sent out to thousands of women. With the e-newsletter, WIMD can reach women all over the world and in return receives many responses including prayer requests, needs and useful suggestions.
In 2002, the Commission members realized their desire to personally minister to the women professionals of CMDA, and therefore, the ministry paradigm was restructured. The WIMD Commission hired its first administrative assistant in the fall of 2002 and its first full-time administrator in January 2014. WIMD now has yearly conferences in different regions of the United States to minister to the growing number of women physicians, dentists and medical and dental students.
In 2021, the name was changed to Women Physicians & Dentists in Christ (WPDC) in order to reflect the heart of the organization, Jesus Christ. The mission of this commission has not changed-the ministry continues to be focused on Christian women physicians, dentists and the students in these professions.