Prof. John Wyatt

Technology is advancing at a break-neck pace, and science fiction is becoming reality in front of our eyes. 'Low-tech transhumanism' is already commonplace, in the form of cosmetic surgery, mind-altering pharmaceuticals and gender changing interventions. Brain-computer interfaces and VR/AR technologies are coming. AI is transforming diagnostics, genomics and health data analysis. Artificial companions and carers are proliferating. How can Christians respond to these dramatic changes? What will it mean to serve the unchanging Christ in the midst of continuing technological revolutions?  

I worked as a Neonatologist and Professor of Neonatal Paediatrics at University College London, UK for more than 25 years. My role combined clinical care of sick newborn babies and leading a research team on the prevention and treatment of brain injury. As my experience grew I became increasingly concerned about the complex ethical issues I was facing and this led to a new focus on engaging medical ethics from a Christian perspective. I am now concentrating on research into new technologies -  especially AI and transhumanism - writing, teaching and investing in the next generation of Christian physicians.

Pablo Martínez

The shortest semon Jesus preached was before the grave of his fiend Lazarus. He wept and he said very few but transcendental words of hope. Here we find our model to follow people who are going through the dark tunnel of bereavent need very few words. Their main need is our understanding, sympathy, nearness and, above all, hope.

In this seminar, we will consider some practical tools to help the bereaved, both from an emotional and spiritual viewpoint, without neglecting our own experiences of grief as doctors.     

Pablo Martínez is a psychiatrist. He holds a private practice in Barcelona with a special focus on the Medicine of the whole Person and existential psychotherapy following the approach of Dr. Paul Tournier. He develops a valued worldwide ministry as lecturer and teacher. His books have been translated into 20 languages. Closely involved with ICMDA since he was young, he served as one of its vice presidents (1998-2006). For more information: https://christian-thought.org/pablo-martinez.html

Dr. Eckhard Piegsa

Medicine is about doing good to others and healing (or at least helping) people. This is what we are striving for. And yet: “Nobody is perfect” – neither are we. What are common reasons for making mistakes in our medical ministry? What can be done to avoid them? And how can we deal with them when they happen (for happen they will)?

Dr. Eckhard Piegsa, FRCPCH, is a German paediatrician. He trained in Germany, worked for about 10 years in Egypt (interjecting 6 months Paediatrics in the UK), and thereafter subspecialised in Paediatric Neurology. Having worked as a Consultant Paediatrician in Germany for about 10 years, in 2019 he joined a colleague in running an outpatient paediatric office in Bremen (Germany).

Dr. Eralda Hegendörfer

In our life journey as Christians in the medical profession there are a lot of twists and turns some expected and some unexpected as well as many choices to make: What speciality to follow? Where to work? Who to marry? Which church to go to? etc, etc. In this seminar we will explore together based on Bible stories and our individual life stories what does it mean to trust God in all life circumstances and how do we keep and further build up our trust in God even when things do not go as planned.

Dr. Eralda Hegendörfer has worked for nearly 15 years in Albania as a GP and university lecturer. She was deeply engaged with the movement of Christian doctors and medical students in Albania and also with ICMDA Eurasia. She now lives in Belgium with her husband and son and contributes to teaching and medical research.

René Hefti

As Christians and medical students or young doctors we are challenged to integrate our Christian belief into our medical practice. This can be difficult in a biomedical context as medicine still is. The biopsychosocial model already widened the scope for psychosocial aspects in medicine. A next step was initiated by palliative care bringing up existential questions including religious and spiritual topics. As a consequence spiritual care as a new scientific and clinical field began to establish itself in modern medicine, a unique opportunity for us as Christian medical students and doctors.

The seminar will communicate basic knowledge and research results and facilitate basic skills (as taking a spiritual history) to practice spiritual care in your own clinical context.

I am a physician trained in internal medicine, cardiology, and psychosomatic medicine. After my training I was leading a psychosomatic clinic practising a whole person approach based on a Christian anthropology. In parallel, I became a lecturer at the University of Bern, Switzerland. We founded a research institute for spirituality and health to promote the new field of "spiritual care" in modern medicine.

Paul Nandrean

As dentists, we often face a lot of pressure in our work. Some of it comes as a result of our own expectations while setting our professional standards, like being the best. While this is a huge burden to carry, it's essential to remind ourselves that competent work is also a way of manifesting love. Stress may also arise from our journey towards success, as it is well-known that the reward for a well done work is more work.
 While facing specific challenges, dentists have the option to face work as an opportunity to serve the neighbour in need. The Gospel provides resources for us, directing our attention to both work and true rest at the same time.

Paul Nandrean started to involve in a CMF local group since his 1st year as a medical student. Gradually he got involved at local, national and international level, serving The Balkans as a Regional Representative since 2013. He is a very passionate dentist, leading a private dental office. Paul is married to Adina, and together they have a son named Emanuel.

Sara Ares Blanco

Join us as we explore the decision-making process during your training journey, addressing topics such as engaging in research, clinical practice, and pursuing an academic career. If you are currently involved in research, we will also discuss strategies for managing research commitments while maintaining a balanced life and living out your faith.

I am a GP in Madrid (Spain), I am a researcher in primary care, I am focused on preventive care, COVID-19 and health policies in Europe.

Dr. Andrea Schwalb

In our daily work, we encounter various sexual orientations and questions of sexual identity. In the seminary we want to think and learn about the way Jesus encountered people with other attitudes in sexual questions for learning how we can deal these questions in our medical work. We want to discuss the area of conflict between helpful challenging questions, our own moral and ethical attitudes and the acceptance of the patient in the love of Jesus.

I have been working since 19 years as a child and adolescent psychiatrist and psychotherapist in a practice with a great team. I am also specialised in psychotrauma for all ages. After three years of working in a Christian hospital for psychiatry and psychotherapies for adults, I have worked as a generalist and afterwards for seven years in a medical mission work in the extreme North of Cameroon. Married to a pastor, I find joy in the expansion of our family since the marriage of my two adult children.

Bert Nanninga

Throughout Europe, we have almost become used to language barriers and cultural obstacles in our daily medical work. Unfortunately, we are often taught little about cross-cultural medicine and the competences we need to acquire for that, even though cross-cultural communication is one of the recognised CanMeds-competences. Patients from other cultural backgrounds may wrongly be labelled as "difficult patients" yet each one of them invites us at the front row studying medical anthropology. What does cultural competence in serving our patients look like? And how can we develop it?
In this workshop, I’d like to highlight the basics of transcultural medicine and psychiatry in particular.

Bert Nanninga is a transcultural psychiatrist who specialises in psychotrauma and migration. As a former long-term tropical practitioner, he now works with refugees and migrants with mental health problems in The Netherlands.

Gisela Roth

The seminar addresses why we, as doctors, are prone to compassion fatigue, explores its symptoms, and discusses strategies to enhance our resilience. We will take a look at what we can learn from Jesus' hectic life, as well as from science and practical experience.

I became a Christian during medical school in Berlin, and then became a missionary with DMG. As such, I worked as a bush doctor in Zimbabwe, established a home based AIDS care program and saw the need for member care. To this end, I specialized in psychiatry and psychotherapy, then working at Tumaini Counseling Centre in Nairobi to support missionaries in crisis. After 37 years in Africa, I returned to Germany for family needs, now doing member care online and working in child and adolescent psychiatry. I also train Africans in EMDR to help traumatized clients.

Dr. med. Gisela Schneider

In 2030 the world wants to see “UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE” – everybody should have access to health care without falling into poverty. One of 13 Global Health Goals of the UN. Health & healing ministries are also at the heart of the church. How can the Christian church respond to such global challenges and is there a unique task for medical mission today?
In this workshop, we will look at Global Health Challenges and examine the contributions Christians have made and need to continue making in a postcolonial global world. What role do Christian health professionals play in today's context?

Gisela Schneider is a public health physician who worked as a missionary doctor in Africa from 1984 to 2007 in the areas of Mother and Child Health programmes, and HIV care. She taught as Director of training at the Infectious Disease Institute (Makerere University in Kampala/Uganda) from 2005-2007.
Since July 2007 she leads the German Institute for Medical Mission (www.difaem.de), supporting church based health services especially in DRC and West Africa. She is engaged in access to medicines for Africa and more justice for women in DRC (www.die-kongo-kampagne.de). Since 2023 she is member of the Commission for Health & Healing of the World Council of Churches.

Jason Roach

God has given us the opportunity to get to know him in unexpected and surprising ways through hospitality! It can bless you, your churches and those who do not know Christ yet. But for most of us, what we think we know about hospitality is not what the bible actually calls us to. Come and explore the exciting truth about what Christ has in store for us in this session.

Jelena Sivulka

“The most astounding fact is …that Christians do not have an able-bodied God as their primal image. Rather, the Disabled God promising grace though a broken body is at the centre of piety, prayer, practice, and mission.”    -Nanacy L.Eisesland, The Disabled God.  

In what ways does God relate to physical, psychological, and mental disabilities? What role can theology play in the lives of people with disabilities, their families, and the Christian community? In what ways did Jesus minister to people who had disabilities and mental health challenges? This workshop will discuss practical steps that can be taken to recognize value and dignity among suffering and to treat them with love and respect.