Finding a Physician Champion

Among physicians, some self-identify as being interested in spiritual matters. Look for people who work with missions and relief. Physicians who are gone on long mission trips will not likely have the energy or time to devote to being the physician champion, but they often have passion and a charitable heart. They can be important contributors to this ministry. Watch the medical staff leaders, especially the ones who offer prayer or reflection as a part of their leadership. As they cycle off of their leadership roles, they might be interested in this aspect of ministry, and they will have a rich network of contacts that includes other staff physicians. However, they may also bring social baggage to the role from previous staff disciplinary actions or political conflicts. Ideally, the physician champion should be approachable by sinner and saint alike. You may find candidates among the academic physicians who train medical students and residents. Just as you would evaluate a medical staff leader, look for the hallmarks of spirituality integrated into their practice and their teaching. Look for joy expressed in the practice of medicine, for good relationships with the nursing staff, good reports from patients, and a balanced attitude toward charity care. That balance is struck between two extremes: 1) Physicians who are totally committed to charity care will have trouble relating to physicians who refuse charity patients and focus on the bottom line. 2) Physicians who resist charity care will require a greater investment in spiritual formation before they can become effective as a physician champion.

What have been some of the characteristics of physicians that have been influential in your professional life?