Cchftalk

Ted Hewson was officially the first executive director of the fledgling organization known as Christian Community Health Fellowship, or CCHF. CCHF was birthed in southern Mississippi around 1980, but it moved to Philadelphia shortly after its first national conference in 1982. Ted was hired as the first director, but he eventually handed off most of those duties and became part of an early team along with his wife, Patty. Patty had served as a nurse at what eventually became Esperanza Health Center in Philadelphia. David and Libby Caes then took over director responsibilities, organizing conferences and serving as editors of the Health and Development newsletter. Ted and Patty are a wealth of stories and history from the earliest days of CCHF. They were gracious enough to meet me at Esperanza on a Sunday afternoon last summer, and here's a recording of our visit together. In its early days, CCHF was small, under the radar, and largely unheard of. Conferences drew just 30 or 40 people, and the organization had

In the earliest days of Christian Community Health Fellowship (CCHF), when models of Christian healthcare for the underserved were nearly nonexistent, a small band of pioneers answered a clarion call to serve. Among them was Dr. Carol Parks—a trailblazer in Christian public health whose legacy continues to shape how we understand medicine, community, and mission. Dr. Parks passed away recently, leaving behind a profound legacy of service, scholarship, and Spirit-filled compassion. Her presence, wisdom, and example will be deeply missed by the CCHF community and all who were shaped by her life and ministry. Born and raised in South Philadelphia, Dr. Parks discovered her passion for science early on. By tenth grade, she knew she wanted to work in healthcare. Dr. Parks came to Christ as a child at a neighborhood Bible club, drawn in by snacks and flannelgraph stories. That early faith shaped every step of her journey. From community clinics to the halls of academia, her work was always about more than data. It w

CCHF's new CEO, Dr. Rick Donlon had the second part of the Friday morning plenary session of the 2025 CCHF Conference. This plenary session was recorder on Friday April 11th during the 2025 CCHF Conference in the Cincinnati area. Rick currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer at Christian Community Health Fellowship (CCHF) in Memphis, TN., and recently as the Interim Chief Medical Officer at Mercy Community Health Services in Franklin, TN. He also serves part-time as an emergency department physician at the Memphis Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Dr. Donlon earned his Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth TX, and his Doctor of Medicine from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans followed by a combined internship and residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Tennessee in Memphis. He is board-certified in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics and holds an active medical license in Tennessee. Dr. Donlon has co-founded sev

Dr. Esther Kim of Clarkston, GA had the Saturday plenary session of the 2025 CCHF Conference. This plenary session was recorder on Saturday April 12th during the 2025 CCHF Conference in the Cincinnati area. Esther, originally from Malaysia, spent much of her school years in Texas. After a transformative experience at Summer Medical Institute (SMI) in Harlingen, TX, and a student rotation at Christ Community Health Services in Memphis, TN, she pursued a residency in Family Medicine and completed an OB fellowship. With support from various CCHF community mentors, she co-founded Ethne Health in 2017, a community clinic located in Clarkston, Georgia, which is known as the most diverse square mile in the U.S. Currently, Esther serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Ethne Health, where she also provides care for patients who speak over 40 languages. She has a deep passion for women's health, as well as for mentoring staff and students. When she’s not in the clinic, Esther enjoys spending time outdoors with her fa

Dr. Grant Scaroborough of Columbus, GA had the Friday morning plenary session of the 2025 CCHF Conference. This plenary session was recorder on Friday April 11th during the 2025 CCHF Conference in the Cincinnati area. Grant, M.D. Grant currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer Mercy Med of Columbus. A native of Columbus, Dr. Scarborough graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Biology. Immediately following graduation, he spent two years on staff with Young Life in metro-Atlanta. It was during this time that Grant became involved in an outreach effort to the homeless of downtown Atlanta and soon felt called to actively work with and for the underserved around him. After seeking the counsel of several trusted advisors, Grant came to believe that this calling would lead him to practice medicine. Dr. Scarborough earned his medical degree from Mercer Medical School and completed his internal medicine and pediatric residency at the University of Tennessee – Memphis, and finished his Med/Peds

Rev. Dr. Christopher Dodd of Chicago, IL had the opening plenary session of the 2025 CCHF Conference. This plenary session was recorder on Thursday April 10th during the 2025 CCHF Conference in the Cincinnati area. Rev. Dr. Christopher Dodd serves as the Lead Pastor of New Community Church in Dolton, Illinois, where he has been instrumental in fostering community partnerships and inspiring growth since 2013. A native Chicagoan, Rev. Dodd completed his Bachelor’s degree at Northern Illinois University, followed by a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. With a diverse background in corporate sales and management, Rev. Dodd transitioned to ministry in 2001. He is a sought-after speaker, and author sharing his expertise in spiritual growth and leadership development at universities and health organizations. He has cultivated collaborations with various local organizations, including ACE Afterschool Program, and Meals on Wheels, and is currently the Learning and D

We can trace the beginnings of the modern movement of opening Christian clinics that integrate faith and medical care to serve those experiencing poverty back to five or six clinics that started in the mid to late 1970s. Bill Morehouse was one of those pioneers who started His Branches Community Health Center, a clinic that would serve his vulnerable neighbors in Rochester, New York, and do it in a way that honored Christ and shared his transforming love with broken people. I met Bill about twelve years ago and instantly fell in love with his infectious joy and faith. He does love people, and he spent more than forty years serving and praying for patients in Western New York. I hope you'll enjoy our chat as much as I did. Bill said that in over forty years of patient care, he only had two patients who said they were uncomfortable with him praying for them, and he respected their decision. Our patients need and want someone who genuinely loves and respects them to pray for them. Prayer is a powerful and welcom

CCHF CEO, Dr. Rick Donlon, talks with 2025 CCHF Conference Plenary speaker, Dr. Grant Scarborough in this new episode of CCHFTalk. Dr. Grant Scarborough currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer Mercy Med of Columbus. A native of Columbus, Dr. Scarborough graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Biology. Immediately following graduation, he spent two years on staff with Young Life in metro-Atlanta. It was during this time that Grant became involved in an outreach effort to the homeless of downtown Atlanta and soon felt called to actively work with and for the underserved around him. After seeking the counsel of several trusted advisors, Grant came to believe that this calling would lead him to practice medicine. Dr. Scarborough earned his medical degree from Mercer Medical School and completed his internal medicine and pediatric residency at the University of Tennessee – Memphis, and finished his Med/Peds residency at the University of Tennessee. In the fall of 2007, Dr. Scarborough ret

CCHF CEO, Dr. Rick Donlon, talks with 2025 CCHF Conference Plenary speaker, Rev. Dr. Christopher Dodd in this new episode of CCHFTalk. Rev. Dr. Christopher Dodd serves as the Lead Pastor of New Community Church in Dolton, Illinois, where he has been instrumental in fostering community partnerships and inspiring growth since 2013. A native Chicagoan, Rev. Dodd completed his Bachelor’s degree at Northern Illinois University, followed by a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. With a diverse background in corporate sales and management, Rev. Dodd transitioned to ministry in 2001. He is a sought-after speaker, and author sharing his expertise in spiritual growth and leadership development at universities and health organizations. He has cultivated collaborations with various local organizations, including ACE Afterschool Program, and Meals on Wheels, and is currently the Learning and Development Manager at Lawndale Christian Health Center. Rev. Dodd continues to e

CCHF CEO, Dr. Rick Donlon talks with Dr. Esther Kim about her work at Ethne Health and about her plenary at the upcoming 2025 CCHF Conference.  Esther, originally from Malaysia, spent much of her school years in Texas. After a transformative experience at Summer Medical Institute (SMI) in Harlingen, TX, and a student rotation at Christ Community Health Services in Memphis, TN, she pursued a residency in Family Medicine and completed an OB fellowship. With support from various CCHF community mentors, she co-founded Ethne Health in 2017, a community clinic located in Clarkston, Georgia, which is known as the most diverse square mile in the U.S. Currently, Esther serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Ethne Health, where she also provides care for patients who speak over 40 languages. She has a deep passion for women's health, as well as for mentoring staff and students. When she’s not in the clinic, Esther enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and in the homes of their neighbors. We hope you enjoy t

Legacy Series | Ron & Carolyn Klaus Carolyn and Ron Klaus are the founders of Esperanza Health Center in north Philadelphia. They have a remarkable story of living among people in communities that most people avoid, being changed by their experiences in the community, and stepping into needs that they would never have seen had they not been obedient to God and followed him into unlikely places. They have been pioneers in both domestic and international medical missions, church planting, and Christian community development. I have enjoyed time with them over the years, talking about the Kingdom of God, and how to faithfully live that out in the different seasons of life. I sat down with them on July 4th, 2024 in their kitchen which is covered with maps of east Africa and southeast Asia. And asked them to share their story. Jesus said that the key to living an integral life is to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness”. Carolyn and Ron are people whose lives are great examples of that. When th

Strategic Partnerships Series | Alyssa Vasquez Alyssa Vasquez serves as the president and CEO of Cultured Enuf, a consulting firm dedicated to enhancing Organizational Culture alignment. Cultured Enuf, born from a blend of personal experiences, research, and a deep understanding of cultural significance in the workplace.   The team at Cultured Enuf has conducted over 100 organizational assessments and focus groups, leading partners through sustainable organizational transformations using evidence-based methodologies. Vasquez is instrumental in organizational strategic planning, drawing from her extensive background in facilitating professional development sessions to foster a cohesive and thriving culture within organizations.   In this episode of #CCHFTalk we talk with Alyssa about how Cultured Enuf helps Christian organizations do a better job of reflecting Christ in the areas of diversity.   Watch the full interview on the CCHF YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/voxntceybYo?si=YcDptNRvJMTGcIsP ______

Learning Series | Chanté Calais-Morgan For Such a Time as This: Transforming our Lived Experiences Into Relatable and Compassionate Patient Care. There has been a more recent emphasis on the effects of ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and application of Trauma Informed Care as it relates to the patient populations that we serve. However, there have not been many studies on how doctors' personal experiences with ACEs or other life changing situations can affect the way that we relate and interact with our patients. This was a workshop presented at the 2024 CCHF Conference by Dr. Chanté Calais-Morgan of Christ Community Health Services in Memphis TN. _______________________________ CCHFTalk is a production of Christian Community Health Fellowship. CCHF's Mission: The mission of Christian Community Health Fellowship is to encourage, engage and equip Christians to live out the gospel through healthcare among the poor and marginalized. CCHF's Vision: We envision a movement of God's people who choose daily to p

If you want a Christ centered organization, it's all about the people you hire. For 4 decades, Lawndale Christian Health Center has been a model for many of the health ministries across CCHF. Dr. Wayne Detmer, the chief clinical officer of operations has been a key player in hiring the right people for their medical team. A team that's kept Lawndale on mission and made it a great place for them to live out their calling. Wayne has been a great friend and a partner in the work. He served on the CCHF board. He's now on his 2nd term. He's always generous with his time and his incredible intellect. I hope you'll enjoy our chat about his journey and his insights into building a mission faithful health center.  Setting a culture of calling, being proximate to suffering, bringing the right kind of people into your team. These are the skills that Wayne Detmer brings that makes Lawndale a special place. And is, of course, it's all by the grace of God. If you've never been to Lawndale, I encourage you to visit sometime

Legacy Series | Jerry Stromberg I count as one of the greatest privileges in my life to have followed Jerry Stromberg and been mentored by him in the early days of my time at CCHF. Jerry is still one of the most beloved members of the CCHF community and one of the most brilliant. His incredible career includes academia, research, consulting. He's been the administrator for several health centers and ultimately led CCHF as its director for better part of a decade. He's an extraordinary person with a deep love and appreciation for people that he's met around the country and around the globe. And he's a man who's lived out his convictions, moving into the Lawndale community, building longitudinal relationships with communities in rural Ghana. He's actually been named an honorary elder in one of those communities. And being an activist for justice issues around poverty and the impact it's had on individual and community health. I caught Jerry in Chicago a day before he was heading to Wisconsin to speak at a confe

Learning Series: Edson Patrice Edson Patrice, M. Div., is a former Nurse/EMT-B from the United States Army Reserve and currently serves as Chaplain at Sac Health in San Bernardino, CA. He served as a district pastor for the Georgia-Cumberland Conference in Atlanta Georgia from 2013-2022. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and a Master of Divinity from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI. He completed a Clinical Pastoral Education residency program at Emory University Healthcare in Atlanta, GA. He holds a certificate of Ordination from the Southern Union Conference of SDA, a Certificate of Compassion Centered Spiritual Health Intervention from Emory University Healthcare in Atlanta, GA. This episode was recorded at the 2024 CCHF Conference. _______________________________ CCHFTalk is a production of Christian Community Health Fellowship. CCHF's Mission: The mission of Christian Community Health Fellowship is to encourage, engage and equip Christians to live out the gospel through healthcare among

Learning Series: Brittany Wilson Many practitioners and health professionals face conversations with patients about weight loss and their health. These conversations are both difficult for the practitioner and the patient, and leave the patient feeling discouraged, frustrated, and overwhelmed with how to start improving their health by changing their weight. But what if weight loss is not the approach to better health for your patients? Brittany Wilson, Registered Dietitian and owner of Revelation Nutrition presents the harm in promoting weight loss for patients and how Christ-Centered Intuitive Eating could be the solution to improving your patient's health: mind, body, and spirit. This workshop was presented at the 2024 CCHF Conference. We hope you will look for opportunities to meet Brittany Wilson and others like them at the next CCHF Conference (CCHFConference.org).  _______________________________ CCHFTalk is a production of Christian Community Health Fellowship. CCHF's Mission: The mission of Christian

Strategic Partnerships Series | Rick Allen of MedSend Rick Allen, CEO of MedSend, shares the vision and mission behind MedSend’s work in this insightful interview with former CCHF CEO, Steve Noblett. MedSend’s mission is to reach the world with compassionate care and the love of Christ by empowering dedicated, Christ-following healthcare professionals to serve the most underserved regions globally. Through strategic partnerships with organizations like CCHF, MedSend helps alleviate medical school debt for Christian healthcare professionals who are committed to meeting both the physical and spiritual needs of those in need. In this conversation, Rick discusses the key resources MedSend provides to Christian healthcare professionals, helping them make a lasting impact. Watch the full interview here or listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching #CCHFTalk. _______________________________ CCHFTalk is a production of Christian Community Health Fellowship. CCHF's Mission: The mission of Christian Community Hea

Learning Series: Larry Rector & Geogy Thomas Some say "Ideas are a Dime a Dozen. People that Implement them are Priceless." Evaluating each idea that solves a problem or opens the door towards an opportunity is difficult. In this episode, Larry Rector (CEO of Dayspring Health) and Dr. Geogy Thomas (CMO of Dayspring Health) provide a successful framework that simplifies the evaluation process of an idea. The goal of this idea is to save time on making future decisions and gain confidence that the final decision is best for you, your team, and the organization. This workshop was presented at the 2024 CCHF Conference. We hope you will look for opportunities to meet Larry Rector, Geogy Thomas, and others like them at the next CCHF Conference (CCHFConference.org).  _______________________________ CCHFTalk is a production of Christian Community Health Fellowship. CCHF's Mission: The mission of Christian Community Health Fellowship is to encourage, engage and equip Christians to live out the gospel through healt

Strategic Partnerships Series: Lorenzo A. Watson This conversation took place at the 2024 CCHF Conference. Lorenzo A. Watson is the CEO and President of Christian Community Development Association (CCDA). Lorenzo sat down with Steve Noblett, the former CEO of Christian Community Health Fellowship (CCHF) to talk about the future of CCDA, the national CCDA Conference, and ways CCHF members can become involved with CCDA.  You can watch this video interview at https://youtu.be/Qmzn3MCuybc . We hope you will look for opportunities to meet Lorenzo A. Watson and others like him at the next CCHF Conference (CCHFConference.org). ______________________________ CCHFTalk is a production of Christian Community Health Fellowship. CCHF's Mission: The mission of Christian Community Health Fellowship is to encourage, engage and equip Christians to live out the gospel through healthcare among the poor and marginalized. CCHF's Vision: We envision a movement of God's people who choose daily to promote healing in marginalized com