I applaud the Catholic Medical Association for putting together an outstanding educational conference in Denver in September to help members search for truth amid inaccurate media reports.
The sessions offered practical skills to help attendees learn how best to share the good news of Christ in their professional lives. One speaker taught how to give presentations that not only invite audiences to think more deeply about a given topic (e.g., abortion pill reversal) but also inspire audiences to learn more about the topic on their own.
Another speaker taught Catholic health-care professionals how they can reestablish trust among patients when mistrust in the health-care system is rising in part due to conflicting information on the internet.
One speaker gave excellent explanations of the neuroscience behind media addiction and how Catholic health-care professionals can help patients overcome such addiction.
And at the end of the conference, the keynote speaker, Father David Pivonka, TOR, president of Franciscan University of Steubenville, talked about how his late father served Christ as a physician who upheld the sanctity of life.
I am grateful to God for the opportunities to connect with other Catholic medical students, residents and physicians who authentically practice according to the faith. I am particularly passionate about the topics covered at this conference as a young medical student with such proximity to various types of social media that are full of messages and ideas contrary to the faith.
With the wisdom imparted by each speaker, I am well-equipped to defend the sanctity of life as a Catholic health-care professional amid a challenging secular environment. With my practical knowledge of faith-rooted communication skills, I am more prepared to share the light of Christ with my patients and colleagues.
Grace Hobayan is a third-year medical student in the Ohio State University College of Medicine.