2024 Annual Gathering Recap

Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship Celebrates 80 Years of Faith and Practice at Annual Gathering

Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship recently held our 80th Anniversary Online Annual Gathering, marking a significant milestone in MHF’s history of encouraging the integration of faith into healthcare practice. This year’s event celebrated approximately 80 years since the inaugural gatherings of the Mennonite Nurses Association and Mennonite Medical Association, who later evolved into MHF, and eventually also incorporated the Anabaptist Centre of Healthcare Ethics and Mennonite Chaplains Association. 

Our Annual Gathering began on Friday evening with an amazing presentation by Paul Leichty, former Executive Director of MHF, who shared insights from his years-long research into the history of MHF. Attendees were treated to historical photographs and personal stories, including “cameos” from notable figures such as the father of the current Board President Donna Minter! Paul told meaningful stories from history, many of which personally connected to attendees. These accounts highlighted the rich legacy of Mennonite healthcare providers and emphasized the importance of the Anabaptist ethic of community. 

Following Paul’s presentation, Dr. Joe Kotva, a scholar in healthcare ethics and with the Anabaptist Centre of Healthcare Ethics before it became a part of MHF, discussed the integration of Anabaptist ethics into medical practice from a virtue ethics perspective. Dr. Kotva’s talk set the stage for Saturday’s discussions on pressing issues facing healthcare professionals today.

Saturday morning’s session featured first an open forum where members and the Board exchanged ideas about MHF’s future. As we celebrate 80 incredible years, MHF also acknowledges the need for fresh perspectives and new leadership as we move forward. We are a smaller organization than we were ten years ago, and continue to need new energy to engage healthcare students and young professionals. 

Dr. Kotva returned on Saturday to deliver the keynote address, focusing on the critical intersection of climate change and healthcare. He highlighted how climate change affects healthcare delivery and how the healthcare industry contributes to environmental challenges. This timely discussion was particularly relevant in light of recent events, such as hospital evacuations due to hurricane Helene-related flooding.

Annual Gathering 2024’s formal content concluded with a presentation by Dodanim Vasquez Campos, who spoke on “Leading like Moisés to the Future or Promised Land.” Campos encouraged attendees to continue their roles as Christian leaders focused on service and mutual support.

MHF Director Cate needed to leave for a study visit in England late Saturday night, so Board Member and Administrator Andrew wrote these words about Sunday morning’s activities:

On Sunday morning, MHF members participated virtually in North Baltimore Mennonite Church’s worship service and heard from Jeanne Davis, who shared about her experiences with Anabaptist Disabilities Network and the work that they do. Afterwards, MHF members continued the discussion by considering what we learned and how we might apply that to our own contexts, communities, and congregations. Key takeaways include the necessity of intentionality and discernment regarding accessibility in our spaces, and the importance of having these conversations in community. We are grateful to NBMC and ADN for inviting us to participate!

As MHF reflects on its 80-year legacy, we invite healthcare professionals to join in the ongoing conversation about the intersection of Mennonite faith and ethically-informed healthcare practice. This dialogue, which has been nurtured now for eight decades, remains vital in addressing the complex challenges of modern healthcare.

For those interested in being part of this community and contributing to the future of Mennonite healthcare, MHF welcomes new members and fresh perspectives. Please consider joining MHF today and reach out to Cate with any and all ideas of how you would like to be involved and continue these inspiring conversations! (cate@mennohealth.org)