J.M.J.
January 18, 2025
Dear Baltimore Guild Members, Friends, and Colleagues,
Greetings! With excitement and joy coming out of the Christmas season, may we begin 2025. Whether you are a new or longstanding member of the Baltimore Guild or a faithful follower, I hope you share my hope for an upcoming year of peace in our local communities, the nation and across the globe. I am honored to serve in my second year as President of the Guild and provide an overview of the year ahead.
The Catholic Medical Association (CMA) mission is forming and supporting current and future physicians to live and promote the principles of the Catholic Faith in the science and practice of medicine. The Baltimore Guild, a chartered guild of the CMA for the past 18 years, serves this mission with attention to the pillars of an active guild: spiritual formation, education, fellowship, service and growth. I’m pleased to share that at the Annual Education Conference of the CMA in September 2024, our Guild received the St. Luke’s Award for our consistent dedication to these pillars.
We kicked off the 2025 year with our earlier announced Breakfast Fellowship preceded by Mass at St. Joseph’s Church in Cockeysville, January 18th. This spring, we anticipate collaborating with the Center for Pregnancy Concerns in Baltimore, to host a panel of healthcare professionals discussing the challenges and privileges of practicing medicine in a secular world. Stay tuned for more information about this and a projected summer event/activity likely in early June, as details are developed.
We also take every opportunity to engage and encourage Catholic medical students at area medical schools and their surrounding parishes. We typically host an end-of-academic-year Mass and reception in May to recognize these students and new physicians.
Our annual White Mass at the Baltimore Basilica followed by luncheon/speaker hosted at Mercy Medical Center, is projected for Sunday, October 19th. The Guild activities wrap up in December with the annual Advent Retreat scheduled for Saturday, December 6th hosted at St. Louis Church in Clarksville.
All Guild events are shared via email/flyer and details also found on the Guild website https://bg-cma.org “Calendar” page, as they develop.
All Guild members are encouraged to join the national CMA and take advantage of the leadership training in June and spiritual formation and healthcare education offerings at the CMA Annual Education Conference in September. See the CMA website https://cathmed.org for those details. I attended the CMA Leadership Training Meeting in 2024 and personally found it very fulfilling, as well as extremely helpful for me and anyone who may be considering leadership roles at the guild or national level.
Your sustained membership and engagement in the Baltimore Guild elevate the Guild’s voice and presence in healthcare in our archdiocese and state. I would love to hear your ideas for how the Guild can grow and better serve its mission, as well as how you can engage in contributing to and supporting events and programs. It has been wonderful meeting you and welcoming new physicians, healthcare professionals, and growing numbers of medical students to the Guild. If you have not yet registered as a member of our Guild or renewed your membership for 2025, please go to our website https://bg-cma.org/ “Register” page for your electronic or mail in registration options. Once registered, you will be added to our email list to receive information on upcoming activities as they approach.
Additional questions? Email us at baltguildcma@gmail.com. Thank you for your support of our Guild!
Each of us are servants, striving to think and act like Christ (Philippians 2:5) in unique roles of our journey. May God bless you in this year ahead and God willing, I hope to see you soon!
Peace,
Janine R. Danko, MD MPH, FACP FIDSA FACHE CPE
BG-CMA President, 2024-2025
Please share this information with your interested colleagues and friends.
If you are satisfied with receiving this letter/Guild announcements electronically and wish to eliminate any duplicate print mailing you may be receiving, please email BaltGuildCMA@gmail.com. Electronic communications are more efficient, timely and cost effective for the Guild.