GLOBAL HEALTH OUTREACH - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- CMDA DC Chaplain, Serena Washington
Dr. Allen Roberts is originally from Alexandria, Virginia. He took his B.A. from the University of Virginia in 1977 and his M.D. from George Washington University in 1983. He completed his M.Div. at Reformed Theological Seminary in 2013, and his M.A. in Bioethics at Trinity International University in 2017.
In 2003, he retired from the U.S. Navy Medical Corps, after a 20 year career in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care, during which time he served as White House Physician under President George H.W. Bush. For the past 15 years, he has practiced Critical Care Medicine at Georgetown University Hospital, where he now serves as the Associate Medical Director for the hospital and Chair of the Clinical Ethics Committee.
Dr. Roberts has been extensively involved in postgraduate medical education, specifically resident education in Critical Care. He has a keen interest in end-of-life care and ethics, and transplantation ethics.
Dr. Roberts is married to Dr. Afsoon Roberts, who practices medicine at George Washington University Hospital.
Job Titles:
- CMDA Augusta Associate Director
Job Titles:
- Director of Federal Public Policy
Anna Pilato has spent much of her career in public service at the federal, state, and local level s,as well as time in the non-profit sector. She has worked on policy areas such as pro-life issues, religious freedom, foster care/adoption, human traffic king, fatherlessness, and emergency preparedness/disaster relief. She has been intentional in partnering with faith-based and community organizations who best serve these populations.
Prior to joining CMDA as Director of Federal Public Policy, Ms. Pilato most recently served as Senior Advisor and Deputy Assistant Secretary, External Affairs at the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), a federal agency housed under the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). As a presidential appointee, she directed engagement with internal and external ACF stakeholders and intergovernmental affairs for ACF with a budget of over $62 billion. Ms. Pilato also overs aw the offices of Communications, External Affairs, Regional Operations and Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response.
She joined President Trump's Administration January 2017 as a member of the "beachhead team" in the Office of the Secretary at HHS. Prior to accepting this second presidential appointment, she was on the Presidential Transition Team where she vet ted personnel to serve on the transition team and for positions with the future Administration.
Ms. Pilato served in Governor Sam Brownback's Administration as Deputy Secretary for the Kansas Department for Children and Families. There she established new statewide initiatives to address needs of vulnerable children and families, spearheaded an anti-human trafficking initiative and oversaw training and professional development for staff. She advised the Agency's Secretary on policy reform, change management and intergovernmental relations.
She was a presidential appointe e in the George W. Bush Administration and serve d as the Director at the Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives at HHS. Prior to that position,she served more than three years in Presidential Correspondence as the Director of Administration in the Executive Office of the President at the White House.
Additionally, Pilato has several years of experience in the non-profit sector at Operation Blessing and The Christian Broadcasting Network.
Anna earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Nazareth College and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Regent University.
Job Titles:
- Pastor
- Director of Leadership & Church Relations for the Christian Medical & Dental Associations
Bert Jones serves as the Director of Leadership & Church Relations for the Christian Medical & Dental Associations (CMDA) in Bristol, TN. In this role, Bert oversees the Center for Wellbeing and church ministries. Bert also serves as the Chaplain of the CMDA.
Since 1988 Bert has led multiple teams across the street and around the world. Bert has traveled on 5 different Continents and to over 33 different Countries to teach and preach the Gospel. He has engaged in Leadership development nationally and internationally throughout his ministry.
Bert coauthored the book "Servant Leadership Proverbs" in 2017, with Dr. David Stevens, published by the CMDA. Prior to this project, Dr. Stevens and Bert coauthored the book "Leadership Proverbs" published by the CMDA as well. Bert is also the author of "Practical Youth Ministry" published by Bristol books.
Bert holds his ordination through the Missionary Church USA. The Missionary Church is an evangelical denomination committed to Church planting and world missions. Bert is under special appointment from the Missionary Church to CMDA.
Prior to rejoining the staff of CMDA, Bert served as the Senior Pastor of Woodburn Missionary Church (from 2014-2021) and as the President & CEO of GO InterNational. Bert previously served on the CMDA staff as Chaplain and Director of Leadership & Church Ministries. In 1998 Bert planted Harvest Community Church in Kittanning, PA and served as its Lead Pastor. Bert has served both in the local church and in Para church organizations throughout his ministry.
Bert grew up as no stranger to the ministry & evangelism. His father and grandfather were both involved in full-time ministry and evangelism. Bert grew up traveling with his family in music and evangelistic ministries. Bert was active in their family radio ministry that was on the air for over 50 years on more than 50 different radio stations around the country (a ministry that his grandparents started). His grandmother was the author of the Hymn "In Times Like These."
Bert graduated from Asbury University in 1989 with a degree in Bible. Bert completed 2 years of Seminary at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
Bert and his wife Cheryl have been married since 1989 and have three children: Joshua, Allyson and Aaron. His wife Cheryl is a teacher and is very active in their ministry.
Bert currently serves on several leadership boards. He serves as the Moderator on the General Oversight Counsel (GOC) and Constitution committee for the Missionary Church USA and Has served on the World Partners advisory board and the board of directors at GO InterNational. He currently serves in an advisory capacity as "Past President" for the ministry of GO InterNational.
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Campus & Community Ministries
Bill is an ordained minister within the Presbyterian Church of America. With more than 25 years of ministry experience, Bill recently was the Atlanta area director with CMDA before moving into his current role with the ministry. Prior to CMDA, Bill worked on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ for more than 16 years. Throughout the years, Bill has worked with college students at University of Rhode Island, UVA and Towson University outside of Baltimore, MD - his hometown. Bill earned his M.Div from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando.
Married to Anna for 45 years. Former missionary to the Dominican Republic for 11 years.
Married to Jan for 41 years. Former missionary to South Africa for 22 years. Ordained minister in the PCA.
Job Titles:
- Women 's Ministry Coordinator
Job Titles:
- FAAP Advisory Council Member
Clydette Powell, MD, MPH, FAAP, is a child neurologist and public health specialist, with both global and domestic clinical experience. She served on the Board of Trustees for CMDA for eight years. She currently is on the CMDA Commission for Human Trafficking and helped to establish the newly formed Neurology Section at CMDA. For many years, she volunteered her expertise and leadership as Dean, Public and Community Health for the Commission on Continuing Medical and Dental Education. She has lived and worked in Asia, Africa, and Latin America/Caribbean.
Job Titles:
- Director for the Center for Advancing Healthcare Missions
- Director, Center for Advancing Healthcare Missions
Doug joined CMDA as the Director for the Center for Advancing Healthcare Missions in 2020. He and his wife Ruth are both family physicians. He graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2003, completed his Family Medicine residency at Waukesha Family Practice Residency outside Milwaukee in 2006, and did a one year Rural Health Fellowship at East TN State University.
The Lindbergs served in Nepal as missionaries from 2009-13, and Doug served as the medical director at HDCS TEAM Hospital Dadeldhura. They returned to the US in 2013 for what was intended to be a one year furlough. But a series of events, including a life-threatening cancer diagnosis for Ruth, led them to permanently relocate back to Wisconsin. Ruth is now miraculously cancer free since 2015. Doug is thrilled to utilize his experiences as a healthcare missionary and family physician to advance the cause of healthcare missions! In addition to his work with CMDA, he continues to practice part time as an urgent care physician for ProHealth Care. They have two children, Maddie (2008) and James (2011).
Mike Chupp, MD, grew up in Mooresville, Indiana, the oldest of six kids. As an Eisenhower Scholar, he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a pre-med degree from Taylor University in 1984, and then he received his medical degree as an AOA scholar from Indiana University in 1988.
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Stewardship Development
George completed his bachelor's degree at Liberty University in church ministries and Christian counseling. For more than 25 years, George has found much joy in helping families as they consider their personal stewardship. George served CMDA earlier in his career as the Director of Development and helping to organize the ministry's first-ever capital campaign that allowed CMDA to build its current facility in Bristol, Tennessee. Before returning to CMDA, George served as the Vice President for Partner Engagement with Medical Benevolence Foundation.
Job Titles:
- DHA, MSHA, MBA / Director, Healthcare Leadership
Dr. Neal brings to CMDA 30 years of executive leadership experience in multiple facets of the healthcare delivery system. He completed a doctorate in healthcare administration from the Medical University of South Carolina, and he earned his MSHA and MBA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is co-founder and Director of CMDA's Christian Healthcare Executive Collaborative (CHEC) with an aim to connect and engage administrative healthcare leaders with opportunities to serve one another and the kingdom of God through a not-for-profit consulting service for missional healthcare professional organizations worldwide. Dr. Neal is also currently serving as Executive Vice President of Kanad Hospital in the United Arab Emirates. He and his wife Beth have been married for 33 years and have two daughters, Katie and Lauren.
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- Chief Operating Officer for CMDA
Jamey Campbell serves as Chief Operating Officer for CMDA. Jamey completed his bachelor's degree at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) in communications. In his career Jamey served in several communications positions, including on the staff of Senior Majority Leader Senator Dr. Bill Frist.
Job Titles:
- Senior VP of Bioethics and Public Policy
Jeffrey J. Barrows, DO, MA (Ethics), serves as Senior Vice President of Bioethics and Public Policy for Christian Medical & Dental Associations. Dr. Barrows is an obstetrician/gynecologist, author, educator, medical ethicist and speaker. He completed his medical degree at the Des Moines College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery in 1978 and his residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at Doctors Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.
Jeremiah has been with CMDA since January 2022. Prior to joining the CMDA ministry team, he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Biological Science from Missouri University of Science and Technology before working at Sigma Aldrich as an Associate Scientist for one year. He then began his PhD studies at UT Southwestern Medical Center in 2015, and joined the Dallas CMDA chapter where he was an active member throughout his studies. He also met his wife, Lorena, during her Pediatric Neurology residency at Children's Medical Center Dallas, and they were married in March 2019. In the course of his PhD studies, he felt the call to full time ministry through opportunities to disciple and mentor fellow students, and he began praying with his wife for an open door into ministry, which lead him to joining CMDA full time. Jeremiah Herbert, PhD Christian Medical and Dental Association Area Director - Houston Jeremiah.Herbert@cmda.org
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Marketing & Digital Media
Scott is a graduate of Lindenwood University with a degree in Mass Communication. He was a director, editor, and producer of corporate television in the St. Louis area for 20 years before moving into digital medical publishing with Reed Elsevier; at the same time, adding website development to his skill set. In 2010 Scott was called to work with Precept Ministries International, serving for 6 years as Director of Marketing & Media. He has been with CMDA since late 2016 and is leading website development, email and social media, video technologies, and the marketing team.
Job Titles:
- Director, Communications
- CMDA 's Director of Communications
Mandi Morrin is CMDA's Director of Communications and the editor of CMDA Today. She has served with CMDA for more than 10 years, where her responsibilities include magazine editing and publication, graphic design, coordinating the ministry's communication initiatives, media relations and more. She received her bachelor's degree in communications with an emphasis in journalism from Milligan College in Tennessee in 2006. Prior to joining CMDA, she worked in retail marketing and administration. Despite having lived in Tennessee for nearly 20 years, Mandi is an avid Kentucky Wildcats basketball fan. Mandi and her husband Chad reside in Bristol, Tennessee.
Matt Edwardson, MD, is a stroke neurologist and the faculty advisor for the Georgetown University chapter of CMDA. Dr. Edwardson is also the principal investigator on studies designed to improve stroke recovery at the MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital. He did his medical training at Northwestern University where he was the CMDA chapter president. He completed his neurology residency training at the University of Washington and a stroke fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Michael Oldham joined the staff of CMDA in March 2013. He holds a master of accountancy degree from the University of Tennessee and has the professional designations of Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) and Certified Public Accountant (CPA). He was previously CFO for 11 years with a Christian ministry headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee with a global focus, and he has been in the accounting field for 23 years. He is married to Pam and has four children, Paige, Anna, Rachel and Isaac.
Job Titles:
- Chief Information Officer
Mick received his BS in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech and his MBA from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania before online classes were a thing. His diverse background includes positions as a Product Designer, Engineering Manager, Plant Manager, VP of Operations and General Manager for the NA division of two European companies. Nine years ago, God picked him up and put him in Information Technology where he led a division of the largest Managed Services Provider in East TN/SW VA. In 2019, he was called to CMDA, where he utilizes his varied background to support the ministries of CMDA.
Mick and his wife of 33 years, Cindy, have 3 married children and 4+ grandchildren. Four of his legacy are practicing Christian healthcare professionals and one is an IT manager, so his current role gives him plenty to talk about at family gatherings.
Mitchell Wallin, MD, MPH, is an adult neurologist and epidemiologist and is Director of the VA MS Center of Excellence-East. He has faculty appointments at Georgetown and George Washington University School of Medicine. He has been involved in the formation of the CMDA Neurology section and for many years volunteered teaching at the Commission on Medical and Dental Education Conferences in Africa and Asia. Dr. Wallin's research focuses on multiple sclerosis, neuroepidemiology and neuroinfections.
Job Titles:
- Alternate Resident Trustee )
Job Titles:
- Director of State Public Policy for CMDA
- Director, State Public Policy
- MPA Area Director
Nicole Hayes serves as Director of State Public Policy for CMDA to help advance the life-affirming, biblical principles of CMDA ethical positions through state-level legislative advocacy. In this role, Nicole utilizes state legislative tracking software to identify and track legislation within the 50 states and the District of Columbia. She develops advocacy strategies to address those initiatives and advises the Senior Vice President of Bioethics and Public Policy regarding appropriate engagement. She also works closely with our American Academy of Medical Ethics (AAME) state directors to assist in their engagement on state public policy issues while building strategic relationships with public policy partners to advance the collective advocacy work and goals. Nicole is the founder of Voices Against the Grain, a bold counter-culture media and teaching ministry established in May 2013 to help audiences successfully navigate societal issues through the Word of God. Nicole has more than 14 years' experience as a public relations professional who has provided strategic communications and media relations to elevate educational, health and racial justice issues for small business, government and non-profit clients, such as the NAACP, the Office of the Chief of Army Public Affairs and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Nicole is a Voices contributor for The Christian Post and a contributing author to the book The Right to Believe: The New Struggle for Religious Liberty in America. Nicole received her bachelor of arts in broadcast journalism from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas and her master of public administration from Regent University in Virginia Beach.
In August 2018, Nicole D. Hayes was welcomed by the CMDA national office as the CMDA Washington, D.C. Area Director. A new and long-awaited position for the D.C. area, Nicole and her leadership team are working to launch this ministry to transform hearts and the greater Washington, D.C. area through healthcare and sharing the gospel. Through CMDA DC, Nicole and her ministry team desire to disciple and equip emerging and practicing Christian healthcare professionals to integrate their faith into healthcare as they serve as the hands and feet of Christ, locally and globally.
Nicole is the founder of Voices Against the Grain, a bold counter-culture media and teaching ministry established in May 2013 to help audiences successfully navigate societal issues through the Word of God. Nicole has more than 13 years' experience as a public relations professional who has provided strategic communications and media relations to elevate educational, health, racial and social justice issues for small business, government and non-profit clients, such as the NAACP, the Office of the Chief of Army Public Affairs and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Nicole received her bachelor of arts in broadcast journalism from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas and her master of public administration from Regent University in Virginia Beach.
Patricia "Trish" Burgess, MD, joined CMDA as the Global Health Outreach Director in 2018. Trish went to the University of Georgia for her undergraduate degree. She took two years off before attending medical school and worked as a firefighter in Athens, Georgia during this time. She attended the Medical College of Georgia and did her residency in emergency medicine at the University of Missouri in Kansas City. With Global Health Outreach, Trish has traveled to Cambodia, El Salvador, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Moldova and Peru. Each trip is a blessing in that she sees Jesus in the very people she comes to help. The body of Christ she knows has grown across the globe as she travels to seek and serve the least, the last and the lost.
Rev. Nate Benard, M.Div, MHA, MHS, is CMDA's Atlanta Area Director.
Nate is a licensed minister within the Presbyterian Church of America, working toward ordination.
Nate attended the Medical University of South Carolina for graduate school. He worked for 12 years in the corporate world in Atlanta before the Lord called him to ministry and he went to seminary. He worked for Perimeter Church in Johns Creek, GA, in their Global Outreach division for three years as well. He also served as an Assistant Pastor at Ingleside Presbyterian Church prior to joining CMDA.
Nate married his wife, Vicki, in 1993, and the Lord has blessed them with two amazing daughters.
Job Titles:
- CMDA Augusta Council Chairman
Rick joined the Augusta Council and took over the chairmanship in August 2019. With the support of his wife Teri, he is actively involved with various ministries of CMDA Augusta including on MCG at Augusta University, where he teaches as a faculty member of Family Medicine and The Center for Bioethics and a Health Policy.
Job Titles:
- Director, Human Resources
A native of East Tennessee, Scott graduated from East Tennessee State University in 1994 and began his career in Human Resources with Burlington Industries, a North Carolina-based textile manufacturer. In 1998, he returned to the Tri-Cities to begin a 23+ year tenure with General Shale, the nation's largest brick and masonry materials manufacturer, where he worked in a variety of HR capacities, ultimately overseeing the company's North American HR operations. In 2022, God opened a door allowing Scott to become CMDA's Director of Human Resources.
Scott and his family are active members of Fellowship Baptist church where he serves as a Deacon and Chair of the Personnel Committee. Additionally, he serves on a variety of community boards, including 2022 Chair-Elect of the Johnson City, TN Chamber of Commerce. He and his wife, Tracie, have been married for 26 years and have two children: Lauren (21) and Drew (19).
Serena Washington has served as a chaplain for the World Council of Independent Christian Churches since 2013 and is currently pursuing her Masters of Divinity at Regent University. She served three years in the Air Force Chaplain Candidate Program which afforded her practical application of ministry in a military setting and training as a chaplain while attending seminary. Serena served as a Chaplain for Orphan Care Ethiopia Mission Trip sponsored by Mclean Bible Church's Global Impact Ministry and continues to support Ethiopian Missionaries. Previously, she served 10 years in the Army National Guard as an Apache and Blackhawk Pilot and Military Intelligence Officer. Serena looks forward to serving as a chaplain to our students, and to prepare both students and healthcare professionals for gospel-readiness through whole person care.
Job Titles:
- Alternate Student Trustee
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Dental Ministries
A member of CMDA since dental school, Dr. Griffin has served on the Dental Advisory Council since 2013. He is a 1983 graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, and he has been practicing in Newport News, Virginia for 35 years. Dr. Griffin formerly served as Board Chairman and Dental Director at the Lackey Clinic, a Christian medical-dental clinic in Yorktown, Virginia. He averages four international dental mission trips each year, and he is passionate about opportunities to communicate the love of Christ to others, both domestically and internationally. Dr. Griffin is also a big fan of the Saline Solution/Grace Prescriptions conferences. He and his wife Linda have been married since 1983, and they have been blessed with two married children - Katherine and William, Jr., and one grandson - Barrett.