55 Years of Grace Upon Grace
Stéphanie Potter
This article originally appeared in the Spring 2025 issue of FOCUS magazine.
Several years ago, Dr. Red Warren – a powerhouse of a man and one of the greatest supporters of CMDA Canada from its inception – shared with me about the days of CMDA Canada’s founding. He was passionate about the history and ongoing legacy of CMDA Canada and wanted to be sure the torch was passed from hand to hand.
As Dr. Warren recounted to me, chapters had sprung up across Canada before 1970, but they were branch Chapters of CMDA US and CMF UK. However, when our country was given the chance to host the 1972 international World Congress for the ICMDA (then ICCP), a concerted effort was made to unify the Canada based Chapters into one organization. Thus, CMDA Canada was born in 1970 with an original member roll of 200 members. From the very beginning, CMDA Canada included both medical and dental members, in no small part due to Dr. Red Warren’s tireless advocacy.
Having done the great work of hosting an international conference, the members turned their hands to growing this fledgling organization. In the years that followed, CMDA Canada grew from a handful of members across Canada to over 1,500 members in Chapters in every province and the territories, student ministry on every English-speaking medical and dental campus in Canada, and several annual national events.
To mark the 25th anniversary of CMDA Canada, Dr. Ormond Brewster, founding member and third President of CMDA Canada, assembled a document with the history of our organization. His work was aided by other founding members. In the pages of the first 25 years of our history, we can see the forces that shaped the organization as we know it today. CMDA Canada was founded by people seeking to be engaged, encouraged and equipped as they worked to integrate their faith in their practice.
In the 30 years since that document was prepared, we have faced many challenges. We have taken up the battle against the moral evils of abortion, euthanasia and assisted suicide, transgenderism, and other harms. We have educated the public on God’s will for life at all stages. We have stood before judges, declaring that our conscience belongs to God first and foremost, not to the state or any regulatory body. We have sung the Lord’s song in a land that has felt increasingly foreign and experienced wellsprings of His grace in even the driest of seasons. God’s goodness has pursued us and we have persevered in His grace.
In reviewing old files, I stumbled upon a memo to then-CMDA Board Member Jim Fenton from then-Executive Director Bob Stephens regarding the 1995 National Conference. That Conference, held 30 years ago, celebrated the 25th anniversary of the founding of CMDA Canada. Sung to the tune of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, Dr. Stephens wanted a memorable and humorous way to celebrate the 25 years of grace and Kingdom work at CMDA Canada. In many ways, the lyrics still resonate today as we reflect back on our history and look to our future.
We are moving on together
In all kinds of wind and weather
Bound by ties that none can sever
As we go marching on.
In the fifties and the sixties, the first chapters came to be,
They were linked across the border to the great land of the free,
But then in nineteen seventy, we were an entity,
And we go marching on.
Sinclair, Willows, Brewster, Warren, Ronald, Fenton, Zielonko
Then Block, Klaassen, Neima, Hanna and Paul Pitt soon on the go,
These are all of our great presidents, there just isn’t any mo’
As we go marching on.
We look forward to being fifty, some of us will not be there,
But God will raise up others, who will work with love and care,
We will never lose our FOCUS, although some will lose their hair,
As we go marching on.
As we celebrate our 55th year this year, there is something bittersweet in remembering those who founded this organization and faithfully 
served, but who have moved on to their heavenly home. In the last few years, we have said goodbye to many founding members, both those listed in this song and not. We stand on the shoulders of giants, whose feet are planted on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ. In the 30 years since those at the National Conference sang this together, God has indeed raised up many others to take up the mission of CMDA Canada. In closing, I would like to leave you with the words of Dr. Ormond Brewster. They were his closing words in the History of CMDA Canada that he prepared for the 25th anniversary of our organization. In reflecting on the future, he had these prescient and hopeful word for us:
As we look towards the new century and millennium with all the welter of competing ideologies, Christian, medical, social, and political, we are confident that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose” and that “in all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:28,37)
As we look into the future, we have no less trust in God’s providence than we had 30 years ago. God has been with us from the beginning, weaving together the tapestry of our history. With trust in God’s providence, we go marching on.
Historical Highlights of God’s Grace Upon Grace for CMDA Canada
- In 1957, 3 years after the first UBC Medical School class graduated, a Chapter was formed at the medical school, which quickly expanded to include graduate members.
- The members of the Calgary Chapter were instrumental in the formation and launch of the Calgary Urban Project Society, which provides medical, spiritual, and social care of members of the homeless community.
- In the late 1960s, the Saskatchewan Chapter was started by a group of medical residents at the University Hospital in Saskatchewan, including 2 future CMDA Canada Presidents – Dr. Peter Block and Dr. Jim Fenton.
- In 1978, the first CMDA Family Camp was held at Camp Oshkidee. This camp is still held annually.
- Regular meetings of the Manitoba Chapter started in 1957, spurred on by a mission visit by Dr. Walter Hearn and Dr. John Stott.
- Meetings of the Toronto Chapter began in 1959, inspired by a visit from the CMDA US Executive Director. Early discussions were held about whether to be a branch of CMDA US, CMF UK, or something entirely new.
- In 1965, a dinner to promote the creation of Chapter in Québec was held, organized in part by Dr. Balfour Mount, the father of palliative care in Canada.
- Originally sponsored by Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, the University of Toronto student chapter pre-dates the existence of the Toronto Chapter and the national organization.
- At the impetus of Christian medical student (now Dr.) Winston Dykeman, chapter meetings began in Nova Scotia in 1969.
- CMDA Canada shared an office and staff with EMAS Canada from 1987-2008.
- Our National Office has made its home in 4 different provinces – British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Nova Scotia. Our longest serving staff member is Ellen Watson, who served CMDA Canada for 20 years (and EMAS Canada for 31 years!).