Denver Catholic

8 NOVEMBER 11-24, 2017 | DENVER CATHOLIC Around the Archdiocese Catholic medical students fearlessly take pro-life issues head on Despite conflicts, we need Catholic healthcare professionals more than ever W ith abortion and contracep- tion deemed as necessary practices in the medical field, and now with the legalization of physician-assisted suicide in Colorado, the healthcare field is not friendly to the Catholic teaching of defending natu- ral life to natural death — or those who believe and practice it. It's particularly a challenge to med- ical students, who may be required to learn about or witness practices that conflict with Catholic teaching, and deal with diªcult professors and colleagues. But that's not stopping Catholic medical students from pursuing the field, where they can be a witness to others. In fact, it requires a deeper faith life and relationship with Jesus Christ, according to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus chaplain, Father Angel Perez-Lopez. "Sometimes the diªculties they encounter motivate them to go deeper in their faith, which isn't a bad thing," Father Perez-Lopez said. Father Perez-Lopez and his co-chap- lain, Father Luis Granados, provide Masses on campus, as well as confes- sions, advice and spiritual direction. They also host a once-a-month event where they discuss ethical questions with students. "Some of the issues are with the beginning of life and the end of life, basic virtues needed for healthcare, diªcult scenarios, and the meaning of human su¡ering and sickness," Father Perez-Lopez said. "We also talk about the false notion of autonomy of life as well as euthanasia and assisted suicide. Human life is everything." Diªcult scenarios dealing with the dignity of human life are many even in the classroom, both from teachers and fellow classmates. But it's also an opportunity to witness to the faith. " We had a representative from Planned Parenthood to teach on ethics. The whole time, I held and prayed a rosary," said physician assistant stu- dent at CU Anschutz, Catie Bettendorf. "During that class, God provided oppor- tunities to talk to my classmates about my beliefs and why. It really comes down to being open to God's will and asking Him to provide opportunities to share him with others." "In the medical field, students are taught that Natural Family Planning (NFP) methods have a 25% failure rate," Bettendorf added. "This is of course false, and the data was gathered in mis- leading manner. I share journal articles with my classmates giving the actual data and the other methods. It has also prompted good discussion with peers who do not understand why I do not want to use birth control." Clinical rotations are another oppor- tunity where students may encounter diªculties and provide a witness to the faith, says general medicine student at CU Anschutz, Catherine Waymel. Clinicals don't start for another couple years for her, but she plans to be honest about her beliefs to both supervisors and patients. "[I'll handle it by] being forthright and just saying, 'This is my situation, I conscientiously object,' which is still acceptable in the medical field. And being forthright with patients," Waymel said. "Just being honest and saying it is the best way to approach it. I expect an uphill battle, but I also can't [ be a health professional] without [my faith]." But to have a steadfast response to diªculties in the medical field requires a solid faith community, a life of prayer Father Angel Perez talks with Kaitlin Vanderkolk, a second year medical student and a member of the board for the Catholic Medical Association, following Mass at the Bushnell Auditorium on the Anschutz Medical Campus on Oct. 24. BY THERESE BUSSEN therese.bussen@archden.org @ThereseBussen

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