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By Narayan Mitra
AT AGE 74, Dr. Rudy Hamm just keeps going and going, like the immortal Energizer
bunny of commercial fame.
Hamm still sometimes fills in for other doctors, having ‘retired’ from active medical practice a decade ago. But it’s the other hat he wears that is more fulfilling for him now.
As a founding member of the Kelowna chapter of the Christian Medical and Dental
Society (CMDS), Hamm encourages the approximately 40 members to give witness to
their faith.
He noted: “We expect an influx of students with the start of UBC-Okanagan medical school,
which will give opportunity for student ministry.”
Interest in medicine grew in Hamm while he was taking post-secondary Bible
school training.
Not long after graduating from UBC’s medical school in 1963, he plunged into medical missionary service
preparations with further training in the U.S. and Belgium.
French language instruction and a course in tropical medicine in Belgium were
the right fit for the work to follow – in Zaire (now known as Democratic Republic of Congo) from 1967 to 1972.
Vietnam has also benefited from Hamm’s short-term medical mission trips.
Back in his days at UBC, Christian medical students met regularly on campus and
in homes of graduates, under the banner of the Medical Christian Fellowship – an affiliate of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.
Christian Medical Society Canada was officially organized in 1969 by a group of
Christian physicians in Vancouver. It was later expanded to include dentists.
Along with wife Ruby, Hamm’s greatest involvement with the CMDS has been during his 22 years of practice in
Abbotsford – and since 2000 in Kelowna.
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He was instrumental in developing the Abbotsford group, which organized prayer
and discussion groups; special speakers; and dinner meetings supporting the
spiritual life and witness of medical personnel.
Moving to Kelowna, Hamm brought similar inspiration and vision to the physicians
and dentists there, and a local chapter was organized. Within a few years, they
even hosted the national CMDS convention.
About half of the 80 Christian physicians in Kelowna belong to the group. Some
members also belong to Physicians for Life and the Evangelical Medical Aid
Society.
Members also relate to parachurch organizations such as Right to Life, Crisis
Pregnancy, and downtown clinics.
Some of the activities and benefits of membership are: fellowship and
encouragement to witness to non-Christian colleagues; dealing with moral and
ethical issues by writing position papers; ministering to medical students and
practicing physicians through mentoring; and supporting medical outreach in
needy countries.
“Growing up in a family of 11 children, we were taught God’s word from our childhood,” said Hamm, adding, “That has stayed with me since my conversion at age 11. It has inspired me to
active church life and service in various ministries over the years.”
In his active retirement in Lake Country, he shows no sign of slowing down in
promoting the physical and spiritual health of people living in the beautiful
Okanagan Valley.
Judging from the barrage of applicants to the new medical school opening in
Kelowna this year, Hamm’s work might get even more intense in the years to come.
CMDS can be contacted at 1.888.256.8653.
August 2010
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