Thursday, 28 February 2013 10:05

By Molly Martin
Several medical residents at Via Christi Health hospitals in Wichita are learning to incorporate Natural Procreative Technology into their training through continued education supported by the Diocese of Wichita.
Three first-year family medicine residents, Amanda Baxa, Paul Cleland, and Cassandra Gerlach are participating in the Medical Consultant training to enhance their residency and gain insight into NFP methods.
Jody Elson and Michael Scheve, second-year residents, received the training prior to their residencies. Associate director at Via Christi Family Medicine Residency Program, Dr. Tim McVay, is auditing the course to serve as faculty support for the residents.
The medical consultant training course is a six-month program through The Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction in Omaha, Neb. The program requires two week-long courses of total immersion into the details of NFP and management of fertility abnormalities. The program is designed to assist physicians to incorporate the science of NaProTechnology into their medical practices according to the institute’s website.
“It first begins with a little over a week long course in Omaha, Neb., that covers the basics of charting, what NaPro Technology is, and what it can offer women,” said Baxa, first-year resident. “You are taught how to evaluate and treat common gynecological and reproductive disorders without the use of oral contraceptives that are currently normally used.”
In addition to the courses, residents are required to give three lectures in their area during the time between the first course and the second course in April.
“I knew very little about NFP before I took the training course. I had heard about it since I was raised Catholic and I knew of the Institute since I am from Nebraska, but that was the extent of it,” said Elson.
“The training course focuses on the Creighton Model FertilityCare System, but you learn the basics and history of NFP so that you are a little familiar with all the methods. Plus it is great to meet other healthcare professionals that are interested in diagnosing and treating women in a morally acceptable way.”
The residents are working now to incorporate NaProTechnology into the residency program at Via Christi, but it is still under development. Being that Via Christi is a Catholic institution, their hope is to promote NFP and NaProTechnology among the patient population and to be able to offer another service to their patients, Elson said.
“I think that having five residents in addition to a faculty member who are all trained in NaProTechnology brings a completely new dimension to our program,” said Gerlach, first-year resident. “There are plenty of medical students out there that are searching for NFP-friendly residencies and this helps provide that environment for them.”

Want to learn more?
To learn more about NFP, contact The Catholic Diocese of Wichita’s Office of Marriage and Family Life at (316) 685-5240. Visit them online at www.nfpwichita.org.