WCC NEWS: WCC receives leaders of “Thank you, Doctor!” campaign

A delegation from the “Thank you, Doctor!” campaign visited the World Council of Churches (WCC) on 13 May. The global campaign seeks to value the humanizing role played by the primary care physician, also known as the family doctor, in the healthcare system and in society. World Council of Churches meeting with Thank You Doctor Campaign delegation Photo:Gloria Charles/WCC 14 May 2025 Initiated by the nonprofit medical association SOMOS Community Care in New York, “Thank you, Doctor!” was born with the support of institutions, associations, and organizations such as the Pontifical Academy for Life, Italian College of Physicians, World Federation of Catholic Medical Associations, hospitals, medical schools, and patient associations. Fr Andrea Ciucci, Pontifical Academy for Life secretary, reinforced the idea that “the different Christian communities are called to dialogue, collaboration, and mutual cooperation to help the world.” Ciucci added that the campaign is global and interested in impacting especially vulnerable communities, making this a call to promote human life and the dignity of the person. Dr Pedro Castillo, a primary care doctor from SOMOS Community Care explained, ”Chronic and devastating illnesses such as cancer can cause patients and families to question their faith. A way of avoiding this questioning that is a traumatic event on its own can be achieved with the help of the primary health care provider by practicing primary and preventive medicine from the community.” Elena Herrero, executive manager to the SOMOS CEO and strategic liaison for the “Thank you, Doctor!” campaign stressed that “patients are an essential part of our campaign and for building trust with the primary care physician, who is key to preventing disease.” Prof. Dr Miriam Diez Bosch, “Thank you, Doctor!” campaign advisor for communication and interreligious relations, said: “The care for the humanizing role that family doctors bring to the healthcare system and society is a call for different denominations and religions, who need to bring hope.” Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, WCC programme director for Life, Justice, and PeaceI affirmed the WCC’s commitment to health based on justice and the dignity of all people, and the need to make sure no hierarchies are created in the interaction between health practitioners and patients. “As such, we celebrate the work of health practitioners while we affirm the dignity of patients,” he said. “This is an approach from the perspective of the beneficiaries.” Director of the WCC Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing Dr Manoj Kurian said that the “Thank you, Doctor!” campaign connects dedicated healthcare workers to communities to ensure that the most needy and marginalized communities have access to quality and dignified healthcare. “It builds trust in human relationships and the trustworthiness and accountability of healthcare professionals to the communities they serve,” he said. “The WCC fully supports this vital initiative.”   Learn more about  "Thank You Doctor" campaign World Council of Churches meeting with Thank You Doctor Campaign delegation Photo:Gloria Charles/WCC See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland