Medicine from the Perspective of the Catholic Church

Vero Gutiérrez

Assistant Editor

María del Rosario Smith, FNP-C, works for the My Catholic Doctor agency. (Photo Courtesy)

For many Hispanic families, finding a healthcare professional who shares their values and faith can make a significant difference. MyCatholic Doctor is an organization that provides medical care from a Catholic perspective. It offers patients the opportunity to receive care from a healthcare professional who is bilingual, bicultural, and respects the dignity of the person at every stage of life.

The organization’s motto is “Medicine practiced from a Catholic perspective,” and it offers a variety of faith-inspired healthcare services that promote respect for life and comprehensive patient care.

María del Rosario Smith, FNP-C, works for the My Catholic Doctor agency. She says that working for a Catholic agency gives her the freedom to practice medicine with confidence, knowing that the medical practices she recommends allow her to provide the best care for her patients' health.

Smith felt called to study medicine at a very young age. However, she decided to get married and start a family instead of going to college. After a few years, she decided to pursue her professional aspirations. She chose to train as a certified family nurse practitioner, becoming a healthcare professional with advanced nursing training to provide primary care to patients of all ages.

She began practicing in 2013. It was difficult for her to work in institutions that asked her to perform procedures contrary to her principles of faith and respect for God’s teachings as conveyed through the Catholic Church. Fortunately, she always put God first, which kept her steadfast in her honest and consistent medical practice throughout her career until she joined My Catholic Doctor, where she says she feels fully supported.

Smith is an advanced practice nurse in family care, so she is qualified to treat patients of all ages. At MyCatholicDoctor, however, the agency where she currently works, she specializes in women’s healthcare.

She has seven years of experience as a registered nurse (RN) and 13 years of experience as a family nurse practitioner (FNP). She has provided gynecological and obstetric care for ten of those thirteen years, including three years at MyCatholicDoctor and a family medicine clinic.

Currently, most of her patients are English-speaking, but new ways are being explored to promote her services within the Hispanic community.

The process for accessing medical services through this agency is simple. Simply request an appointment through the Mycatholicdoctor.com website. Nurse Smith is currently based in Jerome, but she offers remote services via video call to patients in other cities, and she makes in-home visits to patients in the Jerome area.

Smith said that to facilitate medical care, they are implementing new options for people without health insurance, including cash payments and deferred payment plans.

Services offered include medical weight management, women’s health services, preventive medicine, support and guidance during menopause, HRT management, PCOS management, and natural family planning. A detailed list of services is available on the MyCatholicDoctor.com website.

Smith is certified in FEMM (Fertility Education and Medical Management), a model that promotes respect for life and reproductive health, for the family planning program he offers.

Smith emphasized that one of the most important aspects of FEMM is its versatility beyond family planning. She explained that it is an excellent, scientifically proven tool for tracking the menstrual cycle.

“I see God’s hand at work in this area very clearly. He has endowed women with clear biomarkers that show us what is happening in our bodies every day of the cycle. The FEMM model provides women with knowledge and understanding that will serve them well throughout their lives. It is knowledge based on science and fully compatible with our beloved Catholic faith,” Smith affirmed.

She also stated that after receiving training in the FEMM model, she understood the effectiveness of natural family planning and learned new, holistic, natural ways to address certain women’s health conditions. She candidly acknowledged, “I wasn’t treating women in the best way possible because I didn’t know any better.”

At MyCatholicDoctor, Smith said, they care for everyone, and women should know that natural family planning is a good option that protects their health. It is the best method to consider before using any other method.

For Smith, working at a Catholic agency has been a life-changing experience. "It benefits me in many ways, not just professionally. Knowing that my work protects my spiritual life and benefits the people I serve gives me peace of mind,” she said.

She explained that practicing medicine from a perspective of respect for life enables her to provide more comprehensive care. “Many people aren’t Catholic and may not know that there are other methods that are just as effective as birth control pills for managing their reproductive health,” she noted.

Smith recalled that, in the past, she did not always have the opportunity to provide this type of care. In her previous job, she requested not to treat minors in order to avoid prescribing contraceptives, but her request was denied. She now believes that working within a model that respects the dignity of every person is an opportunity to provide better healthcare.

“If we live according to what the Church asks of us, we will have a fulfilling life,” she added. “Everything is designed for our benefit, caring for both our physical health and our spirituality.”

As a woman and a healthcare professional, Smith believes her vocation is tied to service. “We must treat everyone as a brother or sister, regardless of their faith. Listening to them and walking alongside them can help someone who is suffering. That is part of spirituality and cannot be separated from medicine,” she affirmed.

Throughout her career, she has mentored medical students and residents, encouraging them to prioritize their faith when making professional decisions. As for young Catholics who don’t know which career to choose, Smith recommends that if their calling is medicine, they should practice in accordance with their convictions. They should also remain steadfast in their beliefs and learn to communicate their values clearly. “It can be done, but you have to stand firm and speak the truth so you don't end up in positions you don't want,” she noted.

She also emphasized the importance of prevention, addressing common health issues, especially among Hispanics, such as diabetes, and making changes to improve health. Through MyCatholic Doctor, patients can receive guidance on nutrition and other preventive measures before reaching a situation that requires urgent care.

She is currently exploring the possibility of accepting more insurance companies, given the high demand for bilingual healthcare professionals.

She invited anyone interested in her services to find out more and explore the available options. She explained that appointments can be scheduled according to each patient’s needs, and that various forms of assistance are available, including different payment options. “Many people think these services should be free, but there are alternatives for receiving medical care.”