Contact: Margie Shealy, Christian Medical & Dental Association, 423-844-1047

BRISTOL, Tenn., June 24 /Christian Newswire/ -- Christian Medical & Dental Associations, Mountain States Foundation and Wellmont Foundation announced today that they will be working together to equip and encourage healthcare professionals to share their professional skills with hurting and needy people in this region and around the globe. The first annual Partners in Medical Missions Conference, "Discover the JOY" will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at Meadowview Conference Center in Kingsport, TN.

"The Mountain States Foundation focuses on many different areas of our community where we can make a difference. A project such as this conference that helps healthcare professionals provide the best care possible while also highlighting the multiple needs inside and outside our region is an extremely worthwhile venture and fits directly with the goals of our Foundation," said Pat Holtsclaw, president of the Mountain States Foundation.

Physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, students preparing for missions and other healthcare personnel will have the opportunity to learn more about domestic and international missions through a wide selection of experienced missionaries, workshop speakers, exhibitors and networking. Dr. Michael Johnson will be among the speakers who says he has been "held captive" in Africa since he and his wife's first trip in 1984. "The children and families living on the streets of Nairobi, Kenya, and the need to show compassion and care for these destitute and desperate people are our captors."

Other speakers include: Drs. Joe Smiddy, Sue Cantrell, David Stevens, Sam Molind, Phil Thornton and Daniel Tolen. Four sessions and three sets of workshops covering the practical aspects of missions will educate, inspire and encourage participation in both national and international missions.

"When Dr. Joe Smiddy came to me and asked Christian Medical & Dental Associations to spear-head this conference, I felt it was a perfect match to our mission and vision. I am extremely pleased that our regional healthcare foundations are sponsors and know together we can make a difference in the state of healthcare in the world," states Dave Stevens, MD, CEO, Christian Medical & Dental Associations.

Joe Smiddy, MD, Medical Director for the "Discover the JOY" Conference expressed, "East Tennessee is home base to several local, regional and international missions organizations. This conference will highlight local and international needs and inspire individuals and organizations to reach out with best missions practices. We are most fortunate to have the world wide headquarters of the Christian Medical and Dental Association here in our area, and to have them collaborate with Mountain States and Wellmont Foundations to sponsor this major conference."

"The Wellmont Foundation is happy to provide sponsorship for such a worthy effort," said Todd Norris, executive director of Wellmont Foundation. "We work with physician partners who are passionate about supporting the Partners in Medical Missions Conference, which could help people in need in our region and around the globe. So we're excited to stand with them to help bring this project to fruition."

"Discover the JOY is a way that weary healthcare professionals can restore their joy in healthcare as they learn how to serve others through the skills and talents God has given them," states Stevens.

Mountain States and Wellmont Foundations sponsorship allows the conference to be affordable. For more information and to register online go to www.cmda.org/discoverthejoy.