For individuals seeking healthcare that genuinely integrates their Catholic faith, My Catholic Doctor emerges as a distinct and welcome option. Upon visiting their website, the mission statement drawn from Luke 10:9 immediately resonates, setting the tone for a patient-physician experience rooted in Christian values. Alongside this powerful verse are images of Venerable Jérôme Lejeune, St. Gianna Molla, and Venerable Catherine McAuley, figures who embody the sanctity of life and compassionate care that My Catholic Doctor strives to emulate.
My Catholic Doctor was intentionally designed to offer a unique healthcare journey for both patients and physicians. This innovative telehealth platform provides a wide array of medical specialties, all delivered with a person-centered approach that respects and incorporates Catholic teachings. This commitment distinguishes My Catholic Doctor from conventional healthcare models, offering a space where faith and medicine harmoniously converge.
Dr. Kathleen Berchelmann, the founder and president of My Catholic Doctor, brings a wealth of experience and deep conviction to this mission. After a decade as a faculty pediatrician at Washington University in St. Louis, Dr. Berchelmann felt a growing calling to practice medicine in a way that more intentionally reflected her faith. She envisioned a healing ministry that treated the individual as a whole person – body, mind, and spirit – seamlessly blending her Catholic faith with her medical expertise.
In an interview, Dr. Berchelmann articulated a common misconception about Catholic healthcare. “People think of Catholic health care as against abortion, contraception, euthanasia, but it’s so much more than that,” she explained. She emphasized the proactive and life-affirming nature of Catholic medicine, highlighting, “First, we have far better alternatives to all of those: abortion-pill reversal (APR); end-of-life care; natural family planning (NFP).” This proactive stance underscores the commitment of My Catholic Doctor to providing comprehensive and ethical care that honors the dignity of each person.
Dr. Berchelmann further questioned the fragmented nature of modern secular medicine, asking, “Don’t you want to be treated as a whole person? Don’t you want your provider to ask about your health background in general, rather than rushing through an allocated six minutes that covers the bare minimum?” This concern for holistic and attentive care is a core tenet of My Catholic Doctor’s philosophy.
Speaking to EWTN Pro-Life Weekly, Dr. Berchelmann highlighted the potential exclusion faced by practicing Catholics within secular healthcare systems. “Secular medicine says that everyone is included, but we’re not — practicing Catholics are not,” she stated. She further elaborated on the inherent challenge for Catholic healthcare providers in secular settings: “Catholic health-care providers are expected to leave their Catholic values at the door. That’s impossible to do if you follow Jesus Christ.” My Catholic Doctor provides a solution to this dilemma, creating an environment where healthcare professionals can practice medicine without compromising their deeply held beliefs.
Drawing inspiration from scripture, Dr. Berchelmann explained the foundational principle of My Catholic Doctor. “In Luke 10:9, Jesus said, ‘Cure the sick who are there. Say to them, the kingdom of God has come to you!’ That’s two commands in one sentence. We are to cure the sick and proclaim the Kingdom. We are called to do more than just cure the sick; as physicians, we are also called to help people grow in holiness through the universal human experience of suffering through illness.” This dual mission of healing and spiritual guidance is central to the practice of medicine at My Catholic Doctor.
Doctors affiliated with My Catholic Doctor operate independently, allowing them to dedicate ample time to each patient, fostering a more personal and thorough consultation. This model minimizes the bureaucratic burdens often associated with modern healthcare, grounded in the belief that the doctor-patient relationship should primarily be guided by the Holy Spirit. While prioritizing this sacred bond, My Catholic Doctor also ensures accessibility by accepting most insurance and health-share plans. The network has expanded to encompass a diverse range of medical specialties, including primary care, urgent care, rheumatology, dermatology, endocrinology, physical therapy, speech therapy, gerontology, and more, catering to a wide spectrum of healthcare needs.
A cornerstone of My Catholic Doctor’s ethos is its unwavering commitment to the sanctity of life, from conception to natural death. This dedication is further strengthened by the incorporation of prayer into their daily practice. Every afternoon at 3 PM in their Stamford, Connecticut office chapel, the Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed for all patients, extending an invitation for anyone to join in prayer, whether physically present or from afar. This commitment to prayer underscores the spiritual dimension of healing that is integral to My Catholic Doctor.
Clinicians at My Catholic Doctor are unequivocally committed to upholding the ethical standards of the Catholic Church, adhering to the “Ethical and Religious Directives” of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the ethical policy statements of the Catholic Medical Association. This rigorous adherence to Catholic doctrine ensures that patients receive care that is not only medically sound but also morally and ethically consistent with their faith.
Dr. Berchelmann eloquently summarized the overarching aim of My Catholic Doctor: “Our clinicians seek to bring the loving presence of Jesus Christ to their patients, to heal the whole person: body, mind, and spirit. It involves the whole person and the unique dignity of each person made in the image and likeness of God.” This holistic approach, centered on the inherent dignity of each individual, distinguishes My Catholic Doctor as a healthcare provider that truly cares for the patient in their entirety.
Regarding their pro-life stance, Dr. Berchelmann clarified, “We don’t specifically advertise APR, but [women] still call us because they see ‘Catholic’ in our name.” She shared a profound observation about women seeking abortion-pill reversal: “These are women who’ve taken all the steps to get the abortion pills — they’re pro-choice … they still call us, and that’s the natural law written on their heart. I have no other explanation. That’s the good news. God is still in the hearts of all these people, made in the image and likeness of God.” This anecdote highlights the subtle yet powerful way in which My Catholic Doctor serves as a beacon of hope and healing, even for those who may not explicitly identify with their faith.
Patient-Centered Care: A Testament to Faith in Practice
Dr. Berchelmann emphasizes that My Catholic Doctor physicians are driven by a profound sense of service, striving to treat each patient as if they are “caring for Christ himself, in order to bring the kingdom of God into the world. Bearing witness to the Gospel is a task that has become prohibitively difficult through most secular health-care employers.” This dedication to Gospel witness within the healthcare setting is a defining characteristic of My Catholic Doctor.
She further explained the understanding of healing within this faith-based framework: “When the sick are cured, we help them understand that their healing is a gift from the Lord, for which we are grateful.” This perspective fosters an environment of gratitude and recognizes the divine dimension of the healing process.
Patient testimonials powerfully affirm the unique experience offered by My Catholic Doctor. One patient, Anne, shared on the MCD website, “My experience with MCD was one of the best I have ever had in health care … that has me feeling the healthiest I have in a very long time.” This sentiment captures the transformative impact of care that extends beyond the physical realm.
Testimonial offered from a patient about their positive experience with My Catholic Doctor's telehealth services.
Another patient, L.T., expressed similar satisfaction online: “The care I received was great! I’ve never had a doctor explain things to me in that detail! What I loved most was 1) not having to go into the doctor’s office and be around sick people, and 2) hearing ‘God bless’ at the end of the appointment.” These testimonials highlight the practical benefits of telehealth, combined with the comforting and faith-affirming aspects of care at My Catholic Doctor.
Marta Waters shared her family’s experience during the COVID-19 pandemic: “During COVID, our family was blessed to be able to use the services of My Catholic Doctor. The doctor was very knowledgeable not only about treatments in our country but also abroad. At least 20 other people we know used the same doctor, as she was reliable and effective. Not one of us died or was hospitalized.” This testimonial underscores the reliability and effectiveness of My Catholic Doctor, particularly during challenging times.
Church-Approved Treatment: Doctors Echo the Mission
Doctor testimonials further reinforce the value proposition of My Catholic Doctor. Dr. Robert Chasuk, a family medicine and NaProTechnology fertility provider from Louisiana, stated, “My Catholic Doctor turned out to be the perfect fit. It’s thoroughly dedicated to and sustained by Christ and his Church.” He acknowledged the current challenges within the medical field, noting, “It’s a challenging time for medicine.”
Dr. Chasuk elaborated on the infiltration of secular ideologies into healthcare: “Secular ideas that disregard the dignity of human life, from fertilization through natural death, and that deny the reality of the human person as a union of the physical and spiritual, and as such being created as either male or female, have crept into many institutions.” My Catholic Doctor stands as a counterpoint to these trends, upholding a distinctly Catholic anthropology within its practice.
He recounted the common surprise of patients at the level of attention and care they receive: “Patients are often surprised…that My Catholic Doctor spends enough time with them to enable an understanding of their problem and tailored treatment plan.” This emphasis on thoroughness and personalized care is a significant differentiator.
Dr. Chasuk shared poignant feedback from his female patients: “Women often tell me, tearfully, that they have never felt that anyone listened to them or validated their concerns, or thought they deserved to have a diagnosis rather than a Band-Aid contraceptive prescription.” He also highlighted the growing awareness among women regarding the risks associated with hormonal contraceptives: “And more women are realizing that they have not been informed about serious side effects of contraceptive hormones, such as life-threatening venous clots or increase in the risk of breast cancer.” My Catholic Doctor prioritizes informed consent and offers alternatives that align with Catholic teaching on family planning.
Patient testimonial highlighting the detailed explanations and faith-based approach of My Catholic Doctor's online consultations.
Dermatologist Dr. Anne Pearson from New Hampshire described her affiliation with My Catholic Doctor as “a blessing in my life and hopefully also to the patients we serve.” Her journey to My Catholic Doctor was inspired by her husband, and rooted in a deep desire to practice true Catholic healthcare.
Dr. Pearson explained her motivation: “I believe the call to practice true Catholic health care had been imprinted on my heart and I had also seen the frustration of so many of my patients (both Catholic and non-Catholic) due to a lack of access to health care, the costs, short visits, and not being treated with dignity or integrity.” She found in My Catholic Doctor “an opportunity to provide medical care to those patients who are seeking authentic Catholic health care as well as an opportunity to serve those on the fringes with the least access to care or limited finances, and do so in tandem with the Holy Spirit to provide God’s healing. It’s what health care so desperately needs.” Dr. Pearson’s words encapsulate the profound sense of purpose and mission shared by clinicians at My Catholic Doctor.
Faith as an Integral Part of Healthcare Visits
Dr. Pearson emphasized the dual approach of My Catholic Doctor: “The first is providing an option for health care that is in line with the Catholic faith and is true pro-life health care that honors the mind, body and soul of every individual. We pray with and for our patients because it is critical to put God at the center of their treatment plan. I always pray that God gives me the wisdom, understanding, knowledge and counsel to guide the patient along the right path and choose the right treatment plan, and we also openly invite God in to provide the healing because he is the Divine Physician.” The integration of prayer and faith into the treatment plan is a defining feature of the patient experience at My Catholic Doctor.
She shared an example of young women seeking acne treatment without resorting to birth control, finding in My Catholic Doctor a refreshing alternative: “Pearson explained how faithful young women have come to her for acne treatment without the use of birth control, after giving up on other dermatologists who only prescribed oral contraceptives. ‘It’s beautiful to treat them and affirm their choice of abstinence and combine evidence-based medicine and a whole-person approach.’” This example illustrates the practical application of Catholic values in medical care, respecting patient choices and offering ethical treatment options.
Dr. Pearson also highlighted the accessibility of My Catholic Doctor for underserved populations: “I also see patients who are not looking for Catholic health care but come because they have no other option, especially for dermatology. The majority of my patients are on Medicaid or have no insurance and have very limited options for care in their state. They are so grateful for the time and care.” This outreach to those with limited access to care expands the mission of My Catholic Doctor beyond serving solely Catholic patients. She further noted the positive impact of their faith-based approach even on patients from different backgrounds: “I am always respectful of my patients’ own faith background but have had beautiful encounters with patients who ask me about the faith or tell me their stories because their experience in their visit is just different.”
The invitation to prayer can be transformative, as Dr. Pearson recounted: “Those invitations to pray together are powerful and can be really transformative. I had one young woman who was sexually active and on birth control but experiencing side effects. To start a medical treatment, she needed to practice abstinence because of the risks to a potential fetus. She made a commitment to abstinence and was connected with one of our female health providers who taught her how to chart her periods. I saw her last week, and her anxiety, depression and whole outlook had completely changed since making that decision. She and her boyfriend were in a completely different and healthier place in their relationship because of this. She became an advocate for her friends and others to consider chastity in relationships. She was not Catholic but had seen the fruits of that choice in her own life and is now seeking and growing in ways beyond treatment of her skin disease.” This powerful anecdote illustrates the holistic healing that can occur when faith and medicine are integrated.
Naprotechnology offers women natural and effective options for managing fertility and achieving pregnancy, aligning with Catholic values.
Dr. Pearson also emphasized patient safety and the limitations of telehealth, ensuring responsible practice: “She underscored that the patient always comes first, and ‘It’s important for me to be honest with my patients about what telehealth does not work for, especially in dermatology.’” She provided an example of appropriately triaging a patient for in-person care when necessary, demonstrating a commitment to effective medical practice within the telehealth model. This commitment to responsible care ensures that patients receive the most appropriate and effective treatment, whether through telehealth or in-person referrals.
Dr. Karen Dalton, another physician in the MCD network, who converted to Catholicism in 1993 and specializes in NaProTechnology, shared her experience. “I love being able to be open about faith with my patients, and they are all quite aware of the place of faith in my life and practice, even if they are not Catholic,” she stated. Her openness about faith creates a welcoming and authentic environment for patients of all backgrounds.
Dr. Dalton further explained the positive reception from patients regarding her faith-based approach: “All appreciate the fact that I pray with, over and for them and are refreshed that they no longer have to hide their faith or risk being ridiculed for it (which happens regularly in the secular medical world, sadly, especially in women who are brave enough to say they use NFP).” This highlights the need for healthcare environments like My Catholic Doctor, where faith is respected and integrated, rather than marginalized. She also emphasized the shortcomings of secular fertility treatments and the benefits of NaProTechnology: “Many of my patients came to realize that fertility clinics don’t really care about figuring out what is wrong with them. We’ve been able to send many to NaPro-trained surgeons who find and remove their endometriosis after having been told elsewhere that all they needed was IVF. This happens with my colleagues as well. Dozens of my patients have their OB-GYNs refuse to check levels of, or supplement with, progesterone and refuse to acknowledge that insufficient levels of it plays a role in repeat miscarriages! It boggles my mind. I have patients who very likely have children now because they pursued care with someone who heard them.” Dr. Dalton’s experience underscores the value of NaProTechnology as a morally sound and effective approach to fertility care, often overlooked in secular medicine.
In conclusion, Dr. Dalton reiterated the core need that My Catholic Doctor addresses: “Patients want to be heard and cared for holistically; secular medicine is woefully falling short. I pray I can help fill that void and with His guiding hand.” My Catholic Doctor stands as a testament to the enduring need for healthcare that treats the whole person – body, mind, and spirit – guided by faith and grounded in compassionate, ethical medical practice.
