Southwest Florida Guild of the Catholic Medical Association
About Southwest Florida Guild of the Catholic Medical Association
Rooted in the Diocese of Venice and established in Fort Myers, Florida, the Southwest Florida Guild of the Catholic Medical Association has been fostering the integration of faith and medicine since its founding in 1996. What began as a gathering of twenty-six physicians and priests at the request of Bishop John J. Nevins has grown into a vibrant chartered organization dedicated to nurturing both personal spiritual growth and professional excellence among Catholic healthcare providers. The Guild's rich history includes hosting groundbreaking bioethics seminars featuring internationally acclaimed speakers such as Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, Professor Robert P. George, and Peter Kreeft, establishing itself as a regional leader in Catholic medical ethics education. Members of the Fort Myers-based Guild actively represent the Bishop on important committees, including the Florida Catholic Conference's End-of-Life Committee, demonstrating their commitment to serving the broader Church community. The organization's mission reflects a deep spiritual calling: to grow in the spirit of Christ through professional practice, to bring Christ's presence to healthcare, and to provide leadership grounded in the particular knowledge and experience of physicians and practitioners. By creating meaningful relationships among Catholic healthcare professionals and offering formation opportunities rooted in faith, the Southwest Florida Guild embodies the vision of integrating Catholic values into every aspect of medical practice and patient care.