Religious Charities in Florida

Since its founding in 2016, the Palm Beach Physicians Guild of the Catholic Medical Association has established itself as a vital community for healthcare professionals in Palm Beach, FL who seek to deepen their spirit of service through faith. As a local chapter of the national Catholic Medical Association, this organization unites an inclusive membership that spans physicians, dentists, nurses, allied healthcare professionals, medical students, clergy, seminarians, and supporters who embrace Catholic principles in medical ethics. The guild's mission centers on helping members integrate their faith with their professional practice, creating a supportive environment where healthcare workers can address the moral dimensions of medicine. Operating within the Diocese of Palm Beach, the organization is part of a growing network of guilds throughout Florida, with plans for formal recognition as the Florida Catholic Medical Association. The guild organizes meaningful events, including the annual White Mass for physicians and healthcare professionals, fostering community connection and spiritual renewal among members. Beyond local initiatives, members gain access to national Catholic Medical Association resources, publications like The Pulse of Catholic Medicine and The Linacre Quarterly, and educational content that addresses contemporary healthcare challenges through a Catholic ethical lens. By bringing together diverse healthcare professionals united by shared values, the Palm Beach Physicians Guild creates a compassionate community dedicated to restoring Catholic principles in healthcare and supporting one another in the sacred work of healing.

Since its establishment in 2005, Orlando Catholic Physicians Guild has served as a vital community for Catholic healthcare professionals throughout Central Florida and the Orlando Diocese. Operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Celebration, FL, the guild is recognized as a Chartered Guild of the Catholic Medical Association and maintains deep roots in the local medical and faith communities. The organization's mission centers on fostering spiritual and professional growth among physicians and healthcare workers who seek to practice medicine in alignment with Catholic values and teachings. Orlando Catholic Physicians Guild demonstrates its commitment to the broader community through tuition support programs that enable students and religious members to participate in educational conferences and seminars. The guild's patroness, Mary Mother of Mercy, reflects the organization's emphasis on compassionate, mercy-centered healthcare. Leadership includes both medical professionals and spiritual advisors, including Chaplain Fr. Richard Trout and Episcopal Advisor Bishop John Noonan, creating a unique bridge between clinical expertise and faith formation. By fostering relationships among Catholic physicians and supporting their professional development, Orlando Catholic Physicians Guild strengthens the healthcare landscape of Central Florida while advancing the integration of Catholic principles in medical practice and patient care.

The Tampa Bay Guild of St. Philomena represents a community of Catholic physicians and healthcare workers united by shared values and a common calling to serve others with compassion rooted in Christian faith. Based in St. Petersburg, FL, this chartered guild of the Catholic Medical Association welcomes healthcare professionals who are dedicated to growing spiritually and professionally while bringing the presence of Christ to their medical practice. Founded on the principle that faith and medicine are inseparable, the guild creates a supportive community where physicians and healthcare workers can strengthen their personal relationship with Christ while advancing their professional expertise. Members gather for events, meetings, and spiritual activities that nurture both the soul and the mind, recognizing that effective healthcare requires wholeness in the practitioner. The organization is dedicated to Saint Philomena, whose intercession guides the guild's mission and values. Serving the St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay healthcare community, the guild invites physicians and healthcare professionals to join a fellowship of colleagues who understand the unique challenges and rewards of practicing medicine as a Catholic vocation. Through shared prayer, professional development, and mutual support, members work together to assist the Church and broader Christian community by bringing their particular knowledge, skill, and experience as Catholic healthcare providers. The guild emphasizes that healthcare is not merely a profession but a sacred opportunity to witness Christ's healing presence in the world.

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.

Based in Clearwater, FL, the Florida Catholic Medical Association represents a vital faith community for physicians and healthcare professionals across the state who seek to practice medicine with spiritual integrity. This organization unites seven guilds throughout Florida under a shared mission: helping healthcare professionals uphold their faith while deepening their spirit of service to patients and communities. As an affiliate of the national Catholic Medical Association, the organization provides members with meaningful connections to colleagues who share similar values and professional commitments. The Florida Catholic Medical Association fosters spiritual victories and professional growth through regular events, conferences, and community gatherings that celebrate both the medical and spiritual dimensions of healthcare work. Members participate in educational programs addressing topics from medical ethics to informed civic engagement, reflecting the organization's holistic approach to healthcare and community involvement. The association invites healthcare professionals throughout the Clearwater region and across Florida to connect with their local guild, building relationships with practitioners who understand the importance of Catholic principles in healing and service. Through prayer, education, and professional fellowship, the Florida Catholic Medical Association creates a supportive environment where physicians and healthcare workers can grow both as medical professionals and as people of faith.