For our wives...
Side by Side
Side By Side
A ministry for wives
Encouraging, Fun, faithful
Standing by our husbands. Striving with our sisters. Walking with our Lord.
Side By Side is dedicated to supporting, uplifting, and encouraging medical marriages to glorify Jesus, while enriching daily life and nurturing profound connections with one another, our husbands, and our Lord. We are a CMDA ministry specifically for women married to medical and dental students, residents, fellows, staff physicians, retirees, and dentists.
At Side By Side, you’ll find a nurturing community filled with support, emotional connection, heartfelt prayers, delightful meals, and, of course, plenty of laughter. We also empower women by helping them build networks in their new communities. Most importantly, through the ministry of Side By Side, numerous women, along with their children and husbands, have come to know Christ. It’s an inspiring experience, and we would be thrilled to have you join us!
Side by Side in the Triangle is restarting across the area and will have groups in Durham/ Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and Lillington. This ministry is designed to meet the needs of women and will vary from location to location based on those needs. If you would like to be involved, please click the interest button below. If you have questions, please email joanna.murray@cmda.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this just for wives of Trainees?
If you are a wife, this is for you!
In fact, we welcome ladies at all stages of life. We need our seasoned wives to encourage one another as life continues to present challenges. Our younger ladies need your wisdom and friendship as well. We also need our new wives, those perhaps still navigating their husband's crazy training schedule. Every stage of life has it's own challenges and we need to encourage each other.
Titus 2:3-5
3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
Where do you have groups?
Lillington and Durham / Chapel Hill... so far
Right now we are starting groups near Campbell and nead UNC/ Duke, but that's just the start.
We envision Side by Side being a Triangle-wide ministry with a variety of opportunities to connect, encourage, and love one another. We are starting almost from scratch after the pandemic undid what had been going on. We would love to see different types of groups in the community and are even hoping a few churches will adopt this as a part of their ministry to the community. If you'd like to be involved, including leadership, please contact us!
What if I need to talk, but I am not in a group?
Just ask
You don't need to be in a group or a part of CMDA. We are about people, not programs. If you need some encouragement, advice or friendship, we will help you find that. Our staff are here to talk or pray with you any time, and we can get you connected with local churches, pastors and others.
Is there a group for husbands of women in healthcare?
Almost...
Yes, or at least we are starting one. Shoulder to Shoulder is a brand new endeavor for us. This is a ministry for the husbands of ladies in healthcare training or practice. Guys have their own unique challenges, concerns, and opportunities when their wives practice medicine. We are pioneering a group starting in the fall of 2026. If you'd like to be involved or just want to be on a mailing list, click below.
Let's go, Ladies!
Let us Walk with You
There are so many women looking for other wives who understand the difficulties of being married to a man in healthcare. The schedules, the stress, and the emotional rollercoasters can be exhausting. If this is you, come join us so we can stand stroger together. Maybe you are in this situation but you are thriving! That's awesome, and there are some others who need your strength right now. This might be just the place for you to serve.