January 2026 Announcements
Introducing Side By Side - Men's Virtual
Side By Side has long existed to support wives of male healthcare professionals through connection, faith, and community!
Over time, we’ve also heard from men who are married to female healthcare workers—men who are navigating many of the same pressures, transitions, and unique challenges and who are seeking meaningful connection with others who understand their context.
In response, we are prayerfully launching a virtual Side By Side small group for men: Side By Side - Men’s Virtual. This pilot gathering is designed to create space for encouragement, conversation, and shared experience among men married to women in healthcare.
If you know of a man married to a female healthcare professional who would be interested in being part of this virtual small group, or simply want to learn more, we invite you to reach out to chapter leader Arturo Villanueva at sidebysidemensvirtual@gmail.com. We’re grateful for your willingness to step in as we explore what it looks like to walk side by side in this season.
Their first virtual gathering is scheduled for January 6, 2026, and we couldn’t be more expectant for what God is about to do!
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Welcome to the Executive Team
We are thrilled to introduce two new Regional Directors joining the Side By Side family—Rachel Hernandez (South) and Brittany Patterson (West)!
Rachel Hernandez has been part of the SBS story for years, faithfully serving as a co-leader in El Paso and helping relaunch SBS–Detroit. Alongside her husband Anthony, a Pediatric Hospitalist, Rachel’s journey has taken her across the country—and even abroad—through many seasons of training and ministry. Soon, they’ll be planting roots in Omaha, where Rachel is excited to continue watching God work through Side By Side and to serve the women of SBS with joy and gratitude.
Brittany Patterson comes to this role with a deep love for SBS and a powerful testimony of its impact. Living in Roseburg, Oregon, Brittany and her husband David (Family Medicine) are raising three young boys and embracing life, ministry, animals, and adventure. SBS first ministered to Brittany during some of her hardest seasons, and God later led her to help start SBS–Roseburg, where she has seen beautiful, everyday community flourish. From Louisville to Roseburg—and even Salt Lake City—Brittany has experienced firsthand how God uses SBS sisters to meet real needs with Christ-centered love.
Side By Side holds a special place in both of their hearts, and we are so grateful for their willingness to step into leadership. Please join us in celebrating and welcoming Rachel and Brittany as they serve and support our chapters across the West and South 2 Regions. We can’t wait to see how God continues to move through them and through SBS!
Introducing our Speakers for the 2026 National Convention
We are thrilled to introduce the breakout session speakers for the 2026 Side By Side Annual Conference at CMDA’s National Convention. You may recognize a couple of familiar names, and we are confident each session will encourage and equip you. Together, these speakers will guide us through the heart of our ministry’s three pillars—Faith, Marriage, and Friendship—offering wisdom, honesty, and hope for every season of medical life.
Carol Mason Shrader is the wife of Wade, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Nemours Children’s Health in Wilmington, DE. They have four children—triplets, two with Cerebral Palsy, and a younger daughter. Carol joined Side By Side in 1999 during residency at the Mayo Clinic and has served as the founding editor of On The Side. She also hosts “Coffee with Carol,” a bi-monthly Instagram Live ministry on the Side By Side page.
Session Title: On the Mountain and In the Valley: Allowing Friendship to be a Refreshing Stream Carol will explore what Scripture teaches about friendship and how to nurture meaningful relationships during the unique transitions of medical marriage. Through biblical encouragement and practical insight, she’ll help women build healthy, life-giving friendships in every season.
Heather Marra, PT, MPT, PRPC is a pelvic health physical therapist, speaker, and author with over 25 years of experience supporting women’s physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness. She owns One Simple Step, LLC, and is the author of Connecting With Your Body Throughout Pregnancy and True Intimacy. Heather and her husband, Pete, have been married 22 years and have four children through birth and adoption.
Session Pillar: True Intimacy: From Mountain Peaks to Valley Streams In this faith-centered session, Heather combines clinical expertise, storytelling, and biblical wisdom to help women cultivate deeper intimacy in marriage. Participants will gain practical tools to understand their bodies, strengthen connection, and pursue healthy sexuality through every stage of life.
Dawn Mast and her husband, Mark, have been married nearly 34 years, with most of those spent in medical training and practice. They have four adult children—all in or entering medicine—and one grandchild. Dawn writes and speaks for Encouragement Café Ministries, works in her family’s Christian bookstore, and enjoys doing stand-up comedy.
Session Title: Valleys of Growth, Streams of Grace: Building a God-Centered Marriage Dawn shares honest, encouraging stories from her own medical marriage to help couples grow in unity and in their walk with Christ. Her practical wisdom and humor offer hope and perspective for navigating the demanding seasons of medical life with faith and joy.
Side By Side Annual Conference Early Bird Pricing Ends January 13!
Planning to join us for the 2026 Side By Side Annual Conference at the CMDA National Convention? Don’t miss this opportunity to save.
Early bird pricing ends January 13. Register before then and save $100—prices increase by $100 after January 13.
We can’t wait to gather together for encouragement, connection, and renewal. Secure your spot and take advantage of early bird savings today!
All Side By Side Member Zoom - Save the Date!
RESET: Soul Care for the New Year
You are invited to a Zoom meeting for ALL Side By Side members. We would love for you to join us as we explore ways to care for our souls well in the new year. Not a new schedule. Not a new system. Just a holy reset in how we walk with Jesus.
Jan 26 @ 1pm ET, 12pm CT, 11am MT, 10am PT
Zoom Link
Jan 28 @ 8pm ET, 7pm CT, 6pm MT, 5pm PT
Zoom Link
(Same content, two date/time options!)
Come rest, breathe deep, and step into a new year anchored in His presence. Jesus never asks us to hustle for His love—only to walk with Him.
Marriage Enrichment Weekend
Please be praying for Rebecca (SBS Director), Lindsay (SBS Ministry Development), and their husbands as they attend the CMDA Marriage Enrichment Weekend in St. Augustine, FL, January 16–18, 2026.
Side By Side and the Marriage Enrichment Commission are currently praying over and thoughtfully discussing what it might look like for our two ministries to work together more intentionally. We’d love for you to join us in praying over these ministries as we pursue our shared passion for providing Christ-centered resources and support for medical marriages.
There’s still room if you’d like to join us!
Upcoming Prayer Hours
Before we rise, we bow. Join us on Zoom for our monthly Side By Side Prayer Hour—a sacred hour of teaching, connection, and intercession. Whether you’re new to prayer or seasoned in it, come expectant for how God will move.
Due to Martin Luther King Day we will be meeting on January 20th TUESDAY at 1p ET, 12p CT, 11a MT, and 10a PT. Lindsay Ilgenfritz will be giving us a short teaching on praying through a Word for the Year.
It's Time for the Side By Side Annual Love Challenge!
Let’s spend time together, investing in our marriage before Valentine’s Day . Join us January 15th on Facebook Group Side By Side or Instagram @sidebysidecmda to see your daily Love Challenge prompt! This challenge is created especially for wives married to healthcare workers & dentists—because long hours, emotional weight, and exhaustion are real… and so is love. One simple prompt a day.
Faith-based, grace-filled
Fun + playful moments
Intentional intimacy without pressure
No perfection required.
Miss a day? Grace.
Show up quietly? Still counts.
This is about walking side by side—inviting God into the everyday moments, choosing connection, and strengthening our marriage before the world tells us how love should look on February 14.
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” - Colossians 3:14
