Principles of Tepeyac

Principles of Practice

As an obstetrical and gynecological medical practice, the Tepeyac Family Center is guided by a commitment to combine the best of modern medicine with the healing presence of Jesus Christ, following the medical and moral teaching of the Catholic Church, particularly as enunciated by the theological construct of Pope John Paul II. This phrase from the mission statement of Tepeyac Family Center is carried out by following three guiding principles: we practice good medicine, we see the poor and we are faithful to the medical and moral teachings of the Catholic Church. This paper explains how Tepeyac Family Center implements these principles in the daily practice of medicine.

Life begins at conception and continues until natural death.

We use established “best practices” medical procedures to treat patients within the context of “doing no harm.” We understand that the provider is often the hand, mouth and ears of Christ. Since we are all made in the image and likeness of God, each staff member strives to see the “face of God” in every patient who enters into the practice. In the context of the above, we agree:

To do nothing that would harm a patient or any child she is carrying.

To not remove a healthy functioning organ for birth control purposes.

To recognize a new human person in every pregnancy and thus treat any pregnancy as we would any other pregnancy, regardless of how it was caused; e.g., by rape or incest, by invitro fertilization, or outside of marriage.

To consult with the other physicians in the practice as needed, especially regarding situations whereby any of the above become, either directly or indirectly, compromised. If medical or ethical questions arise, we consult with each other . We are colleagues in Christ. The experience of the other physicians at the Tepeyac Family Center, coupled with best medical practice, and prayer that avails oneself to the power of the Holy Spirit, is demanded from us in these most critical of medical situations. We always care for both patients when a mother is pregnant. Neither person takes precedence over the other. We never intend the direct killing of one person so another person may live. Both are cared for as long as possible, and then when medically needed, the disease is treated. Persons are never diseases.

To recognize that there are situations whereby the "double effect" may take place, i.e., protecting the life of one person may have a significant effect on another.

Abortion, contraception, sterilization, and the manipulation of embryos are all fruits of the same tree: the tree that recognizes that human persons are treated as things. Since the development of these technologies, physicians have become technicians - manipulating, suppressing and disassembling a woman’s body predominantly, and to a lesser extent, a man’s body as well. We are knowledgeable in fertility awareness/natural family planning (NFP) and encourage its use.

We are capable of counseling on matters related to NFP, fertility and infertility.

We recognize that the virtuous application of NFP to postpone or attempt a pregnancy is the personal decision of a married couple prayerfully made. Upon request, we can give advice and counsel on the medical aspects of a future pregnancy.

We encourage the study of NFP for any woman (as well as her husband) who wants to become more familiar and cooperative with the hormonal language spoken by her body.

We believe that natural fertility awareness (NFP) can be used from menarche to menopause and beyond to identify normal and abnormal medical conditions.

We do not prescribe or encourage the use of contraceptive hormones or devices for birth control purposes. We also do not prescribe, encourage or perform tubal ligations for birth control purposes; nor do we prescribe, encourage or perform abortions for any circumstances.

We realize that these actions are neither good for the patient, nor for any relationship which the patient may enter. We explain and/or clarify the consequences of these actions from a medical and psychological point of view.

We love and welcome people; we use and want things. These actions turn people into objects that can be manipulated, and fracture and distort the total and permanent self-giving expressed in the`marital sexual embrace. (They remove or alter a major healthy, functioning part of the body for birth control purposes.)

Contraceptives, generally, are morally neutral and can be used to treat medical problems.

We refer patients with infertility problems to fertility centers when appropriate. We educate the patient:

To use a perforated condom to collect semen. This allows intercourse to be completed, while providing a specimen for the lab. Masturbation is always immoral. (It is an act of self-abuse.)

To understand that some couples have limited or no fertility. We work with these couples (within nature) to assist them to conceive a child through sexual intercourse. We do not counsel or encourage unnatural means of conception, e.g., in vitro fertilization.

To recognize our experience that mothers undergoing multiple embryo freezing, thawing or transfers weep and mourn their losses just as if they miscarried naturally.

To encourage assisting, but never replacing, marital sexual intercourse. Therefore, moving egg or sperm closer together around blocks can be considered morally and medically sound (e.g., GIFT).

To adopt children as an act of kindness and generosity on the part of parents if the circumstances warrant. Embryo adoption can be an option under certain circumstances.

Commitment to our Patients

We do not discriminate in patient care, providing the same quality care to patients who have commercial insurance, those who have Medicaid/Medicare, and those who have no means of paying.

We welcome patients of all faiths, ages, national origin, and any other differentiating characteristics based on the capacity of the practice. Currently, between 20-25% of the patients at Tepeyac Family Center do not have commercial health insurance.

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