Year Joined MKLM: 1984
Country: Kenya
City: Kiminini
Focus: Healthcare
Project(s): Kitale Primary Healthcare
People Served:
Project Goal(s): To provide high quality affordable healthcare to all regardless of race, creed, gender or religion, with special attention to the poor and marginalized. |  |
Personal Data
Susan is originally from Urbana, Illinois, in the Diocese of Peoria. She completed her undergraduate study at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She received her medical degree from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. Before joining MKLM, Susan served on missions trips to Appalachia, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.
Susan’s entire ministry with Maryknoll has been in Africa. She began in Tanzania where she served for 6 years providing primary health care and renovating a health center. In 1991 she moved to southern Sudan to begin a primary health care program for the Diocese of Torit. The Diocese was in the midst of a civil war, and she had to move from place to place, so this was not possible. She established several dispensaries and health centers in various parishes. She also began a TB treatment program that treated over 500 people before it had to be closed because of the war. At one point she was the only doctor for more than 30,000 displaced persons in two camps. Current Ministry
Susan moved to Kitale in December 2003 and works in Kiminini, a small town 20km (12 miles) from Kitale in the Trans-Nzoia District. Kitale is a town of about 50,000. The District has an absolute poverty level of 55%. The combination of poverty and AIDS has resulted in a health crisis in the area. Susan works as the physician at Kiminini Cottage Hospital. This is a 30-bed cottage hospital run by the Diocese. Recently the Diocese has renewed efforts to improve the quality of service there. Susan’s ministry directly responds to their appeal for help. The hospital performs minor surgery, has a pharmacy and laboratory. One of their programs is Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS. The hospital serves many who have “opportunistic” infections due to AIDS. Susan works in direct patient care, teaches health care staff and does work in administration. She also serves as the Medical Advisor to the Health Coordinator for the Diocese of Kitale. She provides supervision, teaching and consultations through ongoing visits. Her medical skills and extensive experience in Africa make a valuable contribution to the health care needs of poor and less fortunate people in Kenya. |
