Dr. Tom Catena, an Ivy League-educated doctor from Amsterdam, New York, dedicated his life to mission work after graduating from medical school. He spent time doing mission work in Kenya and eventually decided to move to Sudan after meeting people with connections to the country. In 2008, he relocated to Sudan to work at the Mother of Mercy Hospital in the Nuba Mountains where he has been ever since. Despite the challenging living conditions and lack of modern medical equipment, Catena remains committed to his work and faith, believing that God is looking out for him and the people he serves.
The Nuba Mountains in southern Sudan are extremely isolated and underdeveloped, with limited access to basic necessities like running water and electricity. Catena, along with his family, lives a basic lifestyle with no modern amenities in their compound. The Mother of Mercy Hospital is the only healthcare facility in the area serving over a million people. Catena works tirelessly, seeing hundreds of patients a day and always being on call to meet the medical needs of the community. The hospital has limited resources, relying on solar panels and a backup generator for power.
When Catena first arrived at Mother of Mercy Hospital in 2008, there were very few trained medical personnel, with the staff consisting mainly of untrained locals and a few Catholic nuns. Over the years, the hospital has grown significantly, now having 270 staff members, with over 50 formally trained in healthcare. The hospital also has a training school to educate students to become physician assistants and midwives. Despite the challenges, Catena’s dedication to his patients and his faith has been unwavering, motivating him to keep going in the face of adversity.
Catena’s strong faith is the driving force behind his work in Sudan. He credits his faith with keeping him in the region, despite the hardship and tragedy he faces on a daily basis. Catena’s commitment to his work, along with the support of organizations like African Mission Healthcare, has helped transform the hospital over the years. Despite the risks and challenges, Catena remains positive, believing that God is looking out for him and the people he serves.
Despite the harsh conditions and risks associated with working in Sudan, Catena remains positive, believing that his work is a testament to faith, commitment, and compassion. He continues to provide essential medical care to the community, ranging from delivering babies to treating war injuries. Catena’s recent adoption of two sons and becoming a father has added to his worries but has not dampened his faith. The work of Catena and his team is viewed as a masterpiece of faith and commitment, exemplifying the power of dedication and compassion in the face of adversity.
In conclusion, Dr. Tom Catena’s remarkable journey from an Ivy League education to a remote hospital in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan showcases the transformative power of faith and commitment. Despite the lack of modern amenities and resources, Catena remains steadfast in his mission to provide medical care and support to the underserved community. His unwavering faith, dedication, and compassion have not only impacted the lives of those he serves but also inspired others to support and join in his mission. Catena’s work serves as a testament to the resilience and strength that can be found in the face of adversity, offering hope and healing to those in need.
