Tenwek Hospital
Mission: Tenwek Hospital, Bomet Kenya.
Profile: Tenwek is a 300 bed Christian mission hospital that serves a population of about 800,000 in Southwest Kenya. It serves as a surgery referral center for the entire region of more than 8.5 million people. The hospital started as a small clinic in the 1930's and the first doctor came in 1959. It has five modern operating theatres in a new surgical and educational facility plus additional Ob/Gyn, Ophthalamology and Endoscopy theatres, where more than 5,000 surgeries are performed each year. Tenwek has an extensive medical library with internet services, laparoscopy, endoscopy, research in esophageal cancer and other areas, diagnostic radiology, laboratory, cytopathology and physical therapy services. Tenwek's surgical faculty consists of American and African board certified general surgeons along with many international visiting general surgeons and specialists each year. Recently, Tenwek commissioned the first CT Scanner in this area.
Currently, Tenwek serves as a training institution for Kenyan MO and CO interns and in 2005, began training Family Practice residents. In 2008, Tenwek began a general surgery training program in partnership with PAACS and COSECSA (College of Surgeons for East, Central and Southern Africa). Areas of surgical excellence include Cardiac, Gastrointestinal, Thoracic, Trauma, Orthopedic, Pediatric, Surgical Oncology, Endoscopy and Research. The motto at Tenwek is "We treat, Jesus heals" and is evident in the lives of Tenwek patients.
Time Difference: +7 hours DST ahead of Eastern time, +8 hours ahead of US Eastern Standard Time
Travel: Commercial airlines to Nairobi, then a 3-4 hour drive to Tenwek. The road is now paved all the way.
Location: Tenwek is located near the town of Bomet, approximately 240 kilometers northwest of Nairobi. Map
Language: English and Swahili are the official languages of the hospital and the records are written in English. Many of the patients who come speak Swahili or other tribal dialects. Major ethnic groups in the Tenwek area are Kipsigis, Maasai and Kisii.
Climate: The climate at Tenwek boasts a year-round moderate and pleasant climate despite being only 160 kilometers south of the Equator because of it's location in the highlands at 6,700 feet (2,070 meters). This area averages 54-55 inches of rain each year during the two rainy seasons, Nov-Dec and Mar-June. Temperatures in the daytime are in the 70's and nightime temperatures are in the 50's.
Housing: Most short-term visitors stay in the guest house, while families and long-term volunteers may be housed in vacant missionary houses as available. Room and board charges cover food, water, cooking gas, electricity and upkeep. Those staying longer than one month may want to hire household help. Local shopping is available for fruits/vegatables, along with a number of shops at Tenwek or a short drive away.
Resident Applications: To find out additional information about becoming a resident or to download an application form, please click here.
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| Dr. Carol Spears Assistant Program Director |
Dr. Russ White, Program Director | Dr. Mike Chupp, Assistant Program Director |
| Program Faculty: Dr Russ White,
PAACS Program Director and Medical Superintendant; Dr. Carol Spears,
General Surgery and Assistant PAACS Program Director; Dr. Mike Chupp
(General Surgery and Assistant Program Director); Dr. Chukwudie
Okorie (Urology); Dr. Steve Burgert
(Gastroenterology) and Dr. Dan Galat (Orthopedic). Beds: 300(60 Surgical) Operating Rooms: 5 Began Training Residents: January, 2008 for PAACS residents Maximum number of PAACS residents: 8 |
