“The highlight and greatest joy of the year has been watching the Outpatient Clinic move from dream to reality.” These were our words to you back in 2008 when we circulated our very first Annual Report.  Much has changed since the opening of FAME Medical a decade ago. We could not have imagined then where your generosity and support would take us over the next 10 years – how FAME Medical would grow from a small outpatient clinic to a modern hospital with surgical capabilities, a top-tier laboratory and radiology service, and a comprehensive maternal and child health program. 

There is nothing quite like a personal health crisis to deepen one’s appreciation for just how far a team and organization have come. We faced just that in 2018, with both of us experiencing our own medical emergencies and thankfully finding ourselves in the very capable hands of FAME doctors and nurses, lab and radiology techs, volunteer specialists and (in Frank’s case) eventually Nairobi-based infectious disease specialists – all working together to coordinate our care. While the highlight of 2008 was the opening of the Outpatient Clinic, our greatest source of joy a decade later, is without a doubt our all Tanzanian team – those doctors and nurses who exemplify their commitment to patient-centered care and life-long learning and their service to the community every single day in Karatu, Tanzania.  

It is our pleasure to introduce the 2018 Annual Report. In it, we have tried to capture a decade of service at FAME Medical and another exciting and successful year of providing patient-centered care to underserved communities in our district and region.  Sustained progress in any organization requires enormous commitment and investment over time. We are honored to have worked with such deeply committed partners over the last decade, individuals and organizations that have shared our vision for healthier rural communities, where individuals from all walks of life have access to quality medical care and frontline healthcare workers have the resources they need to treat disease and save lives. 

As you read this report, we hope you are inspired to join with us in achieving more great things together AND tackling the challenges we will inevitably face going forward, as we strive to serve our community and beyond.

Finally, I would like to dedicate this report to my Dad, Phillip Gustafson, who passed away on December 17 this year. Compassionate, gentle and kind, he was my greatest teacher, and I miss him. 

With Love & Deepest Gratitude Always,

Susan & Frank

 FAME Medical Turns 10!

169,079 patient visits in the Outpatient Clinic in 10 years!

FAME Diagnostics

A heartfelt thank you!