About Me
A Passion for Others
Dr. Susan Vitalis carries a deep passion for helping the helpless, bringing hope to the hopeless, and empowering those who feel powerless. A graduate of Oak Grove Lutheran School in Fargo, North Dakota, Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, she completed her Family Medicine residency in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Susan went on to split her time between Minnesota and communities around the world. Throughout her life, Susan has been to 33 countries including Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Rwanda, Central African Republic, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Albania, Mongolia, and Tibet. Alongside her international work, she has volunteered in countless capacities closer to home.
Throughout her life, Susan has navigated unforeseen events and unexpected turns that have continually reshaped her vocation, calling, and passion. With each stumbling block, she has found her way back to a place of peace — sensing God's presence and love, and hearing Him whisper reassurance that He has a plan.
Contact Susan"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
World Traveler
Susan's medical mission work has carried her to some of the most remote and underserved corners of the earth. From the plains of Kenya to the mountains of Tibet, she has served communities in profound need — witnessing both the depths of human suffering and the extraordinary heights of resilience, faith, and hope.
Her experiences across Somalia, Southern Sudan, Rwanda, Central African Republic, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Albania, Mongolia, and Tibet have forever shaped her understanding of medicine, humanity, and the quiet power of showing up for others.
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Medical Experiences Abroad
A lifetime of service across four continents
Three-month medical rotation during fourth year of medical school in China, studying Cardiology, Infectious Diseases and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Three months of volunteer work at Tenwek Hospital in rural Kenya, East Africa in 1990; working in a 299-bed hospital, seeing both inpatients and outpatients.
Six weeks of volunteer work in Mogadishu, Somalia in spring 1993; working in mobile medical clinics in Mogadishu and the surrounding area.
Six months of volunteer work in Somalia and then southern Sudan from September 1993 – March 1994; continuing work in Somalia and then to southern Sudan, working in a small village providing basic medical care and educating the local Community Health Workers and Traditional Birth Attendants.
Two months of volunteer work in Rwanda in spring 1995; working to enable the Central Hospital in Kigali to become functional during the civil war.
Three months of volunteer work in Bosnia-Herzegovina from March 1996 – June 1996 as the Medical Coordinator; assessing the needs of the medical community following the civil war, writing proposals for various projects and implementing these projects.
As Project Administrator for a Children's Heart Program, traveled to Bosnia, Kosovo, Albania, Mongolia and Tibet to help train local physicians in selection of children who are candidates for heart surgery in the U.S.
Four weeks in India, January 2010, studying Community Based Primary Health Care in Jamkhed and at the Christian Medical College in Vellore. Susan also visited Bethesda Hospital in Ambur and Danish Mission Hospital in Thirukkovilur.
Seven weeks in the Central African Republic (CAR), June/July 2010, filling in as Medical Director for Emmanuel Health Center in Gallo in addition to starting community education in outlying villages.
Two weeks in Egypt and Jordan, Oct. 2010, with the ministry Joni and Friends, Wheels for the World, Joni Erickson Tada.
Two weeks in CAR, Nov. 2010, representing Global Health Ministries at Lutheran Partners meetings.
Four weeks in CAR, Feb/March 2011, working with Community Based Primary Health Care Program. Returned in June/July 2012 and planned repeated trips to continue to help with CBPHC.
"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up."
Ephesians 4:11-12
Current Life
Dr. Vitalis makes her home in Battle Lake, Minnesota, where she swims, stand-up paddle-boards, walks her dog, speaks, and writes. Montana — where she was born in Whitefish and spent her early years in Billings — will always hold a piece of her heart. Some of her best writing happened in a secluded mountain cabin in Southwest Montana. Today, she serves as Director of Prayer Intercessor Ministry for Mount Caramel Ministries and as Global Health Ministries Partner Advocate for Central African Republic.
Read Her Book"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Galatians 2:20
