History of Compassion Evangelical Hospital

  • 2004

    • April

      • Compassion Evangelical Hospital Feasibility Committee met on April 19.
      • Approved Dr. Dwight and Debbie Slater and family's 3rd exploratory trip to Guinea to examine the feasibility of the creation of a mission hospital.

    • July/August

      • Slater family's 6 week trip to Guinea.
      • Enthusiastic support from nationals and other missions.

    • September

      • Compassion Evangelical Hospital incorporated in Michigan, U.S.A.

    • October

      • October 9th: "Founders Meeting" – the first official meeting of the newly incorporated Compassion Evangelical Hospital.
      • Governing board of 8 members and 15 advisory committee members chosen.

    • December

      • 501c3 status request submitted

  • 2005

    • February

      • Second Board Meeting on February 5th.
      • Dr. Dwight Slater's 4th trip to Guinea.
      • Dialogued with Ministry of Health, and requested signed contract to approve the CEH ministry.
      • Land requested from the Governor of Mamou District.
      • Recruited builder and spoke with potential medical staff.

    • March

      • Developed station layout plans with Dr. Kristen Schmaltz

    • April

      • Third Board Meeting
      • African Nursing Scholarship fund established by Northwood Baptist Church
      • Guinean Minister of Health gave written support for establishing CEH.
      • Land purchase finalized by the Governor of Mamou.

    • August

      • Finance Committee established prospective budget and wrote financial principles for IRS

    • September

      • 501c3 granted by U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
      • Dr. Slater's 5th trip to Guinea.
      • Dr. Schmaltz assisted Dr. Slater in requesting written permission to open CEH from the Minister of Health.
      • The land, construction team and future medical team were dedicated by Christians in Mamou on September 29, 2005.

    • October

      • 4th Board meeting on 15th.
      • Audit planned.
      • Preliminary requests for membership in Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and Interdenominational Foreign Missions Association submitted.
      • The land, construction team and future medical team were dedicated by Christians in Mamou on September 29, 2005.

  • 2006

    • January

      • 5th Board Meeting.
      • Electricians from Tech Serv, Inc. introduced.
      • Blueprints for CEH approved.

    • February

      • Tech Serve electrical team visits Guinea to survey site and define building requirements.

    • April

      • Dr. Slater's 6th visit to Guinea.
      • Meeting with Dr. Kristen Schmaltz, MD., the Guinean Minister of Health, and Mr. Seth Johnson, first CEH construction supervisor.

    • May

      • Over 300 Prayer Guides distributed to donors and others.

    • October

      • Kristen Schmaltz, MD, Pediatrician, appointed as the first full-time CEH missionary.
      • M. Étienne Ouatarra accepted position as Hospital Administrator.
      • Samaritan's Purse and World Medical Mission gave preliminary approval to partnering with CEH.

    • November

      • Guinean Ministry of Health approved opening of CEH Clinic.
      • CEH applied to L'AEMEG (Association of Evangelical Missions and Churches) for membership.

    • December

      • The first two 20 foot containers filled with electrical and medical supplies shipped to Guinea.

  • 2007

    • February

      • National strikes in Guinea result in violence and unrest.
      • Continued construction of buildings: garage, generator area, mission guest house, clinic, lab and pharmacy.

    • April

      • Installation of electrical network
      • Tech Serve, Inc. electrical team begins three months of work in Guinea.

    • May

      • Dr. Slater, Autumn Ridge Church and Mayo Clinic team visited Guinea and met with Minister of Health and Deans of Medical School: Collaboration for medical education in Conakry and at CEH discussed.
      • Containers number 3 and 4 shipped.

    • June

      • The first well was drilled.

    • July

      • Lester and Lyn Schmaltz (Dr. Kristen's parents) assist in construction and administrative set up.

    • September

      • Nine national medical workers hired.
      • The first annual spiritual retreat held.

    • November

      • The final deed for the land was received from the local government.
      • CEH clinic opens.

  • 2008

    • Overview

      • First full year of operation
      • 9,000 patients consulted
      • Compassion Evangelical Hospital Guest House is completed

  • 2009

    • Overview

      • Second full year of operation
      • 17, 500 patients consulted
      • Container of medical supplies ships and arrives in record time
      • Dwight Slater’s 7th trip to Guinea
      • Massacre in Conakry slows construction and halts medical teams and individuals from US
      • Guest House first occupied by a short term service group
      • November: Dedication of the Inpatient Services Ward and the Nurses Station
      • Medical/Pediatric Wards were completed
      • Patient revenue totaled $90,000
      • Donations from US totaled $91,000. Of that amount, $25,000 paid for pharmaceuticals from Europe.

  • 2010

    • Overview

      • The Compassion Evangelical Staff in Guinea has grown to 24 medical/administrative personnel and 20 construction security personnel
      • Currently, Compassion Evangelical Staff consult approximately 80 patients a day with a maximum of 110 patients a day
      • Excellent reputation and quality care, including chronic wound care attracts patients from neighboring Senegal and Sierra Leone
      • Compassion Evangelical Hospital staff have done medical outreach trips to two neighboring villages, implementing community health programs in those locations