OUR STORY
About Mount Vernon Hospital Gordon in Kenya
WHERE OUR STORY BEGAN
The origin of Mount Vernon Hospital Gordon in Kenya was inspired, among many other factors, by the biblical story of a man named Bartimaeus.
Bartimaeus was a blind man who made his living by begging. He sat by the roadside, dependent on the compassion of those who passed by. When he heard that Jesus was passing, he cried out for mercy. Although others tried to silence him, Bartimaeus continued to call out until Jesus heard him.
For Dr. Samuel Karimi, the story of Bartimaeus speaks to something much deeper than physical blindness.
Like Bartimaeus, many people in our communities live with conditions that may not always be visible, but can be equally debilitating.
Mental health and psychological challenges, poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, social isolation and difficult socioeconomic circumstances can leave people struggling to meet even their most basic needs.
As a result, many people who come to a doctor or are admitted to hospital are carrying more than a physical illness. Their struggles may involve the body, but they can also involve the mind, emotions, relationships, circumstances and spirit.
This is where the vision for Mount Vernon Hospital-Gordon was born.
We Have Heard Them
Many of those affected are young people.
A generation facing difficult social and economic circumstances can become vulnerable to sedentary lifestyles, alcohol and drug abuse, and other behaviours that can have lasting consequences. These challenges call for more than medication alone. They require public education, counselling, rehabilitation, compassionate support and an environment where people can begin to recover.
This is part of what makes Mount Vernon Hospital-Gordon different.
Our approach is person-centered and holistic. We seek to understand the person behind the illness and to address the different factors that affect their wellbeing. Our goal is not simply to treat symptoms, but to foster hope, rehabilitation and recovery.
Like Bartimaeus, many people experiencing these struggles also encounter another kind of blindness from society: discrimination, prejudice, rejection and silence.
Some begin to feel ostracized, unloved or unwanted. Their confidence and self-esteem can suffer, and they may eventually stop believing that anyone sees or cares about them.
At Mount Vernon Hospital-Gordon, we have heard them.
And just as Jesus was concerned about Bartimaeus and responded to his cry, we are concerned about the wellbeing of the people entrusted to our care and about the needs of the wider community we serve.
Bartimaeus asked Jesus to restore his sight.
In our own way, we want to help restore and inspire hope in the lives of people who are desperate, struggling or simply in need of someone to walk alongside them.
We believe healing can begin when a person knows that they have been seen, heard and valued.
WHAT GUIDES US
Vision, Mission and Values
Our Vision
To be a first class health facility dedicated to improving the health of the entire community, with special attention to the poor and the under- served.
Our Mission
To deliver high quality, compassionate and affordable healthcare to all, looking at every person from the perspective of body, mind, soul and emotion.
Our Values
Caring. Every staff member treats patients and families with kindness, professionalism, and respect for the diverse community we serve.
A HOSPITAL ROOTED IN COMMUNITY
Meet Our Leadership
Dr. Samuel Karimi
Founder & Managing Director
Mount Vernon Hospital Gordon was founded by Dr. Samuel Karimi, whose vision shaped both the hospital’s mission and its holistic, person-centered approach to care.
Nurse Rose Bernadette Wangui
Co-Director
Alongside Dr. Karimi, Nurse Rose Bernadette Wangui serves as Co-Director, bringing hands on nursing experience that helped shape the culture of kindness the hospital still holds today, a culture built on professionalism and treating every patient by name.
Their commitment to the community extends beyond the hospital walls. Through outreach visits to homes and neighbourhoods around Kipipiri – Kenya, they have spent years walking alongside people, listening to their concerns and building relationships one conversation at a time.
That connection with the community remains an important part of who we are.
We are more than a building with medical equipment. We are a team of nurses, clinicians, dentists and support staff who believe that healthcare should protect not only life, but also dignity, hope and the sense of belonging that every person deserves.
CARING FOR THE WHOLE PERSON
Our holistic approach can be seen in both our clinical care and in the environment we create for those who come through our doors.
Every member of our team has a role to play in creating an environment where patients feel welcomed, respected and cared for.
WALKING THIS JOURNEY TOGETHER
Dr. Karimi often returns to the story of Bartimaeus because it captures the heart of what Mount Vernon Hospital Gordon does.
Bartimaeus was overlooked. He cried out, someone heard him, and his life changed.
There are still people in our communities crying out in different ways. Some are asking for medical care. Others need counselling, rehabilitation, encouragement, education or simply someone willing to listen.
We want to be part of the response.
Our hope is to see people regain their health, rebuild their confidence, find hope and move forward with dignity. Together, we can declare to those who are struggling:
"GO, YOUR FAITH HAS HEALED YOU."
JOIN US IN THIS WORK
The work of caring for a community is bigger than any one hospital.
We are grateful for individuals, organisations and well-wishers who believe in this vision and want to stand with us through prayer, partnership, community support or other forms of assistance.
Supporting This Work Through Touch a Life Africa Mission
Mount Vernon Hospital Gordon is a Kenya-based healthcare organisation and does not hold its own U.S. 501(c)(3) status. As a result, we are not able to receive U.S. tax-deductible donations directly.
Those in the United States who wish to support this work can do so through our partner organisation, Touch a Life Africa Mission, which receives and administers gifts on our behalf.
We are grateful for this partnership and for every person who chooses to stand with us as we work to bring compassionate healthcare, hope and dignity to the people we serve.
Come and Meet Us
Our story is best understood not only through words, but through the people we serve and the community in which we work.
If this vision resonates with you, we welcome you to visit Mount Vernon Hospital Gordon in Kenya, learn more about our work and see for yourself the community we are privileged to serve.