a step along the way

Dr. Richard and Mrs. Loretta Stoughton are serving at St. Theresa's hospital in Zimbabwe. They first served in the country from 1970 - 1975 along with their seven children.

The family returned to Wisconsin until Dr. Stoughton retired from practice in Shawano WI in 2000. Returning to Zimbabwe Dr. Stoughton noted that there had been progress over his 25 year absence with deep wells, improved sanitation, and universal immunization for childhood illnesses. However, HIV/AIDS, opportunistic TB and problems related to the nutritional had all but wiped out the advances.

Work began to introduce antiretroviral drug treatment including procedure to reduce the transmission of HIV from mother to child.

Despite the challenges faced today, St. Theresa's Hospital continues to be an oasis of hope.
As the months pass, Dick and Loretta will be sharing their experinces with all of us.

To start, archive letters are available here, beginning with an invitation to other Catholic Doctors to consider this type of service in retirement.