About

About Me

Susan M. Vitalis, M.D.

Dr. Susan Vitalis has a deep passion for helping the helpless, bringing hope to the hopeless, and empowering those who feel powerless.

After graduating from Oak Grove Lutheran School in Fargo, North Dakota, Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, she completed a Family Medicine residency in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Susan subsequently split her time between Minnesota and other parts of the world, including Kenya, Somalia, Southern Sudan, Rwanda, Central African Republic, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Albania, Mongolia, Tibet, Egypt and Jordan. In addition to her international work, she has volunteered locally in numerous capacities.

Throughout Susan’s life, she has faced many unforeseen events and obstacles that continually change the path of her vocation, calling and passion. With each stumbling block, Susan has ultimately found her way to a place of feeling God’s presence and love while listening to Him whisper her name, giving reassurance that He has a plan.

Dr. Vitalis lives in Battle Lake, Minnesota, where she spends her time swimming, stand up paddle-boarding (SUP), walking her dog, speaking and writing. Whenever possible, she loves spending time with family! Having been born in Whitefish and spending her early years in Billings – Montana will always be a part of Susan. Some of her best writing is done in a secluded cabin in the mountains of Montana. During the long winters in Minnesota, Susan loves visiting friends in Maui!

Currently, Dr. Vitalis is the Director of Prayer Intercessor Ministry for Mount Caramel Ministries and also Global Health Ministries Partner Advocate for Central African Republic.

For more information about Mount Caramel Ministries, please visit their site here…

For more information about Global Health Ministries, please visit their site here…

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Board Certified American Academy of Family Physicians

Medical Experiences Abroad

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 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 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 working with 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 plan repeated trips to continue to help with CBPHC.