<p><a href="https://peterattiamd.com/tomcatena/?utm_source=podcast-feed&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=231120-pod-tomcatena&utm_content=231120-pod-tomcatena-podfeed"> View the Show Notes Page for This Episode</a></p> <p><a href="https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/?utm_source=podcast-feed&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=231120-pod-tomcatena&utm_content=231120-pod-tomcatena-podfeed"> Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content</a></p> <p><a href="https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/?utm_source=podcast-feed&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=231120-pod-tomcatena&utm_content=231120-pod-tomcatena-podfeed"> Sign Up to Receive Peter's Weekly Newsletter</a></p> <p>To support Tom's mission and work, please visit: https://africanmissionhealthcare.org/donation/catena/.</p> <p> </p> <p>In this episode, Tom Catena, a missionary physician who runs Mother of Mercy Hospital in the Nuba Mountains in Sudan, describes some of his extraordinary work as the only doctor in a remote, war-torn region of Africa. In terms of individual lives saved, you could argue that there is no other person on the front lines doing more than Tom. Additionally, we explore the manner in which the Nuba people die, which is in striking contrast to the ubiquity of chronic disease and self-harm in the West, despite the extreme poverty and unimaginable suffering experienced by the Nuba people. Lastly, we discuss the lessons to be gleaned from the Nuba people, who, despite their suffering, live so harmoniously, happily, and resiliently.</p> <p><strong>We discuss:</strong></p> <ul type="disc"> <li>Background, medical training, and early days of missionary work in Africa [5:15];</li> <li>Tom arrives at Mother of Mercy Hospital in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan, civil war breaks out, and his staff evacuates [12:30];</li> <li>Learning surgery on the job and earning the trust of the community [37:00];</li> <li>The amazing people of Nuba, and why Nuba feels like home to Tom [47:45];</li> <li>NY Times article about Tom's work, and Tom's new venture on the board of the Aurora Prize Foundation, raising awareness and funds for other missionaries [59:45];</li> <li>Tom's mind-blowing ability to deal with chaos while seeing hundreds of patients per day [1:12:00];</li> <li>The most afraid Tom has ever been, and how he copes with the emotional trauma of his daily experiences [1:19:45];</li> <li>The basic tools, technologies, and medicines that Tom is lacking that could save many lives [1:30:00];</li> <li>The logistical challenge of helping Tom's hospital, and what Tom really needs [1:35:15];</li> <li>Diseases in the adult population [1:38:30];</li> <li>Living without possessions, finding meaning, and being a missionary [1:55:45];</li> <li>Happiness, sense of purpose, and suicide: contrasting the US with Nuba [2:07:15];</li> <li>Other than donations, is there a way people can help Tom and other similar causes? [2:15:15];</li> <li>The food in Nuba [2:18:30];</li> <li>Tom's annual bout of malaria [2:23:45];</li> <li>Patients Tom will never forget [2:26:00];</li> <li>Resources for people wanting to get involved in helping Tom's work [2:31:00];</li> <li>Peter tells a story that defines Tom [2:32:00]; and</li> <li>More.</li> </ul> <p>Connect With Peter on <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterAttiaMD">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/peterattiamd/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/peterattiamd/">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8kGsMa0LygSX9nkBcBH1Sg">YouTube</a></p>
Actionable Insights
1. Value Individual Impact
When faced with overwhelming global problems, focus on the profound impact of helping one individual at a time, recognizing that saving a single life is a “huge thing” and can stave off burnout and cynicism.
2. Find Meaning Beyond Materialism
Actively seek a sense of meaning in life that is not tied to material possessions, as true fulfillment and satisfaction are found in immaterial pursuits and contributions.
3. Align Career with Core Purpose
Consider pursuing a career path, like medicine, that aligns with a long-held desire for mission work or helping underserved populations, as this can lead to a deeply fulfilling life.
4. Prioritize Impact in Tough Choices
In high-stakes situations, make decisions based on the direct, undeniable impact of your presence, especially when your absence would lead to severe negative consequences for others.
5. Lead by Example, Not Just Words
Strive to “preach always and sometimes use words” by demonstrating values and love through actions and service, rather than relying solely on verbal communication.
To cope with psychological and emotional draining situations, draw strength from personal faith and the resilience of the community you serve, using their perseverance as motivation to continue.
7. Simplify Life Through Minimalism
Cultivate detachment from material possessions to simplify life and potentially find greater contentment, as having less can make things much easier.
8. Advocate for Global Oppressed
Use your voice and influence to advocate for people in politically unstable regions who are oppressed or facing difficult lives due to poverty, poor health, or lack of education, influencing government policies and funding.
9. Support Longevity Science Content
Become a premium member at peteratiyahmd.com/subscribe to support content without paid ads and gain access to exclusive member-only benefits, taking your health knowledge to the next level.
10. Donate to Dr. Catena’s Mission
Support Dr. Tom Catena’s work directly via the link in the show notes, as it provides “unquestionably the highest ROI money” for changing lives in the Nuba Mountains.
11. Learn Skills Through Mentorship
To acquire new complex skills, actively seek out experienced individuals willing to teach and assist you in a hands-on manner, treating it like an informal residency to build confidence and breadth of practice.
12. Address Aid’s Logistical Hurdles
When supporting global health initiatives, recognize that logistics are often the biggest challenge; consider how to help organizations overcome complex procurement, transport, and delivery issues for essential supplies.
13. Maximize Presence, Minimize Distractions
Even with demanding work, prioritize being fully present in personal relationships by eliminating distractions like TV, radio, and commutes, fostering deeper connection during shared time.
14. Prepare for Future Threats
After experiencing intense fear and vulnerability, immediately implement protective measures (e.g., digging foxholes) to mitigate future similar threats, even if they seem unlikely beforehand.
In resource-limited settings, prioritize investment in robust, user-friendly diagnostic equipment (e.g., a “Piccolo” chemistry analyzer) that is “doctor-proof” and requires minimal training and sensitive maintenance.
16. Adopt Digital X-ray Technology
Adopt modern, small, lightweight digital X-ray machines that are simple to operate, produce high-quality images on a laptop, and allow for post-processing adjustments, reducing variable costs and infrastructure needs.
17. Prevent Cervical Cancer: HPV Vaccine
Support the widespread availability and integration of the HPV vaccine (e.g., Gardasil) into health systems for young girls and boys to prevent cervical cancer.
18. Implement Cervical Cancer “See & Treat”
For early cervical cancer prevention, implement “see and treat” techniques where the cervix is painted with a substance to identify irregularities, followed by cryotherapy to freeze and destroy precancerous cells.
19. Vaccinate Newborns for Hep B
If in a region with high Hepatitis B prevalence (e.g., ~20% in pregnant women), vaccinate newborns immediately after birth to prevent transmission and future complications.
20. Consider Not Taking Malaria Prophylaxis (Personal)
Dr. Catena personally chooses not to take malaria prophylaxis throughout the year, opting instead to treat the disease once contracted, due to a preference to avoid continuous drug use.