Dr. Tonya Hawthorne
Dr. Tonya Hawthorne, DO, is a graduate of Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. Prior to attending Kirksville, she attended Southeastern College in Lakeland, Florida, where she studied to become a missionary. After graduating from Southeastern, she began to pursue a career in medicine. It had been her lifelong dream to become a doctor and combine medicine with missionary work.
Dr. Hawthorne graduated in 1992 as part of the Centennial class that celebrated 100 years of Osteopathy. She went on to do her Internship and Family Practice Medicine Residency at Sun Coast Hospital in Largo, Florida.
It became apparent early on that her medical practice could not be confined to traditional operations. She was constantly traveling to various countries to share the gift of healing with those who had no hope. In 1997, Dr. Hawthorne founded a Faith-based, non-profit humanitarian medical organization called New Frontiers Health Force, Inc. And, in 1998, she left traditional medical practice to pursue her dream. For the first ten years, she traveled the globe to remote villages and in disaster areas bringing quality medical care. She has been in over 40 countries Land touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. In 2002, she was recognized by George W. Bush, President of the United States, for her global volunteer work. In addition, she has received many awards for her medical and humanitarian work
In 2006, Dr. Hawthorne began a new project of long-term health care in Ngoswani, Kenya. There she established a health center that provides continuity of care to thousands of Masai villagers. The Ngoswani Community Health Center offers primary care services, urgent care, X-ray, Antenatal, Labor and Delivery, Immunizations, Pharmacy, and laboratory. The Health Center employs licensed Kenyan medical staff who help provide 24-hour care.
Dr. Hawthorne is also involved in education, taking students from around the USA to train, mentor, and disciple. She is one of four medical centers designated by the American Osteopathic Association DO Care that educates medical students, interns, and residents in Tropical and Bush medicine.
Along with her teammate, Rev. Linda Brown, she co-pastors Good Shepherd Fellowship, where they are working to raise up Masai leaders. Education and empowerment are principles that they work from. Dr. Hawthorne is the primary instructor for the ISOLD program (International School of Leadership and Development). She is also involved in community education with Linda’s Kids Academy, which currently educates 120 children with her teammate Rev. Linda Brown.
When people remark that she is extraordinary for sharing her medical gift with the world, she says, “Truly, it is my privilege and honor to serve those who would otherwise have no hope.”
Project #065-0971
