A Tribute to Tom Thomas, Founder of Holy Innocents Children's Hospital Uganda, Inc.

Harold J. “Tom” Thomas, founder of Holy Innocents Children’s Hospital Uganda, passed away on Sept. 16, 2011. He was 82. Tom was the force that made the hospital a reality. When Ugandan Archbishop Paul Bakyenga visited San Diego in 2005, Tom asked the Archbishop if there was anything Tom could do to be of assistance. Archbishop Bakyenga replied, “Yes, you can build the first children’s hospital in Uganda. Too many children die from malaria and other treatable diseases.”  Others may have shied away from that challenge, but not Tom. In 2006 he began planning for the hospital. In 2007 he put together a team of medical, business, academic and legal professionals as well as local and Ugandan clergy, and guided the team with a vision of “Better health through better medical care and prevention for the children of Mbarara, Uganda.”

Through Tom’s inspiration, the team broke ground in 2008, completed the hospital in 2009, and at the time of Tom's passing the hospital had treated over 40,000 children. Everyone who was close to the hospital project in its early days acknowledges that, were it not for Tom, there would be no hospital. 
Archbishop Bakyenga wrote a letter of condolence to Tom’s family and friends, describing Tom as a man of foresight, hardworking, with “a soft spot for children.”  Archbishop Bakyenga’s letter can be found here.

Tom’s vision, compassion and action have resulted in thousands of children being saved. Rest in peace, Tom, and may God bless you for a job well done…!