Franklin Fowler

From There to Here Franklin Fowler

In 1947, Franklin and Dorcas Fowler arrived in Asunción, Paraguay as missionaries with the Southern Baptist International Mission Board. Their task was to build a hospital. Two years later, after surveying the needs, deciding on a location, and purchasing property, Dr. Fowler sent a cable to the then-Foreign Mission Board: "HOW DO YOU BUILD A HOSPITAL?" Dr. Fowler soon received a simple reply from Dr. Everett Gill, FMB's Area Secretary for the Americas: "WE ARE PRAYING FOR YOU." Today the Baptist Medical Center in Asunción continues to treat about 16,000 patients a month. Now under Paraguayan leadership, they have a reputation for excellent medical care. In 1995, the Baptist Medical Center expanded to include a heart institute, and the next year, doctors there performed Paraguay's first successful heart transplant. Dr. Fowler, who left Paraguay in 1956 to accept an assignment in Mexico, was appointed in 1960 as the FMB's first medical consultant. Based in Richmond, Dr. Fowler focused on missionary health and started the Baptist Medical/Dental Fellowship, which remains active today. Dr. Fowler recently celebrated his 100th birthday with his wife, Dorcas, at his side. The two have lived at Lakewood, a continuing care retirement community in Richmond's West End since 1987. In retirement, Dr. Fowler has continued to write and paint, chronicling his amazing journey from "there to here" for his children and grandchildren.