“After PICU rounds, I generally worked and taught the residents in the ‘Resuscitation Room.’ I tried not to get too involved and instead direct the residents and provided recommendations to them. I also helped them lead resuscitation efforts of which there were many. As their approach was somewhat different from the western approach, I always discussed therapy with the residents and asked for their opinion. I learned a great deal from them.“
-HVO Pediatrics Volunteer
READY TO VOLUNTEER?
There are multiple steps to the placement process and often more than one approval is required. The process varies slightly from country-to-country and project-to-project. We strive to make this process as quick as possible but potential volunteers should be aware that final approval can take several months.
- To begin the placement process, complete the volunteer application and submit your CV.
ACTIVE PROJECTS
Thimphu, Bhutan—Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWDRH)
This project involves training pediatric residents, interns, medical officers, and nurses. Activities may include leading journal clubs and discussions, providing case presentations and discussion, bedside clinical teaching and demonstration, seminars, workshops, and conferences on topics deemed important by department leadership, participating in grand rounds and weekly faculty lectures.
Project type: In-person only
Length of assignment: One month minimum
Qualifications: Volunteers must have a current license and be board eligible and certified. Residents are not eligible for this project. Volunteers may be retired or in active practice, or they may be pediatricians in academic practice. Subspecialists are needed. General pediatricians are also needed but encouraged to commit to two months or longer.
Preferred volunteer subspecialties and topic areas include:
- Primary: intensive care, neonatology, and cardiology.
- Secondary: neurology, nephrology, and developmental pediatrics.
- Tertiary: gastroenterology, endocrinology, and child psychiatry.
In 2024, the government of Bhutan began enforcing new immigration legislation that HVO must follow: a work permit cannot be issued to volunteers who are over the age of 65. As a result, all volunteers MUST be under the age of 65 at the time of their assignment in order to qualify for a work permit.
Housing: Housing is available on a first-come, first served basis. Let HVO staff know that you’re interested in housing so that necessary arrangements can be made.
Companions allowed: Bhutan’s immigration regulations do not allow volunteers who are staying less than 90 days to bring family members. For longer stays, volunteers may bring a spouse. Not suitable for minors.
Siem Reap, Cambodia – Angkor Hospital for Children (AHC)
HVO volunteers will contribute to improving and maintaining the quality of inpatient and outpatient pediatric care at AHC, working to improve the pediatric residency-training program and broaden professional perspectives and development opportunities for senior staff.
Project type: Hybrid (in-person and virtual)
Length of assignment: 1 month
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified; current license to practice (active or retired); hospital-based general pediatricians or sub-specialists with experience in hospital setting; teaching and/or clinical supervision experience required. No opportunities for those-in-training.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions allowed: Adults and minors.
Luang Prabang, Laos – Lao Friends Hospital for Children (LFHC)
HVO volunteers will provide continuing education, bedside teaching, case conferences, and mentoring, as well as organize journal clubs and other educational sessions for LFHC physicians, nurses and other health care staff. Volunteers will also provide teaching and training to pediatric residents at the site. In addition, HVO volunteers will collaborate with LFHC staff to develop presentations and engage in co-teaching opportunities.
Project type: In-person only
Length of assignment: 2 months recommended
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified; current license to practice (active or retired); hospitalists, pediatric emergency physicians or sub-specialists in cardiology, infectious disease, intensive care, neurology or other subspecialists preferred. No opportunities for those-in-training.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions allowed: Adults and minors.
Kabale, Uganda – Kabale University School of Medicine (KABSOM)
Working with the academic staff of KABSOM, HVO volunteers will support the training of medical students and pediatric residents. Volunteers will also work with pediatrics personnel to improve skills and knowledge, focusing on subspecialties identified by KABSOM.
Project type: In-person only
Length of assignment: 1-4 weeks
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified (active or retired) pediatrician and pediatric subspecialists. Final year residents accepted if paired with an appropriate preceptor.
Housing: Housing provided.
Companions: Adults only, no minors.
Pediatric Hematology Opportunities – Cambodia, Tanzania and Uganda
Opportunities are available for pediatric hematologists to improve training in hematology for clinicians, laboratory technicians, technologists, and students. Activities may include giving lectures to clinical and laboratory staff, going on rounds, or working in the laboratory depending on individual expertise. Assignments are two to four weeks.
Pediatric Oncology Opportunities – Bhutan, Honduras and Vietnam
Opportunities are available for pediatric oncologists to provide teaching and training to staff, residents and students at sites in Asia and Latin America. Training activities fall under several main categories including, but not limited to: pathology, cancer control, medical/surgical/radiation oncology seminars and/or workshops, curriculum development and student and resident education. Assignments are one to four weeks.