August 1, 2015 marked the 29th anniversary of Health Volunteers Overseas.
Since 1986, HVO staff and volunteers have collaborated with a variety of health institutions to design, develop and implement each HVO project, working toward better patient care around the globe in trauma care, child and maternal health, essential surgical care, cancer care, rehabilitation, nursing and more.
Our goal at HVO is not only to train new health care providers, but also to encourage and sustain current health workers so that they can continue to practice in their home countries. Through professional collaboration and personal connection, HVO’s volunteers and supporters, along with the local health care providers they serve, build a global health community and work together to achieve the best health care possible for those who need it.
HVO projects focus on developing trust and building strong professional relationships, empowering both local health care providers and HVO volunteers. Empowering local health care providers with knowledge and confidence helps build a stronger health care system.
Since the organization began, HVO volunteers have contributed more than $86.4 million worth of professional services through more than 9,700 completed volunteer assignments. 
Every volunteer works with numerous local health workers and students when on assignment (in 2014, volunteers reported working with an average of more than 15 local staff and/or students on each assignment). The knowledge and skills they impart empower those local workers to provide better care and to teach and train their colleagues and future students. One lesson from an HVO volunteer can have an exponential impact – skills are taught to a handful of local providers who, in turn, teach a handful more. These shared lessons ultimately lead to hundreds and even thousands of patients receiving better care.
We are proud of our volunteers and all of their accomplishments in the 29 years since we first opened our doors. We hope you will join us in honoring their work and thanking the many supporters, members and partners who have made HVO’s work possible.
Find out more about the work of HVO in 2014 and those who made it possible. Review our 2014 Annual Report – now available on the HVO website.