World Health Worker Week is an annual opportunity to celebrate all the ways in which health workers count. From a physiotherapist to a doctor, from their impact on the lives of patients, to their support of colleagues and those in…
This World Oral Health Day marks the beginning of a three-year campaign, “Say Ahh: Think Mouth, Think Health.” The goal of this campaign is to encourage the public to think of oral health as a critical component of overall physical…
Every year, an estimated 287,000 women die due to complications during pregnancy and childbirth. 99% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Appropriately trained health workers are needed to address health challenges and save lives. However, there is…
As we celebrated HVO’s 30th anniversary, I heard a number of stories, and recalled many more. Over the next year, I’d like to share some of my favorites with you. This first one was from a well-traveled and much loved…
Editor’s note: This post was adapted from a trip report written by HVO volunteer and leader Linda Wolff, MPT, summarizing her experience working as part of a team to deliver wheelchair service provision training to physical therapy providers in Thimphu, Bhutan.…
Editor’s Note: The following post was written by HVO staff member Kim Rodgers. Kim is the Volunteer Placement Coordinator for HVO’s dermatology program and works closely with on-site personnel at each of our dermatology project sites. Two of the dematologists…
Valentine’s Day is a holiday devoted to celebrating relationships. At Health Volunteers Overseas, we view Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to honor the many relationships at the heart of the work that we do. Obviously, relationships between colleagues are essential…
This Sunday is World Cancer Day, an annual event that aims to reduce the global burden of cancer by fostering awareness and support for prevention efforts large and small. It also marks the third and final year of the “We…
“There’s been an explosion of interest [in global volunteerism] in the last decade, which is really exciting,” reflected American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) International Committee member Coleen Sabatini, MD, during a recent interview with HVO staff, “but with that…
It is mid-January, the time of year when the sheen has begun to wear off many of our New Year’s resolutions. While the “Bomb Cyclone” may have put a damper on your pledge to run every day, and a return…
“I think developing professional relationships with international colleagues – teaching together and exchanging ideas provides not only personal satisfaction, but the opportunity to build pediatric capacity together,” commented HVO pediatrics committee member and volunteer, Cynthia Howard, MD, MPH, FAAP in…
For HVO staff, leadership, volunteers and supporters this past year was a time for both reflection and forward planning. In April, we were joined by many members of our global health community for a one-day symposium in Washington, DC. The…