Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of three posts by Victoria Elliot, MSPH, a public health professional and medical student who accompanied HVO staff member April Pinner on a recent trip to Angkor Hospital for Children in Siem Reap, Cambodia. With Victoria’s permission, we…
HVO is pleased to announce two new opportunities for anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists seeking a global health volunteer experience. Our newest anesthesia training projects—located in Hue, Vietnam and Kigali, Rwanda—are both recruiting CRNAs and MDs with a current license to…
If you are a long-time member of the HVO community, you are likely familiar with our Biennial Photo Contest. Since its inception, this contest has provided an opportunity for volunteers to share a small piece of their overseas experience with…
Are you a member of one of the many professional associations that supports HVO? If so, there is a good chance you will see us at your association meeting this fall! HVO strives to maintain a presence at many professional…
Since 2000, Health Volunteers Overseas has had the honor of counting Julia Plotnick, RN, MPH, FAAN, RADM, USPHS (ret) as one of its members. For nearly two decades, she has been a dedicated volunteer, member, leader and supporter. She has…
At the World Humanitarian Summit, held in Istanbul, Turkey in May 2016, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon outlined five core responsibilities that nations and organizations must uphold in order to preserve the health, security and dignity of people around the…
The motto of the health workers who provide care to patients at Lao Friends Hospital for Children (LFHC) is: “Treat every patient as if your own child.” The dedication of the hospital staff, as well as that of the numerous…
Forty-five percent of all deaths of children under five are attributable to malnutrition in its various forms. Stunting—a consequence of chronic malnutrition that leads to lifelong health issues—affects one in four children under five globally. At the other end of…
This week, HVO marked its 30th anniversary and launched a yearlong celebration of the three decades that our organization has worked to transform lives through education. In the coming year, our community will celebrate and honor the work of our…
This month, Health Volunteers Overseas released our 2015 Annual Report. As in previous years, the report highlights the impact made by our volunteers, members, donors and overseas partners have in resource-scarce countries around the globe. In addition, this year’s report…
“Wherever you go, just take care of patients the very best you can and treat them like you want to be treated yourself.” This is the advice Samuel R. Baker, MD offers prospective global health volunteers. With more than ten…
Strained health systems around the world face infrastructure deficiencies and shortages of medicine and staff. The needs of patients and the burden of disease, paired with these ongoing system-wide challenges, not only limit care, but also restrict access to professional…