Early this year, HVO began collecting stories from around the world. We asked our volunteers, leaders, and overseas partners to share their stories – the tales of compassion, commitment and determination that inspire them. As HVO celebrates its 30th anniversary,…
Globally, one in four people are affected by mental health issues, yet mental health receives considerably less attention than other health indicators, particularly in resource-scarce countries. Earlier this year, the Japan Times reported that the amount spent annually on mental…
Editor’s note: This post was provided by HVO volunteer and leader Linda Wolff, MPT. Ms. Wolff traveled to Bhutan in May 2016 to participate in the Wheelchair Service Providers Training program. Despite being classified a Least Developed Country (LCD) according to…
October 5th is World Teachers’ Day – an annual event dedicated both to celebrating the work of teachers and educators around the globe and to assessing issues pertaining to education. As the World Teachers’ Day event website states, “teachers are…
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…