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…
This month, we have been highlighting essential traits for successful volunteers. We discussed how HVO volunteers succeed by keeping their minds open and adjusting to unforeseen circumstances, as well as the importance of patience and innovation when volunteering in resource-scarce countries.…
Earlier this month, we highlighted two important traits of successful volunteers – flexibility and openness. We discussed how HVO volunteers succeed by keeping their minds open and adjusting to unforeseen circumstances; we shared first-hand accounts that highlighted the importance of…
At HVO, our volunteers are agents of change. They build local capacity by providing health care professionals in resource-scarce countries with knowledge and skills to address the needs of their communities. The mission that HVO volunteers undertake is demanding –…
The Lancet Global Health open-access journal launched a special issue focused on Global Surgery this month. In the wake of the launch of their Commission on Global Surgery and in anticipation of the World Health Organization’s 68th World Health Assembly,…
Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) released its World Health Statistics report – an annual assessment of a range of mortality, disease and health system indicators taken from 194 countries around the world. The report has long served as…
Health Volunteers Overseas is now accepting applications for the Wyss Scholarship for Future Leaders in Global Health. This scholarship will support professional development opportunities for health care providers at our project sites, providing funding for our colleagues abroad to attend…
World Health Worker Week – celebrated for the third consecutive year, runs from April 5-11. This week serves as an opportunity to mobilize communities, partners, and policy makers in support of health workers around the world. It is a time…
Health Volunteers Overseas – with the help of a number of generous donors – offers several fellowship opportunities to senior orthopaedic residents and orthopaedic/hand surgeons who recently completed their training. As an organization devoted to improving global health through education,…
On Sunday, March 8, the world celebrated International Women’s Day. The United Nations called the day “a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have…
Volunteers are the human face of HVO’s mission – they develop profound friendships during their rotations overseas, learn about the realities of delivering care in a truly resource-scarce environment, and build relationships of trust that facilitate the exchange of ideas…
Nurses make up 60-80% of the global health workforce, delivering as much as 90% of all health care services. They are essential to strong health systems and ensuring access to care around the world. The infographic below shares nursing numbers…