By Nancy Kelly, MHS Nancy Kelly, MHS served as HVO’s executive director from 1986 to 2023. In 1992, HVO received a grant from USAID for a national rehabilitation training project in Vietnam. This was well before relations between the U.S. and Vietnam…
Here in Washington, we are beginning to see a few signs of spring – warmer weather, sunnier days; all are welcome signs of renewal. Similarly, across the globe, we are seeing glimmers of hope that the pandemic, which has terrorized…
A recent “Goats and Soda” blog for NPR talked of how the term “Third World” was used frequently by the media after the rioting occurred at the US Capitol Building, likening the behavior to that which can occur in countries…
Nancy A. Kelly shares a volunteer story that shows how small gestures can have a positive cultural impact, bridging language divides.
A story from Vietnam shows how small gestures can leave big impressions.
As the country observes the passing of President George H. W. Bush, I would like to remember one of his enduring legacies, the Daily Points of Light Award. President Bush was an optimist and he felt it was important to…
I’ve shared with you how small changes in behavior can have a significant impact. Another of those behavior changes was related to me by Kathy Clark, a pediatric physical therapist. Kathy was volunteering in Bhutan’s National Referral Hospital, where 3,500…
Sometimes, when we think of making a difference in health care, we think of major changes – introducing new technology or surgical skills. What we often forget are the small elements of day-to-day work that we take for granted but…
Volunteering with HVO is an opportunity to go a bit outside your ‘comfort zone.’ Every volunteer, of course, defines his/her own comfort zone and experiences the challenges in his/her own unique way. So, in fact, no two volunteer experiences are…
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…