“If I could sum up my experiences and give advice to anyone volunteering with HVO, it would be the following: Come with an open mind in terms of people & culture. You will find yourself transformed and forever changed through the experience.“
-HVO Orthopaedics Volunteer
READY TO VOLUNTEER?
There are multiple steps to the placement process and often more than one approval is required. The process varies slightly from country-to-country and project-to-project. We strive to make this process as quick as possible but potential volunteers should be aware that final approval can take several months.
- To begin the placement process, complete the volunteer application and submit your CV.
ACTIVE PROJECTS
Thimphu, Bhutan—Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWDRH)
Volunteers provide training to residents and interns. Most residents have completed medical school and worked as general doctors in a district hospital for six months to one year before starting residency. Volunteers can teach during rounds and conferences, as well as in the outpatient clinic. Subspecialists are often invited to scrub in to share new tips and techniques.
Project type: In-person only
Length of assignment: one month minimum
Qualifications: Volunteers must be either board eligible or board certified and hold a current license. Retired and actively practicing physicians and those in private practice or with academic appointments are welcome. We are seeking subspecialists in spine, pediatrics, sports medicine, and hand surgery, or generalists who have volunteered in Bhutan previously.
In 2024, the government of Bhutan began enforcing new immigration legislation that HVO must follow: a work permit cannot be issued to volunteers who are over the age of 65. As a result, all volunteers MUST be under the age of 65 at the time of their assignment in order to qualify for a work permit.
Housing: Housing is available on a first-come, first served basis. Let HVO staff know that you’re interested in housing so that necessary arrangements can be made.
Companions allowed: Bhutan’s immigration regulations do not allow volunteers who are staying less than 90 days to bring family members. For longer stays, volunteers may bring a spouse only.
Kumasi, Ghana – Accident and Emergency Center at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH)
The goals of this project are to assist the faculty to increase the number and quality of trained orthopaedic, trauma, and plastic surgeons in Ghana; to assist in the acquisition of teaching/training materials; and to develop a sustainable training program that will produce both practicing surgeons and orthopaedic/plastics faculty. The initial focus of the program is on trauma and pediatrics with other specialties being explored.
Project type: In-person only
Length of assignment: 2-4 weeks
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified with current license (active or retired) with sub-specialty training. Final year residents accepted if paired with an appropriate preceptor.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions: Adults only, no minors.
Asuncion and Itaugua, Paraguay – Hospital de Clinicas and Hospital Nacional de Itaugua
Volunteers work to increase the knowledge and skills of orthopaedic residents and attending orthopaedists by providing lectures, rounds, and hands-on surgical training and mentorship. Hospital de Clinicas is a teaching hospital associated with Universidad Nacional de Asuncion while Hospital Nacional de Itaugua is the largest hospital in Paraguay and is managed by the Ministry of Health. The two hospitals are about one hour apart. Volunteers are encouraged to participate at both.
Project type: In-person
Length of assignment: One week or more
Qualifications: Currently licensed orthopaedic surgeons (subspecialty interest helpful). Volunteers may be in active practice or retired. Knowledge of Spanish is recommended but not required.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; assistance and information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions: Adults and minors.
Moshi, Tanzania – Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC)
Volunteers provide training at KCMC to orthopaedic faculty members and residents. Generalists as needed as well as sub-specialists in a variety of specialties.
Project type: Hybrid (in-person and virtual)
Length of assignment: 2-4 weeks in-person; variable for virtual
Qualifications: Currently licensed orthopedists (active or retired). Final year residents accepted with an appropriate preceptor.
Housing: Housing provided for a reasonable fee.
Companions allowed: Adults and minors.
Kampala, Uganda – Mulago National Referral Hospital (MNRH)
Volunteers participate in teaching residents in the Masters of Medicine of Orthopaedic Surgery Program as well as teaching orthopaedic assistants, medical students and physicians at the national teaching hospital. Surgeons also conduct clinics and operating sessions with Ugandan doctors in upcountry regional hospitals.
Project type: In-person only
Length of assignment: 2-4 weeks
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified; current license to practice (active or retired); minimum of 1 year experience.
Housing: Housing provided for a reasonable fee.
Companions allowed: Adults and minors.