“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
San Jose, Costa Rica – Various hospitals in the Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social system
Volunteers work to provide subspecialty training for residents and faculty members at hospitals within the National Social Security System of Costa Rica, including Hospital Nacional de Niños, Hospital San Rafael (Alajuela), Hospital Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia, Hospital San Vicente de Paúl (Heredia), Hospital México, Centro Nacional de Rehabilitación (CENARE), and Hospital San Juan de Dios. The areas most needed at this time are joint reconstruction, trauma, and pediatrics.
Project type: in-person
Length of Assignment: 1-2 weeks
Qualifications: Volunteers must be board-certified, hold a current license, and have subspecialty training. Retired volunteers are accepted. Spanish proficiency is not required of volunteers.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; assistance and information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions: Adults and minors.
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.
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.