“I felt that the most valuable activities for the institution were the formal didactic lectures and “chalkboard” talks I gave. These lectures provided an academic structure to the clinical day, and ensured that the residents and trainees were getting a complete and modern medical education to complement their clinical experience.“
-HVO Internal Medicine Volunteer to Cambodia
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 (JDWNRH)
Volunteers provide continuing education for staff internists, interns, and residents at the hospital. Activities may include participating in rounds on the inpatient wards and sign-in rounds, accompanying interns, residents, or physicians to patients in clinics. Subspecialists could also provide training in their areas of expertise.
Project type: In-person only
Length of assignment: One month
Qualifications: Volunteers must be board eligible or certified in internal medicine or family practice. The site accepts general internists, neurologists, nephrologists, gastroenterologists, cardiologists (must be qualified for performing and interpreting echocardiography), and repeat volunteers. Once approved by the project director, volunteers are requested to submit a copy of their medical license and certification in specialty training, which will be sent to the site along with a recent CV and a request for official approval of an assignment.
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. Not suitable for minors.
Kampot, Cambodia – Sonja Kill Memorial Hospital (SKMH)
HVO volunteers work with physicians at SKMH to improve their skills and knowledge through hands-on practical training, lectures and clinical instruction.
Project type: Hybrid (in-person and virtual)
Length of assignment: 2-4 weeks in-person; variable for virtual
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified in specialty with several years of experience. No opportunities for those-in-training.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions allowed: Adults and minors.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Sihanouk Hospital
Volunteers improve the education of local physicians by providing medical lectures and clinical instruction.
Project type: In-person only
Length of assignment: 2-4 weeks
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified in internal medicine. No opportunities for those-in-training
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions allowed: Adults and minors.
Butwal, Nepal- Devdaha Medical College and Research Institute
Volunteers will be working to improve the knowledge and skills of undergraduate and postgraduate medical students at Devdaha Medical College through the provision of didactic lectures and clinical instruction. In addition, volunteers can contribute to improving the quality of patient care and patient education through such activities as helping to develop and implement clinical care pathways, developing programs, and participating in community outreach efforts.
Project type: In-person only
Length of assignment: 2 weeks – 3 months
Qualifications: Volunteers should be board-certified and have relevant experience. Retirees are welcomed. No opportunities for those-in-training.
Housing: Housing is provided.
Companions: Adults only, no minors.
Tansen, Nepal – Lumbini Medical College (LMC)
HVO volunteers will improve knowledge and skills of LMC medical students through didactic lectures and clinical instruction. Volunteers will also work with LMC personnel to improve the quality of patient care and patient education by implementing clinical care pathways and assisting in program development and training of LMC personnel on community-based education initiatives.
Project type: In-person only
Length of assignment: 3-4 weeks
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified in internal medicine with several years of experience preferred. No opportunities for those-in-training.
Housing: Housing is provided.
Companions: Adults only, no minors.
Kabale, Uganda – Kabale University School of Medicine (KABSOM)
Working with the academic staff of KABSOM, HVO volunteers will support the training of medical students and internal medicine interns. Volunteers will also work with internal medicine personnel to improve skills and knowledge, focusing on subspecialties identified by KABSOM.
Project type: In-person only
Length of assignment: 4 weeks, with rare exceptions for shorter assignments1 month (shorter assignments on case-by-case basis)
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified (active or retired) internists and internal medicine subspecialists. Final year residents accepted if paired with an appropriate preceptor.
Housing: Housing provided.
Companions: Adults only, no minors.
Kampala, Uganda – Mulago National Referral Hospital (MNRH)
Volunteers provide training for the faculty in the Department of Medicine. Bedside teaching rounds, mentoring trainees on outpatient rounds, lectures for faculty and medical students are aspects of the program. This project offers an ideal opportunity for both generalists and sub-specialists.
Project type: In-person only
Length of assignment: 1 month (shorter assignments on case-by-case basis)
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified in internal medicine; clinical teaching experience and/or several years of clinical practice preferred. Final year residents accepted if paired with an appropriate preceptor.
Housing: Housing provided for a reasonable fee.
Companions allowed: Adults and minors.