“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 (JDWNR) Hospital
Volunteers provide training in general medicine and sub-specialty areas to staff, interns and residents at JDWNR Hospital. Continuing education lectures are provided to hospital staff once or twice per month.
Assignment: 1 month
Teaching Topics: General internal medicine, nephrology, gastroenterology, neurology & cardiology
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: No.
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified in internal medicine or family practice; currently accepting general internists, nephrologists, neurologists, gastroenterologists, cardiologists, and repeat volunteers.
Activities: Case presentations, clinical training, continuing education, didactic instruction, faculty/staff training, formal lecturing, grand rounds, mentoring.
Housing: Housing is provided.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; not suitable for children.
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.
Assignment: 2-4 weeks
Teaching Topics: Internal medicine – all topics; endocrinology (diabetes), cardiology, gastroenterology, infectious disease & pulmonology of particular interest
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: Final year residents accepted if paired with an appropriate preceptor.
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified in specialty.
Activities: Case presentations, clinical training, continuing education, didactic instruction, faculty/staff training, formal lecturing, grand rounds, mentoring.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Sihanouk Hospital
Volunteers improve the education of local physicians by providing medical lectures and clinical instruction.
Assignment: 2-4 weeks
Teaching Topics: Internal medicine – all topics; endocrinology (diabetes), cardiology, neurology, infectious disease, rheumatology, gastroenterology, nephrology & pulmonology of particular interest
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: No.
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified in internal medicine.
Activities: Case presentations, clinical training, continuing education, didactic instruction, faculty/staff training, formal lecturing, grand rounds, mentoring.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; assistance and information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children.
San Jose, Costa Rica – San Juan de Dios Hospital, the Hospital Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia, & Mexico Hospital
HVO volunteers will provide training to residents through didactic training, ward rounds, and bedside training, as well as educate residents through lectures on various topics chosen in partnership with on-site personnel. Volunteers will also work with faculty to improve teaching skills, provide guidance and mentoring to residency program directors, and guide both residents and hospital staff in clinical investigation projects and biostatistics research. Volunteers may work at more than one hospital during their assignment.
Assignment: 2-4 weeks
Teaching Topics: Internal medicine – all topics; endocrinology (diabetes), cardiology, neurology, infectious disease, rheumatology, gastroenterology & pulmonology of particular interest
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: No.
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified academicians; current license to practice (active or retired); sub-specialists needed; experienced volunteers preferred; fluency in Spanish required.
Activities: Case presentations, continuing education, clinical training, didactic instruction, education material development, faculty/staff training, formal lecturing, grand rounds, mentoring, research advising.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children.
Georgetown, Guyana – Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)
HVO volunteers will contribute to the ongoing improvement of the GPHC internal medicine residency-training program.
Assignment: 2-4 weeks
Teaching Topics: Internal medicine – all topics
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: Yes. Those in their last year of sub-specialty training.
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified internists, internal medicine sub-specialists or those in their last year of sub-specialty training.
Activities: Clinical training, continuing education, curriculum development, didactic instruction, education material development, faculty/staff training, formal lecturing, mentoring.
Housing: Housing is provided.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children.
Bangalore, India – Bangalore Baptist Hospital
Project goals are to provide medical education to internal medicine residents, nursing students, and special health education programs for the local community. Daily schedules include accompanying attending and house staff on rounds, participating in bedside teaching and discussion, and lectures.
Assignment: 2-4 weeks
Teaching Topics: Internal medicine – all topics; neurology, gastroenterology, cardiology, respiratory medicine, autoimmune disease & nephrology of particular interest
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: Final Year Residents accepted if paired with an appropriate preceptor.
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified; current license to practice; several years of experience preferred.
Activities: Case presentations, clinical training, continuing education, didactic instruction, faculty/staff training, formal lecturing, grand rounds, health education material development, mentoring.
Housing: Housing provided for a reasonable fee.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; not suitable for children.
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.
Assignment: 3-4 weeks
Teaching Topics: Internal medicine – all topics
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: No.
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified; several years of experience preferred.
Activities: Clinical training, continuing education, didactic instruction, education material development, faculty/staff training, formal lecturing, health education material development, mentoring, protocol development.
Housing: Housing is provided.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; not suitable for children.
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.
Assignment: 4 weeks, with rare exceptions for shorter assignments
Teaching Topics: Internal medicine – cardiology and noncommunicable diseases of particular interest
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: Final year residents accepted if paired with an appropriate preceptor.
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified (active or retired) internists and internal medicine subspecialists.
Activities: Clinical training, continuing education, didactic training, faculty/staff training, formal lecturing, mentoring.
Housing: Housing provided.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; not suitable for children.
Kampala, Uganda – Mulago Hospital
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.
Assignment: 1 month
Teaching Topics: Internal medicine – all topics
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: Final year residents accepted if paired with an appropriate preceptor.
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified in internal medicine; clinical teaching experience and/or several years of clinical practice preferred
Activities: Case presentations, clinical training, continuing education, didactic instruction, faculty/staff training, formal lecturing, grand rounds, mentoring
Housing: Housing provided for a reasonable fee.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children.
Mbarara, Uganda – Mbarara University of Science and Technology
Volunteers improve the quality of care offered through the internal medicine department by educating clinician-educators on a variety of topics through rounds, lectures and clinical instruction. Volunteers are assigned to either the Immune Suppression (AIDS) Clinic or the medical wards.
Assignment: 1 month
Teaching Topics: Internal medicine – all topics
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: Final year residents accepted if paired with an appropriate preceptor.
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified in internal medicine; clinical teaching experience and/or several years of clinical practice preferred.
Activities: Case presentations, clinical training, continuing education, didactic instruction, faculty/staff training, formal lecturing, grand rounds, mentoring.
Housing: Housing provided for a reasonable fee.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children.