“In my view, one week is a short time and no volunteer should have the expectation that they will significantly impact individual Honduran women encountered in the hospital and clinics. Rather, one should view the trip as having an emphasis on education, and try and contribute to the knowledge of these surgical oncology residents, who are going to one day graduate, stay in Honduras, and be taking care of women with gynecologic cancer. We are best suited to contribute to their knowledge so that THEY can best serve the women of Honduras.“
-HVO Oncology Volunteer to Honduras
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 – National Referral Hospital & Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan
Physicians, laboratory professionals, and nurses are needed. To fulfill the project goals, volunteers participate in the daily activities on the oncology inpatient and outpatient unit with the emphasis on education and role modeling. In addition, volunteers prepare lectures/presentations for the hospital staff about cancer related topics. As the project develops, there is interest in collaborating with the chemotherapy pharmacist and helping to develop chemotherapy and pain management protocols.
Project type: Hybrid (in-person and virtual)
Length of assignment: 1 month in-person; variable for virtual
Qualifications: Physicians & nurses specialized in oncology; board-certified or in active practice for at least 5 years. Final year oncology fellows and or physicians who recently completed fellowships will be accepted if paired with an appropriate preceptor.
Housing: Housing is provided.
Companions: Adults only, no minors.
Bhaktapur, Nepal – Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital (BCH)
HVO volunteers will contribute to the development and implementation of a structured surgical gynecologic oncology training program at BCH. Volunteers will work with BCH staff to develop a gynecologic oncology curriculum for both didactic and clinical skills, and provide surgical and didactic training to BCH gynecologic oncologists.
Project type: Hybrid (in-person and virtual)
Length of assignment: 1-2 weeks; variable for virtual
Qualifications: Board-certified gynecologic or radiation oncologists with at least two years of post-fellowship experience. No opportunities for those-in-training.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions allowed: Adults and minors.
Kathmandu, Nepal – National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS)
HVO volunteers will seek to improve NAMS oncology residency program and increase knowledge of non-oncology residents and staff regarding oncology.
Project type: Hybrid (in-person and virtual)
Assignment: 1-3 weeks; variable for virtual
Qualifications: Board-certified oncologists. No opportunities for those-in-training.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions allowed: Adults and minors.
Hanoi, Vietnam – National Cancer Hospital (NCH)
HVO volunteers will work with NCH personnel to increase knowledge and skills in medical, surgical and radiation oncology, as well as increase the capacity of NCH oncologists to design, conduct and publish research.
Project type: Hybrid (in-person and virtual)
Assignment: 2 weeks minimum in-person; variable for virtual
Qualifications:
Volunteers must be licensed physicians certified in oncology who are either retired or in active practice. Pathologists, plastic surgeons, colorectal surgeons, thoracic surgeons, and individuals (MD or PhD) with experience in study design, data analysis, and statistical methods are also needed. No opportunities for those-in-training.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions allowed: Adults and minors.