“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 & Mongar, Bhutan – Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral (JDWNR) Hospital & Eastern Regional Referral Hospital
The primary site in Thimphu needs volunteers to enhance the level of orthopaedic knowledge in the department of orthopaedic surgery at the National Referral Hospital in Thimphu and to provide training to orthopaedic residents and interns. Volunteers who have previously served in Bhutan are needed for 6 – 8 week assignments in Mongar, in the eastern part of the country.
Assignment: 1 month
Teaching Topics: Orthopaedics – sub-specialties including spine, pediatrics, sports medicine, and hand surgery
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: No.
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified (active or retired); current license required; academic appointment or in private practice; sub-specialty (or previous Bhutan volunteer experience) required.
Activities: Case presentations, clinical training, continuing education, curriculum development, departmental conferences, didactic instruction, education material development, faculty/staff training, formal lecturing, grand rounds, mentoring.
Housing: Housing is provided.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; not suitable for children.
San Jose, Costa Rica – Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social
Volunteers provide training to orthopaedic residents and staff at hospitals which are part of the CCSS in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Assignment: 1 week
Teaching Topics: Orthopaedics – all topics; scoliosis surgery, thoracoscopy, pelvic osteotomies, cub foot, limb length, knee & hip arthroplasties, locking plates, internal fixation of hand & limb fractures and shoulder arthroscopy of particular interest
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: No.
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified; current license to practice (active or retired); minimum of 5 years experienceActivities: Clinical training, continuing education, didactic instruction, faculty/staff training, formal lecturing, mentoring.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children.
Kumasi, Ghana – Accident and Emergency Center at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital
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.
Assignment: 2-4 weeks
Teaching Topics: Orthopaedics – trauma and pediatric orthopaedics
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: Final year residents accepted if paired with an appropriate preceptor.
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified; current license to practice (active or retired); sub-specialty training Activities: Clinical training, continuing education, curriculum development, didactic instruction, education material development, faculty/staff training, formal lecturing, grand rounds, mentoring.
Housing: Housing is provided.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; not suitable for children.
Vieux Fort, St. Lucia – St. Jude Hospital
Volunteers provide basic orthopaedic care. The work schedule involves surgical clinics and planned operative cases. Though St. Lucia is primarily a service site, teaching opportunities are available for volunteers at weekly staff meetings.In addition, a curriculum is in the process of being developed for the instruction of a mid-level house officer, triage nurses, and clinic physicians; volunteers are encouraged to participate in this on-going project.
Assignment: 1-4 weeks
Teaching Topics: Orthopaedics – all topics
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: No.
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified; current license to practice (active or retired); minimum of 3 years experienceActivities: Continuing education, curriculum development, departmental conferences, faculty/staff training, mentoring.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children.
Moshi, Tanzania – Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center (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.
Assignment: 2-4 weeks
Teaching Topics: Orthopaedics – all topics; hand surgery, foot & ankle surgery, spine surgery, orthopaedic oncology, osteomyelitis, arthroplasty, and arthroscopy of particular interest
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: Final year residents accepted with an appropriate preceptor.
Qualifications: Current license to practice (active or retired).
Activities: 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.
Kampala, Uganda – Mulago Hospital
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.
Assignment: 2-4 weeks
Teaching Topics: Orthopaedics – all topics; spine surgery, hand surgery, reconstructive surgery, and pediatric orthopaedics of particular interest
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: Final year residents accepted with an appropriate preceptor.
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified; current license to practice (active or retired); minimum of 1 year experience .
Activities: 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.