“After PICU rounds, I generally worked and taught the residents in the ‘Resuscitation Room.’ I tried not to get too involved and instead direct the residents and provided recommendations to them. I also helped them lead resuscitation efforts of which there were many. As their approach was somewhat different from the western approach, I always discussed therapy with the residents and asked for their opinion. I learned a great deal from them.“
-HVO Pediatrics 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, Bhutan – Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral (JDWNR) Hospital
Volunteers provide training to the pediatricians, general medical duty officers, and nurses in the pediatric department in both in-patient and out-patient services. Volunteers provide training, presentations and hands-on demonstrations.
Assignment: 1 month
Teaching Topics: Pediatrics – all topics; neonatology, neurology, behavioral and developmental health, and community outreach/public health of particular interest
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: No.
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified; current license to practice (active or retired); academic appointees and private practitioners accepted; sub-specialists in cardiology, infectious disease, intensive care, neurology preferred.
Activities: 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.
Siem Reap, Cambodia – Angkor Hospital for Children (AHC)
HVO volunteers will contribute to improving and maintaining the quality of inpatient and outpatient pediatric care at AHC, working to improve the pediatric residency-training program and broaden professional perspectives and development opportunities for senior staff.
Assignment: 1 month
Teaching Topics: Pediatrics – all topics; pediatric radiology, neonatology, pediatric emergency medicine, pediatric intensive care and cardiology of particular interest
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: No.
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified; current license to practice (active or retired); hospital-based general pediatricians or sub-specialists with experience in hospital setting; teaching and/or clinical supervision experience required
Activities: Clinical training, continuing education, didactic instruction, education material development, faculty/staff training, grand rounds, formal lecturing, mentoring
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children
Luang Prabang, Laos – Lao Friends Hospital for Children (LFHC)
HVO volunteers will provide continuing education, bedside teaching, case conferences, and mentoring, as well as organize journal clubs and other educational sessions for LFHC physicians, nurses and other health care staff. Volunteers will also provide teaching and training to pediatric residents at the site. In addition, HVO volunteers will collaborate with LFHC staff to develop presentations and engage in co-teaching opportunities.
Assignment: 1 month
Teaching Topics: Pediatrics – all topics; pediatric emergency medicine, infectious disease, cardiology, hematology, nephrology, and neonatology of particular interest
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: No.
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified; current license to practice (active or retired); hospitalists, pediatric emergency physicians or sub-specialists in cardiology, infectious disease, intensive care, neurology or other subspecialists preferred.
Activities: Case presentations, clinical training, continuing education, departmental conferences, didactic instruction, education material development, faculty/staff training, mentoring.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children.
Tansen, Nepal – Lumbini Medical College (LMC)
In collaboration with LMC pediatric faculty, HVO volunteers will provide clinical and didactic training to pediatric residents, interns and medical students rotating through their pediatrics training. Additionally, HVO volunteers will support the academic and professional development of the LMC pediatric faculty through mentorship, collaboration and train-the-trainer courses.
Assignment: 3-4 weeks
Teaching Topics: Pediatrics – all topics; nephrology, cardiology, development, neonatology, neurology advanced pediatric life support (APLS), and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) training of particular interest
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: No.
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified (active or retired); general pediatricians or sub-specialists with experience; academic appointees and private practitioners accepted.
Activities: Case presentations, clinical training, continuing education, didactic training, faculty/staff training, formal lecturing, mentoring, research advising.
Housing: Housing provided.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; not suitable for children.
Vieux Fort, St. Lucia – St. Jude Hospital
Activities include covering the delivery room for complications, examining babies on discharge, working the pediatric ward, and covering the clinic and emergency room. Volunteers also mentor the pediatric house staff and provide talks.
Assignment: 2-4 weeks
Teaching Topics: Pediatrics – all topics; asthma, cardiology, nephritic syndrome, infectious disease, chronic development disorders, lower respiratory infections, acute diarrheal infections, seizure disorders, and neonatology 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 (active or retired); academic appointees and private practitioners accepted.
Activities: Clinical training, 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.
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 pediatric residents. Volunteers will also work with pediatrics personnel to improve skills and knowledge, focusing on subspecialties identified by KABSOM.
Assignment: 1-4 weeks
Teaching Topics: Pediatrics – neurology, nephrology, oncology, cardiology, and neonatology 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) pediatrician and pediatric 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 – Makerere University & Mulago Hospital
This project is designed to strengthen the capacity of the Department of Pediatrics & Child Health to undertake research, conduct training, and effectively promote child health care. Volunteers participate by attending hospital rounds, grand rounds, and providing presentations.
Assignment: 1 month
Teaching Topics: Pediatrics – all topics
Opportunities for Those-in-Training: Final year residents accepted if paired with an appropriate preceptor.
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified; current license; retired or active practice, or academic appointment; sub-specialists preferred.
Activities: Clinical training, continuing education, curriculum development, departmental conferences, faculty/staff training, mentoring.
Housing: Housing provided for a reasonable fee.
Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children.
Pediatric Hematology Opportunities – Cambodia, Tanzania and Uganda
Opportunities are available for pediatric hematologists to improve training in hematology for clinicians, laboratory technicians, technologists, and students. Activities may include giving lectures to clinical and laboratory staff, going on rounds, or working in the laboratory depending on individual expertise. Assignments are two to four weeks.
Pediatric Oncology Opportunities – Bhutan, Honduras and Vietnam
Opportunities are available for pediatric oncologists to provide teaching and training to staff, residents and students at sites in Asia and Latin America. Training activities fall under several main categories including, but not limited to: pathology, cancer control, medical/surgical/radiation oncology seminars and/or workshops, curriculum development and student and resident education. Assignments are one to four weeks.
Emergency Medicine Opportunities – Bhutan
This project is designed to improve the quality and efficiency of emergency care provided in the Emergency Department at the National Referral Hospital in Thimphu by providing educational interventions such as bedside teaching, hands-on training and case management conferences as well as developing a core curriculum in emergency, in collaboration with local specialists, to use as a guide for the educational interventions. Assignments are one month.