Health Volunteers Overseas

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Health Volunteers Overseas
Health Volunteers Overseas logo.png
Founded1986; 35 years ago (1986)
TypeHumanitarian health aid
FocusGlobal health, health human resources, healthcare
Location
  • Washington, DC
Area served
Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and Oceania
MethodEducation and training
Key people
Board Chair: Carla Smith, MD, PhD
Executive Director: Nancy Kelly, MHS
Employees
10
Websitewww.hvousa.org

Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO) is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit that improves the availability and quality of health care through the education, training and professional development of the health workforce in resource-scarce countries.[1] HVO collaborates with more than 80 universities and health institutions around the world to provide continuing education, training, professional support, and consultation on academic programs and curricula development.[2]

History[]

The idea for the organization was sparked by an article by Dr. Ralph Crawshaw, published in the December 1984 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. In the article,[3] Dr. Crawshaw urged fellow medical practitioners to "make a substantial difference to your colleagues in developing countries" and cited the example of Orthopaedics Overseas. In 1986, the Orthopaedics Overseas Board of Directors voted to become the first division of the newly created Health Volunteers Overseas. Two anesthesiologists went to Ethiopia for the first HVO volunteer trip later that year.

Since opening its doors in Washington, D.C. in 1986, HVO volunteers have completed more than 12,000 short-term assignments in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Caribbean, and Oceania.[4] Volunteers are drawn from the fields of anesthesia, dermatology, hematology, internal medicine, nursing education, obstetrics & gynecology, oncology, oral health, orthopaedics, pediatrics, physical therapy, wound and lymphedemia management, emergency medicine, mental health, and pharmacology.

What problem is HVO addressing?[]

The delivery of health care services in any country is dependent on a trained cadre of health care professionals. The well-documented global shortage of health care providers[5] disproportionately impacts resource-scarce countries. Faced with serious resource constraints, as well as an immense burden of disease, these countries are faced with enormous needs in the health care sector but have limited capacity to educate and support the workforce necessary to meet these needs. As a result, not enough health care professionals are trained, few are offered the opportunity for continued professional education and growth, and most work in isolation with little chance to learn from nearby colleagues. The World Health Organization estimates that in 2013, there was a global deficit of more the 17.4 million health workers – a figure that is predicted to grow to 18 million by the year 2030.[6]

Organizational structure[]

HVO is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors representing a diverse background of experience and professions. There are more than 195 health care professionals serving in a variety of leadership positions with HVO, providing the framework for managing HVO's extensive portfolio of projects. A staff of ten is under the management of the Executive Director. About 83% of all HVO expenses are program-related and the organization has $3 million in net assets.[7]

Recognition[]

HVO is a Platinum Participant in the GuideStar Exchange, highlighting their commitment to transparency,[8] and the organization meets the 20 charity standards of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance.[9] HVO has been selected three times for the Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington (Classes of 2004-2005; 2010-2011; 2017–18).[10]

Sponsors[]

A unique aspect of HVO's organizational model is the involvement and support provided by leading American professional health care associations. These associations, with the year in which they first became a sponsor, are as follows:

Volunteers[]

HVO volunteers are trained, licensed health care professionals who are screened by similarly skilled project directors to ensure that their skills and expertise are appropriate to a particular site. Volunteers work alongside their colleagues in resource-scarce countries, providing new insights and techniques. They introduce new teaching methodologies, update or create teaching curricula, and inspire new ways of thinking and problem solving.

Nearly 40% of HVO volunteers are repeat volunteers. Volunteers cover their own travel costs and the average out-of-pocket costs associated with an assignment are $2,900.

Since 2006 HVO recognizes exceptional volunteers annually with the HVO Golden Apple Award.[11] these are individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the sustainability and effectiveness of Health Volunteers Overseas and to its ability to meet its mission.

Countries served[]

Health Volunteers Overseas works with local health care professionals in the following countries:

References[]

  1. ^ HVO Mission, Vision & Values
  2. ^ Pinner A and Kelly NA (2017) Health Volunteers Overseas: 30 Years of Leveraging International Partnerships to Strengthen Health Worker Capacity Front. Educ. 2:30. doi: 10.3389/feduc.2017.00030
  3. ^ A Doctor-to-Doctor International Medical Education Exchange JAMA. 1984;252(22):3170-3171. doi:10.1001/jama.1984.03350220076038
  4. ^ Our History, Health Volunteers Overseas
  5. ^ World Health Organization’s 2006 World Health Report
  6. ^ Framing the health workforce agenda for the Sustainable Development Goals: biennium report 2016–2017 — WHO Health Workforce. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2017.
  7. ^ HVO Annual Report (2017)
  8. ^ GuideStar Exchange: Health Volunteers Overseas
  9. ^ BBB Wise Giving Alliance Charity Report
  10. ^ Catalogue for Philanthropy Class of 2017-18
  11. ^ "CSUN Prof Helps People Around the Globe Through Physical Therapy". CSUN Today. 21 August 2018.

External links[]

  1. Health Volunteers Overseas Website
  2. HVO Annual Reports and Audited Financial Statements
  3. Information on global health care crisis, from the Global Health Workforce Alliance
  4. HVO meets 20 out of 20 charity standards of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance
  5. HVO Board of Directors [1]
  6. HVO Golden Apple Honorees [2]
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