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Dear Friends,
I am very pleased that many HVO volunteers have again collaborated on a book that has just been published by Springer. Global Orthopedics: Caring for Musculoskeletal Conditions and Injuries in Austere Settings, edited by Drs. Richard A. Gosselin, David A. Spiegel, and Michelle Foltz, addresses a range of topics. From the global burden of musculoskeletal conditions and the cost-effectiveness of surgery to culture shock and traditional healing, this book will serve as an excellent resource for those contemplating an assignment overseas.
These HVO volunteers have been aided in their collaborative work by today's technology, enabling them to share documents and converse in ways that could not have been imagined at the start of this new century. That technology is also enabling HVO volunteers and staff to share information and skills with our project sites in innovative ways and in "real time." As a result, volunteers are able to continue providing support and guidance to their colleagues abroad, even after the volunteers return home. Technology also has made it possible to make project adjustments more quickly and efficiently since needs can be quickly communicated and addressed.
Of course, there are still moments in a volunteer's service that call for quick thinking and adapting like when a familiar piece of equipment is unavailable at a project site. For those memorable moments, there is always "appropriate technology," which I'm sure is addressed in the chapter on equipment in Global Orthopedics!
Sincerely,
Nancy
Nancy A. Kelly, MHS
Executive Director
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Resources
Global Orthopedics:
Caring for Musculoskeletal Conditions and Injuries in Austere Settings
Dreaming Bears : A Gwich'in Indian Storyteller, a Southern Doctor, a Wild Corner of Alaska
by J. Michael Holloway
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Funding Opportunity
The Association for the Advancement of Wound Care (AAWC) will fund five $1,500 grants for AAWC members to travel to HVO Wound & Lymphedema project sites in 2014. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.
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Find Your Next Volunteer Opportunity
Click on the map to find where you can volunteer with HVO.
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Connecting through Technology
Communication tools facilitate professional development opportunities
Technology can play an essential role in the improvement of health care around the world, but it is not just health care technology that transforms global health. Technology that facilitates global communication plays an important role as well. With just a connection to the internet, someone in Washington, D.C. can meet face-to-face with a colleague who is a continent away.
With the help of HVO sponsors, the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and volunteers, this type of communication technology is playing a key role in the improvement of oncology care in Honduras.
In 2011, SGO began organizing virtual Tumor Boards throughout the year using an online meeting platform - one for gynecologic cases, the other for breast cancer cases.
These virtual meetings bring together experts in oncology, previous HVO oncology volunteers to Honduras, and local Honduran physicians and residents, who present their patient cases. These local Honduran health care providers then receive essential feedback from an expert panel, gathering life-saving advice from their peers and strengthening their professional connections.
This year, collaboration between SGO and ASCO will enable continued virtual collaboration.
These meetings, aided by amazing technological advances in communication and the commitment of HVO's sponsors and volunteers, enhance the effectiveness of HVO's project, and allow the professional relationships HVO volunteers and onsite contacts develop to continue and grow.
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We Need You
Volunteer with HVO! Here are just a few openings we have available. Visit our website for a full project list.
Urgent Need - Anesthesia, Nurse Anesthesia
Mbarara, Uganda
Anesthesiologist or CRNA needed to go with a team to Mbarara, Uganda for July 27 - August 8. Funding is provided. For more information contact Andrea Moody.
Nurse Anesthesia
Vietnam
One to two volunteers are needed for a two week team assignment in September 2014. For more information, contact Tony Li.
Cambodia
Volunteers needed to go on a two week assignment in September and October 2014. Volunteers should have pediatric anesthesia experience and preferably academic teaching experience. Contact Tony Li for more information.
Orthopaedics
Ghana
Volunteers needed for 2-3 week assignments in September, October and November 2014. Volunteers should have sub-specialty training in trauma or pediatrics. For more information please contact Andrea Moody.
Emergency Medicine
Bhutan
Volunteers needed for assignments in September, November and December 2014. For more information please contact Andrea Moody.
Special Volunteer Request - OB/GYN
Kampot, Cambodia
The Sonya Kill Memorial Hospital seeks to improve the health of Cambodians, especially children and expectant mothers, regardless of their ability to pay. In 2013, the hospital opened a 19-bed inpatient ward and the emergency department (24 hours/7 days). The hospital is working towards developing maternity services to be offered beginning in November 2014. Currently, the hospital provides prenatal and general gynecology consultations, including cervical cancer screening. Due to lack of sufficient trained staff, the hospital's women's clinic is only open one day a week.
OB/GYN volunteers are needed to train general doctors in gynecology issues. Assignments are two weeks or longer. For more information, please contact HVO.
HVO recruits volunteers throughout the year.
Visit our website for a complete list of our projects.
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Feature Photo
Everyone deserves access to health care when they need it.
Thank you for supporting our volunteers and for helping us transform lives with your support!
Photo by Dr. Sam Baker, Bhutan
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Health Volunteers Overseas
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