HEALTH VOLUNTEERS OVERSEAS

Health Volunteers Overseas is a nonprofit organization that seeks to improve global health through education of the local health workforce in resource-scarce countries. HVO volunteers build local capacity by empowering health care professionals in resource-scarce countries with knowledge and skills to address the health care needs of their communities. HVO volunteers are trained health care professionals - physicians, nurses, dentists, physical therapists and others - willing to donate their time and expertise to work side-by-side with their colleagues overseas. Since 1986, HVO staff and volunteers have collaborated with a variety of health institutions to design, develop and implement each HVO project, working toward better patient care around the globe in trauma care, child and maternal health, essential surgical care, cancer care, rehabilitation, nursing and more. Our goal at HVO is not only to train new health care providers, but also to encourage and sustain current health workers so that they can continue to practice in their home countries. Through professional collaboration and personal connection, HVO's volunteers and supporters, along with the local health care providers they serve, build a global health community and work together to achieve the best health care possible for those who need it. HVO projects focus on developing trust and building strong professional relationships, empowering both local health care providers and HVO volunteers. Empowering local health care providers with knowledge and confidence helps build a stronger health care system. All of us have a role to play in improving global health by educating others and ourselves about the vast, unmet health care needs, volunteering our time and expertise as health care providers and supporting those who work to make a difference in the lives of others. By harnessing the power of a vital human resource – health care workers – we believe that it is possible to break the vicious cycle of poverty and illness endemic to resource-scarce countries. We invite you to become a part of our global health community – through your membership, your financial support, or your time and expertise as a volunteer.