Health Volunteers Overseas 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. 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.
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, 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 11,000 short-term assignments in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Caribbean, and Oceania. 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 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.
Organizational structure
HVO is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors representing a diverse background of experience and professions. There are more than 185 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 thirteen is under the management of the Executive Director. About 80.5% of all HVO expenses are program-related and the organization has $3 million in net assets.
HVO is a Platinum Participant in the GuideStar Exchange, highlighting their commitment to transparency, and the organization meets the 20 charity standards of the Better Business BureauWise Giving Alliance. HVO was selected for the Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington Class of 2017–18.
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:
All 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. Each year, HVO recognizes and awards one volunteer with the Golden Apple Award.
Countries served
Health Volunteers Overseas works with local health care professionals in the following countries:
