The American Academy of Dermatology partnered with Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO) in 2004 to match interested dermatologists with overseas volunteer opportunities. Through HVO programs, volunteer dermatologists train local health care providers, giving them the knowledge and skills to make a difference in their own communities.
The major goal of the HVO dermatology programs is to build capacity through training local health care providers (ranging from dermatology residents to primary care health workers) in clinical dermatology.
Sites with volunteer opportunities for dermatologists include Costa Rica, Palau, India, Peru, Uganda, Cambodia, and Saint Lucia. Volunteers generally serve for 2 to 4 weeks, although shorter and longer assignments are possible.
A private, nonprofit membership organization, HVO was founded in 1986 to improve global health through education. HVO designs and implements clinical education programs across the spectrum of health specialties. To learn more about volunteering with HVO, visit the Web site (www.hvousa.org) or contact the HVO Program Department at (202) 296-0928.