Volunteer opportunities overseas for physicians

July 2008

International volunteer opportunities

The links below will take you off the AMA Web site. The AMA is not responsible for the content of other Web sites.

AMA publication on global health service

The AMA has published a two-volume work on global health service. Written by Edward O'Neil Jr., MD, Awakening Hippocrates serves as a primer on health, poverty, and global service. The second volume, A Practical Guide to Global Health Service offers a database of worldwide volunteer medical opportunities as well as practical information on volunteer medical service, world travel, and cultural issues. For details and purchase information, contact AMABookstore.

Current opportunities from Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO)

Hand Surgeons Needed in Peru  for two week assignments in the fall.  Volunteers should have a minimum of five years of clinical experience.  Contact the program department.

Orthopedic Volunteer Opportunities in Africa:  Orthopedic surgeons are needed in South Africa and Uganda in November 2008 and in Cameroon in spring 2009.  Volunteers would provide training to residents and participants in an orthopedic officer training program.  Assignments are for four weeks.  Contact the HVO Program Department or visit the Web site for more information.

Dermatology Volunteers are needed for sites in Costa Rica, Peru, St.Lucia, and Uganda.  Pediatric dermatologists are also needed in Cambodia.  Assignments are available in 2008 and 2009 and are 2-4 weeks in length.  Visit the HVO website for more information.

Medical, Eye and Dental International Care Organization, Inc.: For twelve years, MEDICO has provided basic services to people in need. Through the efforts of MEDICO, an expectant mother receives prenatal care, a little girl can walk normally after club foot surgery, a child obtains books and paper for classes. Since 1990, volunteers from all over the world have helped make this a reality for the people of Latin America. Each year, MEDICO sponsors five to seven field teams to provide free medical care to people in Honduras. Each team consists of 15-20 participants, including dentists, dental assistants, physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, optometrists, optometric technicians, pharmacists, and other medical professionals. To learn more visit the MEDICO Web site.

International Health Volunteers Organization (IHVO): International Health Volunteers Organization (IHVO) is an independent, not for profit, humanitarian medical aid organization whose primary purpose is to establish an accessible repository of physicians, dentists and other medical experts who have the requisite skills and interest to assist in domestic and international short term medical relief projects. By establishing a database of interested physicians and medical personnel, we aim to facilitate the most advantageous, efficient, and streamlined placement of medical personnel with the most appropriate medical outreach program that need skilled medical teams. For more information and current volunteer opportunities, visit the IHVO Web site.

Volunteers needed for HIV patients in developing countries: The International Center for Equal Healthcare Access (ICEHA) is recruiting experienced physicians to volunteer 6 to 12 weeks in developing countries as clinical mentors to their local counterparts. ICEHA's clinical mentoring program is designed to rapidly scale-up skills of the local healthcare workforce, strengthening the quality of healthcare delivered in developing countries. For more information visit the ICEHA Web site.

Doctors sought for Indian hospital: Volunteers in all medical disciplines and specialties are needed to work at the Gwalior Children's Hospital Charity in India. More information is available at the hospital's Web site.