Oncology Volunteer Opportunities

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In my view, one week is a short time and no volunteer should have the expectation that they will significantly impact individual Honduran women encountered in the hospital and clinics. Rather, one should view the trip as having an emphasis on education, and try and contribute to the knowledge of these surgical oncology residents, who are going to one day graduate, stay in Honduras, and be taking care of women with gynecologic cancer. We are best suited to contribute to their knowledge so that THEY can best serve the women of Honduras.

-HVO Oncology Volunteer to Honduras

READY TO VOLUNTEER?

There are multiple steps to the placement process and often more than one approval is required. The process varies slightly from country-to-country and project-to-project. We strive to make this process as quick as possible but potential volunteers should be aware that final approval can take several months.

ACTIVE PROJECTS

Thimphu, Bhutan – National Referral Hospital & Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan

Physicians, laboratory professionals, and nurses are needed. To fulfill the project goals, volunteers participate in the daily activities on the oncology inpatient and outpatient unit with the emphasis on education and role modeling. In addition, volunteers prepare lectures/presentations for the hospital staff about cancer related topics. As the project develops, there is interest in collaborating with the chemotherapy pharmacist and helping to develop chemotherapy and pain management protocols.

Assignment: 1 month

Teaching Topics: Oncology – all topics; medical oncology, gynecologic oncology, surgical oncology, nursing, and chemotherapy of particular interest

Opportunities for Those-in-Training: Final year oncology fellows and or physicians who recently completed fellowships will be accepted if paired with an appropriate preceptor.

Qualifications: Physicians & nurses specialized in oncology; board-certified or in active practice for at least 5 years.

Activities: Case presentations, clinical training, continuing education, departmental conferences, didactic instruction, faculty/staff training, formal lecturing, grand rounds, mentoring, protocol development.

Housing: Housing is provided.

Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; not suitable for children.

Bhaktapur, Nepal – Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital (BCH)

HVO volunteers will contribute to the development and implementation of a structured surgical gynecologic oncology training program at BCH. Volunteers will work with BCH staff to develop a gynecologic oncology curriculum for both didactic and clinical skills, and provide surgical and didactic training to BCH gynecologic oncologists.

Assignment: 1-2 weeks

Teaching Topics: Oncology – gynecologic oncology

Opportunities for Those-in-Training: No.

Qualifications: Board-certified gynecologic oncologists with at least two years of post-fellowship experience.

Activities: Clinical training, continuing education, curriculum development, didactic instruction, education material development, faculty/staff training, mentoring.

Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.

Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children.

Kathmandu, Nepal – National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS)

HVO volunteers will seek to improve NAMS oncology residency program and increase knowledge of non-oncology residents and staff regarding oncology.

Assignment: 1-3 weeks

Teaching Topics: Oncology – all topics

Opportunities for Those-in-Training: No.

Qualifications: Board-certified oncologists.

Activities: Case presentations, clinical training, continuing education, didactic instruction, education material development, faculty/staff training, mentoring, research advising.

Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.

Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children.

Hanoi, Vietnam – National Cancer Hospital (NCH)

HVO volunteers will work with NCH personnel to increase knowledge and skills in medical, surgical and radiation oncology, as well as increase the capacity of NCH oncologists to design, conduct and publish research. The project will recruit volunteers to serve in six multi-disciplinary teams of 2-4 people covering topics specified by NCH; volunteers may also serve individual assignments to augment and expand the training offered by volunteer teams.

Assignment: 2 weeks

Teaching Topics: Oncology – medical, surgical, radiation oncology and research of particular interest

Opportunities for Those-in-Training: No.

Qualifications: Board eligible/certified (active or retired) medical, surgical or radiation oncologists. Pathologists, plastic surgeons, colorectal surgeons, thoracic surgeons and individuals (MD or PhD) with experience in study design, data analysis and statistical methods also needed.

Activities: Case presentations, clinical training, continuing education, didactic training, faculty/staff training, formal lecturing, mentoring, research advising.

Housing: Volunteers are responsible for housing.

Companions: Suitable for companion/spouse; suitable for children.