ONCOLOGY

Volunteers for these programs must be trained and credentialed medical professionals who specialize in oncology. This includes physicians (medical, radiation, and surgical oncology), laboratory professionals and nurses. Assignments range from 1 - 4 weeks.

Thimphu, Bhutan - National Referral Hospital

Physicians (medical, radiation, gynecologic, and surgical oncology, among other specialists), laboratory professionals, and nurses are needed. To fulfill the program goals, volunteers will participate in the daily activities on the oncology inpatient and outpatient unit with the emphasis on education and role modeling. In addition, volunteers will prepare lectures/presentations for the hospital staff about cancer related topics. As the program develops, there is interest in collaborating with the chemotherapy pharmacist and helping to develop chemotherapy and pain management protocols. Housing will be provided. Monthly assignments are preferred, but two week assignments may be allowed.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Black Lion Hospital and the Cancer Center

To improve the quality of oncology services to patients in Ethiopia, volunteers are needed to provide training to nurses, physicians, residents and medical students in a variety of areas. Volunteers work in multidisciplinary methods in the management of cervical and breast cancers to include surgical, radiation and medical oncology, pathology, and psychosocial oncology, among other fields. Training is also needed in diagnostic methods including pathology and diagnostic imaging as well as supporting cancer prevention by developing lectures on primary prevention. Housing is provided.

Tegucigalpa, Honduras - Hospital Escuela, Hospital San Felipe, & the Cancer Center Emma Callejas

This program focuses on the ongoing development of an oncology training program for both adult and pediatric oncology at three centers in Tegucigalpa. Volunteers work towards meeting specific objectives within five main categories: pathology, cancer control, staff seminars/workshops, curriculum development & student and resident education. Training is conducted at all three facilities. There are currently fewer than 20 trained medical, radiation and surgical oncologists in the country. Depending on the needs of the facilities and the expertise of the volunteer, volunteers may be asked to work in more than one facility during the assignment. In addition, to utilize expertise of selected volunteers, other goals and objectives for the program specific to individual facilities will be developed by the program directors, on-site coordinator, and volunteer. Housing is available at local hotels and/or guest houses.

Hue, Vietnam - Hue College of Medicine and Pharmacy

Volunteers are needed to assist in training physicians, surgeons, nurses, laboratory personnel and other health providers in a variety of areas including clinical care of oncology patients, surgical training, guidance in developing immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry technologies, palliative care and developing an infrastructure to deliver chemotherapy to outpatients. In addition, volunteers are needed to provide oncology lectures to medical students and/or residents and to provide training to nurses in the management of oncology patients. All interested radiation oncologists much be comfortable with gamma knife technology. Housing is available at local hotels and/or guest houses.