New Opportunity: Teledermatology

The Academy has initated the creation of a database of members who would like to participate in international teledermatology outreach projects and volunteer their time remotely to answer consultations. Don't be discouraged if you do not receive referrals right away; this project is new and still is in the start-up phase.

• If you would like to be involved, please complete this survey about your interests and experience: Telederm survey
• Feel free to register with the AAD teledermatology outreach project Web site and explore the resources that have been made available at: http://africa.telederm.org/
• TeleDermCard: Learn how consults are submitted to the teledermatology outreach project.

New Opportunity: Residents' International Grant

Volunteer Grant Program
The American Academy of Dermatology Volunteer Grant Program was established in 2004 to assist with financial support for one or two Academy members who volunteer to teach for three to six months or more at the Regional Dermatology Training Center (RDTC) in Moshi, Tanzania, or another educational program in a developing country.

• Phnom Penh, Cambodia — Volunteers will assist with clinical training and lectures at the Kossamak Hospital (PHK, or Kossamak). Lectures are needed in the areas including, but not limited to: general dermatology, pathology, phototherapy, dermatitis and patch testing, infectious disease, pediatrics, dermatologic surgery and care of severe or complicated skin disease. Assignments are two to three weeks. Two to four volunteers are recruited per year. Volunteers must be board-certified or eligible and hold a current license to practice dermatology in the United States or Canada. Active or retired dermatologists are recruited. Final-year residents are accepted. Volunteers are responsible for housing arrangements and expenses.
• Bangalore, India — Bangalore Baptist Hospital (BBH)
  A dermatology training program has been established at the Bangalore Baptist Hospital (BBH). Volunteers provide dermatological and office oragnization to the staff dermatologist, assist in the teaching of health care staff and rotating medical students, and assess the needs of the dermatology department. Volunteers must be board-certified or eligible and hold a current license to practice dermatology in the United States or Canada. Active or retired dermatologists are recruited. Final-year residents are accepted with a letter of recommendation from the director of the residency program. Assisgnments are a minimum of two weeks in length.
• San Jose, Costa Rica — University of Costa Rica
  

  Volunteers must be board-certified with a current license. Retired volunteers also are considered. In addition to dermatologists, sub-specialists in dermatopathology and dermatologic surgery also are welcome. Preferred areas of expertise include but are not limited to: dermatopathology, dermatologic surgery (Mohs surgery), wound healing, pigmented lesions and dermoscopy, photodynamic therapy, lasers, use of laboratory tests in the aid of the diagnosis of dermatologic conditions, collagen vascular disease, systemic therapy in dermatology, cutaneous lymphomas management, inflammatory skin disease, and publishing and paper writing. Assignments are one to two weeks minimum. Volunteers are responsible for housing expenses.

• Lima, Peru — EsSalud Hospital System
  Volunteers are needed to improve the quality of dermatology care by training and educating physicians and residents in pediatric dermatology, dermatopathology, phototherapy, contact dermatitis and patch testing, infectious disease, dermatologic surgery, and care of severe or complicated skin diseases. The volunteer can expect to attend four weekly teaching conferences, daily in-patient rounds, daily clinics and a daily mid-day lecture if there is time. Lectures for residents and nurses also could be given in the afternoons. Assignments are two weeks in length.
• Vieux Fort, St. Lucia — St. Jude Hospital
  

  Currently, St. Jude Hospital does not have any dermatologists on staff. Volunteers will provide lectures and hands-on instruction to medicine staff, pediatricians, internists, house staff, nurses, and two primary care physicians. The immediate focus will be on providing training to the nursing staff. Training mainly will consist of common dermatoses, infections, dermatophytosis, pigmentary disorders, and STDs. Volunteers must be board-eligible/certified dermatologists and must have several years of experience post-training. General (medical) and surgical dermatology, as well as dermapathology volunteers, are sought. Assignments are a minimum of one week. Volunteers are responsible for all travel and living expenses. However, the hospital provides room and board for volunteers. A minimal fee is charged for the housing of spouses and children.
  

• Mbarara, Uganda — Mbarara University of Science and Technology Assignments at Uganda's only dermatology residency program involve training of dermatology residents, medical students, general medical officers (general practitioners), clinical officers (physician assistants), and nurses in all areas of dermatology. A typical day for a volunteer will start at 8:30 a.m. and will include giving a 60- to 90-minute lecture, round-the-laptop presentations, and time in the clinic. In Uganda, it is estimated that 10 percent to 20 percent of diseases are dermatologic problems, however, the needs of about 25 million people are largely unmet because there are only six dermatologists and eight dermatology officers in the country. Dermatology and dermatopathologist volunteers are needed for three to four weeks; two weeks may be considered.
  
  See the HVO Volunteer Toolkit.
  

  
  If you know of a site that might offer volunteer opportunities or are interested in conducting a site visit, let us know by e-mailing info@hvousa.org.