International Volunteer Opportunities

• New Opportunity: Teledermatology
  

  The Academy has initated a database of members that 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 referals right away since this project is new and still in the start-up phase.

  • If you would like to be involved, please complete a survey about your interests and experience: Telederm survey
  • Feel free to register with the AAD teledermatology outreach project website and explore the resources that have been made available at: www.telederm.org/africa
  • TeleDermCard: learn how consults are submitted to the teledermatology outreach project
• New Opportunity: Residents' International Grant

In keeping with its dedication to international educational opportunities, new this year the American Academy of Dermatology will be providing funding for six U.S. or Canadian senior dermatology residents to participate in a four week elective in a developing nation where the Education and Volunteers Abroad Committee (EVAC) is establishing dermatology support programs and teledermatology consulting services.


• 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.
• Educator's Grant
  In an effort to promote international educational opportunities, the American Academy of Dermatology is pleased to offer one to two scholarships each year to dermatology educators from developing countries to attend the Academy's Annual Meeting or Summer Academy.
• Guidelines
• Application
• Volunteer Opportunities in Mexico
  Are you short on time but long on ambition for volunteering? We've got the perfect opportunity for you! Make a difference in the lives of young physicians and patients in rural areas of Mexico over a weekend. This volunteer program includes instruction of a basic dermatology course for local doctors (Friday) and clinic work in rural area (Saturday).
  
• Volunteering with Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO)
  The American Academy of Dermatology works with Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO) to match interested dermatologists with overseas volunteer opportunities. Through this program, volunteers train local health care providers, giving them the knowledge and skills to make a difference in their own communities. They generally volunteer for one month although shorter and longer assignments are possible. More information about volunteering is available on the HVO Web site. If you are interested in volunteering at one of the sites below or would like more information, please contact the HVO program department at: info@aad.org or 202-296-0928 for more information. There may also be opportunities for dermatologists experienced in burn or wound care with HVO’s Burn Management or Wound Management programs.
  
  • Siem Reap, Cambodia - New program at Angkor Hospital for Children (AHC)
    Pediatric dermatologists are sought. Each assignment would be at least 2- 3 weeks in length, though longer assignments are welcome.
    AHC does not currently have a dermatologist on staff. As a result, the entire staff is responsible for treating their patients’ skin needs. Volunteers will train all doctors and triage nurses to identify, diagnose, and treat various dermatologic needs. Much of the training will be clinical training, but volunteers will also give lectures to the hospital staff on relevant dermatology topics.
    
  • Palau - booked thru 2007
  • San Jose, Costa Rica - University of Costa Rica
    Volunteers are needed to improve the dermatologic patient care by improving the academic dermatologic residency program at the University of Costa Rica through week long concentrated courses on various dermatologic topics, including 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. The volunteer schedule includes 1-2 hours of lecture time per day, attending ward rounds, observing in clinic. Volunteers must be board certified with a current license. Retired dermatologist are welcome. This site is not appropriate for residents. Assignments are 1-2 weeks in length.
    
  • 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. Major in-patient dermatology problems encountered include pemphigus vulgaris, severe psoriasis, graft vs. host disease, drug reactions, and problems sent from far away for further evaluation. The most common out-patient diseases include psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, warts, impetigo, melasma, acne, vitiligo, skin cancer, leg ulcers, actinic changes, dermatophytes, and benign growths. 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 could also be given in the afternoons. The department can also arrange a series of patients for dermatologic surgery or patch testing if notified in advance. Assignments are two weeks.
  • Vieux Fort, St. Lucia - New program at St. Jude Hospital
    Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO) is pleased to announce the establishment of a new dermatology program in St. Lucia.  The main objective of this program is to improve the quality of dermatology care at the St. Jude Hospital, located in Vieux Fort in St. Lucia. Another objective is to train the hospital staff to develop its own community outreach program within dermatology.  Volunteers are needed to provide training to physicians, nurses, and residents in the internal medicine and pediatric departments on various topics, including common dermatoses, infections, dermatophytosis, pigmentary disorders, and STD's. This is accomplished through lectures and hands-on instruction. Volunteers also train hospital staff to conduct community outreach in dermatology. 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.
    
  • 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 8:30am and will include giving a 60-90 minute lecture, round-the-laptop presentations, and time in the clinic. In Uganda, it is estimated that 10-20% of diseases are dermatologic problems, however these needs of 25 million people are largely unmet as there are only 6 dermatologists and 8 dermatology officers in the country. Dermatology and dermatopathologist volunteers are needed for 3-4 weeks, 2 weeks may be considered.
    
    Check out: HVO's "Volunteer Toolkit".
    

    
    If you know of a site that might potentially offer volunteer opportunities or are interested in conducting a site visit, let us know by emailing info@aad.org.

    
    
• Other International Volunteer Organizations
  Many other organizations provide opportunities for international volunteerism. The American Academy of Dermatology does not review or endorse the activities of these organizations; however, a listing of other opportunities is provided as a courtesy and not to be considered exhaustive. Click here.