November, 2024

Dear friends,

November marks the beginning of the holiday season and is often the time we are reminded to take a moment to consider all that we are thankful for. While there is still so much more work to be done, I am grateful for the amazing strides we have taken together this year as we continue to improve health care for thousands of people in dozens of countries around the world.

Dr. Văn Minh Nguyễn, head of the anesthesia department at Hue University of Medicine & Pharmacy, shared the following words of thanks with the HVO community:

You are making a difference in the lives of patients, their families, and the dedicated health care professionals working tirelessly on their behalf. As the end of the year approaches, I encourage you to support practitioners like Dr. Nguyễn by making a gift that will provide further life-saving training.

I understand that many across our country may be processing the outcome of another deeply polarizing election and looking for guidance and meaning. With a period of political transition for America on the horizon and ongoing global health and humanitarian crises worldwide, it is my hope that we find community in our shared values. Let us continue to work together towards a future where all people, everywhere, have access to quality health care.

Thank you for being part of our community.

Sincerely,

April

April Pinner, MSPH, RD

Executive Director

Advancing Anesthesia Care in Laos

Dr. Richard Henker has been visiting Lao Friends Hospital for Children (LFHC) since 2015, often accompanied by nurse anesthesia students from the University of Pittsburgh. During his trip this summer, he collaborated with local partners to conduct a successful workshop focused on regional anesthesia for eleven Lao anesthesiology residents. Following this workshop, Kuelee Lao, a nurse anesthetist at LFHC and an HVO Warfield Scholar, traveled with Dr. Henker to the AANA conference in San Diego to present his research poster. They then proceeded to the University of Pittsburgh, where Kuelee had the opportunity to observe anesthesia practice in the U.S.

Dr. Stephen Mirembe Takes Over for Dr. Grace Mulyowa

Dr. Grace Mulyowa is stepping down as HVO's on-site coordinator at Mbarara University of Science and Technology after twenty years. He is leaving his position as Head of the Dermatology Department and will be succeeded in both roles by Dr. Stephen Mirembe, who has trained under HVO volunteers and has been coordinating virtual lectures since 2022. We wish Dr. Grace our best as he makes his transition, and we look forward to working more closely with Dr. Mirembe.

Dr. Mirembe says, “I am grateful for the opportunity I had as a resident to benefit from HVO volunteers' support. As a resident, I had the chance to be mentored by some of the best dermatologists and allergolists in the world, led by Professor Elke Weisshaar. Similarly, I would love to have the same experience passed on to our students, and coordinating HVO activities will be driven by that experience.”

Click play on the video below to listen to Dr. Grace's parting words.

2025 SEA-HVO Fellowship

The SEA-HVO Traveling Fellowship funds four-week assignments at HVO anesthesia site for senior anesthesia residents.

The HVO Blog

Dr. Larry Greenbaum recently volunteered with HVO’s pediatric projects at Angkor Hospital for Children (AHC) in Siem Reap, Cambodia as well as at Lao Friends Hospital for Children (LFHC) in Luang Prabang, Laos, lending his expertise in pediatric nephrology. 

URGENT: Pediatric Volunteers Needed

Lao Friends Hospital for Children is looking for pediatric volunteers available for a one-month minimum assignment in December, with a special interest in those with ICU, NICU, and ER experience. Interested volunteers should contact Emily Dalton.

Volunteer Opportunities