Seva Story #54 of 100
“I am a physical therapist from Maui currently two months into a four month volunteer assignment in Thimphu, Bhutan through Health Volunteers Overseas, a U.S. based non-profit organization. I am teaching courses to physical therapy technician students and providing clinical education in collaboration with physical therapy staff at the national referral hospital. I became involved with this organization because of its mission to improve global health through education, so the focus is on building sustainable skills and sharing knowledge with local professionals so that they can improve the quality of health services provided in their communities. So far, it’s been an outstanding experience. The local staff and students have welcomed me with open hearts and minds, eager to learn and ready to collaborate. I am able to contribute skills and knowledge of evidence-based practices that I have gained through continuing education supported by my employer and reliable access to the latest research online. Conversely, they share with me the foundation and nuances of the local medical system and their current knowledge base so that together we can adapt new information and build new skills to fit their patient population.
