2018 HVO Golden Apple Recipients Announced

HVO Volunteers, Partners Recognized for

Commitment and Leadership in Global Health

[April 6, 2018] - Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO) is pleased to announce the recipients of the thirteenth annual HVO Golden Apple Award. As part of its World Health Day observances and in celebration of World Health Worker Week, HVO recognizes the extraordinary contributions of HVO members, volunteers and supporters. Each individual honored with this award has demonstrated a commitment to HVO’s mission to improve global health through the education, training, and professional development of the health workforce in resource-scarce countries.

The recipients of the 2018 HVO Golden Apple Award are: Janna Beling, PhD, PT; Pamela Cole, PT, CWS; Robert Hoffman, MD; Cynthia Howard, MD, MPHTM; Dashrath Kafle, BDS, MDS; Alexia Knapp, MD, MS; Sithach Mey, MD; George Meyer, MD; and Prakash Neupane, MD.

These individuals have contributed to global health and the HVO mission in a number of ways. Their work includes project assessment, development, and monitoring; advocacy and promotion of HVO’s mission; building professional networks that support health workers and facilitate advancements at project sites; cultivation of connections between HVO volunteers and overseas trainees; acquisition and development of educational resources; and teaching, training, and mentoring overseas health workers to expand their knowledge, skills and professional development.

“The recipients of the 2018 HVO Golden Apple Award are extraordinary examples of the dedication and influence of the people who make up HVO’s community,” remarked HVO Executive Director, Nancy Kelly, MHS. “As we take this week to celebrate health heroes and highlight the importance of health workers in the drive toward Universal Health Coverage, it is only fitting that we honor these volunteers and overseas partners.”

The efforts of HVO Golden Apple Award recipients are an integral part of HVO’s mission to expand access to care by empowering health workers. By highlighting the achievements and contributions of the Golden Apple Award recipients, HVO seeks to demonstrate how education and opportunity for health workers will lead to more people around the world being able to access safe, skilled, and compassionate health care when they need it most.

The HVO Board of Directors established the HVO Golden Apple Award in 2006 to recognize and thank the individuals and health educators who make exceptional contributions to HVO and our mission to improve global health. Each year, a handful of individuals - nominated by HVO members, volunteers or leadership, or by our overseas partners - receive the award in recognition of the substantial impact they have had as teachers, advisers, mentors and leaders.

Since 1950, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the international community have celebrated World Health Day on April 7. The day always focuses on a relevant global health issue and this year’s theme is “Universal Health Coverage: Everyone, Everywhere.” World Health Day will shine a spotlight on the need for Universal Health Coverage - and the advantages it can bring. WHO and its partners will share examples of steps to take to get there through a series of events and conversations held at multiple levels. For more information on World Health Day 2018, visit the WHO website .

World Health Worker Week, celebrated for the sixth consecutive year, runs from April 1-7. The week serves as an opportunity to mobilize communities, partners, and policy makers in support of health workers around the world. It is a time to celebrate the amazing work that they do and to raise awareness of the challenges they face every day. Learn more about World Health Worker Week .

ABOUT HVO

Health Volunteers Overseas is a nonprofit organization that seeks to improve global health through education of the local health workforce in resource-scarce countries. HVO volunteers build local capacity by empowering health care professionals with knowledge and skills to address the health care needs of their communities. HVO volunteers are trained health care professionals - physicians, nurses, dentists, physical therapists and others - willing to donate their time and expertise to work side-by-side with their colleagues overseas. Since 1986, HVO staff and volunteers have collaborated with a variety of health institutions to design, develop and implement each HVO project, working toward better patient care around the globe in trauma care, child and maternal health, essential surgery, cancer care, rehabilitation, and more. Visit www.hvousa.org to find out how to become part of our global health community.