HVO Executive Director Recognized for Making a Difference
[Washington DC, September 21, 2021] – Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO) is pleased to announce that Nancy Kelly, MHS, HVO Executive Director, will receive the Deborah Harding Women of Achievement Award, which “honors Peace Corps women whose contributions have made a significant difference in the lives of women and girls in the world.” The award is presented by Women of Peace Corps Legacy, a non-profit organization with the mission of advancing “women and girls’ empowerment to create a better, more just, equitable, inclusive and safe world for future generations.”

“Over the twenty years of my orthopaedic surgery career, I cannot think of many women who have had the breadth and depth of impact on other women as Nancy has,' said Carla Smith, MD, PhD, HVO Board Chair. "From the direct education and care benefits of HVO’s programs to the advancement, mentoring and role-modeling for her staff and volunteers, her legacy is impressive. I count myself among those who are better off for having known her. “

Ms. Kelly has worked for more than four decades to assist women and girls around the world. She served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Republic of Korea, working in maternal and child health. Her work there inspired her career in global health. As Executive Director of HVO since its creation in 1986, she has been the driver behind the organization which has enabled thousands of people to receive improved, dignified, and compassionate health care, and thousands of health professionals to receive training and mentorship. 

Under her leadership, HVO has facilitated over 11,900 volunteer assignments globally. Over the last five years, an average of 3,200 health professionals have received training and mentorship each year, benefiting innumerable women and children, both directly and indirectly. Ms. Kelly’s commitment to mentoring, fostering, and developing leadership skills in women has helped build a global cadre of talented, confident, and inspired women committed to advancing global health care.

The Deborah Harding Women of Achievement Award, which will be presented virtually at the annual conference of the National Peace Corps Association, is named for the founder of the Liberian Education Trust, which has brought access to education for thousands of Liberian girls and women. Ms. Harding is a founding member of Women of Peace Corps Legacy and a strong advocate for gender equality. She helped establish the Women in Development program at Peace Corps and ensured that its language was included in the Peace Corps Act.

The HVO Board and staff are pleased that Nancy's contributions are recognized by such a dynamic group of women leaders.

Media contact: April Pinner, MSPH, RD
Title: HVO Director of Programs
E-mail: a.pinner@hvousa.org
Tele: (202)296-0928 x 111
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 fosters partnerships between institutions, local providers, volunteers and professional associations, so that, together, we can address the global health workforce shortage. HVO recruits trained physicians, nurses, dentists, and allied health professionals to support their colleagues overseas through education, mentorship and inter-professional collaboration. Our volunteers train the next generation of providers while mentoring and working alongside those already in practice to support and sustain them in their work. We invest in health workers, helping to build health system resilience and capacity to ensure all people will have access to expert health care delivered by local health professionals. 

Visit www.hvousa.org to become part of our global health community.
Looking for more information and updates? Follow us: