Thanks to a global network of volunteer experts, host partners, academic institutions, and generous supporters, we work to increase access to quality urological care in medically underserved areas of the world. Each year, we serve hundreds of children and adults in need while training local doctors and nurses. The training we provide helps ensure that future generations will have access to the life-changing surgical care they need to lead healthy, productive lives.

IVU volunteer doctors and nurses travel in teams of 3-8 people to teaching hospitals to train their counterparts in urology. Each 6 to 14-day workshop involves intensive training in a specific subspecialty of urology. IVU workshops focus on:

Reconstructive Urology - IVU’s reconstructive urology program addresses both common and neglected urological conditions, including urethral reconstruction for treatment of urethral stricture and related conditions; genital lymphedema treatment, such as hydrocele repair, for conditions such as lymphatic filariasis, or elephantiasis; and vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) repair.
General Urology - Our general urology program provides our host partners with training in a variety of topics such as TURP, stones, and endourology.
Female Urology - IVU’s women’s health program focuses on female urology, with an emphasis on incontinence. Our workshops focus on stress incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) repair.
Pediatric Urology - When IVU started in 1992, our first programs were dedicated to pediatric urology. Malformations of the reproductive and urinary tracts are among the most common birth defects affecting children worldwide.
Urologic Oncology - Requests for IVU’s urologic oncology workshops have increased significantly in recent years. Our volunteer experts provide education for treatment of common urologic cancers such as bladder, kidney, and prostate cancer.

We have an ongoing need for volunteer urologists, anesthesiologists, and pediatricians, among others. Please contact us to see how we can use your skills to fulfill our mission. As a volunteer physician, you will participate in an IVUmed educational workshop, collaborating with other volunteer physicians to provide informative hands-on training at our partner sites.

In nursing, we primarily seek volunteer PACU, CRNA, and nurse educators. Please contact us to see how we can use your skills to fulfill our mission. By working side-by-side local nurses, you will be able to model complete patient care and provide education at our partner sites.

IVUmed’s Traveling Resident Scholar Program gives urology trainees the opportunity to volunteer their time and talents in developing world hospitals. Residents in PGY-3 and above have the opportunity to gain significant hands-on experience in urology under the supervision of mentors who are board-certified urologists.

What to Expect

IVU needs experts in the fields of urology, anesthesia, and nursing to fulfill our mission. Volunteer your time and talents to help teach medical personnel in partner hospitals throughout the world. Our teams conduct week-long workshops, which offer hands-on surgical training to local doctors and nurses and care to children and adults in need.

Doctors are responsible for covering all travel-related expenses plus a standard contribution of $250. Depending on the training we may also need volunteer nurses. We have limited scholarships available to help cover nurses’ travel expenses. Nurses are asked donate a standard contribution of $600 when a scholarship is offered. Please contact us for more information.

What Do I Get For My Contribution?

Travel to a vetted IVU training site with a team of IVU volunteers.
Assistance with travel booking, logistics, and planning of the workshop.
Access to useful travel info: travel tips and CDC health recommendations
Enrollment for emergency medical traveler’s insurance coverage
Enrollment with the State Department for emergency support
Access to experienced volunteers who have been to the site
Assistance with donations of supplies for the training
Data and research that measures the impact of our work, and your contribution
Participation in a global network, expanding access to quality urological care!

How to Apply

Review. Review our available volunteer opportunities, and identify an opportunity that matches your availability, interest, and skills.
Apply. Complete and submit a volunteer application form (found below) along with your CV and let us know which specific opportunity you are interested in.
Match. IVU staff will confirm the site needs and availability and begin planning logistics.
Go. Travel to your life-changing volunteer assignment in Africa, Asia, or Latin America.