(Updated February 2008)

What is the AAWC Global Alliance?
The AAWC Global Alliance, originally known as the World Wound Care Alliance (WWCA), is an initiative within the mission of the Association for the Advancement of Wound Care (AAWC). It is dedicated to bringing the science of wound care to the underprivileged in developing countries and North America. It can be considered similar to a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) for international health care. The WWCA was officially introduced at the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) in May 2006.

Why did AAWC change the name from WWCA to AAWC Global Alliance?
In late 2007, the AAWC Board of Directors decided that the name World Wound Care Alliance (WWCA) did not clearly reflect the fact that this is an AAWC initiative. Additionally, the acronym “WWCA” had the potential to become confused as another non-profit wound care organization rather than be understood as a project of the AAWC.

Who is the sponsor of the AAWC Global Alliance?
The AAWC Global Alliance was created by the AAWC Board of Directors and is supported by the volunteer leadership of AAWC Members. In December 2006, AAWC formed its first strategic partnership to foster the mission of the AAWC Global Alliance – a partnership with Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO). HVO, based in Washington, DC, has provided opportunities for medical volunteers in developing countries for several years and has multiple sites established throughout the world. Be sure to read the press release regarding this partnership found at www.aawconline.org.

How does the AAWC Global Alliance function?
Through our partnership with HVO, we now provide opportunities for teams of medical professionals to volunteer for short term (5-10 day) visits to pre-selected medical sites in resource poor nations. In cooperation with HVO, we have visited each site and, with the assistance of the local professional faculty, have created the framework for volunteer educational visits. The AAWC Global Alliance provides the professional education. HVO manages the programs and provides the volunteers with logistical support.

Who is eligible to volunteer?
Volunteers must be willing and able to conduct teaching and training activities as HVO programs are focused on providing education, not service.  Active or retired physicians, nurses, podiatrists, physical and occupational therapists and researchers specialized in wound care and lymphedema management are needed.  Qualified volunteers are health care professionals who are actively providing advanced, evidence-based wound care and are working with wounds in an academic setting, a clinical practice in any setting, wound research, or infection control.  Previous clinical or academic teaching experience is preferred but not required.  Clinicians must have a current professional license and all volunteers must be members of AAWC.  Volunteers must provide a copy of their CVs to HVO.  Volunteers are strongly encouraged to join HVO.

What is the goal of the volunteer site visits?
The goal of these visits is twofold. The first goal is to present an outlined teaching curriculum to both the medical community and to the surrounding community. The second goal is to teach modern wound care, acting as educators in the clinical setting. The mission of the volunteer is to identify and train local health care personnel who can, in time, assume the role of training others. The volunteers are not expected to act as primary caregivers. It is anticipated the volunteer teams will visit the selected sites at six month intervals.

What is the composition of the medical teams?
It is suggested that each team consist of approximately 2 to 4 volunteers. Ideally, varied specialties will be represented within each team. (For example, representation could include a medical physician – varying specialties, Nursing, Physical Therapy, Podiatry, Lymphedema, etc.) Volunteers will be encouraged to organize teams of friends or representatives of their own medical facilities. Depending on the site chosen, responsible family members may also accompany the volunteers. Individual volunteers will be given opportunities to join established teams.  On occasion, there may be opportunities for someone to go to a site individually or with one other clinical specialist.  Please feel free to contact HVO for more information (www.hvousa.org).

What sites are available for volunteer visits?
All present and future volunteer programs are initiated after an extensive needs assessment has been made. Each site will have been visited by an individual or team from AAWC. In cooperation with HVO, these site evaluations serve as the basis for developing a teaching curriculum, which will take into account local wound care conditions and locally available resources. Each program will have a North American based Program Director who is responsible for ensuring that volunteers are briefed about program goals and objectives.  The HVO staff is responsible for working with the volunteers to coordinate dates, inform the sites, and ensure that all orientation materials are made available to the volunteers.  HVO has a web-based password protected platform, HVO Knowledge network, which contains a wealth of resources and background materials for the volunteers.  Each location will have an on-site coordinator who is responsible for organizing volunteer teams, and providing scheduling, orientation, country and health information. Site visits and arrangements have been completed at four locations. These sites are located in Cambodia (two sites); Lima, Peru; and Vellore, India. The goal of the AAWC Global Alliance is to have 9 sites available, world wide, by 2009.

Can new site locations in need of wound care education and training be suggested to the AAWC Global Alliance for development?
Absolutely! The AAWC Global Alliance encourages individuals and corporations to suggest sites in developing nations that meet the criteria established by HVO. The site must be dedicated to the care of the urban and rural poor and not for profit enterprises. The AAWC Global Alliance is designed with the full knowledge, support and consent of the host government or institution.

Will the AAWC Global Alliance provide teaching materials for both volunteer preparation and site teaching?
Yes. Educational material has been developed to prepare the volunteer in the broad aspects of tropical wound assessment and treatment. A flexible, constantly revised, teaching outline will be provided. Each volunteer is encouraged to use the AAWC Global Alliance template educational material and adapt this to their own presentation.

What are the financial responsibilities of the AAWC Global Alliance volunteer?
Volunteers pay for transportation to and from the program site. Many sites provide room, board and daily transportation for the volunteers, although there may be a nominal fee charged.  Personal expenses, such as health insurance and immunizations, are the responsibility of the volunteer. Many volunteers are interested in seeking funds to help defray some of the costs associated with going overseas. Local civic groups, churches, medical centers and individuals are often willing to contribute, especially to someone from their own community and related co.  Since HVO is registered with the IRS as a non-profit organization, most travel expenses and related costs incurred by the volunteers are tax-deductable.  HVO will provide each volunteer with a Financial Contribution Form that he/she should complete and submit to HVO documenting volunteer-related expenses.  HVO will send the volunteer a letter acknowledging these expenses.

What about Insurance?
AAWC Global Alliance volunteers, in their capacity as teachers (rather than primary providers of service), should not find liability insurance an issue. The AAWC Global Alliance will adhere to all local registration requirements of each country of service. This means that volunteers will have to submit documentation regarding education, licensure and certification status. The HVO staff will provide volunteers with information about necessary documentation (copies of licenses, etc.) that must be submitted to the site.  HVO will also recommend a travel agent and provide other travel-related information such as how to obtain a visa, etc.  Travel health insurance and provisions for possible medical evacuation are up to the volunteer, but both are strongly advised.

Are there expectations of the AAWC Global Alliance volunteer?
AAWC Global Alliance volunteers will demonstrate the highest standards of professional and personal conduct at all times. Sensitivity to cultural and social beliefs and practices of the host country should guide professional and personal behavior.  Every volunteer will be expected to submit a trip report to HVO which will be shared with the AAWC.  An outline for this report will be included in the HVO orientation materials. This will relate to demographic and epidemiologic information as well as local peculiarities. We believe that these reports will serve as a catalyst for ongoing development. Each year at SAWC, we will provide a forum for volunteers to report on their experiences.

How can I submit an application for volunteer consideration?
Applications will be available to AAWC members by contacting Health Volunteers Overseas or by phone at 202-296-0928. Applications will then be reviewed by the AAWC Global Alliance/HVO registration committee. Notification of acceptance should be prompt. It is anticipated that volunteers will be positioned to begin travel by the fall of 2008.

How can I support the AAWC Global Alliance?
You may support the AAWC Global Alliance by spreading the word about the program as well as by making a tax-deductible contribution. Simply visit AAWC on the web at www.aawconline.org. Go to “Contact Us,” and select “Contributions.” Additionally, if you will be in attendance at SAWC each spring, visit the AAWC Booth in the exhibit hall to purchase an AAWC Global Alliance support bracelet.