What is the benefit of volunteers? The question seems silly, but if we stop and think, it’s difficult to tally all the ways volunteers are crucial to our mission. It’s not hyperbole when we say we couldn’t do it without them.
Our partners are our backbone. They represent diverse medical disciplines and educational backgrounds, and they work all around the world. This assortment of experience and knowledge is instrumental to delivering a transformative point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) certificate program. And there’s just one thing that brings this vast group of professionals together: a passion for using bedside ultrasound to provide the best possible care for patients.
In 2022, we engaged with over 150 volunteers from 46 countries who supported us on various projects. The year’s successes were largely due to those individuals who came alongside us on our journey. Our hope is to reach similar milestones this year and every year by continuing to engage with passionate medical professionals who have the drive to see standardized POCUS education become a reality.
Thank you to those who have supported us so far in 2023. You are meeting needs we couldn’t meet on our own. Our mission is to use POCUS to provide for patients globally, and it’s our partners worldwide who take that dream to the furthest corners of the earth, spaces that would be inaccessible to us alone. Because of the dedication of our volunteer community, POCUS has spread to dozens of countries. It has been utilized in the field, in the air, and in rural villages across the globe. Hurdles can’t keep our volunteers from running full-speed ahead, providing care in unique ways to patients who might not otherwise have access.
Along with tireless dedication and boundless creativity, our volunteers provide immeasurable knowledge. Each has a unique background and specialty, which allows them to provide specialized insight. Our volunteers’ expertise is key as we continue working to keep certifications up to date. The assessment development team relies on medical professionals to lead them in authoring, reviewing, and developing content that aligns with the real-world scenarios healthcare providers tackle with POCUS.
Some volunteers go the extra mile by joining our POCUS Ambassadors Program. This is an opportunity for leaders in global healthcare to act as agents of change. They advance healthcare systems in their nations by pursuing projects that positively impact the utilization of bedside ultrasound. Our Ambassadors strive to:
- Create Space – Build accessible pathways for learning and practicing ultrasound
- Cultivate Culture – Integrate imaging into teaching curriculum, daily clinical practice, and limited-resource environments
- Nurture Meaningful Engagement – Empower local providers to determine local needs and develop local solutions
- Uphold Mutual Impact – Design opportunities that support our ambassadors’ goals and drive our shared mission to advance healthcare
No matter the size of your involvement as a volunteer, the benefit you provide our community is immeasurable. Thank you for giving so selflessly of your time, energy, and expertise. You are the bedrock of our community, and we mean it when we say we can’t succeed without you.
If you’re not already a volunteer but would like to join the community, visit our volunteer page to learn more about how you could support the mission of the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy™.
