ORBIS retains an active pool of more than 500 medical volunteers dedicated to the preservation and restoration of sight. Our medical volunteers, also known as volunteer faculty, donate their time and expertise, knowledge and skills, to empower ophthalmic communities in developing countries around the world. 

ORBIS recruits trained and certified experts with teaching experience in ophthalmology, ophthalmic nursing, anesthesiology, biomedical engineering and other related eye care fields. ORBIS programs use medical volunteers to teach and train aboard the ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital and on site in host hospital settings. These training activities are integrated with our year-round country programs and play an essential role in our work to help our partners improve their infrastructure and quality of patient care.  

Most ORBIS medical volunteer opportunities are short-term, averaging seven to 10 days total. Volunteer deployment can be either individual or team placements. Typical activities include hands-on training, surgical demonstration, diagnostic and post-operative consultations and lectures.

ORBIS credentialing requirements include board certification plus a minimum of four years' experience postcompletion of academic training. References from two current ORBIS medical volunteers are required.

If you would like to find out more about becoming a member of ORBIS’s internationally renowned team of medical volunteers, please contact Sally Whitton, R.N., senior manager, volunteer recruitment, at sally.whitton@orbis.org.