FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

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We track key outcomes such as the number of patients treated, the success rates of surgeries and treatments, the number of healthcare providers trained, and the long-term benefits to the communities we serve. We also gather feedback from patients and local healthcare providers to assess the effectiveness of our programs.

While English is the primary language for training, we have bilingual instructors and local translators to ensure effective communication for non-English speakers.

We offer hands-on training during medical missions, as well as workshops, demonstrations, and educational materials. Our instructors teach techniques like vein sclerosing, prolotherapy, and other procedures to international and local healthcare professionals in the regions where we operate.

We currently offer 3 diverse programs that enhance healthcare access, educate healthcare providers, and deliver medical services to underserved communities, improving long-term health outcomes. Prolotherapy and Regenerative Medicine; Veins Insufficiency Treatment and Wound Care; Ear Nose and Throat surgery and Hearing evaluations. Each of the programs offers the opportunity for hands-on experience during our annual service-learning trips in Mexico and Honduras. These trips are open to healthcare professionals and non-medical volunteers.

If you are not a healthcare professional but still want to support HHPF, you can volunteer for non-medical roles, help with fundraising, assist in administrative tasks, or contribute financially through donations

Volunteers must be 18 years old to travel alone, or 14 years old if accompanying an adult. You may be a healthcare professional with experience in your field (doctor, nurse, medical student, etc.), or you may be a non-medical volunteer who wants to experience an exceptional service-learning trip experience. Each applicant must submit an application, current passport information, medical documentation and licensure if it applies to you. We review EACH application to determine if there is a need and space for your services on a mission. If you are participating as a student learner, there are learning prerequisites to attend

The Hackett Hemwall Patterson Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on providing high-quality medical care to underserved populations globally, through medical missions, educational programs, and the development of healthcare infrastructure Wehave been sponsoring annual service trips since 1969. We offer trips for chronic venous disease care, prolotherapy instruction and Ear Nose and Throat surgeries. Physicians and volunteers from all over the globe collaborate to treat more than 2500 patients each year during these missions.

We welcome volunteers with a variety of skill sets. To apply, please visit the "Volunteer" section on our website, where you can find information on upcoming opportunities and application forms.

Your donation will go directly toward funding medical missions, training local healthcare providers, providing medical supplies and equipment, and supporting ongoing healthcare initiatives in the communities we serve.

Yes! HHPF is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and donations to the Foundation are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Yes, we accept in-kind donations of medical supplies, equipment, and other goods. There are opportunities to donate supplies, but we would need you to contact us to discuss this. There are very important specifications that each item must meet in order to be shipped into another country. If you would like to donate something besides money, please send an email to info@hhpfoundation.org.

Donations can be made directly through our website via credit card or PayPal. We also accept checks, or in-kind donations. All donations go toward funding medical missions, education, and healthcare initiatives.

If you are not a healthcare professional but still want to support HHPF, you can volunteer for non-medical roles, help with fundraising, assist in administrative tasks, or contribute financially through donations

What is the typical cost to participate? Please see our price page here: https://www.hhpfoundation.org/servicelearningtrips

Yes. Each volunteer pays for their own travel to Honduras or Mexico. Each volunteer also pays a designated participation fee. This fee covers your in-county travel, accommodations, and meals, and the remaining portion helps to fund our instructors, the purchase and transportation of the medical supplies we use for the mission. HHPF works hard to keep these expenses low, and we offer support for fundraising and scholarships for volunteers who may need assistance.

No! It’s wonderful if you do speak Spanish, (and a great place to practice it) but our missions are supported by local translators. We also have Spanish-speaking instructors and staff who assist in communication.

If you are a healthcare professional (doctor, nurse, medical student, etc.) interested in volunteering, you can learn more and apply through our website. We provide detailed information about upcoming missions, the application process, and the required documents.

Each mission is 9 days: 2 are travel days, into the country and out again. There are 7 full days during which participants receive instruction, set up clinics, meet patients, organize supplies, and ultimately participate in the 5-day clinic for each group at each site..

There are no requirements for vaccinations to enter Honduras or Mexico, but we recommend that you are up-to-date on all routine vaccinations before you travel. We also recommend visiting the CDC and reviewing their recommendations, and then the decision to take malaria preventative medicine or other preventatives is yours: Please note that if you are going to take Chloroquine as a malaria prophylaxis, you need to start taking it 2 weeks before being in an area that has malaria. Our clinics are in cities (La Ceiba, Tela and Olanchito, Guadalajara –not rural areas), which may affect your decision.

This is STRONGLY recommended! Unfortunately there are often delays due to weather, and this may cause you to have an extra night’s hotel stay or travel cost once arriving in Mexico or Honduras.Local weather can change travel plans also. Medical Evacuation Insurance - Recommended minimum is at least $1,000,000. A medical emergency (illness, accident, injury) may require in-country care AND a need to get back to the US (or other home country). There are many companies offering evacuation insurance including RoamRight and TravelGuard, as well as many others.

Volunteering in any international setting, including Honduras and Mexico, comes with some level of risk, just like volunteering in other parts of the world. However, it is important to note that the Hackett Hemwall Patterson Foundation (HHPF) takes safety very seriously and works closely with local authorities and healthcare professionals to ensure the safety and well-being of all our volunteers. Additionally, we ensure that our volunteers have access to reliable transportation, secure accommodations, and emergency services if necessary. We encourage all volunteers to visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html for up-to-date travel and situational information. Ultimately, each participant will make this decision for themselves.

HHPF offers service-learning trips in Honduras and Mexico. In Honduras our clinics are in La Ceiba, Tela, and Olanchito. In Mexico our site is in Guadalajara. Our Prolotherapy and Regenerative Medicine division also offers an annual fall training conference in the US.

Improving Health, Transforming Lives: The HHP Foundation provides compassionate healthcare to global communities through service, education, and training. We achieve this mission by: ● Sponsoring international medical trips that integrate high-quality learning experiences for healthcare providers in-country and internationally with the delivery of medical care to those in need ● Establishing sustainable, meaningful relationships with the communities we serve, pursuing lasting positive change ● Upholding an unwavering commitment to innovation, inspiration, and elevating the impact we have on the world ● Fostering educational growth by supporting conferences, advancing research initiatives, and promoting collaboration among colleagues.

1. I am applying for and intend to participate in a trip sponsored by the Hackett Hemwall Patterson Foundation (HHPF). 2. I desire to travel under the auspices of the HHPF for the purpose of working with the organization and entities in the designated country to improve the health of the local people. I understand and agree that the HHPF is not acting as my agent in any regard, except as explained below; that the HHPF will make every effort to assist me in providing this service, but is not liable for any travel delays or safety issues while participating in this trip. I am responsible for securing my own identification and health documentation. I will work to the best of my ability on the project designated by the HHPF. 3. I understand and am aware that my participation on this trip may expose me to certain risks and dangers, including but not limited to, the hazards of travel by various means of conveyance; the hazards of politically unstable areas; the dangers of civil disturbances and war; the forces of nature; acts or omissions of the HHPF and/or their respective agents, officers, or directors, and accidents or illness in places without access to medical facilities, transportation, and/or means of rapid evacuation or assistance. I understand that I am responsible to obtain my own insurance to cover medical care outside of the United States (or my home country). This coverage should include medical evacuation provisions. 4. I am aware that my participation on this trip and my use of transportation, housing and dining services, and other goods and services in connection with my participation on this trip carries a risk of personal injury, serious illness, death and property damage or loss. I expressly and voluntarily assume all risk of the injury, illness, death and property damage or loss that may result from my participation on the trip and/or my use of goods and services in connection with my participation on the trip. 5. In consideration for being permitted to participate on the trip, I hereby RELEASE AND DISCHARGE THE HACKETT HEMWALL PATTERSON FOUNDATION and its respective agents, officers, directors and associates (“the Released Parties”) from any and all liability for injury, illness, death, property damage or loss arising out of any other activity incident to my participation on this trip. 6. I agree not to sue or make claims against the Released Parties for injury, illness, death, damage or loss sustained as a result of participation on this trip or the use of the goods and services in connection with my participation on this trip. I will indemnify and hold harmless the Released Parties from all claims, judgments, and costs, including attorney’s fees, incurred in connection with any action relating to my participation on this trip. 7. I understand that the Hackett Hemwall Patterson Foundation may notify the person or persons listed as an emergency contact on this form in the event that I become seriously ill or am involved in an emergency situation during the trip. In the event that I am unable to make my own medical decisions, a representative of the Hackett Hemwall Foundation may have to make those decisions on my behalf. 8. Should any of the provisions of this Agreement and Release, or portions thereof, be found to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Agreement and Release shall nonetheless remain in full force and effect. The Agreement and Release shall be construed under the laws of the State of Wisconsin. I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THIS LIABILITY AGREEMENT AND RELEASE. I FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS CONTENTS. MY DIGITALLY TYPED SIGNATURE BELOW INDICATES MY CONSENT AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE CONDITIONS STATED ABOVE. I SIGN IT OF MY OWN FREE WILL. ​ **THE FOLLOWING AGREEMENT AND RELEASE FORM IS FOR PARTICIPANTS UNDER AGE 18. PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN MUST READ AND SIGN** (SKIP THIS IF NOT APPLICABLE) AGREEMENT & RELEASE OF LIABILITY FOR MINORS - TO BE SIGNED BY PARENT OR GUARDIAN 1. I am the parent or guardian of a minor who is applying for and intends to participate in a trip sponsored by the Hackett Hemwall Patterson Foundation (HHPF). I understand that I am accepting legal responsibility for completing this application and this Agreement and Release of Liability on behalf of the minor, hereafter referred to as "Minor." 2. Minor desires to travel under the auspices of the HHPF for the purpose of working with the organization and entities in the designated country to improve the health of the local people. I understand and agree that the HHPF is not acting as their agent in any regard, except as explained below; that the HHPF will make every effort to assist them in providing this service, but is not liable for any travel delays or safety issues while participating in this trip. I am responsible for securing Minor's dentification and health documentation. Minor will work to the best of his/her ability on the project designated by the HHPF. 3. I understand and am aware that Minor's participation on this trip may expose him/her to certain risks and dangers, including but not limited to, the hazards of travel by various means of conveyance; the hazards of politically unstable areas; the dangers of civil disturbances and war; the forces of nature; acts or omissions of the HHPF and/or their respective agents, officers, or directors, and accidents or illness in places without access to medical facilities, transportation, and/or means of rapid evacuation or assistance. I understand that I am responsible to obtain insurance for Minor to cover medical care outside of the United States (or Minor's home country). This coverage should include medical evacuation provisions. 4. I am aware that Minor's participation on this trip and use of transportation, housing and dining services, and other goods and services in connection with his/her participation on this trip carries a risk of personal injury, serious illness, death and property damage or loss. I expressly and voluntarily assume all risk of the injury, illness, death and property damage or loss that may result from Minor's participation on the trip and/or his/her use of goods and services in connection with his/her participation on the trip. 5. In consideration for Minor being permitted to participate on the trip, I hereby RELEASE AND DISCHARGE THE HACKETT HEMWALL PATTERSON FOUNDATION and its respective agents, officers, directors and associates (“the Released Parties”) from any and all liability for injury, illness, death, property damage or loss arising out of any other activity incident to Minor's participation on this trip. 6. I agree not to sue or make claims against the Released Parties for injury, illness, death, damage or loss sustained as a result of Minor's participation on this trip or the use of the goods and services in connection with Minor's participation on this trip. I will indemnify and hold harmless the Released Parties from all claims, judgments, and costs, including attorney’s fees, incurred in connection with any action relating to Minor's participation on this trip. 7. I understand that the Hackett Hemwall Patterson Foundation may notify the person or persons listed as an emergency contact on this form in the event that Minor become seriously ill or is involved in an emergency situation during the trip. In the event that Minor or guardian is unable to make their own medical decisions, a representative of the Hackett Hemwall Foundation may have to make those decisions on Minor's behalf. 8. Should any of the provisions of this Agreement and Release, or portions thereof, be found to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Agreement and Release shall nonetheless remain in full force and effect. The Agreement and Release shall be construed under the laws of the State of Wisconsin. I AM THE TRAVELER'S PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN. I AM SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT AND RELEASE ON MY OWN BEHALF AND ON THE BEHALF OF THE MINOR TRAVELER AND HIS/HER HEIRS AND ASSIGNS.I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THIS LIABILITY AGREEMENT AND RELEASE. I FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS CONTENTS. MY DIGITALLY TYPED SIGNATURE BELOW INDICATES MY CONSENT AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE CONDITIONS STATED ABOVE. I SIGN IT OF MY OWN FREE WILL.