DMD #67 | International Service: Connecting Physicians Through Global Volunteerism

Kimberly Haley-Coleman is the Executive Director of Globe Aware, a nonprofit offering short-term (6-7 day) volunteer service trips in 26 countries, focusing on community partnerships for projects like medical clinics, wheelchair distribution, and infrastructure builds. With a family full of physicians, Kimberly shares her journey founding Globe Aware to bridge the gap between willingness to serve and limited time, emphasizing human connections over heroism. The discussion explores the transformative power of cultural immersion, misconceptions about efficiency and structure in global service, benefits for volunteers, including burnout recovery, and practical details like costs, $1,500/week average, tax-deductible, and inclusivity for non-medical participants. Dr. Crane reflects on his own life-changing trips, highlighting trust-building and global unity.Episode HighlightsGlobe Aware's origins: Bridging time gaps for volunteers inspired by Peace Corps and Doctors Without BordersShort-term projects: 30 hours/week of service with cultural learning in 26 countriesMedical and non-medical roles: From clinics to building stoves and distributing wheelchairsCultural exchange: Challenging assumptions and fostering soft power through human connectionsMisconceptions: Efficiency abroad vs. home; embracing flexibility in community settingsInclusivity: Opportunities for families, EMTs, and non-cliniciansPractical considerations: Safety, meals, and adapting to local structuresCosts and accessibility: $1,500/week average, tax-deductible, with employer matchingPersonal impact: Reigniting joy, combating burnout, and building lifelong friendshipsGetting involved: Contact Globe Aware for tailored tripsTop 3 TakeawaysService abroad is a mutual exchange. Volunteers gain as much in perspective and joy as communities receive in aid.Short-term trips fit busy schedules; focus on partnerships and flexibility over rigid efficiency.Non-medical skills are valuable; everyone contributes, from families to paramedics, in holistic community projects. About Kimberly Haley-ColemanAbout Kimberly Haley-ColemanKimberly Haley-Coleman is the Executive Director of Globe Aware, a U.S./Canadian nonprofit with 25 years of experience running short-term volunteer service trips in 26 countries. Founded to address the time constraints of professionals eager to serve, Globe Aware emphasizes cultural partnerships and transformative experiences. Kimberly's background in international volunteering led her to create accessible programs blending service, learning, and connection. Surrounded by a family of physicians, she has collaborated extensively with medical professionals on global projects.LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kimberlyglobeawareWebsite: https://www.globeaware.orgAbout the Host:Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch.Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible.About the Show:Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine.In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole.Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.comLMC Series Note:Living with Metastatic Cancer (LMC) explores the science, decisions, and day-to-day realities of life with advanced disease—through candid physician–patient conversations.  The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.