Advancing Neurosurgical Expertise: Razom’s Co-Pilot Project and Pioneering Ukrainian American Collaboration

Published: October 31, 2024

In the spirit of Razom’s mission, which exhorts us to work on initiatives that motivate us to meet, partner and do, we are pleased to highlight how Razom’s Co-Pilot Project has facilitated a very meaningful collaboration between American and Ukrainian neurosurgeons. Specifically, Dr. Rocco Armonda, Dr. Alex Valadka, Dr. Maksim Shapiro, Dr. Kim Nelson, Dr. Luke Tomycz and Dr. Conner Berlin, and Mechnikov neurosurgeons from Dnipro, Dr. Andrii Sirko and Dr. Yuriy Cherednychenko. This ongoing partnership has led to presentations at several international conferences and the co-authoring of 6 medical articles in prestigious journals. Together, these colleagues are advancing trauma care and elevating Ukrainian medical expertise on the global stage.

Last year, Razom organized a trip for Conner Berlin, who was a senior neurosurgery resident at the time. During his 16-day visit, he performed 20+ emergency surgeries and participated in reciprocal learning, helping to train the neurosurgical staff while gaining invaluable insights himself. After returning, Conner asked to write an article with Dr. Sirko. Along with Dr. Armonda, they co-authored ‘Wartime Penetrating Traumatic Brain Injury of the Anterior Skull Base Involving the Paranasal Sinuses: A Single-Center, First-Year Experience from Dnipro, Ukraine,’ which was published on November 31 in the Journal of Neurosurgery.

Below are a few of the notable articles and publications that exemplify the groundbreaking research and clinical advancements emerging from this collaboration:

Wartime penetrating traumatic brain injury of the anterior skull base involving the paranasal sinuses: a single-center, first-year experience from Dnipro, Ukraine – Published in Journal of Neurosurgery.
Operation Rescue: Ukrainian Wartime Neurosurgery—Past Results and Future Prospects – A feature article in the July newsletter of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies.
Intracranial aneurysms treatment using new generation FRED X flow diverters with antithrombotic coating and preoperative PreSize Neurovascular software simulation: literature review and clinical observations analysis – Published in the Ukrainian Neurosurgical Journal.

Each paper is proof of the dedication, expertise, and shared commitment of Ukrainian and American neurosurgeons. Their ongoing collaboration is setting new benchmarks in neurosurgical trauma care and creating a lasting impact on Ukraine’s medical landscape under extreme circumstances. Razom’s Co-Pilot Project is honored to support this partnership, which is as inspiring as it is transformative.

Your support is crucial in enabling Razom’s Co-Pilot Project to continue its life-saving efforts and drive global advancements in neurosurgery.

Learn more about and support the Co-Pilot Project and Razom Health.

Empowering Ukrainian Surgeons: U.S. Training in Reconstructive and Neurosurgery

Published: October 24, 2024

We are excited to share that Razom Health’s Co-Pilot Project and OU Health have hosted the 15th participant of our 4-week observership program, focused on facial plastic reconstructive surgery and neurosurgery at the University of Oklahoma. A huge thanks to Dr. Mark Mims, Dr. Andrew Bauer, and the McGrail Family for leading this project.

One participant shared their experience:

“The acquired knowledge is extremely important, and I’ve already used it in practice. Every day, we face patients who need these life-saving reconstructive surgeries.”

This cohort included Dr. Andrii Kopchak, Dr. Tetiana Pavlychuk, and Dr. Ievgen Shumynskyi from Kyiv Regional Hospital and Bogomolets Medical University, who frequently collaborate on symposiums focused on the reconstruction of head and neck war injuries with the Co-Pilot Face the Future Foundation and Co-Pilot Face to Face Medical Trips.

Your support is crucial in enabling the Co-Pilot Project to continue its work of providing life-changing and modern medical care to Ukrainians. Please consider donating to Razom and help us bring hope to those who need it most. Together, we can make a difference.

Learn more about and support the Co-Pilot Project and Razom Health.

Okhmatdyt’s Medical Staff: Faces of Resilience in the Face of Tragedy

Published: July 10, 2024

On July 8, 2024, a day that will forever be etched in our hearts, the world witnessed the incomprehensible destruction caused by a massive Russian bombing campaign that targeted civilian areas in Ukraine, including a major cancer center, Kyiv’s Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital. The stories of the brave medical professionals and the innocent children affected by this heinous attack, paint a vivid picture of the resilience and determination of the Ukrainian people.

Mariyana Morozova: A Day of Unimaginable Horror

Dr. Mariyana Morozova, a pediatric anesthesiologist at Okhmatdyt and expert in Razom’s Breathe initiative, shared her harrowing experience. She splits her time between a private clinic and Okhmatdyt, located just across the street from each other. On that fateful day, Dr. Morozova was working at the private clinic when the air raid sirens blared and explosions shook the ground.

“I tried to contact my colleagues at Okhmatdyt, but there was no response. I ran over there, and it was just a disaster! There were so many wounded,” she recalled. The intensive care unit’s lab technician was severely injured, suffering from a concussion, a jaw fracture, and bleeding. With the help of the entire community, they evacuated the most critical patients, including those in the neonatal ICU (Intensive Care Unit), neuro ICU, and surgical ICU. Dr. Morozova’s department was among the most severely damaged, and she tragically lost a dear friend and colleague, Dr. Svitlana Luk’yachuk. Miraculously, all the children survived, but the emotional scars will remain forever.

Alyona Bezlehka: First Day Back Turns into a Nightmare

For rehabilitation specialist Alyona Bezlehka, it was her first day back at work after a vacation. She had been eagerly anticipating reuniting with her patients. As the explosions began, she quickly led her patients to the corridor and then to the bomb shelter. Returning to her department on the 5th floor, she encountered her colleague, covered in blood and holding a child they couldn’t evacuate in time.

“The floor was covered in blood and dust. I am not a surgeon, but I saw bandages and started applying them to stop the bleeding,” she recounted. Among the chaos, one boy’s cries for his grandmother haunted her. He was in shock, shivering, and vomiting, with his hand covered in blood. The sight of injured children, medical staff on stretchers, and parents with bandaged heads was overwhelming. Her department was almost completely destroyed, with windows blown out and the ceiling collapsed. Despite the devastation, the motivation to help and the outpouring of support from the community kept her going.

Valeriy Bovkun: Narrow Escape from Death

Valeriy Bovkun, head of the Department of Reconstructive-Plastic Microsurgery at Okhmatdyt, was organizing the evacuation of patients when the explosion occurred. “I was in my office when the sirens started, and then went out to check if the patients were moving to safe places. Moments later, the explosion occurred. My office was critically damaged: the blast wave tore out the window and threw it right onto my workspace,” he recounted. If he had stayed a moment longer, he would likely have been buried under the rubble. Thanks to the timely evacuation, most patients were unharmed, but five staff members were injured by glass shards.

Despite being in a state of shock, Valeriy and his colleagues immediately began providing first aid to the injured. “We applied bandages and sutures, examined the children, and did everything we could to help,” he said.

Roman Shevchenko: From Routine to Ruin

Roman Shevchenko, head of the Children’s Sleep Laboratory at Okhmatdyt, was in the laboratory next to the building hit by the missile. “By the time the explosion happened, we had not yet managed to get to the shelter, so after the impact, glass shards flew at us. I was slightly injured, but our nurse was severely cut by glass and bleeding. We started looking for something to bandage her with, but there was nothing nearby, so we went down to the floor, and there I provided her with first aid,” he explained. Despite the devastation, most of the laboratory’s equipment remained intact and continued to function. “We had a laptop on the windowsill, it was covered with glass but still working!” Roman recounted in astonishment.

He emphasized the unexpected timing of the attack: “Russia struck right after all the morning meetings were over and all the doctors had started working. We were already used to Russia striking at night, so this attack was completely unexpected.”

Photos courtesy of Okhmatdyt medical staff.

How You Can Help:

The attack on Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital has devastated the lives of many innocent victims and shaken the global community. Razom Health is actively on the ground, mobilizing crucial supplies and support for those affected.

You can make a difference today by supporting our dedicated teams as they work tirelessly to aid the victims of the Okhmatdyt tragedy and other healthcare facilities in Ukraine that remain under constant threat of attack.

Donate now to provide immediate relief and assistance to those in need.

Face the Future Ukraine: Advancing Reconstructive Surgery in Ivano-Frankivsk

Published: June 26, 2024

The Face the Future Ukraine team, consisting of 15 specialists from Canada and the U.S., visited Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Hospital for the third time this spring to perform complex reconstructive surgeries. The team included reconstructive and plastic surgeons, an oculoplastic surgeon, an anesthesiologist, and nurses. They also shared their knowledge at the Third International Symposium for Surgeons “Reconstructive Surgery of Military Trauma of the Head and Neck” and the Third Symposium for Nurses “Peculiarities of Management of Patients with Military Trauma and Posttraumatic Disorders,” which saw over 130 surgeons and 230 nurses in attendance.

During their trip, the team performed 88 procedures on 32 severely injured Ukrainian heroes, focusing on major head and neck reconstruction. Collaborating with foreign colleagues provides Ukrainian surgeons a unique opportunity to diagnose complex injuries, plan treatments, and perform intricate reconstructive surgeries.

“Preparation for this mission begins long before our foreign colleagues arrive in Ukraine. Over the past five months, we have examined more than a hundred patients to plan surgeries, select specialists, and develop individual implants. It’s a big team effort. It’s very valuable that many surgeries are performed for the first time in the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Hospital. During these missions, we not only restore the health of our soldiers but also learn from foreign colleagues and start performing new surgical interventions on our own,” says Nataliya Komashko, ENT, Head of the Ukrainian Medical Team.

“Every year, we conduct missions in different parts of the world, but in Ukraine, we encounter the most serious cases. No surgeon has faced such injuries unless they were in a war zone. We will return to Ukraine to help restore the faces of as many soldiers as possible. They are heroes who stand for the freedom of their people,” says Dr. Peter Adamson, founder of the Face the Future Foundation, who has just been awarded the prestigious Teasdale-Corti Award by The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC).

Nurses

The Face the Future nurses, led by Laurie Thomas, RN, set up a nursing training center and provided simulation models and stethoscopes for nurses to advance their skills. Laurie organized a stethoscope drive in Canada, donating dozens of stethoscopes during the conference. The team also developed protocols for a PACU (post-anesthesia care unit) and introduced this component of postoperative care in Ivano-Frankivsk hospital.

Personal Implants

A volunteer team of bioengineers from Materialise (3D printing company) designs and prints individual implants for patients. They provide an online platform for surgeons to recreate patient scans in 3D, allowing for a clear understanding of trauma and designing specific implants. This platform enables Ukrainian and Canadian surgeons to work together on the same patient, sharing documentation and collaborating comfortably.

Materialise engineers prepared 3D anatomy simulations and patient-specific 3D-printed implants for eight patients.

Medical Supplies

Medical supplies are vital for such projects, as many surgeries require specific instruments. Debbie Fritz, RN, Team Leader of Procurement, coordinates the needs of surgeons, leveraging connections with suppliers to secure donations or discounts. Razom procures critical supplies in Ukraine, which are then donated to the hospital.

Through targeted medical trips, conferences, and training sessions, providers working with the Razom Co-Pilot Project are empowering healthcare professionals, enhancing skills and methods, and ultimately improving surgical care in Ukraine.

We are immensely grateful to the Face the Future team for their continued support of Ukrainian healthcare:

– Dr. Peter Adamson, Chef de Mission

– Dr. Anthony E. Brissett, Mission Director

– Susan Truax, Administrative Support

– Dr. Josh Kain, Surgeon

– Dr. Irena Karanetz, Surgeon

– Dr. Vladimir Kratky, Surgeon

– Dr. Terry Taylor, Surgeon

– Dr. Burke Bradley, Anesthesiologist

– Amy Bradley, RN

– Debbie Fritz, RN, Team Leader for Procurement

– Maureen Merchant, RN

– Heather Leard, CST

– Laurie Thomas, RN, Head of RNs Team, Leader of Nursing Academic Day

– Bibi Yasin, RN

– Yurij Tsuvanyk, CST

– Pam Leeman, RN

We are thankful to all Ukrainian doctors, nurses, and medical professionals who tirelessly provide treatment to Ukrainian patients, both civilians and military, during the hardships of war.

Patient’s Story

“My daughter did not recognize me after the injury. I dream that the doctors will give me back my face,” said 29-year-old Oleksii before the operation. He was one of the 32 patients of the international mission of reconstructive surgeons Face the Future Ukraine in Ivano-Frankivsk.

Oleksii was seriously injured in the Donetsk area during an assault on enemy positions, where he came under mortar fire. His brother died, and Oleksii was severely injured in the face and hand. He was in a coma for five days and could not speak or eat for several months, but doctors managed to repair his face and final results will be visible in six months.

The humanitarian program “Face the Future Ukraine” was founded by Face the Future Foundation, Razom for Ukraine, and Still Strong to provide free reconstructive surgeries to Ukrainian patients and train Ukrainian surgeons. It is implemented in partnership with the CF “Patients of Ukraine,” the project “Rehabilitation of War Injuries,” the Ukrainian Association of Endoscopic Head and Neck Surgery, the Regional Clinical Hospital of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Council, Healing The Children North East, UMANA, Americares, with the support of the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine, Ivano-Frankivsk OVA, companies Metinvest, Nova Ukraine, Materialise, Yellow Blue Force Foundation, and Transmed.

Learn more about and support the Co-Pilot Project and Razom Health.

Advancing Women’s Health Care in Ukraine: Insights from Dr. Irena Karanetz and Dr. Alina Andriiv

Published: June 25, 2024

The Current State of Women’s Health Care in Ukraine

Dr. Irena Karanetz, a renowned New York City plastic surgeon, provides an eye-opening assessment of the current state of women’s health care in Ukraine. Originally from Ukraine, Dr. Karanetz moved to Chicago at the age of 15 and trained in plastic surgery in New York. Through her connection toRazom, she joined the Face the Future Team of facial reconstructive surgeons in 2023, and has since participated in two medical trips to Ukraine. A dedicated member of the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America (UMANA), Dr. Karanetz is passionate about women’s health, particularly post-mastectomy breast reconstruction, and is committed to improving healthcare in her homeland. During her work with the Face the Future team in the Ivano-Frankivsk hospital, she had a chance to research cancer breast reconstruction options available for women in Ukraine and was inspired to bring to them her knowledge and expertise in this field.

“Public medicine has significant flaws,” Dr. Karanetz observes. “For instance, there might be only one mammogram machine available in an entire city, leading to months-long waits for cancer diagnoses.” She highlights the disparity between public and private healthcare facilities, noting that advanced treatments like implants for breast reconstruction are often unavailable in socialized medicine, creating a significant gap in care.

Dr. Alina Adriiv, the Medical Director of the Prykarpattia Oncology Center in Ivano-Frankivsk, shares these concerns. Dr. Adriiv, who has been working in oncology since 2010, previously served as an associate professor and head of the hormone-dependent tumors department at the oncology faculty. She holds a Candidate of Medical Sciences degree and has completed numerous international internships in the U.S., Israel, and across Europe.

Envisioning a Better Future

Both doctors envision a future when Ukrainian healthcare is significantly bolstered by international collaboration and the adoption of advanced medical techniques. Dr. Karanetz emphasizes the importance of training and equipping younger doctors to overcome the current limitations, such as lack of equipment and treatments, and seize future opportunities. Her efforts have included substantial donations of medical supplies, amounting to $100,000, to support breast reconstruction.

Dr. Adriiv shares this optimistic outlook. Her primary focus is not just on improving survival rates but also on enhancing the quality of life for women undergoing breast cancer treatment. “It’s important to support women not only physically but also psychologically,” she asserts. Dr. Adriiv aims to ensure that treatment guidelines are rigorously adhered to, reducing disparities in the quality of care.

The Role of Medical Conferences

A key highlight of their partnership was the organization of a major Breast Cancer Symposium in Ivano-Frankivsk. This event, the first of its scale in Prykarpattia, was a significant milestone for both doctors. Despite challenges such as securing sponsorships and dealing with limited state support, the symposium was a success.

It was Dr. Karanetz’s dream to hold an event like the Breast Cancer Symposium in Ukraine. With support from Dr. Adriiv, Dr. Natalia Komashko, and the CF Patients of Ukraine, she was able to realize this dream last spring, by combining her participation in the Face the Future medical trip with the symposium. The symposium featured live surgeries and presentations from leading oncologists and oncologic surgeons, offering invaluable learning experiences. Participants described it as a crucial platform for demonstrating new techniques and fostering professional growth among young surgeons.

Dr. Adriiv, who spearheaded the organization of the symposium, shares her experience: “The journey was incredibly challenging due to funding issues, but the outcome was rewarding. Many leading oncologists and surgeons participated, and the event was a significant step towards improving breast cancer care in Ukraine.” Her extensive network and international experience were instrumental in bringing together top professionals for this collaborative effort.

Written by Stephania Korenovsky

Learn more about and support the Co-Pilot Project and Razom Health.

International Day for the Protection of Children

Published: June 1, 2024

June 1st is the International Day for Protection of Children. Nowadays, Ukraine’s children fight for a stolen childhood. For ten years, Ukrainian kids have been losing loved ones to the war in the East and for over two years, Russia has been actively committing atrocities, killing children daily and forcibly taking them from their families. This is not just a tragedy, it is genocide.

At Razom, we are dedicated to supporting and protecting these children through various projects and initiatives.

🔹 #RazomRelief

Future Project:

By supporting camps and centers for kids and teenagers, we aim to provide more than just education, skills, and safety in high-risk areas. Our goal is also to prevent young people from losing their sense of direction. Supporting these kids today means creating a healthier future populace who will be able to contribute to a stable and renewed country.

Razom Toy Drive:

The children of fallen defenders in Ukraine are under constant stress and in dire need of help. The Razom Toy Drive team is committed to wrapping these children’s hearts with warmth and love, recognizing their immense courage and resilience in the face of war. Read more: here

Razom Ticket:

This initiative aims to increase engagement in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines among Ukrainian children. We strive to provide a head start for kids in the world of professional science, IT, and entrepreneurship. Read more: here

🔹 #RazomHealth

The Co-Pilot Project: We have brought, and continue to bring doctors on mission trips to Ukraine to operate on children and save lives, ensuring they receive the medical care they desperately need. Read more: here

Razom z Toboyu (Razom with You): This network of centers is designed to provide mental health support to individuals, both children and adults, who have been affected by war. Read more: here

🔹 #RazomAdvocacy

We are actively speaking out against the forcible and illegal deportation of Ukrainian kids by Russia, bringing international attention to these heinous acts. Read more: here

Your support is crucial in helping us continue these vital projects. Together, we can make a difference and offer support to the youngest victims of this war.

Donate to Razom and help us support and empower Ukrainian children.

Surgeons From War-Torn Ukraine Are Receiving Life-Saving Training in the U.S.

Published: May 10, 2024

Razom’s Co-Pilot Project, in partnership with Oklahoma University Health and the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons, is bringing skilled surgeons from Ukraine to America for a one-month clinical observership.

Led by Dr. Mark Mims, OU Health’s Operation Ukraine program has sponsored its third cohort of surgeons, who practice in military hospitals in Lviv and Kyiv, tending to wounded soldiers daily.

The primary goal of the observership is to provide these surgeons with advanced training in microvascular and reconstructive techniques, addressing critical gaps in complex care in Ukraine. Before the full-scale invasion, the microvascular subspecialty was unavailable in Ukraine, but it has now become one of the most necessary specialties due to the prevalence of blast injuries.

Through the Co-Pilot Program, Ukrainian surgeons have the opportunity to gain these critical skills. This is done with extensive training, including direct training by American surgeons during medical trips, an observership in America, and continuous mentorship upon their return to Ukraine.

The observership at OU Health is a pivotal component of their training, featuring hands-on experiences, cadaver lab sessions, virtual instruction, and active participation in surgeries with a temporary medical license in Oklahoma. Their training encompasses microsurgery, otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and oculoplastics.

Dr. Panchenko shares, “This opportunity has completely changed my thinking – I now have the skills, experience, and confidence to perform complex microvascular reconstructive surgeries at home.”

Beyond the operating room, the recent cohort of surgeons participated in a grand rounds lecture, a breakfast gathering of local leaders, and a commemorative event in Washington, DC on February 24th, marking the two-year anniversary. Attended by the local Ukrainian community, government senators and representatives, OU community members, donors, doctors, and healthcare staff, these events fostered meaningful discussions, collaborative efforts, and mutual support.

This approach underscores the profound impact of the Co-Pilot Project not only on surgical expertise but also on healthcare networks, partnerships, and advocacy, marking a significant milestone in global healthcare collaboration.

Learn more about and support the Co-Pilot Project and Razom Health.

International Orthopaedic Conference: Advancements in Trauma and Arthroplasty

Published: February 1, 2024

Friday, March 29 – Saturday, March 30, 2024

Join us for a comprehensive two-day conference for orthopedic surgeons interested in expanding their knowledge in trauma and arthroplasty. Our panel of speakers is composed of international, national, and regional experts in their respective fields. The conference will encompass a wide array of topics crucial to modern orthopedic practice, including amputations, upper and lower extremity injuries, complex fractures, total joint replacements and more. A dedicated segment will focus on discussing challenging cases that participants submit prior to the conference. A selection of surgeries will be live-streamed in English and Ukrainian with the operating surgeons available to answer questions.

Location:

Hosted by the First Medical Union of Lviv St. Panteleimon Hospital and Unbroken Rehabilitation Center in partnership with Razom for Ukraine

Located in the Clinical Municipal Communal Emergency Hospital Conference Hall at Ivan Mykolaichuk St, 9, Lviv, Lviv Oblast, Ukraine, 79000

Directors:

Schedule:

Friday, March 29, 2024: Presentations with Clinical Case Discussions in the Afternoon
Saturday, March 30, 2024: Live Surgery with available Ukrainian translation

Arthroplasty Topics:

Unicompartmental knee replacement update.
Extensile exposures during hip arthroplasty.
Unicompartmental versus High tibial osteotomy in the athlete.
Periprosthetic fractures; best options for stable fixation.

Trauma Topics:

To be announced

Speakers:

To be announced

Participants:

Ukrainian surgeons with a specialty or interest in orthopedic trauma or arthroplasty.
In-person maximum of 180 participants with an unlimited maximum of online participants.
The conference will be held in English with Ukrainian translation.

For in-person participants, registration includes: entry to conference presentations, case discussions, and conference space with the ability to ask questions during live surgery, refreshments, and lunch for the two conference days, certificate accreditation from Unbroken.

For virtual participants, registration includes: access to all presentations, case discussions, and access link to live surgeries. e-certificate for presentation and participation.

Complimentary lunch and refreshments will be provided by the conference for both days. Please book your own travel and accommodations to the conference, those will not be included.

By enrolling for the conference, you hereby acknowledge and accept the following terms and conditions:

The organization reserves the right to modify the program, date, and/or venue of the conference at any time without prior notice. The organization is absolved of responsibility for any loss or damage arising from substitution, alteration, postponement, or cancellation of the event due to causes beyond its control. The organization retains the right and holds sole discretion to cancel any conference at any time in the event of unavoidable and unforeseeable circumstances. In the event of cancellation, the organization will make reasonable and suitable alternative arrangements, such as posting the cancellation on the official event website to inform those who have booked arrangements for the event.

Learn more about and support the Co-Pilot Project and Razom Health.

Restoring Hope: Razom’s Co-Pilot Project Brings VNS Therapy to Ukraine

Published: November 30, 2023

In the fight against epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, the Co-Pilot Project, an initiative under the auspices of Razom Health, has emerged as a beacon of hope for children in Ukraine. Through a generous grant from LivaNova, the leading producer of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) systems, Co-Pilot has brought this life-changing therapy to Ukraine, offering a lifeline to children whose seizures have proven resistant to conventional treatment methods.

The Power of VNS Therapy

VNS therapy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure, involves implanting a small device called a neurostimulator under the skin, connected to the vagus nerve. This nerve, which runs from the brain to the abdomen, plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions, including seizure activity. The neurostimulator sends mild electrical impulses to the vagus nerve, helping to reduce seizure frequency and severity.

VNS is currently most commonly used for children who have partial seizures that do not respond to traditional interventions.

In Lviv, Ukraine, Mykhailo Lovga, Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at the First Medical Union, has successfully implemented the VNS system, bringing relief to six epileptic children. The first two surgeries, for Oleksandra from Mykolaiv and Denys from Dnipro, have been resounding successes.

Denys, a 9-year-old boy, has battled epilepsy since the age of three. Despite numerous medications and brain surgery, his seizures persisted. VNS therapy has offered him a renewed chance to live a normal life. Within three weeks of the operation, Denys has experienced a significant reduction in seizure activity.

In Kyiv, Konstantin Kostiuk, MD, PHD, Chief of Neurosurgery at the Romodanov Neurosurgery Institute, has introduced VNS therapy to a 10-year-old boy named Roman. Roman’s epilepsy, characterized by Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, has proven resistant to conventional treatments, including over ten anti-seizure medications and a ketogenic diet. VNS therapy represents another ray of hope for Roman, and the team is anticipating positive outcomes in the coming months.

The Co-Pilot Project’s success in implementing VNS therapy in Ukraine is a testament to the power of partnership and innovation. Working closely with local medical experts, Co-Pilot has ensured that these life-changing treatments reach the children who need them most.

Your support is crucial in enabling Co-Pilot to continue its work of providing life-changing medical care to children in Ukraine. Please consider donating to Razom and help us bring hope to those who need it most.

Together, we can make a difference.

Learn more about and support the Co-Pilot Project and Razom Health.

30 Surgeries in 4 Days: Ivano-Frankivsk Welcomes Canadian and American Surgeons’ ‘Face the Future’ Mission

Published: October 27, 2023

For the second time, Ukraine played host to the ‘Face the Future Ukraine’ mission, a collaborative effort involving Canadian and American reconstructive surgeons. This initiative brought global experts together with their Ukrainian colleagues to perform over 30 life-changing plastic surgeries on individuals who bore the scars of war. Among the patients were military personnel from various regions of Ukraine, all sharing a common experience of severe blast injuries to the face and neck.

Meet Andrii Smolenskyi, a 27-year-old who, after volunteering for the front lines at the onset of the war, eventually became the commander of a separate aerial reconnaissance unit. In late May 2023, during one of the missions, he suffered a grievous injury. Andrii lost both arms, his eyes, and partially his hearing.

Andrii has undergone nearly two dozen surgeries, and thanks to the heroic efforts of Ukrainian doctors, his life was miraculously saved. However, a significant scar painfully contracted his face. Surgeons from the ‘Face the Future’ mission took on the task of relieving his pain and enhancing the aesthetics of his face. In a complex, 6-hour surgery, they removed deformed tissue, placed a titanium implant under the eye, transplanted fat tissue and skin from his neck, and prepared his eye for cosmetic implants.

Dr. Peter Adamson, Founder and President of the Face the Future Foundation, described this as an exceptionally challenging case due to the patient’s multiple combined injuries, with most of the facial bones and muscles missing after the injury. He noted that this mission in Ukraine presented the most severe combined cases in their experience and expressed their commitment to returning every six months to assist Ukrainian defenders and train local colleagues.

To perform these unique surgeries, a team of 15 international specialists, including reconstructive surgeons, oculoplastic surgeons, plastic surgeons, otolaryngologists, surgical oncologists, anesthesiologists, and nurses, arrived in Ukraine. They worked alongside and shared their expertise with Ukrainian specialists from Ivano-Frankivsk, Kyiv, and Zaporizhzhia.

The preparation for this mission spanned five months, involving extensive online consultations for patient selection and surgical planning. For many patients, free individual implants were designed and 3D-printed by bioengineers from Materialize to restore the integrity of bones that were fragmented due to injury, said Nataliia Komashko, MD, Head of Ukrainian Association of Endoscopic Head and Neck Surgeries, who led the clinical program from Ukrainian side.

This successful partnership between ‘Face the Future Foundation,’ ‘Razom for Ukraine,’ and ‘Still Strong’ has evolved into a long-term program, demonstrating remarkable results in training and supporting Ukrainian doctors in their professional development. It signifies an extraordinary achievement and outcome that will help Ukrainian doctors contribute to global medicine.

During the two ‘Face the Future Ukraine’ missions, the team of experts successfully restored physical health and aesthetic beauty for over 70 Ukrainians. Importantly, all reconstructive surgeries were provided free of charge to the patients.

These missions also hosted international symposia for surgeons and nurses, allowing specialists from Canada, the U.S., and Ukraine to share their experiences in performing complex reconstructive interventions and the nuances of managing patients with combat injuries. More than 200 surgeons and nearly 300 nurses participated in the symposia.

The Razom Co-Pilot Project has been facilitating the organization of highly qualified doctors’ visits to Ukraine since 2016. With the outbreak of war, medical organizations and teams from the U.S. and Canada approached Razom for support in helping Ukraine. Currently, the Razom Co-Pilot Project provides organizational and financial support to the largest teams in the U.S. and Canada, including ‘Face the Future,’ ‘Face to Face,’ ‘Global Leap Missions,’ and ‘Co-Pilot Neuro.’ Over 100 North American doctors have worked in Ukraine, performing 300 complex surgeries this year alone.

“We understand that it is impossible to help all patients during the short stay of the international team. Therefore, one of the leading goals of Co-Pilot is to train Ukrainian doctors and help them become leaders in their field and save thousands. Each international team conducts educational events: conferences, lectures and consults Ukrainian doctors online. Razom supports the observership for Ukrainian doctors in the U.S.. Only this year, 10 UA doctors had such an opportunity”, said Yuliia Shama, U.S. Co-Pilot Project Lead.

We are immensely grateful to the team of Face the Future Ukraine:

Surgeons Team Peter A. Adamson, Nataliya Biskup, Matthew Brace, Raymond Cho, Jonathan Trites, Priya Kesarwani, Paul Slavchenko

OR Team Jackie Abbott, Bibi Yasin, Janae Weber, Emma Piehl, Khristie Morrell, Luci Heiman, Hanna Robinson

Gail Kapsambelis (videographer)

Advisors Mark Levin, Anthony Brissett, Burke Bradley, Debbie Fritz, Maureen Merchant

The ‘Face the Future Ukraine’ humanitarian program is a joint effort involving organizations such as Face The Future Foundation (Canada), Razom for Ukraine (USA), Still Strong (UA).

We are immensely grateful to all partners and donors:

CF Patients of Ukraine, and the project “Rehabilitation of War Injuries.” organized academic days. The mission received support from Direct Relief, Materialize, STORZ Karl-Storz Ukraine, the Ukrainian Association of Endoscopic Head and Neck Surgery, the Regional Clinical Hospital of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Council, Metinvest, Yellow Blue Force Foundation, the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine, Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Military Administration, Transmed, CF «Чисті Серця», and Razom.

Photographer: Andrii Sidletskyi

Learn more about and support the Co-Pilot Project and Razom Health.