Razom and The Ukrainian Medical Association of North America (UMANA) welcomed Dr. Igor Kurilets, Ukrainian neurosurgeon and Co-Pilot project participant, in New York on March 18th at Caveat.
continue reading →Crimea is Ukraine
Published: February 26, 2019
Five years ago on 26 February 2014 Crimeans showed up in the thousands in Sevastopol, Crimea to show their support for Ukraine and condemn Russian aggression and the “Green men” showing up on their streets. This is considered the beginning of the Russian occupation of Crimea. When the illegitimate “referendum” was held on 16 March 2014, the results did not reflect the clear will of the people of Crimea, those that were standing in solidarity with Ukraine on 26 February 2014, on what is now and forever will be a very symbolic day.
Ukrainian Media & the 2019 Elections: A Crash Course
Published: February 16, 2019
The campaign for President of Ukraine officially started in January. Razom volunteers hosted a presentation on Saturday, February 9 by three media professionals from Ukraine who spoke in New York City about the current media landscape. The intent was to provide a ‘crash course’ on the main media outlets so people following the events in Ukraine can be informed consumers of the news about the election.
Stories of Maidan
Published: December 24, 2018
In early December, Razom volunteers co-hosted an event with the Ukrainian Institute of America in New York City, marking the five years since the Ukrainian revolution began. The purpose of the event was to bring people together to share their own stories of how Maidan affected them in the year of 2013 and onwards. “Our question here today is ‘where were you in the winter of 2013? Who were you and how did Maidan change you?’”, said Maryna Prykhodko, one of the MC’s, as she welcomed the audience. continue reading →
Ukrainian Leadership Academy at RAM 2018
Published: November 3, 2018
We had the pleasure of introducing a number of incredible Ukrainian activists and their projects to our NYC community during the Razom Annual Meeting 2018. One of them was Oleksandr Medvediev, who told us about the Ukrainian Leadership Academy (ULA) – the recent Razom Partner. Oleksandr believes: ” RAZOM we can build the new story of Ukraine” continue reading →
Co-Pilot Project: Trip 7 in Fall 2018
Published: October 18, 2018
The Co-Pilot trip number 7 started in mid September. Three American doctors continued their collaboration and neurosurgical training of Ukrainian colleagues in three Ukrainian cities.
Razom Ticket: International Astronomy Olympiad 2018
Published: October 16, 2018
Wonderful news from the Razom Ticket as the International Astronomy Olympiad 2018 came to an end. We congratulate the Ukrainian team, who won three bronze medals! Razom Ticket is grateful to Infopulse Ukraine and all our individual donors for providing financial support that allowed the team to attend the Olympiad, represent Ukraine and gain the precious experience!
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Let’s talk about Ukrainian Army
Published: September 28, 2018
Late September, we had a thought-provoking discussion with Maria Berlinska, creator and producer of the project “Invisible Battalion” and Yevgen Turchak, Ukrainian “Cyborg” who defended the Donetsk Airport and later started a veteran’s movement in Ukraine. The core rule of our Razom Community discussions is openness: ask any questions – receive honest and direct answers. We talked about the current state of Ukrainian army, about women in the army, rehabilitation of injured soldiers, air intelligence, funding, volunteering and Ukrainian politics. continue reading →
Discussion Night with Liliya Borovets: “Education is a battleground for deeper consciousness”
Published: September 8, 2018
The Razom Community strives to encourage thought-provoking and fruitful discussions among those, who care about Ukraine and its future. Liliya Borovets, co-founder of the Ukrainian educational organization Pro.Svit and the fundraising platform GoFundEd, joined the Razom Community for a discussion night titled, “Transforming Ukrainian Education Systems: Goals and Challenges.” The discussion was led by Ukrainian journalist and Razom volunteer Kateryna Lisunova. continue reading →
MathOlymp: 2019 Fundraiser
Published: September 1, 2018
We are looking for your support to help bring young Ukrainian math geniuses to the 2019 International Mathematical Olympiad taking place in the UK.
continue reading →
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Oblast Competitions
In 2018 we’re planning to cover expenses for 30 teams (6 people per team) at Oblast STEM competitions.
Total Budget is $4500
Ruslan Batytskyi
Director, writer and cinematographer with three completed award-winning shorts as well as a feature documentary in post-production. After starting his filmmaker career at 2009, Ruslan brings his skills in project management, process analysis and systems models (received during obtaining MA in cybernetics 2003-2008) and applies them to the creative thinking and artistic thought-processes of film. He also holds BA in Film and Television directing (from the Kyiv National University of theatre, cinema and television by Karpenko-Karyi).
“A chance to participate in The Co-Pilot project it’s an amazing opportunity to help others and to tell the story that will engage and inspire people around the world”
2017 Trip Itinerary
We are gearing up for our 2017 Mission trip. It’ll be a 3-month adventure during which we plan to work with neurosurgeons from several centers from all around the country. Dr.Tomycz has also been invited to deliver an address at the annual Ukrainian Neurosurgery Conference 2017 in Kharkiv.
May 20: arrive in Kyiv, Ukraine
May 22-26: meet with area surgeons at participating centers
May 29- June 9: two week master class with Igor Kurilets MD at the International Neurosurgery Center
June 12-13: Visit to Medical Institute of Sumy State University
June 14-16: Ukrainian Neurosurgery Conference 2017 in Kharkiv
June 19-23: one week course and master class operating in complex spine and craniocervical with Ukrainian spinal surgeons and trainees from Romadanov Institute and International Neurosurgery Center
June 24-July 7: Come back to United States for two weeks
July 10-21: two week master class with Dr. Schlegov at the Neurovascular Institute
July 24-August 4: two week master class in pediatric neurosurgery with surgeons at Lviv Children’s Hospital
August 5-18: travel to out-lying centers of excellence (Stryii, Ivano-Frankivsk, Odesa)
August 21-31: operate with surgeons at Central Military Hospital and International Neurosurgery Center in Kyiv
September 15: leave Ukraine for United States
Surgical Mentors and Medical Support Staff
The best way to train surgeons is by providing hands-on mentorship and assistance in the operating room. One of the primary goals of the Co-Pilot Project is the continued recruitment of high quality surgeons from United States and Canada to spend time with Ukrainian counterparts, consulting on patients and performing procedures.
Surgical Mentors traveling to Ukraine
- Jefferson Miley, MD – neurointerventionalist
- Jonathan Forbes, MD – skull base neurosurgeon
- Matthew Geck, MD – orthopedic spine surgeon
Not all of the healthcare volunteers will be able to travel to Ukraine but they still will play an important role from home. Utilizing contemporary technology, including live streaming of surgeries and communication via social media the medical support staff will advice and mentor Ukrainian neurosurgeons as they confront difficult cases.
Medical Support Staff
- Bido Patel, MD – neuroradiologist
- Chandra Krishnan, MD – neuropathologist
- Ginger Harrod, MD – neuro-oncologist
Advisory Staff
- Tim George, MD – pediatric neurosurgeon
- Jim Rose, MD – vascular neurosurgeon
- Ryan Murdoch, MD – orthopedic spine surgeon
- Patrick Combs, MD – craniofacial surgeon
- Nestor Tomycz, MD – functional neurosurgeon
- Aaron Stayman, MD – vascular neurologist
- Jim Rutka – pediatric neurosurgeon
- Ben Warf – pediatric neurosurgeon
Participating Centers in Ukraine Page
Since our exploratory trip in 2016 we have identified a cohort of motivated and talented surgeons who are hungry for additional instruction and eager for collaboration.
- Igor Kurilets, MD (International Neurosurgery Center)
- Ivan Protsenko, MD (Romadanov Institute)
- Kostiantyn Kostiuk, MD (Romadanov Institute)
- Vitali Ganjuk, MD (Central Military Hospital, Kyiv)
- Taras Mykytyn, MD (Lviv Children’s Hospital)
- Dmytro Shcheglov, MD (Neurovascular Institute)
Luke Tomycz, MD
Dr. Luke Tomycz is the newest addition to the pediatric neurosurgical team at Dell Children’s Medical Center. Dr. Tomycz finished first in his high school class of over 200 students and attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, MA where he double-majored in biology and chemical engineering. He accepted the prestigious Dean’s Full-Tuition Scholarship to attend medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where he first developed an interest in neurosurgery. After medical school, he began his formal neurosurgical training at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN where he trained under the late Noel Tulipan, MD, a pioneer in fetal neurosurgery for myelomeningocele. During his seven-year residency, he spent two years obtaining an in-folded fellowship in endovascular surgery, becoming proficient in the treatment of aneurysms, AVMs, Moya-Moya syndrome, and complex dural AV fistulae of adults and children. After this, Dr. Tomycz spent an additional year at Seattle Children’s Hospital performing a large volume of complex epilepsy surgery with Jeff Ojemann, MD. Following an exhaustive job search, Dr.Tomycz was attracted to Austin as the city was in the process of launching a new medical school at the University of Texas.
Dr. Tomycz specializes in all aspects of pediatric neurosurgery including brain tumors, epilepsy, Chiari malformation, tethered cord syndrome, CSF shunting, and intracranial endoscopy. As one of the only dual-trained, pediatric and endovascular neurosurgeons in the country, he is particularly interested in Moya-Moya, brain aneurysms and AVMs, arteriovenous fistulae, and other complex neurovascular disorders in children as well as adults. His research interests include the use of engineering innovations to improve treatments for hydrocephalus and he has published on a wide variety of neurosurgical topics. Outside the operating room, Dr. Tomycz enjoys playing guitar and hiking in the mountains. He has travelled extensively to perform neurosurgery and take part in short-term medical mission work – in Cuba, Kenya, Honduras, Ecuador, and Ukraine.
Dr. Tomycz grew up with four grandparents who told stories of their youth and taught their grandchildren the language of their homeland – Ukraine. His parents were both born in refugee camps following the second world war, and came to this country in the early 1950s with virtually nothing. His father excelled in academics and went into medicine, and both Luke and his brother Nestor followed suit, pursuing a career in neurosurgery. During a long period of study and training that lasted more than 15 years, Luke resolved to return to the homeland of his grandparents and provide the kind of high quality care that children receive in the United States.
Mariya Soroka
In 2014 at the peak of protests in the Maidan, Mariya joined several fellow Ukrainians living in New York City to create Razom, a young, energetic, and progressive start-up which seeks to amplify the voice of Ukraine to an American audience. An active member of the board, she is responsible for organizing cultural events as well as cooperating with government representatives, activists, and various civic groups and human rights organizations in support of Ukraine’s quest for democracy.
CPP info
Mariya is also heavily involved with fundraising for Razom’s projects via crowdsourcing, charity events, and online petitions. After graduating from Penn State University with a BA in Advertising and Public Relations and a dual minor in Entrepreneurship and International Studies, Mariya spent over 5 years in Manhattan working within the content marketing industry. She believes in the enormous potential of dedicated volunteers around the world working to rebuild Ukraine one project at a time.
Mariana Magala
Mariana Magala was born in Lviv, Ukraine. She graduated from The University of Chicago in 2013 and holds a B.A. in Economics and Slavic Languages and Literature. Currently, Mariana is a Strategic Analytics Manager at Interline Brands (subsidiary of The Home Depot) in Jacksonville, Florida. She specializes in analytics, business strategy, and nonprofit development. Mariana was the co-chair of a pro-bono consulting group for nonprofits in Chicago for 3 years and is currently the treasurer for a young professionals group at MOSH (Museum of Science and History in Jacksonville).
Mariana joined Razom’s Neurosurgical initiative in 2016. She is very excited to collaborate with the team and develop the initiative into a highly successful program.