Surgeons came to learn — and taught everyone about “remarkable bravery”

The seven surgeons from Ukraine who gave a presentation at Yale New Haven Hospital Aug. 16 spoke matter-of-factly, explaining the techniques they’ve used to treat patients with a variety of war-related injuries.

Their calm tone contrasted sharply with the images they shared, of limbs held together by surgical scaffolding, faces maimed and rebuilt, bombed buildings in once-vibrant cities throughout Ukraine.

This past summer, the surgeons participated in a month-long observership at Yale New Haven Health hospitals and Yale School of Medicine as part of the Scholars at Risk – Ukraine program. The program is led by Doctors United for Ukraine (DU4U) in collaboration with YNHHS, Yale School of Medicine (YSM) and Yale School of Public Health. Faculty, staff and other representatives from the three organizations are part of the non-profit DU4U, whose mission is to deliver precision aid to foster the health and wellbeing of Ukrainian people in the face of war and its consequences.

This is the second year of the observership, which aims to advance the Ukrainian physicians’ skills during the Russia-Ukraine war. The Ukrainian surgeons observed YNHHS and YSM physicians as they treated patients, learning new techniques and gaining experience in a systematic approach to optimal health care.

The surgeons also shared their knowledge and the challenges of living and working during the two-and-a-half-year war, which continues to take a toll on soldiers, civilians and those providing medical care.

The physical injuries are horrific, but “nobody can ignore that the psyche is injured, too,” said Natalia Hryn, MD, PhD, a head and neck surgeon from Kyiv who used to remove tumors and now treats mostly bullet and shrapnel wounds.

The huge influx of patients prompted Ukrainians to renovate old hospital facilities or create new ones in other buildings. Some surgical instruments are built using parts from different companies. Surgeries are performed in operating rooms without water or power, with handheld lights.

“The sound of air raid sirens has become a daily occurrence,” said Ievgen Kvasnevskyi, MD, reconstructive and abdominal surgery.

Despite the enormous difficulties the surgeons and their colleagues face daily, they were upbeat about what they’ve learned and the support from peers around the world.

Olena Kvasha, MD, PhD, facial reconstruction and otolaryngology, shared a photo of the Ukrainian surgeons and their colleagues at YSM and YNHHS. The title of the slide: “Good people shine brighter in dark times.”

After the presentation, Katherine Heilpern, MD, YNHH president, marveled at the surgeons’ “remarkable bravery,” saying, “I thank you so much for giving hope and dignity to the people, the patients and the families of Ukraine.”