Educational Observership for Ukrainian Surgeons

Operation Ukraine Mission Statement

To provide Ukrainian surgeons with concentrated, in-depth exposure to advanced surgical techniques in critical need specialties through observation and guided hands-on experiences.

Background

Since the beginning of the armed conflict in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, there have been over 35,000 civilians and untold more soldiers injured (OHCHR 2024).

In September 2022, planning began with Face to Face — the humanitarian arm of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (AAFPRS) — as well as Razom for Ukraine, to develop the first academic-based educational observership in head and neck reconstruction for Ukrainian surgeons. The one-month curriculum

included both observation of techniques in the operating room as well as proctored, hands-on experience in the Clinical Skills and Education lab at the University of Oklahoma.

The first cohort arrived in May of 2023 to complete their observership. Beginning in the fall of 2024, Operation Ukraine expanded its offerings to include advanced neurosurgical training and was designated as the second academic training experience in the United States for Ukrainian neurosurgeons. The aim of neurosurgical training with Operation Ukraine focuses on augmenting neurotrauma surgical care with advanced endovascular and open techniques.

In 2025, the program further expanded to include oculoplastic surgery and orthopedic surgery. The goals for these programs were similar – to obtain advanced reconstructive knowledge to deal with the increasing number of severely injured patients.

In addition to teaching Ukrainian surgeons specific techniques, these surgeons are provided with the tools and collaboration needed for them to begin training future Ukrainian surgeons back home. Through this organic growth model, we hope to increase the availability and sustainability of complex neurosurgical and head and neck reconstructive care to allow patients from all corners of Ukraine experience this life-changing care.

Operation Ukraine at OU Health

Operation Ukraine is a one-month clinical observership in which Ukrainian surgeons – ranging from neurosurgery, orthopedics, oculoplastics, head and neck reconstruction can visit the University of Oklahoma to observe these advanced techniques in the operating room, as well as complete hands-on cadaver lab learning from our multi-departmental faculty group. This includes members of otolaryngology – head and neck surgery, plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oculoplastics, neurology, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, and vascular surgery.

Two examples of the focuses are listed below, but other specialties can be accommodated by coordination with the Operation Ukraine team.

Head and neck reconstruction focuses:

• Complex scar revisions
• Management of Level I Trauma (highest level of trauma care)
• Local and regional flaps
  • Pectoralis flap
  • Supraclavicular flap
  • Paramedian forehead flap
• Free tissue transfer with microvascular anastomosis
  • Anterolateral thigh free flap
  • Fibula free flap
  • Radial forearm free flap
  • Scapula and parascapular free flaps
  • Latissimus dorsi free flap
  • “Freestyle” microsurgery

Opportunities to observe other areas of head and neck surgery including management of benign and malignant tumors, rhinology/skull base, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, neurotology, and laryngology are also available for the interested observer.

Neurosurgery focuses:

• Advanced neurosurgery
• Endovascular techniques
  • Aneurysms
  • Stroke
• Brain tumor surgery
• Deep brain stimulation
• Vagal nerve stimulation

Generous Collaborations & Partnerships

Addressing the critical need for education and training of Ukrainian physicians would not be possible without the generosity and vision of organizations like Razom for Ukraine and AAFPRS (Face to Face).

Building the curriculum and structure of Project Ukraine, along with other contributions from INgenius and Sooner Hope for Ukraine, has continued to help build and expand the program.

Razom, which means "together" in Ukrainian, is a leading U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting Ukraine. Founded in 2014, Razom focuses on upholding the principles of the Revolution of Dignity and contributing to a secure, prosperous, and democratic Ukraine. Its Co-Pilot Project trains Ukrainian doctors in critical specialties through U.S.-based observerships, expert exchanges, and the delivery of essential medical equipment

AAFPRS, through its Face to Face humanitarian programs, provides pro bono corrective and reconstructive surgical services to those in need, both domestically and abroad.

Through generous donations and collaborative relationships, financial support is provided for all accepted observers.

Costs covered by the program include:

• Airline tickets to and from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Rental car (one car per cohort)
• Housing
• U.S.-based cell phone with talk/text/data
• Credentialing fees at OU Health
• Cadavers, instruments, and lab fees

Costs not covered by the program include:

• Food
• Recreational activities outside of the educational program
• Incidental expenses

Donations to Operation Ukraine at OU Health

Operation Ukraine is 100% funded by our generous donors. Both financial and in-kind donations are accepted. Further information for donating to the project can be found on its giving page.

Companies providing in-kind donations include:

• Kerecis
• Leica Microsystems
• Mizuho Microsurgical Instruments
• Stryker
• Accurate Surgical and Scientific Instruments

Applicant Requirements

The Operation Ukraine observership at OU Health is designed for Ukrainian surgeons in critical need specialties who desire advanced training to better treat war-injured patients. Ideal applicants are surgeons who currently treat patients with complex injuries and defects on a regular basis. In addition to treating patients, this program hopes to train the future leaders of head and neck reconstruction in Ukraine. Preference will be given to those surgeons in a position to teach other surgeons in Ukraine.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate at least a B1 level of English proficiency. In addition, letters of support from the applicant’s department and hospital may be requested to ensure the surgeon will have the resources necessary to be successful in complex reconstructive techniques upon return to Ukraine.

Interested applicants should contact program director Mark Mims, M.D., at Mark.Mims@OUHealth.com.

Our Observers

April 2025
Advanced Head and Neck Reconstruction

• Mykola Zhuzhoma, Military Medical Clinical Center of the Northern Region, Kharkiv
• Serhii Machuskyi, Zaporizhzhia Military Medical Center, Zaporizhzhia

Advanced Neurosurgery

• Andrii Tytyniuk, Military Medical Clinical Center of the Western Region, Lviv
• Oleh Serkiz, National Military Medical Clinical Center, Kyiv

Oculoplastics

• Volodymyr Salamashchak, Military Medical Clinical Center of the Western Region, Lviv
• Andrii Kovalov, National Military Medical Clinical Center, Kyiv

Orthopedics

• Dmytro Los, Military Medical Clinical Center of the Western Region, Lviv
• Ihor Pelyukh, Military Medical Clinical Center of the Southern Region, Odesa
• Iurii Lazarenko, Military Medical Center of the Central Region, Vinnytsia

August 2024
Advanced Head and Neck Reconstruction

• Andrii Kopchak, D.D.S., University of Bogomolets National Medical University/Kyiv Regional Hospital, Kyiv, Ukraine
• Tetiana Pavlychuk, D.D.C, Ph.D., University of Bogomolets National Medical University/Kyiv Regional Hospital, Kyiv, Ukraine

• Ievgen Shumynskyi, D.D.C, Ph.D., University of Bogomolets National Medical University/Kyiv Emergency Hospital, Kyiv, Ukraine

Advanced Neurosurgery

• Sergii Ivanov, M.D. Military Medical Clinical Center of the Western Region, Lviv, Ukraine
• Ivan Krashevskyi, M.D. Military Medical Clinical Center of the Central Region, Vinnytsia, Ukraine
• Olexy Mykhailov, M.D., Ph.D., National Military Medical Hospital, Kyiv, Ukraine

February 2024

• Vitalii Panchenko, M.D., Lviv Military Hospital
• Mykola Sinyuk, M.D., Lviv Military Hospital
• Igor Fedirko, M.D., Kyiv Military Hospital
• Oleksandr Prysiazhniuk, M.D., Kyiv Military Hospital

September 2023

• Ostap Maksimiv, M.D., Lviv Emergency Hospital
• Maksym Mashkarynets, M.D., Lviv Emergency Hospital

May 2023

• Oleksandr Kosenko, M.D., Chernihiv Medical Center of Modern Oncology
• Andrii Levytskyi, M.D., Kyiv Regional Clinical Hospital
• Ganna Mykhashula, M.D., Kyiv Regional Clinical Hospital

Participating Departments

Additional information regarding the faculty and departments our visiting surgeons work with can be found on the following pages:

• Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
• Department of Otolaryngology
• Department of Neurosurgery | University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
• Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery in OKC
• Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
• Orthopedic Surgery
• General Surgery