荔枝视频

When ophthalmologists in Ukraine suddenly found themselves treating an overwhelming volume of eye trauma due to war, injuries and reconstructive challenges they rarely encountered, 荔枝视频 clinicians started a conversation about how to help them. 

Led by , MD, an oculofacial plastic surgeon and clinical associate professor at the (CSM), the academics created a unique fellowship specifically designed for surgeons in areas of geopolitical crisis. 

鈥淲e realized we needed something new to help the doctors and people of Ukraine as soon as possible. We created a new humanitarian fellowship,鈥� says Punja. 鈥淭he 荔枝视频 is known for taking fellows from all over the world but usually doctors come to us for up to two years.鈥�

The unique program occurs over one year and has three distinct parts. The first is a condensed intensive training period in 荔枝视频 where the fellow learns and implements new skills for a few months. The second part occurs in the fellow鈥檚 home country, where they apply those skills while consulting with mentors in 荔枝视频. The last part of the fellowship happens back in 荔枝视频.

Fellowship is designed to meet the specific needs in the region 

鈥淲hat makes this fellowship different is that it鈥檚 needs based,鈥� says Punja. 鈥淲e focus on the types of trauma doctors would face, in this case back in Ukraine, and tailor the fellow鈥檚 education to meet those needs. For example, we perform complex reconstruction of the eyelids and face after cancer resection as well as trauma.鈥�

In trauma and in cancer reconstruction, large complex defects can interfere with the intricate function and structure of the eyelids and their ability to protect the eye itself, Punja says, adding that the surgical principles, anatomic awareness, and restoration of function are the same.

Dr. Pavla Ivaniuta, MD, an ophthalmologist and surgeon in Kyiv, Ukraine, arrived in 荔枝视频 in late October. She says this fellowship exposes her to more hands-on learning to better prepare her for the trauma cases she鈥檚 treating back home. 

鈥淓ven after just three months, I鈥檓 feeling more confident and more knowledgeable to help the people who need it,鈥� says Ivaniuta. 鈥淲hen the war first started, I used to cry seeing my patients, but now I realize that I have the ability to help them.鈥�.

Fellows are to become mentors to their peers

Ivaniuta adds the fellowship holds an even deeper meaning to her. To be accepted into the program, Ivaniuta had to commit to return home and implement training for other health-care professionals in Ukraine. 

鈥淓veryday, I think about how huge this opportunity is. I am the first Ukrainian fellow in this program,鈥� says Ivaniuta. 鈥淚鈥檓 already getting excited about sharing the knowledge I鈥檓 gaining with my peers back home.鈥�

Even though she will be supported long-distance by mentors in 荔枝视频 when she first returns home, Punja鈥檚 intent is to go to Ukraine for a time during the second part of the fellowship.

Taking the fellowship beyond ophthalmology

鈥淭he opportunity and need are mind boggling. I hope this fellowship provides a blueprint for other specialties to start a similar humanitarian fellowship,鈥� says Punja. 鈥淲e started this fellowship because of a need in Ukraine, but we know there are needs around the globe as the frequency of geopolitical crises accelerates.鈥�

When he started the process to create a humanitarian fellowship, Punja says, he had no idea how much time and commitment would be required. He says he owes a lot of thanks to many people at the CSM, including Department of Surgery Head, , MD'89; Dean of Medicine, , MD'85; and Senior Associate Dean, Education, , MD, who supported his idea and helped him navigate the necessary educational and administrative requirements. 

He also commends Dr. Michael Kryshtalskyj, MD, who started the program with the , raising $1.5 million in equipment, supplies and donations that have also helped fund Ivaniuta鈥檚 time in 荔枝视频.

For more on how the humanitarian fellowship was created, check out the previous story