UMANA holds biennial convention and scientific conference in Phoenix (07/29/01)

UMANA holds biennial convention and scientific conference in Phoenix

by Dr. George Hrycelak

PHOENIX, Ariz. - The Ukrainian Medical Association of North America held its 36th Scientific Conference and 29th Assembly of Delegates June 20-24, in sunny Arizona. Over 70 health care practitioners and their families from the United States and Canada attended the biennial assembly and its scientific presentations.

A new slate of officers was elected for the 2001-2003 term, with the members discussing and refining plans for the ongoing development of UMANA.

The convention began on Wednesday, June 20, with a welcoming reception in the Arizona Biltmore Resort's architecturally stunning Aztec Room. This resort, built in the 1920s under the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright, served as a backdrop for two days of lecture presentations by medical colleagues from various academic institutions. The lectures were well attended, and participation by the audience was stimulating.

The faculty and their presentations included: Alec Danylevych, M.D., "Lumbosacral Stenosis in the Aging Patient" (a narrowing of the spinal column that causes pain or numbness in the extremities); Robert Dzioba, M.D., "Unstable Burst Fractures of the Low Back" (the bursting of vertebrae resulting from sudden impact, often occurring in young athletes, causing the spinal column to stiffen); Andrew Dzul, M.D., "Snoring and Sleep Apnea" (a condition that causes a snoring person to stop breathing for up to a minute or two at night); Andrew Iwach, M.D., "Glaucoma Management Update: Should Ukrainians Care?" (a pressure increase in the eye that causes irreversible damage to vision); Bohdan Iwanetz, M.D., "Repair of Giant Abdominal Wall Hernias Using Bilateral Rectus Sheath Flaps" (the use of the patient's own muscle tissue, rather than artificial material, to cover abdominal organs that protrude through the muscle wall) and "Review of Sentinel Node Technique in General Surgery" (the use of radioactive dye to trace the possible spread of breast cancer, resulting in the removal of just one lymph node for examination rather than many); Marko Jachtorowycz, M.D., "Female Urinary Incontinence: New Therapeutic Horizons" (an examination of treatments for the condition by which the muscles connected to the bladder are weakened); Volodymyr Kryzhanivsky, M.D., Ph.D., "Modern Reperfusion Strategies for Acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Focus on Thrombolysis" (administering medication to heart attack patients that immediately breaks the clot and prevents further damage); Wolodymyr Medwidsky, M.D., "Stroke Me Gently: An Overview of Various Skin Injuries" (a survey of everyday skin injuries, such as the results of body piercing); and Marina Polianska, M.D., "What's New in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation?" (the techniques and priorities of CPR).

The afternoons and evenings afforded conference participants an opportunity to cool off from the desert sun and allowed groups of members to meet informally, make acquaintances and renew old friendships while discussing the association's future.

On Thursday evening Branch 3 of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America Phoenix, graciously hosted a social gathering for all attendees at the Ukrainian Cultural Center. Branch President Christine Boyko and board member Lesia Poniatyshyn greeted their guests with the presentation of a display of Ukrainian historical costumes at the center.

Saturday, June 23, was devoted to the Biennial Assembly of Delegates, the highest administrative body in UMANA. A review of the last two years' activity was presented, with reports from the major officers and committees made public and discussed. The names of 38 new applicants were presented to the assembly for induction into the association. The new board of directors was elected to leadership, and a hearty thank-you was extended to the past officers for their unflinching duty and effort on behalf of UMANA.

The new officers for 2001-2003 are: Ihor Voyevidka, M.D., president; Bohdan Iwanetz, M.D., president-elect; Ihor Fedoriw, OD, vice-president; Ariadna Czartorysky, M.D., secretary; and Andrew Iwach, M.D., treasurer.

Dr. Pavlo Dzul was appointed again to serve as editor-in-chief of the Journal of the UMANA (JUMANA), and Dr. Adrian Baranetsky was appointed to continue as editor of UMANA Newsletter. Dr. Ihor Zachary was named chapter representative, and Larissa Iwanetz was named membership director. Drs. Pavlo Dzul, Robert Dzioba, Maria Hrycelak, and Zirka Kalynych were named to the ethics committee. Dr. Hrycelak also holds the post of UMANA archivist.

The newly elected board met for the rest of the afternoon in formal session. In attendance were: Dr. Alexandra Kushnir, New York Metro chapter president; Dr. Marta Kushnir, New York Metro chapter secretary; Dr. Wolodymyr Medwidsky, Toronto chapter president; Dr. Ihor Zachary, Ohio chapter president; and Dr. Ihor Fedoriw, Pennsylvania chapter representative; as well as local members from the Phoenix-Scottsdale area.

One of the most pertinent motions carried was a complete dues abatement for the first two years of associate membership for those doctors recently arrived from Ukraine who have not yet received an American or Canadian license. Such medical professionals are being encouraged to become members of UMANA and this gesture assures them a welcome spot on the roster of incoming members.

A group dinner was held on Saturday evening with local guests present to hear a stirring presentation by the ambassador of Ukraine to Canada, Dr. Yuri Shcherbak, titled "Chornobyl: Fifteen Years Later." As a witness to the catastrophe, Ambassador Shcherbak, a physician and writer, has dedicated himself to enlightening the world about what happened that day in a factual, clinical manner, in the hopes that such an event will never occur anywhere in the world.

Two past presidents received honorary plaques from UMANA for their dedication and perseverance: Dr. Roman Goy and Dr. Tymish Trusewych, who holds the honor of being the only UMANA president to have served two consecutive terms of office. The banquet concluded on a pleasant personal note for long-time member and JUMANA Editor Dr. Pavlo Dzul and his wife, Irene, with a toast and "Mnohaya Lita" marking their 50th wedding anniversary.

This biennial convention concluded on Sunday, with guests visiting the area's Catholic and Orthodox churches, then slowly departing for their respective states and countries. The next convention will take place in 2003.

George Hrycelak, MD, is executive director of the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America.

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