UMANA's New York chapter offers advice to newly arrived physicians from Ukraine (07/07/02)

UMANA's New York chapter offers advice to newly arrived physicians from Ukraine

by George Hrycelak

NEW YORK - The New York Metro Chapter of the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America held the first of a planned series of discussions, "How to enter the medical mainstream: Ukraine to U.S. - the success stories," with newly arrived Ukrainian physicians on Saturday, May 11, at the Selfreliance Association building at 98 Second Ave. in Manhattan.

NY Metro officers, President Dr. Alexandra Kushnir, Vice-President and session moderator Dr. Artur Hryhorowycz, Secretary Dr. Marta Kushnir and Special Events Coordinator Dr. Ihor Magun, hosted a gathering of enthusiastic and inquisitive health care professionals from Ukraine seeking to learn about the process of accrediting their skills for acceptance and use in the United States.

The process of U.S. accreditation for international medical graduates can be lengthy and convoluted. Hearing from colleagues who have successfully navigated these turbulent waters can help orient prospective physicians. The New York Metro Chapter convened a panel of professionals from various health care specialties to present their individual stories of professional adjustment to the new environment.

Ukrainian-born speakers Dr. Lesia Muraszsczuk, Dr. Victor Gribenko and Dr. Petro Lenchur graciously shared their own stories of professional transition into the U.S. medical mainstream. Tania Rakowsky, who holds a doctorate in pharmacy, discussed opportunities within the pharmaceutical field. They explained what channels are open to newly arrived health care specialists, how to prepare for the inevitable series of examinations, as well as various job options within the medical professions. Many questions followed the presentations, and despite the beautiful warm spring afternoon, the exchange of ideas went on for over four hours of eager discourse.

This was the first of a series of meetings representing a new initiative spearheaded by the New York Metro Chapter to make UMANA an association more relevant to its members, and more sensitive to the needs and concerns of Ukrainian-born colleagues. The unexpectedly large turnout for this careercounseling session is expected to serve as an example to the other 18 chapters of UMANA in the United States and Canada on how to extend similar offers of informational support to their potential members.

The New York Metro Chapter has undertaken the goal to serve as a trailblazer in the area of raising awareness and presenting a range of possible solutions to newly arrived health care professionals from Ukraine.

The chapter extended special thanks to the Selfreliance Association for its kind hospitality and assistance with the logistics and locale of the meeting.

Further information can be obtained from New York Metro Chapter's secretary, Dr. Marta Kushnir, at (508) 855-2245.

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