Ukraine's first lady meets with leaders of Ukrainian Medical Association of North America (10/16/05)

Ukraine's first lady meets with leaders of Ukrainian Medical Association of North America

by George Hrycelak

CHICAGO - The first lady of Ukraine, Kateryna Yushchenko, met with invited leaders of the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America (UMANA) at their Chicago headquarters on October 8, enlisting support from organized Ukrainian American health professionals in expanding and modernizing Ukraine's health system.

The Kyiv Committee of the Chicago Sister Cities International Program (CSCIP) hosted the first lady's visit on the eve of Mayor Richard M. Daley's own trip to Kyiv exploring avenues of cooperation in health care fields. CSCIP Kyiv Chair Marta Farion and Health Subcommittee Chair Lida Truchly facilitated Mrs. Yushchenko's visits to several area hospitals and medical facilities.

The first lady requested to meet with selected representatives of UMANA, the largest established group of Ukrainian health professionals in the United States and Canada. Included in the meeting were representatives of the Global Medical Foundation (GMF) of Illinois, which organizes medical missions to Ukraine using the skill and expertise of local area physicians.

Mrs. Yushchenko presented an overview of the Ukraine 3000 Foundation, with emphasis on a partnership program called "From Hospital to Hospital." The project seeks to raise the level of medical diagnosis and treatment in Ukraine to international standards within five years.

Dr. Vira Pavlyuk, project director, explained that this multi-faceted program involves matching hospitals in Ukraine with appropriate institutions in the West, with an emphasis on childhood and maternal health, to facilitate exchanges of medical knowledge and experience.

UMANA President Dr. Andrew Iwach (San Francisco) welcomed Mrs. Yushchenko and introduced his executive committee members: Dr. Ariadna Holynskyj (New York), Dr. Wayne Tymchak (Edmonton), Dr. Diana Traska ( New York), Dr. Boris Leheta (Detroit), Dr. Roxolana Horbowyj (Washington), Dr. Bohdan Iwanetz (Chicago), Dr. Maria Hrycelak (Chicago), Dr. George Kuritza (Chicago) and Dr. George Hrycelak (Chicago).

Dr. Iwach introduced the president of the Global Medical Foundation, Dr. Mohammed Siddiqui, and GMF board member Dr. Yukhol Lertsburapa, as well as fellow UMANA Chicago members experienced in medical contacts with Ukraine, Dr. Vassyl Lonchyna, Dr. Roksolana Tymiak-Lonchyna and Dr. Danylo Hryhorczuk.

The group listened intently as Mrs. Yushchenko described a wide-ranging proposal for engaging knowledgeable international health professionals to share their skills and experience with the Ukrainian medical establishment. She presented supporting data for various features of the program.

A friendly open discussion followed, touching on many possibilities that such an ambitious program entails. Those present expressed support and endorsement for this laudable undertaking, and felt ready to commit their groups to explore various pathways to supporting the Ukraine 3000 initiative, with emphasis on its health care component.

Concluding two hours of fruitful and productive deliberations, Mrs. Yushchenko thanked those present for taking the time to travel from distant locales to participate in this exchange of views and ideas. Though her busy schedule did not allow for a lengthier gathering, she said she appreciated the opportunity to meet and present Ukraine's desire to enter the 21st century on an effective and sound medical, charitable and philanthropic footing.

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