#United States #Oklahoma City #OU Health #Razom #Ukraine Program

OU Health and Razom Expand Humanitarian Surgical Training Program

In April 2025, the University of Oklahoma (OU) Health marked a significant milestone by hosting its fifth cohort of Ukrainian surgeons, the largest group to participate in its humanitarian surgical training initiative. This program, unique in the United States, provides international surgeons with hands-on surgical privileges across four critical disciplines tailored for managing complex trauma injuries that have become increasingly prevalent due to ongoing conflicts.

The initiative, known as Operation Ukraine, runs from April 14 to May 10, and aims to train surgeons specializing in head and neck surgery, neurosurgery, oculoplastics, and orthopedics. The addition of oculoplastics and orthopedics broadens the scope of training offered, reflecting both the urgent needs of Ukrainian medical professionals and the willingness of OU Health to provide comprehensive educational resources.

The nine participating surgeons hail from military medical facilities across Ukraine, including notable cities such as Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, and Vinnytsia. These physicians are immersed in a rigorous training regime that enhances their capacity to treat traumatic injuries effectively, often faced under real battlefield conditions with limited resources.

Participants in this cohort stay with Oklahoma host families, enhancing professional relationships and cultural exchanges. This connection is supported by Razom for Ukraine, a nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting Ukraine through various humanitarian initiatives. Razom ensures that logistical support, including travel and stipends for the training program, is adequately provided.

This venture coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, a historical event that cultivated a spirit of resilience and compassion within the community, termed the “Oklahoma Standard.” As articulated by Alex Domaradsky, observership coordinator for Razom, this collaboration embodies the spirit of international medical solidarity during trying times. The emphasis on humanitarian education reaffirms the commitment to uplifting healthcare standards globally.

The program, led by Dr. Mark Mims, a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, is pivotal for Ukrainian surgeons. Dr. Mims expressed how it has been an honor to collaborate closely with his Ukrainian peers, imparting advanced surgical techniques and providing invaluable training. He also mentioned that OU Health aspires to be a premier international training hub for surgeons from conflict-affected regions.

As of now, the program has successfully trained 15 Ukrainian surgeons in the last two years, with plans to further extend the initiative later in 2025. This expansion underscores the lifelong learning process and commitment from both OU Health and Razom to advancing surgical education and humanitarian outreach globally.

Surgeons like Dr. Volodymyr Salamashchak and Dr. Mykola Zhuzhoma highlighted the significance of this training. Dr. Salamashchak emphasized the skill development critical for treating eyelid and orbital trauma, reverberating with the realities of wartime injuries. Dr. Zhuzhoma contrasted the challenging operative conditions in his homeland with the structured training environment at OU Health, which allows them to master crucial techniques without the immediate pressures of conflict.

Operation Ukraine was initiated following a medical trip in 2022, during which Dr. Mims recognized the urgent need for specialized training among Ukrainian surgeons. Collaborating with Razom, he established the observership program, paving the way for future cohorts and ongoing partnerships aiming to improve surgical capabilities in Ukraine.

For more details, and to support Operation Ukraine, interested individuals can visit the respective OU Health and Razom websites. This humanitarian initiative not only strives to bridge gaps in surgical training but also fosters enduring ties between the U.S. medical community and Ukrainian healthcare providers, embodying the essence of unity and collaboration in the face of adversity.