A PARADIGM SHIFT: TRAINING UKRAINIAN SURGEONS

A new initiative.

Story by Elisabeth Slay Archived photo

In collaboration with various organizations, OU Health started an initiative in May in which head and neck surgeons from Ukraine are invited to learn about different surgical techniques from Oklahoma reconstructive surgeons

According to reconstructive surgeon Dr. Mark Mims, the purpose of this initiative is to supply Ukrainian surgeons with the tools to provide quality care to those injured in the ongoing war and the nation overall.

“Currently in Ukraine, there are over 13,000 injured civilians and soldiers, many with devastating head and neck injuries,” Dr Mims said “At this time, Ukrainian surgeons do not have the training to manage these severe injuries ”

The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), Razom for Ukraine, and INgenius are working together with OU Health to bring Ukrainian neck and head reconstructive surgeons to the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center to train for a month

Initially, Dr Mims explained, the AAFPRS humanitarian organization Face-to-Face was doing one to two-week mission trips to Ukraine to treat the worst of civilian and soldier injuries

“However, we have identified the need to provide more sustainable and locally-based expertise in order to better treat these patients,” Dr. Mims said. “To

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accomplish this, we at OU are the first U S center to pilot a formal educational program that will bring Ukrainian surgeons for an in-depth training experience in complex head and neck reconstructive techniques ”

Ultimately the main goal of this project is to create “a paradigm shift in how complex head and neck injuries are treated in Ukraine,” Dr. Mims explained

The medical professional has followed the war in Ukraine since it began and was inspired by “the strength and resiliency of the Ukrainian people in the face of such adversity,” he stated.

“For those that have read the reports or seen the photographs of the horrific injuries and conditions they have experienced, it is impossible to not be drawn to find ways to support efforts in their war-torn country,” Dr Mims said “I consider myself very fortunate to be in a position where I can contribute through this initiative.”

The surgeon explained he was the only one to volunteer to create a program such as this after the idea was proposed by Face-to-Face surgeons at the AAFPRS meeting in September of 2022

So far, three surgeons from Ukraine have participated in the program Two of the surgeons are from Kyiv Regional Hospital and one is from Chernihiv.

“Four more surgeons from Western Ukraine will come at the end of the summer or early fall We hope this will become a recurring experience until we can train enough surgeons that they will be able to provide internal training within Ukraine,” Dr Mims said The surgeons will train at OUHSC for a month.

One to two half-days per week they will participate in proctored cadaver dissections covering free tissue transfer techniques as well as other head and neck reconstructive techniques,” Dr Mims stated “These sessions will be led by faculty members in ENT, plastic surgery, OMFS, and oculoplastics ”

He also said that Kerecis is providing a four-hour training in their product in the cadaver lab. When the surgeons aren’t in the cadaver lab, they will be observing live cases in the operating room. They will also round with the team on these cases to see how initial postoperative management is performed Dr Mims explained the first three surgeons chosen to participate in the program were selected by members of the Fact-to-Fact team during their missions in Ukraine.

“We are currently working on an application process that would allow any Ukrainian surgeon to apply to participate in this program,” he said “We hope to identify those surgeons who will have the biggest impact not only in patient care but also in the ability to train other Ukrainian surgeons ”

According to Dr. Mims, this project is e by donations both monetary and in-ki provide housing, transportation, cell p training expenses for the surgeons, to barrier to entry for them,” Dr Mims sa

We have had a very generous donor w seed funds, allowing us to take the pr ground.” To maintain the program, the funds will continue to be raised throu events, social media, and additional o “Companies such as Leica, Stryker, Ke have provided in-kind donations, inclu instrumentation and biologic products “We are also collaborating with non-go organizations such as Razom for Ukra to help cover costs of airfare and other needs ”

The hope for the program is to help Ukrainian surgeons become independent in “the practice of complex head and neck reconstructive techniques,” Dr Mims said

“This will allow their patients across the country with extreme head and neck deformities to receive the care they need to restore them to a better quality of life,’ Dr Mims said “We also hope to foster a long-term relationship with the surgeons and the centers where they work so that we may collaborate in future clinical and research activities ”

Dr. Mims would like to thank those collaborating on this project including the surgeons, the department chairs, the media and marketing team, philanthropy, the cadaver lab staff, and the administrative roles for their assistance and hard work in making this initiative a reality

For more information regarding the project contact Dr. Mims at mark-mims@ouhsc.edu or visit https://giving.ouhealth.com/helpshealukraine.