Beyond Berks: Tower Health Employees in Ukraine

Beyond Berks:

Tower Health Employees in Ukraine

When war began in Ukraine in early 2022, individuals from all over the world, including employees from Tower Health, jumped into action to provide support and relief.

JEAN EBERSOLE, PHRN at TowerDirect, traveled to Ukraine for four weeks to provide care with a group from the Armada Network.

“Before I left, I didn’t know what to expect for my time in Ukraine,” Jean said. “The area I was in, Odessa, was gorgeous with beautiful rose gardens. The Ukrainian people were so grateful and kind. It was such a big morale booster for them to see that others care for them and their country.” Jean served in many roles including assisting to set up partnerships to help sort, organize and deliver supplies sent to the people of Ukraine from all over the world. One of her proudest accomplishments was to provide Stop the Bleed® training and distributing Stop the Bleed® supplies to Ukrainian police officers. “The officers were coming in on their days off to attend the training because it was so important to them,” she said. She also helped to provide primary care treatment for residents because so many suffered malnutrition due to lack of access to fresh fruits and vegetables. FILIP MOSHKOVSKY, DO, a Trauma surgeon at Reading Hospital, was born in Ukraine. He and his family left in 1989, fleeing religious persecution by the Soviet Union. He and his wife still have family in Ukraine, and he wanted to do something to help his native country. Dr. Moshkovsky connected with a physician in Ukraine organizing medical supply donations and delivering them to frontline hospitals. The first shipment of donations in May included 1,400 pounds of supplies collected from the hospital, employees and affiliates. “It was a true team effort to collect, organize and send these critical items to Ukraine,” said Dr. Moshkovsky. “I’m thankful to be at a hospital and in a community with so many caring individuals.” A second shipment weighing approximately 2500 pounds was sent to Ukraine at the end of September and included additional medical supplies such as tourniquets, wound care materials and first aid kits. Personal items like sleeping bags and thermal clothing were also sent to provide relief from the upcoming winter cold.

ASHLEY GIPPRICH, BSN, RN, a nurse in the Emergency Department, has a cousin in western Ukraine who works as an emergency department physician. “I was watching the news and knew I had to do something,” she said. “I didn’t want to feel helpless.” She enlisted the help of her daughter, Julia Gipprich, an Emergency Department nurse at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, and her best friend and longtime colleague, recently retired nurse, Kim Foster. Together, the three women collected items from colleagues, friends and family. Julia also purchased burn kits, tourniquets, IV supplies and endotracheal tubes.

For the Ukrainian soldiers they collected hard candy and chewing gum. Her cousin also recommended items for children who lost their parents during the war. Ashley, Julia and Kim also put together small bags that included socks, bottled water, toothbrush, toothpaste, protein bars and a special message on each bag such as, “A prayer was said for you today” and “Praying for you in the United States.” Ashley and team have sent more than 100 boxes of supplies distributed by other volunteers in Ukraine.

“I am so proud of the efforts of the team members who organized and donated to the people of Ukraine,” said Charles F. Barbera, MD, Reading Hospital President and CEO. “Our team members are compassionate and dedicated to healing everyone, not just our patients. Together, our team continues to make a difference around the world.” 2

By Jessica Bezler Public Relations, Tower Health

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