ASSIST Ukraine Project

Every year, the largest Ukrainian festival in North America is held in Toronto in September, attracting about 1 million visitors. Last month, the ASSIST Ukraine Project with the first ASSIST-McMaster Orthopaedic Trauma Fellow Dr. Oleksandr Rikhter, used this opportunity to address the participants of the BWV Toronto Ukrainian Festival about the state of the war in Ukraine and draw their attention to its impact on the health care system. At the Speakers Corner Pavillion for discussion of current issues during the festival, the challenges faced by Ukrainian doctors during the treatment of combat and civilian trauma were discussed and possible ways of solving them were outlined.

Congratulations to Dr. Oleksandr Rikhter on completing the McMaster-Ukraine Ortho Trauma Fellowship! Best wishes from MacOrtho in your future endeavours!

ASSIST Ukraine Project is delighted to welcome our second Ukrainian fellow, Dr. Heorhii Hoduadze, to Canada! Dr. Hoduadze brings extensive experience and a passion for advancing orthopaedic care. His fellowship is a significant step in fostering international collaboration and aligning Ukrainian medical education with global standards. We look forward to working alongside him and supporting his continued professional growth. Welcome, Dr. Hoduadze!

Hot off the press. The ASSIST team discusses the role of surgical education in the Ukraine conflict in the The Hamilton Spectator

Ucrainica Research Institute is pleased to invite you to a lecture "Canadian Experience in Ukraine’s Wartime Trauma Epidemic" with a Ukrainian orthopedic surgeon Dr. Oleksandr Rikhter. He will present his experiences from Ukraine as well as his observations and perspectives on the Canadian health care system and its adaptations in the operating room during wartime. The event will take place on Thursday, September 26th, 2024 at 7:00 pm at the Westminster Room of the Old Mill Toronto. Speaker: Dr. Oleksandr Rikhter - President AO Trauma Ukraine, orthopaedic trauma surgeon specializing in complex polytrauma surgeries. He is the (Advanced Surgical Skills & Implants for Skeletal Trauma (ASSIST) Fellow at McMaster University. Member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. Please register prior to the event: https://lnkd.in/g4vHu94A The parking pass for the event can be downloaded at: www.ucrainica.ca

ASSIST will be presenting "War in Ukraine: A Ukrainian Trauma Surgeon's Perspective" this evening at 6 pm, at the Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival. It is part of the new UKRAINE TODAY Speaker's Corner, showcasing insightful discussions on a variety of topics relevant to Ukraine Today. Come by if you are at the festival!

We invite you to join the ASSIST Ukraine Project on Saturday, September 14, at 6 pm for an insightful talk and Q&A session titled “The War in Ukraine: A Ukrainian Trauma Surgeon’s Perspective.” This event is part of the «UKRAINE TODAY» speakers’ corner at the Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival, the largest Ukrainian street festival in North America taking place from September 13-15, 2024. 📍 Location: Corner of Bloor St. West and Beresford Ave, near Baka Cafe, Toronto, Ontario. The «UKRAINE TODAY» speakers’ corner will feature captivating discussions on contemporary issues in Ukraine, book presentations, and interactive sessions for children. Don’t miss the Toronto Ukrainian Festival and the opportunity to gain insights, celebrate Ukrainian culture, music, food and traditions, and connect with the community! For the full speakers' corner scheduleand session descriptions, please go to: https://lnkd.in/gsVZvBhg

Thank you Forum TV for the warm welcome to the McMaster ASSIST Ukraine Fellowship Surgeon Dr. Oleksandr Rikhter at your TV studio. https://lnkd.in/gxDy2FdJ

Thank you Forum TV for the warm welcome to the McMaster ASSIST Ukraine Fellowship Surgeon Dr. Oleksandr Rikhter at your TV studio. https://lnkd.in/gxDy2FdJ

This week, the ASSIST Canada Ukraine Project team hosted Dr. Roman Derkach, the Chief Physician of the Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine and the chief orthopaedic advisor to the Ministry of health of Ukraine. The meeting took place at McMaster University and was coordinated by the Embassy of Ukraine and Canada-Ukraine Foundation. Dr. Derkach delivered a presentation on how the peacetime Ukrainian healthcare system showed innovation and creativity to adapt and absorb the volume and complexity of war-related trauma. Mark Pahuta and Paul Moroz, MD, MSc, FRCSC, FAAOS shared how ASSIST Canada Ukraine Project is helping support Ukraine's healthcare system. Discussion then focused on the differences in orthopaedic trauma training in Ukraine versus North America, which influences the equipment and protocols they currently use, pressing orthopaedic needs in Ukraine, such as specialized implants, and potential avenues for cooperation between the Ukrainian and Canadian orthopaedic communities.