UCalgary initiates academic program to educate physicians on the front line of care in areas of geopolitical crisis

When ophthalmologists in Ukraine suddenly found themselves treating an overwhelming volume of eye trauma due to war, injuries and reconstructive challenges they rarely encountered, University of Calgary clinicians started a conversation about how to help them. 

Led by Dr. Karim G. Punja, MD, an oculofacial plastic surgeon and clinical associate professor at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM), the academics created a unique fellowship specifically designed for surgeons in areas of geopolitical crisis. 

“We realized we needed something new to help the doctors and people of Ukraine as soon as possible. We created a new humanitarian fellowship,” says Punja. “The University of Calgary is known for taking fellows from all over the world but usually doctors come to us for up to two years.”

The unique program occurs over one year and has three distinct parts. The first is a condensed intensive training period in Calgary where the fellow learns and implements new skills for a few months. The second part occurs in the fellow’s home country, where they apply those skills while consulting with mentors in Calgary. The last part of the fellowship happens back in Calgary.

Fellowship is designed to meet the specific needs in the region 

“What makes this fellowship different is that it’s needs based,” says Punja. “We focus on the types of trauma doctors would face, in this case back in Ukraine, and tailor the fellow’s education to meet those needs. For example, we perform complex reconstruction of the eyelids and face after cancer resection as well as trauma.”

In trauma and in cancer reconstruction, large complex defects can interfere with the intricate function and structure of the eyelids and their ability to protect the eye itself, Punja says, adding that the surgical principles, anatomic awareness, and restoration of function are the same.

One year ago, Dr. Pavla Ivaniuta, MD, an ophthalmologist and surgeon in Kyiv, Ukraine met Punja in San Diego where he was teaching a course at an advanced oculofacial seminar.

When she learned about the humanitarian fellowship she wanted to be the first surgeon from Ukraine to take part. As soon as she got  home she  started a nine-month process which included skills tests, English proficiency tests, and reems of paperwork, to make that happen.

“This was my first trip abroad for my education. I knew it was the right thing to do to help my patients, but I was leaving my family behind and that was very hard,” says Ivaniuta. “My family has always been my support system but since I’ve arrived in Calgary, Dr. Punja and the other fellows have become my new support system.”  

She says this fellowship exposes her to more hands-on learning to better prepare her for the trauma cases she’s treating back home. 

“Even after just three months, I’m feeling more confident and more knowledgeable to help the people who need it,” says Ivaniuta. “When the war first started, I used to cry seeing my patients, but now I realize that I have the ability to help them.”.

Fellows are to become mentors to their peers

Ivaniuta adds the fellowship holds an even deeper meaning to her. To be accepted into the program, Ivaniuta had to commit to return home and implement training for other health-care professionals in Ukraine. 

“Everyday, I think about how huge this opportunity is. I am the first Ukrainian fellow in this program,” says Ivaniuta. “I’m already getting excited about sharing the knowledge I’m gaining with my peers back home.”

Even though she will be supported long-distance by mentors in Calgary when she first returns home, Punja’s intent is to go to Ukraine for a time during the second part of the fellowship.

Taking the fellowship beyond ophthalmology

“The opportunity and need are mind boggling. I hope this fellowship provides a blueprint for other specialties to start a similar humanitarian fellowship,” says Punja. “We started this fellowship because of a need in Ukraine, but we know there are needs around the globe as the frequency of geopolitical crises accelerates.”

When he started the process to create a humanitarian fellowship, Punja says, he had no idea how much time and commitment would be required. He says he owes a lot of thanks to many people at the CSM, including Department of Surgery Head, Dr. Kevin Hildebrand, MD'89; Dean of Medicine, Dr. Todd Anderson, MD'85; and Senior Associate Dean, Education, Dr. Lisa Welikovitch, MD, who supported his idea and helped him navigate the necessary educational and administrative requirements. 

He also commends Dr. Michael Kryshtalskyj, MD, who started the Eyes on Ukraine program with the Canadian Ophthalmological Society, raising $1.5 million in equipment, supplies and donations that have also helped fund Ivaniuta’s time in Calgary.

For more on how the humanitarian fellowship was created, check out the previous story here.

Pavla Ivaniuta is an ophthalmologist assistant at the department of ophthalmology and optometry Bogomolets National Medical University. She is the first UCalgary humanitarian fellow in Oculofacial Plastic Surgery.

Karim G. Punja is the head of Ophthalmology Fellowship Programs (CSM) and Director of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship.