Fox Chase Cancer Center recently welcomed a team of Ukrainian physicians to share aspects of its strategy, processes and approach to cancer care and research.
Last week, the physicians presented a group seminar in the Reimann Auditorium and on Zoom entitled, Ukrainian Cancer Health Care Challenges Highlighted During the War.
The Ukrainian physicians were Dr. Dmytro Iskimzhy, a medical oncologist; Dr. Serhii Mykhailiuk, a radiation oncologist; Dr. Dmytro Cherniavskyi, a clinical oncologist; and Dr. Viacheslav “Slava” Kopetskyi, a surgical oncologist and, at 38, the oldest of the bunch.
Mykhailiuk thanked Fox Chase for the invitation and described the trip as an “unbelievable experience.”
The four doctors were in the area for a two-week stay, and Dr. Jonathan Chernoff – FCCC’s director – presented them with Fox Chase jackets.
The doctors spoke of caring for more patients since the war started, along with greater pressure, safety concerns and an interruption of workflow. They’ve run out of some drugs, are not getting as much documentation on patients and have seen staff leave as refugees. Some hospitals have been damaged or destroyed during the fighting, and some health workers have been killed or injured. ••
