Oculofacial Surgery and the War in Ukraine

About the Guest(s):

• Dr. Parag Gandhi (host): Oculofacial plastic surgeon at Maryland Eye & Face and University of Maryland Hospitals in Baltimore. He is the Chair of the Global Outreach Committee of ASOPRS, has extensive experience leading medical missions, developing global ophthalmology programs, and two surgical mission trips to Ukraine with Face 2 Face.
• Dr. Raymond Cho: Clinical Professor and Director of Oculoplastic & Orbital Surgery at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. A retired U.S. Army Colonel and veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Dr. Cho has participated in multiple missions to Ukraine with the Canadian Face the Future Foundation.
• Dr. Jorge Corona: Oculofacial plastic surgeon in private practice in Dallas, Texas, and a Clinical Associate Professor at Texas Tech University. He has extensive global medical mission experience, including four trips to Ukraine with LEAP Global Missions.
• Dr. Dave Russell: Oculofacial plastic surgeon at Kaiser Northern California, who has participated in two humanitarian missions to Ukraine with LEAP, contributing to complex trauma care and surgical training.
• Dr. Stuart Seiff: Emeritus Professor of Ophthalmology at UCSF and CEO of Pacific Center for Oculofacial & Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. He co-directed the Symposium on Wartime Ophthalmic Trauma in 2022, and has completed four surgical missions to Ukraine with LEAP Global.

Episode Summary: In this compelling episode on time-urgent humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, Dr. Parag Gandhi hosts an esteemed panel of oculofacial plastic surgeons who discuss their inspiring work in Ukraine amidst ongoing conflict. The episode provides an in-depth look into the role of these surgical missions in both medical education and patient care of civilians and wounded soldiers, highlighting the transformative impact on both the Ukrainian medical community and the participating surgeons in training and practice. Throughout the discussion, the guests share their motivations and experiences, emphasizing the importance of global outreach in oculoplastic surgery, addressing wartime trauma, and the complexities of secondary trauma reconstructions seen in Ukraine. This episode underscores the essential need for humanitarian medical aid in conflict zones, and the power of medical collaboration across borders to foster resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity. Heroyam slava! Resources:

• Razom for Ukraine, the Co-Pilot Project: Umbrella NGO and surgical education program that unites American, Canadian, and Ukrainian surgeons, and all of the initiatives we discuss on this episode.
• Face 2 Face, Face the Future, and LEAP Global Missions: Key organizations supporting medical missions and training initiatives in Ukraine.
• ASOPRS Foundation: Backing efforts to foster educational initiatives for Ukrainian ophthalmologists to learn key aspects of oculofacial plastic surgery to meet current wartime needs.
• Friends of Chervonohrad: NGO involved in supporting many health initiatives, including surgical trips to Ukraine through fundraising efforts and pre-travel security assessments for teams.
• Christian Medical Association of Ukraine: Partnering in efforts to redefine medical practices and values.

Links to learn more about the humanitarian missions and donate to support surgical education: Razom for Ukraine, the Co-Pilot Project: https://www.razomforukraine.org/projects/cpp/ ASOPRS Foundation: https://www.asoprsfoundation.org/donate