Wednesday, July 2, 2025
  • Login
Euro Times
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Finance
  • Business
  • World
  • Politics
  • Markets
  • Stock Market
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Investing
  • Health
  • Technology
  • Home
  • Finance
  • Business
  • World
  • Politics
  • Markets
  • Stock Market
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Investing
  • Health
  • Technology
Euro Times
No Result
View All Result

Ukrainian doctors train in the U.S. on how to perform heart and lung transplants : NPR

by Daniel Ackerman
November 12, 2022
in Health
Reading Time: 6 mins read
A A
0
Home Health
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


Dr. Serguei Melnitchouk (center) of Massachusetts General Hospital is training Ukrainian surgeons Volodymyr Voitko (left) and Vitalii Sokolov (right) on how to perform heart and lung transplants so they can do them in their home country. Photo taken Nov. 17, 2022, at MGH.

Daniel Ackerman/Daniel Ackerman


hide caption

toggle caption

Daniel Ackerman/Daniel Ackerman

Dr. Serguei Melnitchouk (center) of Massachusetts General Hospital is training Ukrainian surgeons Volodymyr Voitko (left) and Vitalii Sokolov (right) on how to perform heart and lung transplants so they can do them in their home country. Photo taken Nov. 17, 2022, at MGH.

Daniel Ackerman/Daniel Ackerman

BOSTON — There’s a rhythm to most surgeries at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston: the beep of a heart monitor, the surgeon’s calls for “scalpel … scissors … clamp.” But today, that rhythm sounds different. It’s mixed with quiet chatter in Ukrainian.

The surgeon, Dr. Serguei Melnitchouk, is repairing a patient’s leaky heart valve. He explains his technique to two observing doctors, both thoracic surgeons visiting from Feofaniya Clinical Hospital in Kyiv. They’ve traveled to Boston for a crash course in some of the most complex procedures in medicine: heart and lung transplants.

Ukraine has long lacked a full-service organ transplant center. Previously, patients who needed a new set of lungs would travel abroad for the procedure, funded by the country’s universal healthcare system. But that funding has been drained by Ukraine’s war effort, and other countries have restricted foreigners’ access to transplant services. So some Ukrainian patients are left without the chance for a life-saving transplant. The crash course at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) aims to change that. It will allow the Ukrainian doctors to open their own lung transplant center — giving patients hope for a better future, even amid the shadows of war.

A chance to help

Melnitchouk has spent his decade-long career as a cardiothoracic surgeon at MGH in Boston. But he was born in western Ukraine. His parents still live in the agricultural town where he grew up.

In April, during the chaotic early days of Russia’s invasion, Melnitchouk traveled back to Ukraine to lend his expertise to the war effort. He taught trauma care to doctors at three local hospitals where beds were filling up with the wounded. Outside the hospitals, roadsides were littered with burnt-out tanks and tree trunks whose canopies had been blown off by missiles. The sights were hard to process.

“It was painful,” said Melnitchouk. “That’s your country where you grew up, and you can’t recognize it. It was hurting my heart.”

He wanted to do more to help.

Opportunity arose when he spoke with doctors at the hospitals he was visiting. They kept inquiring about a procedure seemingly unrelated to the pressing wartime concerns.

“In all three hospitals they were asking about [organ] transplants,” said Melnitchouk. “I was like, ‘Why are you asking about transplants? You are in a time of war.’ “

Melnitchouk learned that Ukraine had only recently opened transplant centers for organs like kidneys and livers, but the country still lacked capacity to transplant lungs, partly due to technical challenges.

“Lungs are one of the hardest transplants,” said Melnitchouk, who has completed dozens of successful lung transplants.

He says the challenge arises from the organs’ complex vascular structure and a high risk of immune system rejection after the procedure. Plus, lungs come in pairs.

“Once you finish one lung, you have to do it again,” he said. “So it’s a longer operation.”

Patients in need of that operation are unable to receive it now, according to Vasyl Strilka, who leads the development of an organ transplant system for Ukraine’s Ministry of Health. The cash-strapped government can no longer foot the $150,000 bill for each patient sent abroad. (Many doctors in Ukraine have worked without pay for months.)

Strilka adds that India and Belarus, where Ukrainians previously traveled for transplants, both recently passed laws restricting foreigners’ ability to receive the procedure there.

Strilka knew Ukraine had to open its own lung transplant center. The procedure can be the only option for patients with end-stage lung disease, often caused by advanced COPD or cystic fibrosis. So when Strilka met Melnitchouk during his April trip to Ukraine, they hatched a plan with the help of Oksana Dmitrieva, a member of Ukraine’s parliament who has led the push for a local transplant center.

Ukraine would send a team of 13 doctors to Melnitchouk’s practice at MGH, where they would spend three months learning techniques for lung and heart transplant. The program’s first hurdle was funding.

“Our original plan was that they would just rent Airbnbs, and they would live in apartments close to the hospital,” said Melnitchouk. “But the Ministry of Health is pretty broke right now.”

A home away from home

By reaching out through church networks in Boston, they found volunteer families to host the doctors, who arrived in early October.

The arrangement has allowed the visitors to experience New England at its fall finest. Dr. Vitalii Sokolov, a thoracic surgeon from Feofaniya Hospital, said his Boston host family took him leaf-peeping in New Hampshire one weekend. Plus, he sampled a bowl of New England clam chowder. His review of the soup: “not impressed.” Sokolov is impressed by his host family’s openness and generosity.

“I would say that I have another mother and father in the States,” he joked.

But Sokolov’s thoughts never stray far from his own family back in Kyiv. He wakes at 5 a.m. each day to call them, checking that they have electricity and heat amid Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. Then, Sokolov heads into the hospital for training.

He and the other visiting doctors have observed three lung transplant operations since they arrived.

“I’ve got the impression that lung transplantation, and transplantation in general, is a team game,” Sokolov said, referring to the crew of doctors and nurses who aid the patient through the lengthy post-operative treatment.

Sokolov is observing that team in action at MGH. In December, he’ll return to Kyiv to lead his own team at Ukraine’s new transplant center. Melnitchouk plans to be there for the first few transplants, to ensure the Ukrainian team’s smooth transition from training to practice.

For now, Melnitchouk is grateful for the chance to speak his native language in the operating room with the visiting doctors.

“This is my first time in my life — in my last nine years attending — to speak Ukrainian. I’m actually very, very happy,” said Melnitchouk, choking up. “I’m very grateful that I had this chance to somehow give back something to my country.”



Source link

Tags: DoctorsHeartLungNPRperformtrainTransplantsUkrainian
Previous Post

FTX Hit by Nine-Figure Hack as Meltdown Continues

Next Post

Crypto Lender BlockFi Suspends Withdrawals | by Marcel Boer | The Capital | Nov, 2022

Related Posts

4 Benefits of Black Currant: Plus, Nutrition and Risks

4 Benefits of Black Currant: Plus, Nutrition and Risks

by Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, LD
July 1, 2025
0

Black currants are small, darkish purple berries identified for his or her tart taste and wealthy nutrient profile. They're loaded...

Is Cheese Giving You Nightmares?

Is Cheese Giving You Nightmares?

by Jeffrey Kluger
July 1, 2025
0

For hundreds of years, folklore and widespread knowledge have linked poor consuming habits and indigestion to nightmares and stressed sleep....

Is Chewing Gum Bad for Your Health?

Is Chewing Gum Bad for Your Health?

by Dr. Mercola
July 2, 2025
0

Mercola proudly helps these charities and organizations. View All Charities & Organizations Extra About Mercola.com Disclaimer: All the contents of...

What to Do When You Fall Off Track (Without Starting Over Again and Again)

What to Do When You Fall Off Track (Without Starting Over Again and Again)

by Samantha Cassetty, MS, RD
June 30, 2025
0

Ever marvel what to do once you fall off monitor? It occurs to everybody. You had good intentions. Possibly you...

How Your Diet Shapes the Way Your Skin Ages

How Your Diet Shapes the Way Your Skin Ages

by Dr. Mercola
June 30, 2025
0

Mercola proudly helps these charities and organizations. View All Charities & Organizations Extra About Mercola.com Disclaimer: Your complete contents of...

Symptoms, Causes, and How To Treat It

Symptoms, Causes, and How To Treat It

by Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH
June 29, 2025
0

Spongiotic dermatitis is a time period that refers to a particular kind of pores and skin irritation. It impacts the...

Next Post
Crypto Lender BlockFi Suspends Withdrawals | by Marcel Boer | The Capital | Nov, 2022

Crypto Lender BlockFi Suspends Withdrawals | by Marcel Boer | The Capital | Nov, 2022

Collapsed crypto exchange FTX investigating ‘unauthorized transactions’

Collapsed crypto exchange FTX investigating 'unauthorized transactions'

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

SEC Clears Grayscale Digital Large Cap Fund for NYSE Arca ETF Listing

SEC Clears Grayscale Digital Large Cap Fund for NYSE Arca ETF Listing

July 2, 2025
Ambrook, a startup providing specialized accounting software for US farmers and ranchers, raised a .1M Series A led by Thrive Capital and Figma's Dylan Field (Allie Garfinkle/Fortune)

Ambrook, a startup providing specialized accounting software for US farmers and ranchers, raised a $26.1M Series A led by Thrive Capital and Figma's Dylan Field (Allie Garfinkle/Fortune)

July 2, 2025
Trump says Israel agrees on terms for 60-day ceasefire deal in Gaza & warns Hamas to accept as it will ‘only get worse’

Trump says Israel agrees on terms for 60-day ceasefire deal in Gaza & warns Hamas to accept as it will ‘only get worse’

July 2, 2025
SOL Sells-off As Traders Target 4

SOL Sells-off As Traders Target $124

July 1, 2025
Trump And Kristi Noem Lose It And Threaten To Criminally Prosecute CNN

Trump And Kristi Noem Lose It And Threaten To Criminally Prosecute CNN

July 2, 2025
Mexican banks face cascading consequences following US sanctions

Mexican banks face cascading consequences following US sanctions

July 1, 2025
Euro Times

Get the latest news and follow the coverage of Business & Financial News, Stock Market Updates, Analysis, and more from the trusted sources.

CATEGORIES

  • Business
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Finance
  • Health
  • Investing
  • Markets
  • Politics
  • Stock Market
  • Technology
  • Uncategorized
  • World

LATEST UPDATES

SEC Clears Grayscale Digital Large Cap Fund for NYSE Arca ETF Listing

Ambrook, a startup providing specialized accounting software for US farmers and ranchers, raised a $26.1M Series A led by Thrive Capital and Figma's Dylan Field (Allie Garfinkle/Fortune)

  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA
  • Cookie Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact us

Copyright © 2022 - Euro Times.
Euro Times is not responsible for the content of external sites.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Finance
  • Business
  • World
  • Politics
  • Markets
  • Stock Market
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Investing
  • Health
  • Technology

Copyright © 2022 - Euro Times.
Euro Times is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In