I was born to Ukrainian immigrants in NYC speaking the language and was fortunate to visit Ukraine several times before the war. As a dermatology nurse practitioner in Cleveland, TN, I volunteer in a community with the highest per capita Ukrainian refugee population in Tennessee. My skills in language, dermatology diagnosis, and surgical closures attracted a team of plastic, maxillo/cranio-facial, and wound care surgeons and medical doctors from Texas who have organized themselves for regular visits to Ukraine since the summer of 2022. There, they spend over a week in a certain city divided between military and children's hospitals conducting surgeries and providing necessary assistance under the auspices of local authorities. My invitation for the first trip is March 2023, and requires economy travel, lodging, meals, transportation, and collecting necessary medical material in short supply. The surgeons are generally self-sufficient for their trips; I am not. Any funds raised for the 2023 trips and not spent for medical trips will be donated to Providence Haven Ministries, giving direct assistance to Ukrainian refugees. Thank you in advance for helping me help others.
Volunteer Surgical Team Ukraine
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Victor Czerkasij
Fundraising forVictor Czerkasij
Victor Czerkasij
Cleveland, TN
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Fundraiser Updates (3)
March 29, 2023
Victor Czerkasij
We're back! Our ten-day sojourn to Ukraine made local and national news, and on YouTube, the archived trip and event are fully documented. Our team was able to conduct over 100 surgeries and procedures at three hospitals, being of service to dozens of families primarily in the L'viv area. Myself, I was also able to conduct approximately 60 unusual consults in dermatology; met with the mayor of L'viv Andriy Sadovyi to discuss and plan upcoming trips with a more focused initiative; was able to purchase gifts and meet with every child not in quarantine in one hospital; provide surgical assistance and translation for about a dozen extremely complicated procedures between our team members and Ukrainian doctors; delivered dermatology PPT lectures to the Ukrainian doctors; and laid the groundwork for further trips and resources to return with. I observed that many children at one hospital were there because of the severity of their eczema, an unusual action to take in the United States. But I have already contacted a major pharmaceutical company that has a safe and effective non-steroidal medication approved for down to 6 months old babies could be just the trick to keep precious few hospital beds open for more serious cases. Along with the Ukrainian Ministry of Health's approval, I believe this will be of great benefit to arrange. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me with this venture. I you observed on FB, I tried to keep up with events. We worked very hard from sun-up to well past sundown and I was mindful of your donation. Sometimes the money issue for trips like this is the most stressful aspect of the venture, but in this case, I was blessed to concentrate on helping people because you chose to help me. I will withdraw funds following an accounting of my bills which I paid first everything with a credit card. Again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
February 11, 2023
Victor Czerkasij
Our trip and team are coming together with some positive developments. Along with our leaders Steve Orten and Craig Hobar, both Facial Plastic/Cosmetic surgeons, we are now joined by James Y Suen, ENT and Facial Plastic Surgeon and Air Force Captain, and considered one of America's top surgeons; Joe Thompson, Arkansas first Surgeon General, and pediatrician; James McDermott, MD and former congressman from Maryland; and David Bonior, a former congressman who supported Ukrainian independence in the '90s and whose mother was Ukrainian, and about a dozen others. We had the opportunity to speak today with nine surgeons and medical doctors in Ukraine, and I will most likely be paired with one of the plastic surgeons. In addition, I have been requested to conduct a series of dermatology lectures, visit difficult derm cases, and of course, the Ukrainian doctors seemed delighted that I was able to converse with them in Ukrainian. Our team will have media exposure because attached to our group will be some photojournalists so there will be more stories coming out of this trip besides myself. A most heartfelt thanks and great appreciation to all of you for supporting me on this trip. Full disclosure: I have purchased a refundable economy ticket and paid for half of it myself. We were informed that if the security situation changes while we are there, we have the opportunity to be the first ones out. Just over a month to go on for this trip. Thank you!
January 30, 2023
Victor Czerkasij
This past week I met on Zoom with the 15 other specialists on this trip: mostly plastic and emergency room surgeons. I am the only dermatology-trained partner but speaking Ukrainian and being able to conduct closures and excision will be of great benefit. We also learned that in our 'off-time', we are expected to conduct lectures for the local doctors and health professionals. Our specific places will be two children's hospitals: Ohmaydit and St. Nikolaus, the First Emergency Adult Hospital, and a military hospital. All of our work is under the direct cooperation, direction, and great appreciation of Ukrainian authorities. We will have a special supplement to our passports to travel more quickly across the border. We are required to bring our own medical supplies where possible. Thank you again for your support.
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Victor Czerkasij is the organizer of this fundraiser
Victor Czerkasij
Cleveland, TN
Fundraising for
Victor Czerkasij
Fundraising forVictor Czerkasij
Donation protected
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I was born to Ukrainian immigrants in NYC speaking the language and was fortunate to visit Ukraine several times before the war. As a dermatology nurse practitioner in Cleveland, TN, I volunteer in a community with the highest per capita Ukrainian refugee population in Tennessee. My skills in language, dermatology diagnosis, and surgical closures attracted a team of plastic, maxillo/cranio-facial, and wound care surgeons and medical doctors from Texas who have organized themselves for regular visits to Ukraine since the summer of 2022. There, they spend over a week in a certain city divided between military and children's hospitals conducting surgeries and providing necessary assistance under the auspices of local authorities. My invitation for the first trip is March 2023, and requires economy travel, lodging, meals, transportation, and collecting necessary medical material in short supply. The surgeons are generally self-sufficient for their trips; I am not. Any funds raised for the 2023 trips and not spent for medical trips will be donated to Providence Haven Ministries, giving direct assistance to Ukrainian refugees. Thank you in advance for helping me help others.
Fundraiser Updates (3)
March 29, 2023
Victor Czerkasij
We're back! Our ten-day sojourn to Ukraine made local and national news, and on YouTube, the archived trip and event are fully documented. Our team was able to conduct over 100 surgeries and procedures at three hospitals, being of service to dozens of families primarily in the L'viv area. Myself, I was also able to conduct approximately 60 unusual consults in dermatology; met with the mayor of L'viv Andriy Sadovyi to discuss and plan upcoming trips with a more focused initiative; was able to purchase gifts and meet with every child not in quarantine in one hospital; provide surgical assistance and translation for about a dozen extremely complicated procedures between our team members and Ukrainian doctors; delivered dermatology PPT lectures to the Ukrainian doctors; and laid the groundwork for further trips and resources to return with. I observed that many children at one hospital were there because of the severity of their eczema, an unusual action to take in the United States. But I have already contacted a major pharmaceutical company that has a safe and effective non-steroidal medication approved for down to 6 months old babies could be just the trick to keep precious few hospital beds open for more serious cases. Along with the Ukrainian Ministry of Health's approval, I believe this will be of great benefit to arrange. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me with this venture. I you observed on FB, I tried to keep up with events. We worked very hard from sun-up to well past sundown and I was mindful of your donation. Sometimes the money issue for trips like this is the most stressful aspect of the venture, but in this case, I was blessed to concentrate on helping people because you chose to help me. I will withdraw funds following an accounting of my bills which I paid first everything with a credit card. Again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
February 11, 2023
Victor Czerkasij
Our trip and team are coming together with some positive developments. Along with our leaders Steve Orten and Craig Hobar, both Facial Plastic/Cosmetic surgeons, we are now joined by James Y Suen, ENT and Facial Plastic Surgeon and Air Force Captain, and considered one of America's top surgeons; Joe Thompson, Arkansas first Surgeon General, and pediatrician; James McDermott, MD and former congressman from Maryland; and David Bonior, a former congressman who supported Ukrainian independence in the '90s and whose mother was Ukrainian, and about a dozen others. We had the opportunity to speak today with nine surgeons and medical doctors in Ukraine, and I will most likely be paired with one of the plastic surgeons. In addition, I have been requested to conduct a series of dermatology lectures, visit difficult derm cases, and of course, the Ukrainian doctors seemed delighted that I was able to converse with them in Ukrainian. Our team will have media exposure because attached to our group will be some photojournalists so there will be more stories coming out of this trip besides myself. A most heartfelt thanks and great appreciation to all of you for supporting me on this trip. Full disclosure: I have purchased a refundable economy ticket and paid for half of it myself. We were informed that if the security situation changes while we are there, we have the opportunity to be the first ones out. Just over a month to go on for this trip. Thank you!
January 30, 2023
Victor Czerkasij
This past week I met on Zoom with the 15 other specialists on this trip: mostly plastic and emergency room surgeons. I am the only dermatology-trained partner but speaking Ukrainian and being able to conduct closures and excision will be of great benefit. We also learned that in our 'off-time', we are expected to conduct lectures for the local doctors and health professionals. Our specific places will be two children's hospitals: Ohmaydit and St. Nikolaus, the First Emergency Adult Hospital, and a military hospital. All of our work is under the direct cooperation, direction, and great appreciation of Ukrainian authorities. We will have a special supplement to our passports to travel more quickly across the border. We are required to bring our own medical supplies where possible. Thank you again for your support.
Organizer
Victor Czerkasij is the organizer of this fundraiser
