UCalgary humanitarian fellowship welcomes its first fellow from Ukraine

Calgary, AB – When ophthalmologists in Ukraine suddenly found themselves treating eye trauma and injuries due to war, 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. 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.”

Dr. Karim G. Punja, MD, oculofacial plastic surgeon and clinical associate professor at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM)

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.

“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.”

Punja says 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. He adds that the surgical principles, anatomic awareness, and restoration of function are the same.

Dr. Pavla Ivaniuta, MD, an ophthalmologist and surgeon in Kyiv, Ukraine, arrived in Calgary in late October. 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. When the war first started, I used to cry seeing my patients but now I realize that I have the ability to help them.”

Dr. Pavla Ivaniuta, MD, an ophthalmologist and surgeon

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.

“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.”

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Kristen Fong
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kmfong@ucalgary.ca