Harvard University hosted a series of events dedicated to medical support for Ukraine during the war: a film screening of “2000 Meters to Andriyivka”, panel discussions with the participation of the Associated Press, Razom for Ukraine and Frontline Features, as well as a two-day conference UA-MED Heal Ukraine 2025, which brought together more than 250 doctors, researchers, teachers and humanitarian leaders from the USA, Canada and Ukraine.
This was reported by United Help Ukraine, Nova Ukraine, Razom for Ukraine and conference partners.
The program included a screening of the film “2000 Meters to Andriyivka” by Oscar-winning director Mstislav Chernov, which took place within the framework of the partnership of Razom for Ukraine, Associated Press, Frontline Features. The central event was the Heal Ukraine conference, focused on medical recovery in Ukraine, innovation, trauma, rehabilitation, pain management, mental health, and rebooting the healthcare system.
The event was also attended by some of the largest Ukrainian humanitarian organizations, United Help Ukraine, Protez Foundation, and Nova Ukraine, among others.
United Help Ukraine (UHU) unveiled its own approach to scaled psychological first aid and the implementation of the Problem-Management Plus methodology in wartime.
“Scaled Psychological First Aid: Implementing Problem Management in Wartime” was a report by Anna Yabluchanska. The organization also joined the panel “Behind the Scenes: How American NGOs Influence Medicine,” moderated by UHU representatives, Anna Yabluchanska and Maryna Baydyuk.
“It was an inspiring time of knowledge exchange, finding solutions to critical challenges and communicating with those who stand for health and life in Ukraine. Together, we are shaping the future of medicine in Ukraine and developing healthcare on a global scale,” UHU noted.
Nova Ukraine presented the national program “Ukraine Without Pain”, which launched in 2024 and aims to create the first chronic pain treatment system in Ukraine through education, research and access to modern equipment.
“Ukraine Without Pain is more than a medical project; it is an effort of national transformation. Together with partners such as Yale, Harvard, Northwestern and DU4U, we are building a sustainable future foundation for the Ukrainian healthcare system,” said Oksana Hologorska, Vice President for Medical Projects at Nova Ukraine.
Nova Ukraine representatives opposed key panels of the conference – in particular on pain management, rehabilitation, healthcare system development, participation of international NGOs and training of Ukrainian specialists.
“Partnership is the foundation of everything we do. Nova Ukraine unites civil society organizations, donors, doctors and social services around one goal – to save lives and rebuild the healthcare system of Ukraine,” added Kateryna Kovalenko, Vice President for Strategic Alliances at Nova Ukraine.
A number of speakers from Ukraine also joined the conference. Among the speakers were: Vasyl Strilka, Ministry of Health – priorities and critical needs of Ukraine, military surgeon Oleksandr Linchevsky – assistance to the wounded and training in trauma, doctors from “Nezlamny” (Lviv) – multidisciplinary models of rehabilitation, Antonina Kumka, Protez Hub – challenges of prosthetics in Ukraine, doctors from LNMO and Vinnytsia Medical University – surgery, trauma, infection control, etc.
“This inspiring event brought together global health leaders, academics, and policymakers for two days of transformative dialogue on supporting Ukraine’s healthcare system during the war. Highlights included powerful keynote speeches by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oleksandra Matviychuk, Dr. Vasyl Strilka from the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, and Drs. Karen and Irwin Redleners,” shared Natalia Kovalchuk, PhD, fromHelp Ukraine Group (Stanford).
The program included over 80 presentations and dozens of panels covering topics such as mental health, medical education, cancer care, transplant development, and more.
The conference was co-organized by the Ukrainian American Medical Exchange & Development Alliance, HURI Harvard University, Scholars at Risk, Global Medical Knowledge Alliance, MedGlobal, Be an Angel, Razom for Ukraine, Nova Ukraine, Doctors United for Ukraine, EXCITUS, leading American universities, and the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.
Photo: United Help Ukraine, Nova Ukraine
Author: Inna Mikhno