DALLAS — Methodist Southlake Medical Center and Dallas-based MedCAD hosted two Ukrainian surgeons in February as part of a North Texas effort to support Ukraine’s wartime medical infrastruc ture.
Dr. Mykola Bayazitov, Deputy Medical Director at Odessa Regional Hospital, and his son Dr. Dmytro Baiazitov, Head of the Surgical Department at City Hospital No. 1, were invited to the United States by Pastor Leo Regetha from River of Life Church in Plano, who is originally from Odessa, Ukraine, himself. Pastor Leo organized their participation in Ukrainian Week in Washington, D.C.
At Ukrainian Week, the surgeons participated in the Healthcare Forum and Trauma Healing Forum, connecting with colleagues from both Ukraine and the United States.
Following Ukrainian Week, the doctors traveled to Dallas-Fort Worth. Tamara Velsher from the U.S. Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce, also from Odessa, Ukraine, organized their visit to Methodist Southlake Medical Center and arranged meetings with the Dallas Ukrainian diaspora and supporters.
The Odessa surgeons work in hospitals treating both military personnel and civilians injured in drone and missile attacks, in addition to regular surgical cases. Their visit to Dallas-Fort Worth represents part of a broader effort to build international partnerships and explore opportunities for mutually ben eficial collaboration between Ukrainian and American medical institutions. The goal of the visit was to observe advanced technologies, treatment protocols, and the organization of modern medical care in the United States.
At Methodist Southlake Medical Center, Sherri Lewis, Manager of Community and Public Relations, and Chad Barney, Director of Physician Development, welcomed the Ukrainian doctors. The sur geons met with Dr. Joseph Radzevich, a specialist in robotic surgery, who demonstrated the DaVinci surgical robot system. The advanced technology allows surgeons to perform complex procedures with enhanced precision through minimally invasive techniques.
Dr. Dmytro Baiazitov showed particular interest in robotic surgery capabilities during the demonstra tion. “I was impressed by the scale of ideas and the commitment to improving patients’ quality of life,” he said. “What seems impossible today can become accessible to everyone tomorrow.”
“I was impressed by the scale of ideas and the commitment to improving patients’ quality of life,” he said. “What seems impossible today can become accessible to everyone tomorrow.”
The surgeons were also invited to visit MedCAD, a Dallas company that produces custom 3D-printed titanium patient-specific implants (PSI). Jonathan Vasquez, product manager, showed them anatomi cal models and implants for various parts of the body, including one created for a wounded Ukrainian veteran in 2024—MedCAD’s first recipient in Ukraine. The surgeons examined the precision of the patient-specific designs and discussed how the technology could be applied in Ukraine.
MedCAD has been donating custom implants to a Ukrainian hospital since 2024, working with both Ukrainian surgeons and American surgeons who team up to perform operations during medical mis sions. The company prints each implant in duplicate to ensure backup availability during surgery. The implants donated to Ukraine are used for treating war trauma, while MedCAD’s broader product line also serves cancer patients and others requiring reconstructive surgery.
Nancy Hairston, MedCAD’s founder and owner, has donated implants to support Ukrainian medical care.
“If you have something to contribute to help impact the lives of people that are suffering, do it, be cause we have technologies now to be able to reach the other side of the world,” Hairston said.
The Dallas visit represents a growing effort by American and Ukrainian medical institutions to develop collaborative partnerships during the war, sharing expertise and exploring ways to advance medical care in both countries. The Ukrainian surgeons hope future cooperation will focus on exchanges of experience and equipment rather than financial assistance. “We hope for support through knowledge and technology,” Dr. Dmytro Baiazitov said.
«Ми сподіваємося на підтримку через знання та технології», – підсумував доктор Дмитро Баязітов.
Photos available: Methodist visit: surgeons with robot; MedCAD lab.
By Tatyana Bessmertnaya