About the Program
The commitment to advancing global medicine through education, collaboration and philanthropy is built on the belief that real progress in healthcare happens where academic excellence meets access and compassion. Through the generosity of donors, programs have been developed that connect Ukrainian healthcare teams with leading experts in leading U.S. Academic Medical Centers, including the University of Southern California (USC), the University of Chicago and Northwestern Medicine. Through intensive, hands-on training and institutional immersion, participants will gain exposure to:
Clinical Education in Ukraine
Since the start of the war, Pack the Plane teams have delivered critical medical education and hands-on training inside Ukraine, reaching physicians and providers who cannot leave the country but are determined to keep advancing their skills. These on-the-ground programs combine clinical lectures, workshops and proctored surgical procedures, ensuring that learning is immediately translated into practice. By pairing U.S. specialists with Ukrainian clinicians in real operating and class rooms, we are not only strengthening present day care but also building the foundation for the country’s future medical system once peace returns.
Through partnerships with the Local Ukrainian Hospitals like the National Cancer Center and other leading institutions, we have organized multidisciplinary conferences and masterclasses that draw hundreds of participants from across Ukraine. Topics have included updates in colorectal cancer treatment, total neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer, complete mesocolic excision with central venous ligation and advanced surgical approaches for liver metastases. Sessions also cover essential areas such as stoma care, basic life support for ICU nurses and the integration of research into clinical practice.
Each training blends theory and practice: during the Colorectal Surgery Masterclass in Lviv, U.S.
surgeons proctored local teams performing laparoscopic low anterior resections, sigmoid colectomies and hepatectomies. Similar collaborative efforts have taken place at the Endoscopic and Robotic Surgery Conference in Kyiv and Vinnitsa, which gathered over 120 providers and the Colorectal Cancer Conference in Kyiv drew 550 participants. Even academic programs, like the “The Physician Scientist” workshop, engage faculty and students in shaping the next generation of medical leaders.
In a time when international conferences are largely suspended, these locally hosted initiatives are filling a critical gap bringing global expertise to Ukrainian hospitals and allowing clinicians to train, innovate and deliver better care under the most difficult circumstances. Each session represents more than a transfer of knowledge; it’s an act of solidarity and a tangible investment in the resilience and future of Ukraine’s healthcare system.
“Each time we stand beside our Ukrainian colleagues in the operating room, we’re not just sharing techniques—we’re helping build the future of medicine in a country that refuses to stop caring for its people.”
Trainee
How your Gift Helps
Your Donation Directly Supports Future Healthcare Leaders. Donors giving $5,000+ will receive a personalized thank-you letter from the trainee they helped. Every contribution — large or small — supports a healthier, more resilient Ukraine.