The war in Ukraine has hastened a need for surgeons to undergo specialized training to better treat patients with severe war-related facial injuries, and experts at OU Health have answered the call, inviting Ukrainian surgeons to train and learn in Oklahoma with an interdisciplinary group of experts.
It is estimated that the ongoing war has resulted in more than 13,000 individuals injured, many with severe and life-altering head and neck injuries. OU Health is the only academic health system in the United States training Ukrainian surgeons in advanced head and neck reconstruction techniques.
Three surgeons trained with OU Health through June and a second cohort will arrive in August. The surgeons live with Oklahoma families while undergoing training here.
Working with the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, OU assistant professor of surgery Mark Mims, M.D., who is also a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon at OU Health, specializing in surgical and non-surgical cosmetic and reconstructive techniques of the face, head, and neck, has led the initiative to bring Ukrainian surgeons to Oklahoma. Other organizations, including Razom for Ukraine, INGenuis and Sooner Hope for Ukraine have also facilitated in the effort.