First National Forum "Women in Medicine: Professional Growth and Leadership"
On November 15–16, 2024, Lviv hosted the first National Forum “Women in Medicine: Professional Growth and Leadership,” focused on women's leadership in medicine, professional and personal growth, gender equity in healthcare, and reforms in medical education and the healthcare system.
The event was organized by the Global Medical Knowledge Alliance in cooperation with the non-profit Ukrainian-American human rights organization RAZOM, which strengthens the modern healthcare system, assists Ukrainian NGOs, and amplifies Ukrainian voices through education, volunteerism, and the arts.
The forum's purpose was to unite the medical community, provide tools for change, foster professional growth and personal development, and highlight the issue of gender equity in medicine. International and Ukrainian healthcare experts, physicians, scientists, opinion leaders, business representatives, government officials, and members of patient and public organizations gathered on one platform.
"Achieving gender equity in medicine will help Ukrainian healthcare develop faster and more effectively. This forum is an important step for the entire medical industry. I am pleased with the lineup of speakers we brought together and the diverse topics covered. I am especially proud of each participant in the poster session—they presented exceptionally strong ideas. We also had meaningful discussions on forming a proactive community, and I believe we succeeded," said Dr. Nelya Melnitchouk, Founder of GMKA and Assistant Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School (Boston, USA).
The forum was attended by over 280 guests and 42 speakers, including:
- Dr. Ulana Suprun, Former Acting Minister of Health of Ukraine (2016–2019)
- Inna Sovsun, Member of Parliament
- Pavlo Kovtonyuk, Co-founder of the Ukrainian Healthcare Center (UHC)
- Dr. Mariia Kukushkina, Oncologic Surgeon and Oncodermatologist
- Vasyl Strilka, Director of the Department of High-Tech Medical Care and Innovations at the Ministry of Health of Ukraine
- Evelina Kurilets, Executive Director of Razom for Ukraine Foundation
- Matviy Khrenov, Co-founder of the Ukrainian Healthcare Centre (UHC)
- Kseniia Voznitsyna, Founder and Director of the Lisova Polyana Centre for Mental Health and Rehabilitation
"This forum shows the immense and multifaceted demand for medical transformation. The medical community is eager for personal change, professional development, and new achievements. By transforming ourselves, we transform the world around us—through our decisions, perspectives, and values. Women in medicine face many challenges, but with the incredible internal drive, ambition, and inspiration of each woman, I am confident that together we will overcome them," said Dr. Inesa Huivaniuk, Executive Director of GMKA Ukraine.
The forum featured panel discussions, keynote speeches, poster sessions, and networking opportunities.
Key topics included reforms in medical education and healthcare, promoting gender equity in medicine, fostering professional growth among healthcare providers, examining how modern technology is transforming medical practice, and improving patient care.
Key topics included reforms in medical education and healthcare, promoting gender equity in medicine, fostering professional growth among healthcare providers, examining how modern technology is transforming medical practice, and improving patient care.