“Women in Medicine: The Voice of Change” Forum — Highlighting GMKA’s Key Initiative for Women’s Leadership
On September 27, 2025, Lviv hosted the national forum “Women in Medicine: The Voice of Change,” a major event organized by the Global Medical Knowledge Alliance (GMKA) to advance women’s leadership in healthcare.
The Forum brought together healthcare professionals, policy experts, thought leaders, researchers, and representatives from business, government, and civil society. Among the guests were delegates from the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in Ukraine, Harvard Medical School, the University of Toronto, King’s College London, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
The diversity of participants highlighted that sustainable transformation in healthcare systems is rooted in collaboration across clinical, administrative, and educational domains. In Ukraine, where the medical community continues to evolve and reform the healthcare system amid war and limited resources, this commitment to partnership and progress reflects the strength, resilience, and forward-looking spirit of its professionals. Through such synergy, a shared vision for a modern, patient-centered, and resilient healthcare system is taking shape.
Women’s Leadership: Impact, Mentorship, and Overcoming Challenges
“Our first GMKA Forum supporting women’s leadership in healthcare received tremendous interest, which showed that the system truly needs this conversation,” said Inesa Huivaniuk, MD, MPA, Executive Director of GMKA Ukraine and oncologic surgeon at the Kyiv Regional Oncology Center. “Women represent more than half of Ukraine’s potential — and they will play a central role in rebuilding the country. We must give women the tools, motivation, and role models they need to multiply their strength, build confidence, and take part in strategic decision-making for the future of healthcare in Ukraine.”
One of the key themes of the Forum was the vital role of women’s leadership in driving healthcare transformation at every level — from strengthening team culture and institutional progress to enhancing Ukraine’s representation on the international stage.
“Developing women’s leadership in healthcare is also part of our medical diplomacy,” noted Ulana Suprun, MD, Former Acting Minister of Health of Ukraine and Director and Editor-in-Chief of the NGO Arc.UA. “Ukrainian women are strong and intelligent — they have great influence and can extend that influence abroad. We must show the world not only that Ukraine is enduring war, but also that it is growing, innovating, and changing.”
Participants also learned how to build public service careers and foster civic engagement to achieve visible and lasting impact.
“There are more people in office who just look out for themselves than those who want to solve the problem. If you want your interests to be heard — you have to speak up,” said Inna Sovsun, PhD, Member of Parliament, civic activist, and Senior Lecturer at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. “To make change happen, you need five keys: (1) willingness to speak about a problem; (2) clarity in defining it; (3) allies within the system; (4) public communication; and (5) coordination of joint efforts. Anyone can start this chain.”
The Forum featured a presentation dedicated to mentorship as a driver of opportunity and long-term impact. Carolyn Levis, MD, MSc, FRCS(C) — Plastic Surgeon and Associate Professor at McMaster University; Co-Director of MacHANd; Director of MacGLObas; and Chair of the Specialty Committee for Plastic Surgery at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada — shared strategies for effective mentoring:
“If you are a mentor, look for opportunities for your mentees — they might not even know they exist. Be flexible, recognize bias, and create a safe space where weaknesses can be addressed and growth can happen. Mentorship is your legacy — a chain reaction that can shape a culture of leadership and support in medicine.”
Leadership vs. Motherhood
While leadership and management competencies were central themes of the forum, participants also discussed key aspects of women’s health — including reproductive health, childbirth trauma, cardiovascular risks, burnout prevention, and the psychological effects of war.
A dedicated panel brought together speakers from Canada and the United States to explore leadership styles and how women balance professional growth with motherhood.
Among the speakers were:
Among the speakers were:
- Michelle Hladunewich, MD, FRCP(C), MSc, Physician-in-Chief at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and Professor at the University of Toronto
- Carolyn Levis, MD, MSc, FRCS(C), Associate Professor at McMaster University, Co-Director of MacHANd, and Director of MacGLObas
- Katerina Pavenski, MD, FRCPC, Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, Head of the Division of Transfusion Medicine, and Medical Director of Therapeutic Apheresis and Patient Blood Management at St. Michael’s Hospital — Unity Health Toronto
- Nelya Melnitchouk, MD, MSc, FACS, Colorectal Surgeon at Brigham and Women s Hospital, Assistant Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School, and Co-Founder and CEO of the Global Medical Knowledge Alliance
For many women in the audience, the discussion on balancing career and family felt deeply personal.
“I’ve held a leadership role for nearly five years. This year’s forum is special to me because I’m expecting a baby,” shared Eleni Tsiola, MD, Deputy Medical Director at Dobrobut Medical Network. “Many colleagues are surprised that I plan to return to work after just 126 days of maternity leave. Hearing today that it’s normal — that you’ll always worry about being either a bad manager or a bad mother, but you’re not alone — was so powerful. There are other women who lead, excel, and make it work. And I will too.”
Oksana Nehrych, MD, PhD, obstetrician-gynecologist and assistant professor at Lviv National Medical University, added:
“We’re living in difficult times. Beyond the everyday challenges of motherhood and career, women also face the realities of war. Hearing from those who’ve been through it is inspiring. Events like this are a source of hope — a reminder that we must keep moving forward, no matter how hard it gets.”
Nursing Leadership
A significant part of the forum was dedicated to nursing leadership and strengthening the role of nurses in the healthcare system. Speakers discussed how education, professional growth, and academic advancement enable nurses to move from bedside care to leadership roles — becoming unit managers, hospital directors, and health system leaders.
Nataliya Sumalo-Tsap, RN, BScN, Operating Room Nurse at Trillium Health Partners and member of the Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada, shared insights from the Canadian experience:
“Nurses’ skills translate into leadership strengths. Direct patient care experience helps inform strategic decisions. By combining clinical insight with policy awareness, nurses bring compassion, practical knowledge, and a deep understanding of medicine into leadership — building stronger organizations and a stronger healthcare system.”
Awards
The Annual Award in Memory of Victoria Amelina was presented to Zoia Shepil, MD, radiation oncologist and Director of Radiation Oncology Development at Help Ukraine Group, in recognition of her dedication, scientific excellence, and resilience. The award was presented by Nataliya Kovalchuk, PhD, DABR, FAAMP, Clinical Professor of Radiation Oncology at Stanford University and President of Help Ukraine Group.
The Ukrainian Medical Ambassador Award for medical diplomacy, international representation, and partnership development was presented to Kateryna Potapova, MD, MHA, PhD, neurologist and Director for Strategy and Partnerships at GMKA Ukraine.
Partners
The event was held as part of a joint initiative by GMKA, the University of Toronto, UA-MED and Razom for Ukraine.
GMKA expresses deep gratitude to the Forum’s partners for their support and collaboration: MedGlobal, Doctors United for Ukraine, NOVA Ukraine, United Help Ukraine, Swiss–Ukrainian Medical Education Development Project, Servier, Tokarev Foundation, NOVARTIS, Health Solutions for Open Society, Dobrobut Medical Network, Global Health Institute at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, August Mission, UA - Med, and OncoHub.
Media partners: LB.ua, Media Hub, Divoche, Gender in Detail
Information partners: Ukrainian Medical Marketing Community and Lviv Medical Business Cluster NGO.
Thank you to all participants, speakers, and guests who contributed to this inspiring event. Change is made by communities.