GMKA’s Director of Oncology Program Honored with Yvonne Humanitarian Award for Supporting Cancer Care at the Time of War in Ukraine

Dr. Darya Kizub, Director of Oncology Program at the Global Medical Knowledge Alliance (GMKA) and medical oncologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center, was honored with the Humanitarian Award at the 2025 Yvonne Awards, presented by OncoDaily during the ASCO Annual Meeting in Chicago. The award recognizes her outstanding efforts to support and empower oncologists in Ukraine.

The Yvonne Awards celebrate excellence and innovation in the field of oncology. The Humanitarian Award is one of several categories — including Breakthrough Research, Global Oncology, Community Oncology, Leadership, Mentorship, Challenging the Status Quo, and Pediatric Oncology — that highlight the diverse contributions of emerging leaders in cancer care.

Expressing her gratitude, Dr. Kizub shared:

"I am deeply honored to receive this award. It is incredibly meaningful to be recognized by a group of people I look up to — individuals whose work inspires and motivates me. The members of the Selection Committee are exceptional mentors and leaders, and having their vote of confidence in my efforts to support physicians working to improve cancer care in Ukraine means a great deal to me."

Much of Dr. Kizub’s work in Ukraine has been carried out through Global Medical Knowledge Alliance, founded by her colleague Dr. Nelya Melnitchouk, a board-certified colorectal surgeon at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Assistant Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Kizub leads GMKA’s medical oncology program and research initiatives, which include organizing observerships for Ukrainian physicians across the United States and mentoring Ukrainian physicians to develop new skills and advance their research.

“Since 2022, Dr. Melnitchouk and I have held weekly mentorship meetings with Ukrainian medical students, residents, and attending physicians. Together, we co-design research projects based on specific needs and interests, with the overarching goal of strengthening cancer care and broader healthcare systems in Ukraine. Topics covered include biostatistics, epidemiology, qualitative and mixed-methods research, program implementation and evaluation, and needs assessments,” said Dr. Kizub.

This work has led to several grants, including from the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), as well as numerous international presentations and publications in peer-reviewed journals. 

Dr. Kizub was also appointed as a consultant to the World Health Organization (WHO) to lead a comprehensive evaluation of gaps in cancer care in Ukraine — a project supported by GMKA through data collection via site visits and stakeholder interviews.

Additionally at GMKA, Dr. Kizub is spearheading the Ukraine Clinical Oncology Project ECHO (U-COPE), launched in response to requests from Ukrainian oncologists and patient advocacy groups. The program supports physicians in improving the management of cancer treatment side effects. Each session has attracted 40–50 participants and has demonstrated measurable improvements in both knowledge and confidence.

The GMKA team proudly celebrates Dr. Kizub’s achievement. She exemplifies not only clinical excellence but also a deep humanitarian commitment that continues to impact cancer care and inspire the medical community in Ukraine and beyond.

GMKA remains dedicated to advancing oncology in Ukraine and supporting cancer patients through initiatives such as the Oncology Think Tank — a strategic platform uniting leading oncologists, researchers, and policymakers to drive comprehensive improvements in cancer care across Ukraine.