From October 19 to 22, the 2024 American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress—one of the largest global gatherings for surgeons—took place in San Francisco, bringing together specialists from around the world. Among the attendees were members of the Global Medical Knowledge Alliance (GMKA), including Dr. Ali Dzhemiliev, Dr. Marta Antoniv, and Dr. Svitlana Bielichenko, whose research presentations garnered significant attention within the surgical community.

Dr. Ali Dzhemiliev, a resident surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, presented findings on the implementation of the HealUA mobile app, which facilitates surgical consultations during wartime in Ukraine, and highlighted the impact of the Principles of Surgery online course for Ukrainian surgeons. His talks, titled “Facilitating Peer-to-Peer Surgical Consultation in Wartime Ukraine: The Role of the HealUA Mobile Application” and “Education in Adversity: A Pioneering Initiative to Enhance Surgical Knowledge in Wartime Ukraine,” drew strong interest from U.S. attendees, while delegates from Africa and the Middle East showed particular interest in adapting these innovations to address needs in their regions.

Dr. Marta Antoniv, also from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, presented two studies addressing gender dynamics in surgery. Her first, a Quick-Shot presentation titled “Identifying Barriers to Gender Equity in Surgery in Ukraine: A Survey-Based Analysis,” examined barriers to gender equity. In a poster session titled “Exploring Gender Dynamics in Surgical Training in Ukraine: A Qualitative Study,” developed with the “GMKA: Women in Medicine” team, Antoniv highlighted the challenges faced by women in surgical training and career development in Ukraine. She also presented a poster titled “Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for Colectomy in Ukraine: A Nationwide Practice Survey,” underscoring the need for standardized protocols in colorectal cancer treatment across Ukraine.

Dr. Svitlana Bielichenko, a researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital, delivered a poster presentation titled “Reconstructive Surgery in Ukraine Amidst Conflict: Challenges and Solutions.” Her study focuses on the challenges faced by reconstructive surgeons in conflict zones, particularly in Ukraine and other low—and middle-income countries. The research assesses the current state of reconstructive and plastic surgery, identifies key areas for improvement, and proposes practical strategies to enhance surgeon training and patient care.

This year marked the GMKA team’s second consecutive appearance at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress. The Congress continues to serve as an invaluable platform for advancing surgical education, integrating cutting-edge medical technologies, and refining patient care practices. Attendees discussed the future of surgery in Ukraine and globally, laying a strong foundation for upcoming international partnerships and initiatives.