Burn injuries are the unseen scars of conflict, often resulting from mine and explosive wounds, which have become alarmingly common in Ukraine since the onset of the full-scale war.

For those affected, these injuries extend beyond physical scars, affecting body image, causing pain, and limiting functionality. The medical community faces a formidable challenge: adapting to these circumstances necessitates innovative approaches and advancements in burn surgery.

In response, GMKA, supported by the Harvard Scholars at Risk Program and the “Help Ukraine Group”, launched an internship program in the United States tailored for Ukrainian surgeons specialising in burn treatment and repair.

Lesya Strilka, a dedicated burn surgeon from the First Medical Union of Lviv, was the inaugural participant.

We had the opportunity to discuss with Dr. Strilka her vision for advancing burn surgery in Ukraine, her insights from the international internship program, and the invaluable knowledge she acquired on her educational trip to the United States.

Could you share with us, how did it all start, how did you find out about the internship, and what specifically interested you in participating in this program?

– I stumbled upon the internship entirely by chance while scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed. If I remember correctly, one of my friends had shared a post about it, but what really caught my attention was the focus of the internship on plastic surgery. After looking into the selection criteria, it seemed that I met most of the requirements to some extent, so I decided to apply. I had no expectations at that point and just continued with my work, treating patients and providing care for those with burns. However, a few weeks later, I received an email inviting me for an interview with the program’s organizers. Some time after that, I got another message informing me that I had been selected for the internship and was being invited to participate. Of course, I could hardly believe it. And that’s how I ended up here.

Since you started your internship, a few months have passed, so you can probably share your impressions now and evaluate your experience through the lens of your initial expectations, right?

– For me, the internship became an incredible opportunity to see how the best doctors in the world provide treatment, many of whom, if not all, are faculty members of Harvard Medical School. However, I didn’t even know what to expect at first. It was more like a premonition of something exciting and at the same time, an understanding of the responsibility it was for me to be a participant in this internship program. I also realised the full responsibility towards the organisers, who saw in me the potential for implementing and integrating changes in Ukraine.

It was very important for me to ensure that my trip to the USA didn’t turn into “medical tourism,” just satisfying my own ego and adding a line to my CV about participating in an internship at some of the world’s leading clinics. This experience was incredibly valuable and, in a sense, unique. My expectations were fully met.

Which hospitals were you assigned to for your internship, and what aspects of these medical centres impressed you the most?

– Over the course of three months, I had the opportunity to intern at four hospitals in Boston — Boston Children’s Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Shriners Children’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital.

My rotations covered both burn units and plastic surgery departments, serving both children and adults. As an intern, I didn’t have the authority to treat patients, but I was granted the invaluable chance to observe the operations of doctors, residents, and the entire medical staff. Every day brought new insights into the myriad details that, while challenging to single out as the most important, collectively form a comprehensive system of patient care and treatment. The emphasis on adhering to strict rules and following established protocols was paramount.

In the American medical system, every staff member plays a crucial role, and each knows their area of responsibility well. Together, they work as a unified team with the patient at the centre—a practice we sorely lack in Ukraine.

However, what impressed me most was the doctors’ and residents’ willingness to share their knowledge and patiently answer my many questions.

In your opinion, is this an important initiative for Ukrainian doctors, and how can it impact the development of Ukrainian medicine?

– The internship program conducted by GMKA is incredibly important and necessary for Ukraine. The challenge of implementing any changes without international experience is significant, often relying on intuition rather than a clear understanding of processes. However, internships abroad offer an opportunity to familiarise oneself with the best practices and understand the nuances of establishing a comprehensive healthcare system. Such experiences provide clarity and organise thoughts on how the system should function for the benefit of patients and the country as a whole.

Therefore, the more doctors who are motivated and driven to initiate change with this kind of experience, the greater the chances for meaningful improvements in Ukrainian healthcare.