Ukrainian Oncologists Strengthen Patient Care Through U-COPE Virtual Course by GMKA and MD Anderson Cancer Center
The ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine has disrupted every aspect of the country’s healthcare system, including cancer care. Interviews with Ukrainian oncologists and patient advocates revealed training gaps, especially in managing treatment side effects. In response, the Global Medical Knowledge Alliance (GMKA) and MD Anderson Cancer Center Project ECHO Superhub launched the Ukraine Clinical Oncology Project ECHO (U-COPE) — a six-month virtual training program designed to enhance clinical skills and improve the quality of oncology care in Ukraine.
Through U-COPE, 45 Ukrainian clinical oncologists and hematologists enhanced their expertise in managing side effects of systemic anticancer therapies and improving patient quality of life.
About the Program
U-COPE is part of the global Project ECHO initiative, connecting Ukrainian physicians with experts from MD Anderson Cancer Center. The program followed the ECHO telementoring model — combining expert-led lectures with interactive case discussions.
All sessions were conducted in English with simultaneous Ukrainian interpretation to ensure accessibility for participants of all proficiency levels. The GMKA team provided moderation, translation, and full technical and informational support throughout the course.
From February to July 2025, U-COPE offered 12 one-hour, biweekly virtual sessions for Ukrainian oncologists and hematologists. In total, 143 physicians applied, and 45 were selected based on credentials and letters of intent. Participants represented a wide range of specialties and regions across Ukraine:
- Medical oncologists (53.3%)
- Hematologists (26.7%)
- Pediatric hematologist-oncologists (6.7%)
- Surgical oncologists (2.2%)
- Gynecologic oncologists (2.2%)
- Palliative care specialists (2.2%)
- Medical interns (6.7%)
“U-COPE is a unique opportunity to learn directly from experts at one of the world’s leading cancer centers. Each webinar went beyond theory — participants could ask questions, clarify details, and receive practical recommendations they could apply immediately in patient care,” said Nelya Melnitchouk, MD, MSc, FACS, Assistant Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School, board-certified colorectal surgeon at Brigham and Women's Hospital and co-founder of GMKA.
Expert Faculty and Focused Curriculum
The course was curated by Darya Kizub, MD, Assistant Professor at the Department of Breast Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Director of Oncology & Research at GMKA.
Faculty members from MD Anderson Cancer Center included clinical oncologists, hematologists, gynecologic oncologists, psychiatrists, endocrinologists, pharmacologists, nutritionists, and specialists in palliative and integrative medicine:
- Darya Kizub, MD
- Pavlos Msaouel, MD, PhD
- Jasmine Sukumar, MD
- Timothy Yap, MBBS, PhD, FRCP
- Amy Wenting An, MD
- Meroe Morse, MD, ABOIM
- David Hui, MD
- Michael Fisch, MD
- Sandra Naaman, MD, PhD, FACP
- Amy H. Ng, MD, MPH
- Terri Lynn Woodard, MD
- Meghan Karuturi, MD, MSc
The program’s curriculum was shaped by the specific needs of Ukrainian doctors and patient advocates. Lectures covered essential but often overlooked areas of oncology practice, including:
- Supportive Therapy During and After Treatment
- Critical Analysis of Scientific Articles and Research Papers in Oncology
- Adverse Effects Management of Hormone Therapy in Women
- Immunotherapy Toxicity and Its Management
- Professional Burnout and Psychological Support for Physicians
- Integrative Medicine: A Holistic Approach to Cancer Treatment
- Communication with Patients and Their Families
- Bone Health Screening and Osteoporosis Management
- Lymphedema and Its Treatment in Cancer Patients
- Maintaining Sexual Well-Being and Fertility
- Management of Older Cancer Patients: The Role of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment
- Treatment and Prevention of Neuropathy
Measurable Impact and Participant Feedback
Throughout the program, GMKA conducted pre and post course assessments to measure participants’ knowledge growth and self-confidence, showing significant improvement in both areas. Participants completed a 25-question knowledge test, and those who attended at least 70% of sessions and passed the assessment received a certificate granting 20 continuing medical education (CME) credits.
Ukrainian physicians not only gained up-to-date knowledge but also joined an international community of oncology professionals.
“The course topics were chosen based on requests from practicing clinicians. U-COPE addressed the main challenges Ukrainian oncologists face in their daily practice. The top experts from MD Anderson shared practical ‘tips and tricks’ for decision-making in complex cases. This program represents the international exchange of experience we greatly need in Ukraine,” said Yuliia Novytska, MD, clinical oncologist at the Dobrobut Medical Network (Kyiv) and U-COPE coordinator.
Olha Kostenchak-Svystak, MD, PhD, hematologist at the Dbayu Medical Center (Uzhhorod), emphasized the course’s practical impact:
“We rely on treatment protocols and guidelines — they’re our foundation — but they rarely address real-life patient issues such as fatigue, pain, insomnia, or anxiety. Patients are often left searching online, where information may be unreliable or harmful. This course was eye-opening regarding evidence-based integrative medicine. Now I know how to assess the safety of supplements and recommend therapies that genuinely help without compromising treatment. This knowledge has transformed my communication with patients, making care more trusting, humane, and holistic.”
Anna Khmel, MD, clinical oncologist at the Specialized Mammological Center in Kyiv, shared:
“Rehabilitation and quality-of-life support topics were especially valuable for me. Every patient experiences side effects that impact daily life and mental health. This course provided tools to help patients recover more fully. U-COPE has deeply influenced my patient management approach. I now emphasize nutrition, exercise, and psychological wellbeing. It has strengthened my confidence and reminded me that healing means more than protocol — it means helping people live well after cancer.”
Olha Novosad, MD, hematologist, reflected on her experience:
"I gained an additional level of professional confidence in my practice! Why? Because all lectures were based on international standards and evidence-based practices that can be confidently applied. This allows me to make important decisions with confidence in my professional environment."
Recordings of all U-COPE sessions with Ukrainian translation are available on the GMKA YouTube channel, ensuring that this valuable knowledge remains accessible to the broader medical community in Ukraine.