It was a true pleasure for Help Ukraine Group to welcome two medical oncologists from Ukraine: Dr. Andrii Hrynkiv from Lviv Regional Cancer Center and Dr. Kateryna Cherchenko from the National Cancer Institute in Kyiv. Thanks to the Stanford Global Scholars grant they were able to complete a month-long observership at Stanford University medical oncology department and attend SCO GI 2004 meeting in San Francisco.
Help Ukraine Group also appreciates the efforts of the whole Stanford Medical Oncology team, especially Dr. Tyler Johnson, for organizing and providing the training.
Dr. Hrynkiv shared some of his impressions: “Just finished my month-long fellowship at Stanford Cancer Center. It was a priceless experience for me, for the first time I was able to observe the work of the best medical oncologists in resource unlimited setting. Many interesting clinical cases and tumor boards, interesting lectures, new friends and acquintances, access to a fantastic library, and brilliant physicians who were always happy to answer my questions and provide me with some new evidence-based information. After my return to Ukraine, I`m going to implement gained knowledge not only into my clinical practice but also among my colleagues. By the way we already discussed some thought-provoking information provided by Doctor Fisher. Thanks to the Help Ukraine Group and Stanford Global Scholars grant for making this possible!”
Dr. Cherchenko was also enthusiastic to train at Stanford. Here is what she had to share:
“In January-February 2024 I had an opportunity to undergo observership as a visiting instructor at Stanford University Cancer Center, Medical Oncology Department,
organized by Help Ukraine Group. I was impressed by organization and management of the patient route and treating process: on every level there is a significant amount of medical and non-medical supportive personnel involved, that is significantly improves communication and patient’s compliance, and also makes physician’s possibility to combine clinical work, clinical trials, research and teaching much easier. Communication between doctor and patient successfully balances professional issues and interest in social and family life, hobbies. We felt this openness ourselves: we were greeted very kindly and warmly, provided answers to all questions, shared experience and were even invited to a collegial friendly dinner. Within our observership there was a possibility to see the working process in GI, GYN, GU, breast cancer clinics, outpatient department, infusion department, pharmacy, and also to participate in MTBs. Special thanks to HUG President Nataliya Kovalchuk for helping with documents, accommodation, and faster adaptation to the nuances of the work process at Stanford, as well as the opportunity to see beautiful places in our free time. Many thanks to Stanford Global Scholar grant for making the observership possible.
Also, with the help of ASCO Vice President Doug Pyle, we were able to attend ASCO GI Symposium in person and join the ASCO GU Symposium online. Attending the scientific events of such a high level is an invaluable contribution to our scientific development.
And it is impossible not to note the beauty of the Stanford Clinic and the University campus – walks after the end of the working day became a real aesthetic pleasure!
It was an honor to participate in the observership program. I express the greatest gratitude to everyone involved for such an opportunity and warm welcome! The gained experience will be invaluable in the improvement and development of Ukrainian medicine!”
