From Global Practice to Local Impact Throughout my career, I have had opportunities to travel across Europe, collaborate with colleagues, attend FIGO, ESHRE, ECO and other conferences, and gain exposure to different healthcare systems. I was driven all my life to learn from others and implement the best practices in the community where I serve. I had an observership program at the Cleveland Clinic in the NICU in 2019 and a fellowship training in CICI, Clermont-Ferrand, France, in 2020. I worked for six months at Sophienklinik GmbH in Hannover, Germany, in 2022. These experiences broadened my perspective and strengthened my interest in global health. Ultimately, the war in Ukraine changed the course of my life. Relocating to the U.S. was a major decision, but I saw it as a chance to continue serving patients, learn a new healthcare system and bring my skills into a broader field — family medicine. Utah became home because of the supportive community I found here, both personally and professionally. A New Chapter: Becoming a Physician in the United States Getting licensure in the U.S. was a challenging yet rewarding experience. It required thorough preparation, exams, clinical rotations and resilience. Along the way, I was lucky to have mentors and colleagues who offered encouragement. I passed the USMLE exams and earned an ECFMG certificate, then applied to the Residency Match. I ranked CHC Family Medicine Residency as my top choice, and I successfully matched with my preferred program. I met the CHC Family Medicine Residency Program during the National Conference for Family Medicine Residents in Kansas City. I learned that it emphasizes community health, diversity and comprehensive training. What stood out to me was the chance to join a new program and help shape its culture. Being part of the first class has been exciting — we are not just residents but also pioneers, building something meaningful for the future of our community and for residents who will follow us. Courage Forged in Crisis: Lessons from War and Healing During Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, I spent 32 days with the air full of weapons and the ground rocked by explosions, facing challenges that evolved my craft as an OB/GYN. In her Washington Post article, “For These Expecting Mothers in Kyiv, the Night is Passed in a Maternity Ward Bunker,” Siobhan O’Grady wrote about our terrifying nights in dark, uncomfortable shelters where we kept our stressed and confused patients alive overnight. Their discomfort and lack of privacy now fuel my pursuit of comprehensive care for patients who need it most. Surviving has permanently heightened my senses, establishing an unshakable courage I’ll use to allay any of my patients’ fears. The war has not been kind to anyone caught up in it, but through it, I have grown. Scan the QR code to read Siobhan O’Grady’s full article. https://www.washingtonpost.com/ world/2022/03/04/russia-putin-kyiv/ Going beyond my Ukrainian background to meet the standards of the United States healthcare system has made me a more critical thinker and broadened my cultural awareness. As I continue on a more holistic path of family medicine, I appreciate that I joined the CHC FMR program, which offers a commitment to continuing education, exposure to various subspecialties and a welcoming community. My 15 years of practice in Ukraine prepared me to manage complex medical conditions, conduct clinical research, work as a manager and foster long-term relationships with patients and staff. I believe strongly in the power of education, collaboration and compassion in medicine. For me, medicine is not just a profession; it’s a calling that has allowed me to grow through challenges, connect with people across cultures and build bridges between communities. My long-term goal is to become a full-spectrum family physician who can provide care for entire families — women, children and men alike — while also continuing to contribute to medical education and global health initiatives. My everyday mission is to use my perseverance and diligent work ethic to provide the best quality care here in my new home in Utah. 27
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