In a nook of the world nonetheless echoing with the aftermath of struggle, the place destruction has touched each house and heartbreak lingers on each road, a workforce of surgeons is restoring extra than simply faces—they’re restoring hope.
This Could, a devoted group of medical professionals traveled to Ukraine on a humanitarian mission with a strong function: to carry out complicated facial reconstructive surgical procedures for civilians who’ve suffered devastating war-related accidents. The initiative is led by former Chair and present Senior Advisor for the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgical procedure Basis’s FACE TO FACE Program, Dr. Manoj T. Abraham, MD, FACS, double board licensed facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, and a powerhouse workforce of devoted surgeons, nurses, and assist workers specializing in facial trauma. Their vacation spot was a hospital in Lviv, a metropolis that has turn into each a strategic medical hub and a refuge for hundreds displaced by violence.
These missions go far past commonplace medical care. The procedures—lasting as much as 12 hours—tackle extreme trauma similar to blast accidents and bone fractures brought on by shelling and missile assaults. Surgeons carry out intricate operations like microvascular free flap surgical procedures and the implantation of custom-designed, 3D facial prosthetics. These aren’t simply medical interventions; they’re lifelines for survivors whose lives have been perpetually altered.
Caption: Dr. Abraham and Dr. Winters evaluating a affected person. Photo Credit score: FACE TO FACE, AAFPRS
Behind Each Scar, a Story
Among the many sufferers handled was a girl injured in a missile strike that leveled her neighborhood in Kostiantynivka. The blast left her with intensive facial trauma. For months, she lived with bodily and emotional ache that phrases couldn’t seize. Now, she is starting a protracted highway to therapeutic—with a brand new face and a brand new future.
One other girl from Bakhmut survived a direct artillery assault on her house. The harm to her head was so extreme that fundamental medical care was not sufficient. Her story is one in every of many—civilians caught within the crossfire, bearing wounds which can be each seen and invisible to the skin world, and inconceivable to disregard.
Constructing a Way forward for Native Therapeutic
This mission was not nearly offering care—it was about making a sustainable future. Along with treating sufferers, the workforce targeted on coaching Ukrainian surgeons within the newest facial reconstruction strategies. By sharing their experience, they helped construct a basis for long-term medical resilience in a rustic that continues to face each day challenges.
“There’s an amazing want for superior facial reconstruction in Ukraine,” stated Dr. Abraham. “This mission isn’t solely about performing surgical procedures—it’s about empowering native docs to hold this work ahead. That’s how we create lasting impression.”
Caption: Dr. Moskowitz (foreground) and Dr. Chuhai (native Ukrainian surgeon) working. Photo Credit score: FACE TO FACE, AAFPRS
A Humanitarian Legacy
Over the previous a number of years, the continuing struggle in Ukraine has left a staggering variety of civilians with life-altering accidents. Conventional medical methods, already strained, have struggled to maintain up with the quantity and complexity of trauma instances. In response, world surgical groups have stepped in—not solely to supply instant care, but in addition to contribute to the long-term rebuilding of Ukraine’s healthcare infrastructure.
These missions signify a fusion of compassion and technical talent. Surgeons volunteer their time, touring hundreds of miles to serve strangers whose lives have been torn aside. Their reward isn’t measured in wage or recognition, however within the second a affected person sees their reflection and smiles once more—generally for the primary time in years.
Why It Issues
Within the wake of struggle, the injuries that final longest are sometimes those we can’t see. A shattered face can rob somebody of their id, confidence, and talent to work together with the world. For a lot of survivors, facial reconstruction isn’t about self-importance—it’s about survival.
This initiative in Ukraine is a reminder that even within the darkest circumstances, there are those that select to point out up, to assist, and to heal. Their work tells a strong story of resilience, not simply of people, however of a nation decided to reclaim its future—one face at a time.
As a result of true therapeutic begins once we select to care.
Caption: Dr. Abraham and AAFPRS Resident Member, Dr. Ivanka Nebor – ENT/H&N resident NYMC Picture Credit score: FACE TO FACE, AAFPRS
Learn on for a first-person expertise from Dr. Abraham.
Q: “As a high U.S. twin board-certified facial plastic surgeon, how do you stability the pressing must carry out life-changing surgical procedures in Ukraine with the long-term purpose of empowering Ukrainian surgeons to hold this work ahead on their very own? Did the strategy really feel totally different on this mission than throughout the earlier three journeys?”
A: ”It is rather gratifying to see the Ukrainian surgeons we now have labored with make great progress in performing these complicated reconstructive strategies independently after our FTF journeys and in-country coaching.” – Dr. Abraham.
Q: How did this fourth mission differ out of your previous journeys—not simply medically, however emotionally? Did you discover any modifications within the sufferers or native medical professionals by way of vitality, resilience, or how they’re fascinated with the long run?
A: ”Sadly, the struggle is dragging on and you may see this within the weariness of the Ukrainians, particularly the medical personnel, on this our fourth FTF journey. They’re much more short-staffed as lots of them are being deployed to the entrance traces whereas they proceed to should care for a tidal wave of injured sufferers ad infinitum – it’s comprehensible why they’re demoralized. Nevertheless, it’s actually inspiring how they proceed to soldier on and have a optimistic outlook with lots of our sufferers decided to get higher and return to preventing the Russians and defending their nation.” – Dr. Abraham
Closing assertion on behalf of AAFPRS:
“We’re honored to share that our workforce in Ukraine acquired heartfelt recognition from Ruslan Prykhodko, the Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, who expressed deep gratitude for the dedication and professionalism proven throughout the FACE TO FACE mission. As a testomony to the mission’s impression, the Deputy Minister visited the workforce to thank them and witness the work firsthand.
We’re extremely happy with our members and companions who’re making a life-changing distinction within the lives of Ukrainian sufferers by way of compassionate, knowledgeable care.”
AAFPRS members and surgeons embody:
Dr. Manoj T. Abraham – Facial plastics, Mt. Sinai/NYMC, workforce lead, AAFPRS Member @drmanojtabraham @nyfacemd
Dr. Shaun Desai – Facial plastics, Hopkins, AAFPRS Member @drshaundesai
Dr. John Frodel – Facial plastics, Guthrie, AAFPRS Member @johnfrodel
Dr. Ryan Winters – Facial plastics, Australia (initially from US) AAFPRS member @facesnewcastle
Dr. Grigoriy Mashkevich – Facial plastics, NYC, AAFPRS Member @dr.mashkevich
Dr. Ivanka Nebor – ENT/H&N resident NYMC (from Ukraine) AAFPRS Resident Member @ivanka_nebor
Dr. Boris Chernobilsky – ENT/H&N surgeon, NYC
Dr. Bruce Moskowitz – Oculoplastic surgeon, NYC @moskowitzbruceDr. Augustine Moscatello – ENT/H&N surgeon, Chair at NYMC @wmchealth