UA-MED Presents Lessons from supporting Ukrainian cancer care during the war at ASCO 2025
At this year’s American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, the Ukrainian Alliance for Medical Exchange and Development (UA-MED) unveiled transformative findings from its international observership program supporting wartime cancer care in Ukraine.
Despite the ongoing war, 126 observerships were hosted between 2022–2024 across 17 institutions in the U.S., Canada, the UK, and Australia. These short-term exchanges were designed to upskill Ukrainian oncology professionals through hands-on exposure to cutting-edge medical practices abroad.
Key Outcomes from the Survey:
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93.2% of participants reported a shift in how they perceive medical practice.
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86.4% acquired new procedures or techniques.
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71.1% implemented these techniques upon return to Ukraine.
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84.5% maintained long-term mentorship with their host institutions.
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The program received an average satisfaction rating of 9.6/10
Beyond clinical gains, knowledge dissemination was widespread: 78% trained colleagues, 69.5% presented findings at their institutions, and nearly half incorporated lessons into educational lectures.
UA-MED’s representative, Olga Maihutiak and Dr. Douglas Davis, presented these results at ASCO 2025, underscoring the role of global solidarity in strengthening Ukraine’s medical system under fire. As highlighted in the poster, participants faced barriers—such as lack of resources or institutional support—but their resilience and initiative led to widespread adoption of new practices.
A Model for Global Health in Crisis Zones
As outlined in UA-MED’s founding mission, the initiative seeks to build enduring international partnerships that can drive sustainable healthcare development in crisis-affected regions. These observerships go far beyond technical training—they create long-term professional ties and foster mutual learning between host and guest institutions.
