Medical/Trauma Leaders From Ukraine Examine Battlefield And War Injuries at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital

January 19, 2023

WASHINGTON, DC - The Congressional Office for International Leadership (COIL), an agency of the U.S. Congress, welcomes a delegation of Ukrainian medical and trauma specialists to the United States on Wednesday. The delegation will visit Washington, D.C., and Tampa, FL, to explore critical medical procedures and issues in their efforts to support those suffering casualties resulting from the Russian war of aggression. The delegation represents medical leadership from Ukraine's Ministry of Health, Ministry of Veterans Affairs, and the First Medical Association of Lviv (including the "Unbroken" project). They arrive on COIL's first travel date for 2023, which also includes medical professionals from Azerbaijan, Moldova, and Poland. 

While in Washington, D.C., they will further dialogue with the leadership of the Veterans Health Administration, including Deputy Under Secretary for Health Dr. Steven Lieberman. The delegation will also meet with key stakeholders at the U.S. Department of State (including Deputy Assistant Secretary, EUR Robyn Dunnigan and Deputy Assistant Secretary, CSO Matthew Steinhelfer), the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Congressional staff with the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe and the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

After their Washington program, the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital will host the delegation in Tampa, with its medical leadership designing a program looking at all aspects of battlefield and war trauma. The Ukrainian National Women's League of America is taking the lead on cultural programming and will provide homestays to their Ukrainian colleagues under an Open World program sub grant from the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation.   

COIL has provided more than 220 current and future Ukrainian leaders with specialized programming related to veterans services, healthcare, and IDPs since the inception of Russia's brutal war against Ukraine in 2014. COIL's Open World program offers one of the most influential U.S. exchange programs to promote mutually beneficial options for depolarized engagement between future national leaders. It is a powerful tool for Congress to engage legislators and other leaders in critical regions and countries.

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Founded in 1999 by Congress, COIL maintains a vast network of more than 30,000 alums in partner countries. COIL's Open World program supports congressional diplomacy efforts for Members of Congress by conducting exchanges that establish authentic communication and enduring relations. Program participants are exposed to the work of Congress, American politics, accountable governance, and volunteerism while being home-hosted by American families.
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