Support and continuous professional development of medical personnel

The Support and Professional Development of Medical Personnel Program is a strategic project of the Foundation, as doctors are the driving force for changes in childhood cancer treatment. The timely, effective, and quality treatment of children depends on their professionalism and access to contemporary knowledge.

In 2017, we launched the program to support and provide continuous professional development of medical personnel.

This program includes:

1. Access to international and domestic training programs (workshops and conferences organized by authoritative organizations, internships at foreign hospitals);

2. Development of soft skills, including communication, leadership, operational management, and strategic thinking;

3. Translation of international treatment protocols and other relevant guidance materials in the field of pediatric oncology into Ukrainian;

4. English language courses for medical personnel;

5. Advocacy of legislative changes in the field of education of healthcare workers in Ukraine;

6. Training and empowerment of pediatric oncology nurses.

Since the program’s launch, over 500 doctors, nurses and other related specialists have taken part in events in 16 countries, including the US, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, etc.

Many training opportunities for program participants are available thanks to our international partners:

International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) —  a medical association that is dedicated to increasing knowledge about childhood cancer;

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital — a US research hospital that made childhood cancer curable in the 20th century;

SAFER Ukraine — an international collaborative initiative of St.Jude Hospital aimed at aiding Ukrainian children with cancer and blood disorders to receive high-quality medical care, either in Ukraine or abroad, through capacity building and international collaboration;

Princess Máxima Center — the largest children’s cancer center in Europe with the highest quality of treatment;

SickKids — Canada’s premier hospital for critically ill children;

King Hussein Cancer Center — a leading hospital in Jordan and the entire Middle East for adults and children with cancer;

These and other partners help Ukrainian doctors integrate into the global community fighting childhood cancer, by accepting them for study visits, conducting training outreach events in Ukrainian hospitals, providing consulting support, etc.