In May 2026, Ivano-Frankivsk hosted the seventh international medical mission “Face the Future,” organized by Razom for Ukraine. Surgeons from Canada, the United States, and Ukraine carried out 68 surgical procedures on 24 patients with severe facial injuries.
At the center of every mission is a person — and a very personal dream. For Andrii from Ivano-Frankivsk, it was simply being able to breathe again. For Roman from Khotyn, it was restoring his facial structure after captivity. For Mykhailo from Stryi it was removing a scar and correcting a nose fractured in an FPV drone strike.
Different stories, but one shared path to recovery. All three were among 24 patients treated in Ivano-Frankivsk during the seventh “Face the Future” mission organized by Razom for Ukraine.
Dozens of surgeries in just a few days
From May 3 to 8, the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Clinical Hospital became a center of intensive surgical work. Teams from Canada, the United States, and Ukraine performed 68 surgical procedures on patients with severe facial trauma — both military and civilian.
“This time, 13 specialists from North America joined Ukrainian colleagues. The team included six surgeons and seven nurses from Canada and the United States, five of whom have Ukrainian roots,” said Peter Adamson, President and Founder, Face the Future Foundation.
Razom as a core partner of the mission
Beyond the operating room, Razom plays a key role in making the mission possible. The organization handles logistics, coordination, and part of the medical supplies, allowing doctors to focus entirely on patient care.
“Razom is a bridge between North America and Ukraine. We take care of all on-site coordination — logistics, organization, and communication with the hospital. This allows doctors to focus on patients and reduces the burden on the hospital,” said Iryna Matsiuk, Razom Coordinator in Ukraine.
This was also confirmed by Natalia Komashko, the Ukrainian lead of the mission and an otolaryngologist:
“I am especially proud of our Ukrainian team, whose work begins long before the international teams arrive and continues long after they leave. We are sincerely grateful to Razom for Ukraine – not only for helping bring expert teams to Ukraine, but also for providing essential medical supplies that significantly strengthen our hospital’s capacity to deliver care”
Partnership that restores quality of life
These missions are made possible through close cooperation between doctors, bioengineers, and volunteers working toward one shared goal — restoring function and quality of life for patients in even the most complex cases.
The program is implemented by Razom for Ukraine, Face the Future Foundation, Still Strong, and the Charitable Foundation “Patients of Ukraine,” in partnership with the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Clinical Hospital and with support from Materialise.
“I am deeply grateful to everyone involved. They are doing important work and providing real support, and I am thankful that such help and missions exist,” said patient Mykhailo Vovchyna.
How international missions transform Ukrainian surgery
While the types of injuries remain largely similar from mission to mission, the capacity of Ukrainian medical teams continues to grow significantly. This was emphasized by Anthony Brissett, a U.S. surgeon and medical director of the Face the Future mission, who has taken part in the program four times.
“Doctors and nurses are becoming better prepared and expanding their skills. This is reflected in the complex procedures we performed this week, including cases involving leading international experts in nasal reconstruction. This is the level of care Ukrainians deserve,” he said.
The mission is part of a broader long-term effort that goes beyond individual operations. It is not only about treating patients with the most severe injuries, but also about strengthening surgical capacity in Ukraine. Ukrainian doctors, anesthesiologists, and nurses work side by side with international teams, gaining experience and taking on increasingly complex cases. According to Razom Health Co-Pilot Project Lead Yuliia Shama:
“Over the past 3 years, Razom’s medical missions have helped provide life-changing surgeries to more than a thousand patients with complex injuries. Through the Co-Pilot Project, we are strengthening Ukraine’s long-term surgical capacity by training specialized surgeons, expanding international partnerships, and advancing modern reconstructive care so that critical expertise remains and grows in Ukraine.”
Training and knowledge exchange
Alongside the procedures, more than 200 nursing leaders from across Ukraine gathered for the VII International Nursing Symposium. Half of the presentations were delivered by international speakers, and half by Ukrainian nursing professionals. The symposium was supported by Razom for Ukraine, marking an important step in strengthening nursing education and professional development in Ukraine. The hospital also received simulation trainers for hands-on training, provided by Razom.
In addition, the VII Symposium on Reconstructive Surgery of the Head and Neck was held in Ivano-Frankivsk as part of the Face the Future Ukraine mission. A key highlight was the visit of Frederick J. Menick, one of the world’s leading experts in nasal reconstruction. He delivered lectures and hands-on sessions, sharing advanced approaches to complex reconstruction and clinical decision-making in surgery.
The humanitarian program “Face the Future Ukraine” was founded by Face the Future Foundation, Razom for Ukraine, and Still Strong to provide free reconstructive surgeries to Ukrainian patients and train Ukrainian surgeons. It is implemented in partnership with the Regional Clinical Hospital of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Council, Healing The Children North East, Materialise, the CF “Patients of Ukraine”
