Razom for Ukraine together with Institute of Gender Studies and the Kyiv-Mohyla American Foundation provide highly motivated and accomplished Ukrainian veterans with a possibility to gain Master’s degree in the specialization of their choice. Bohdan Radchenko Stipend for Veterans covers tuition of a Master’s program at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (KMA), Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) and Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU).
Read more about the project in Ukrainian at veteranedu.com
Upon serving their term, hundreds of Ukrainian veterans come home to their cities and towns with passionate hearts and deep desire to help Ukraine in any way they can. Adaptation to the “peaceful life” after surviving months of daily life-or-death risk can be and quite often is hard on both psychological and social well-being of our brave women and men soldiers and officers. They are striving to continue serving Ukraine but need to find new paths. Professional education is a definite solution.
The project is named after brave Bohdan Radchenko – a student of KMA of the first draw, who volunteered to serve in the East and was killed in 2016.
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How this project became a reality.
After North America Tour of documentary screening of “Invisible Battalion” , a long discussion of possible projects to help Ukrainian veterans with their adaption to “normal” life after returning home from service involved many activists and organizations. One of the most appealing ideas that Razom in collaboration with Institute of Gender Studies were ready to implement was to provide veterans with an opportunity to gain education in a professional field of their choice.
“I truly believe that investment in education is a key to making the world a better place. Brave men and women who served our country deserve to get a chance for a good education in one of the best schools in Ukraine and once educated, they for sure can lead changes in the country,” said Lyuba Shipovich while organizing the first and biggest fundraiser for the project in July 2018.
Within few short weeks the necessary funding to launch the pilot project was raised thanks to many Ukraine supporters ($7000 raised).
Thus, in first year of the project four veterans of the Ukrainian-Russian war were chosen from 11 applicants to receive stipends for master’s programs at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy – one of Ukraine’s best universities. They started their Master’s program in Fall 2018 and became the first cohort of Bohdan Radchenko Stipend recipients.
Depending on the fundraising results we will be covering 4 to 7 new veterans’ tuition for their Master’s programs this upcoming academic year.
In addition to Kyiv-Mohyla Academy Master’s programs, we have negotiated with the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) to provide a 50% discount for their tuition for the veterans who apply for the Bohdan Rachenko Stipend. This will allow to cover more veterans who wish to pursue the degree.
Conversations with other Ukrainian higher institutions are in place. We hope for more options for the veterans to choose their desired program.
Large efforts are put into grants and scholarships search and application to increase the overall project funding, which will allow more veterans to receive the stipend.
In order to receive the Bohdan Radchenko Stipend, veterans have to: apply and get admitted to either KMA or UCU for a Master’s program of their choice; apply for the Stipend; and successfully pass the interview.
The project committee reviews the results of each interview and each application, and chooses the applicants, who will be awarded the Stipend each specific year. Others will be strongly encouraged to try again next year.
You can mail a check to 140 2nd. Ave., Suite 305, New York, NY, 10003
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In 2018 we’re planning to cover expenses for 30 teams (6 people per team) at Oblast STEM competitions.
Total Budget is $4500
Director, writer and cinematographer with three completed award-winning shorts as well as a feature documentary in post-production. After starting his filmmaker career at 2009, Ruslan brings his skills in project management, process analysis and systems models (received during obtaining MA in cybernetics 2003-2008) and applies them to the creative thinking and artistic thought-processes of film. He also holds BA in Film and Television directing (from the Kyiv National University of theatre, cinema and television by Karpenko-Karyi).
“A chance to participate in The Co-Pilot project it’s an amazing opportunity to help others and to tell the story that will engage and inspire people around the world”
We are gearing up for our 2017 Mission trip. It’ll be a 3-month adventure during which we plan to work with neurosurgeons from several centers from all around the country. Dr.Tomycz has also been invited to deliver an address at the annual Ukrainian Neurosurgery Conference 2017 in Kharkiv.
May 20: arrive in Kyiv, Ukraine
May 22-26: meet with area surgeons at participating centers
May 29- June 9: two week master class with Igor Kurilets MD at the International Neurosurgery Center
June 12-13: Visit to Medical Institute of Sumy State University
June 14-16: Ukrainian Neurosurgery Conference 2017 in Kharkiv
June 19-23: one week course and master class operating in complex spine and craniocervical with Ukrainian spinal surgeons and trainees from Romadanov Institute and International Neurosurgery Center
June 24-July 7: Come back to United States for two weeks
July 10-21: two week master class with Dr. Schlegov at the Neurovascular Institute
July 24-August 4: two week master class in pediatric neurosurgery with surgeons at Lviv Children’s Hospital
August 5-18: travel to out-lying centers of excellence (Stryii, Ivano-Frankivsk, Odesa)
August 21-31: operate with surgeons at Central Military Hospital and International Neurosurgery Center in Kyiv
September 15: leave Ukraine for United States
The best way to train surgeons is by providing hands-on mentorship and assistance in the operating room. One of the primary goals of the Co-Pilot Project is the continued recruitment of high quality surgeons from United States and Canada to spend time with Ukrainian counterparts, consulting on patients and performing procedures.
Surgical Mentors traveling to Ukraine
Not all of the healthcare volunteers will be able to travel to Ukraine but they still will play an important role from home. Utilizing contemporary technology, including live streaming of surgeries and communication via social media the medical support staff will advice and mentor Ukrainian neurosurgeons as they confront difficult cases.
Medical Support Staff
Advisory Staff
Since our exploratory trip in 2016 we have identified a cohort of motivated and talented surgeons who are hungry for additional instruction and eager for collaboration.
Dr. Luke Tomycz is the newest addition to the pediatric neurosurgical team at Dell Children’s Medical Center. Dr. Tomycz finished first in his high school class of over 200 students and attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, MA where he double-majored in biology and chemical engineering. He accepted the prestigious Dean’s Full-Tuition Scholarship to attend medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where he first developed an interest in neurosurgery. After medical school, he began his formal neurosurgical training at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN where he trained under the late Noel Tulipan, MD, a pioneer in fetal neurosurgery for myelomeningocele. During his seven-year residency, he spent two years obtaining an in-folded fellowship in endovascular surgery, becoming proficient in the treatment of aneurysms, AVMs, Moya-Moya syndrome, and complex dural AV fistulae of adults and children. After this, Dr. Tomycz spent an additional year at Seattle Children’s Hospital performing a large volume of complex epilepsy surgery with Jeff Ojemann, MD. Following an exhaustive job search, Dr.Tomycz was attracted to Austin as the city was in the process of launching a new medical school at the University of Texas.
Dr. Tomycz specializes in all aspects of pediatric neurosurgery including brain tumors, epilepsy, Chiari malformation, tethered cord syndrome, CSF shunting, and intracranial endoscopy. As one of the only dual-trained, pediatric and endovascular neurosurgeons in the country, he is particularly interested in Moya-Moya, brain aneurysms and AVMs, arteriovenous fistulae, and other complex neurovascular disorders in children as well as adults. His research interests include the use of engineering innovations to improve treatments for hydrocephalus and he has published on a wide variety of neurosurgical topics. Outside the operating room, Dr. Tomycz enjoys playing guitar and hiking in the mountains. He has travelled extensively to perform neurosurgery and take part in short-term medical mission work – in Cuba, Kenya, Honduras, Ecuador, and Ukraine.
Dr. Tomycz grew up with four grandparents who told stories of their youth and taught their grandchildren the language of their homeland – Ukraine. His parents were both born in refugee camps following the second world war, and came to this country in the early 1950s with virtually nothing. His father excelled in academics and went into medicine, and both Luke and his brother Nestor followed suit, pursuing a career in neurosurgery. During a long period of study and training that lasted more than 15 years, Luke resolved to return to the homeland of his grandparents and provide the kind of high quality care that children receive in the United States.
In 2014 at the peak of protests in the Maidan, Mariya joined several fellow Ukrainians living in New York City to create Razom, a young, energetic, and progressive start-up which seeks to amplify the voice of Ukraine to an American audience. An active member of the board, she is responsible for organizing cultural events as well as cooperating with government representatives, activists, and various civic groups and human rights organizations in support of Ukraine’s quest for democracy.
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Mariya is also heavily involved with fundraising for Razom’s projects via crowdsourcing, charity events, and online petitions. After graduating from Penn State University with a BA in Advertising and Public Relations and a dual minor in Entrepreneurship and International Studies, Mariya spent over 5 years in Manhattan working within the content marketing industry. She believes in the enormous potential of dedicated volunteers around the world working to rebuild Ukraine one project at a time.
Mariana Magala was born in Lviv, Ukraine. She graduated from The University of Chicago in 2013 and holds a B.A. in Economics and Slavic Languages and Literature. Currently, Mariana is a Strategic Analytics Manager at Interline Brands (subsidiary of The Home Depot) in Jacksonville, Florida. She specializes in analytics, business strategy, and nonprofit development. Mariana was the co-chair of a pro-bono consulting group for nonprofits in Chicago for 3 years and is currently the treasurer for a young professionals group at MOSH (Museum of Science and History in Jacksonville).
Mariana joined Razom’s Neurosurgical initiative in 2016. She is very excited to collaborate with the team and develop the initiative into a highly successful program.