New York Fashion Week takes on the Big Apple each season. The sidewalks fill up with people wearing even more fantastical outfits than usual; photographers swarm the designers, stylists, models and industry insiders. The global community of fashion insiders swarm Manhattan streets and creative locations in other boroughs. This year Razom was in the mix. continue reading →
Discussion Night with Liliya Borovets: “Education is a battleground for deeper consciousness”
Published: September 8, 2018
The Razom Community strives to encourage thought-provoking and fruitful discussions among those, who care about Ukraine and its future. Liliya Borovets, co-founder of the Ukrainian educational organization Pro.Svit and the fundraising platform GoFundEd, joined the Razom Community for a discussion night titled, “Transforming Ukrainian Education Systems: Goals and Challenges.” The discussion was led by Ukrainian journalist and Razom volunteer Kateryna Lisunova. continue reading →
Невидимий Батальйон: жіноче обличчя українського фронту
Published: August 14, 2018
Наприкінці весни цього року команда ветеранок української армії, за підтримки Canada-Ukraine International Assistance Fund та Razom for Ukraine, привезли фільм «Невидимий Батальйон» до Канади і Сполучених Штатів. Що сподвигло їх на створення картини і що саме вони хотіли донести до південно-американських глядачів – словами самих ветеранок, щиро про українську війну та роль жінки у захисті своєї країни.
Pitch Night for Ukrainian Startups
Published: July 6, 2018
by Mike Buryk, Ukrainian Digital News
On June 18, five Ukrainian tech startups had the opportunity to pitch their products to a VC and investor group of 60 people in New York City. The event was organized by Razom IT and the US Department of Commerce SABIT Program.
Razom 2017: highlights of part 2
Published: December 30, 2017
The second half of 2017 was full of connections that brought people together to build a prosperous Ukraine. Here is a list of just a few highlights. Please help to keep this working going into 2018. Donate now.
Your contribution makes a difference.
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Ukrainian Music Night with Taras Chubai
Published: September 11, 2017
Razom Culture was glad to organize a special night of outstanding Ukrainian music this past Tuesday. What a way to start the fall season. A huge thank you to Taras Chubai for sharing his music with us! continue reading →
Charity Picnic for the Toy Drive
Published: September 1, 2017
Last weekend, our Toy Drive team hosted a charity picnic in Central Park to celebrate Ukraine’s Independence. We couldn’t have asked for better weather and a better turnout! The day was action packed with fun activities, salo tasting, music, and great company. By the end of the day, we raised $2,000, which we will send to the Lviv Education Foundation in support of their program “Big Brother” (“Старший Брат”). “Big Brother” is a mentorship program for kids, whose fathers have been affected by the war in eastern Ukraine.
Connect through a story: NYC storytelling festival Speak Up, Rise Up
Published: August 29, 2017
No report can compare to a personal story full of emotions and energy. Four Razom volunteers performed at a storytelling festival in New York City, sharing their stories from the stage with everyone who came to listen.
Razom IT Presents: Tech Ecosystem Summit Nov. 17th
Published: November 14, 2016
Razom IT is bringing together incubators and accelerators from New York and Ukraine to facilitate the dialogue between the risk-takers, let them share their success stories and nightmare scenarios, exchange opinions about the actual opportunities and working business models. Join us for one evening full of information, connections and inspiration.
We did it: Razom Annual Meeting 2016!
Published: July 11, 2016
Razom held its second annual meeting on Saturday, July 25th in New York City. More than 140 guests attended #Razom2years who learned about the organization’s progress and six initiatives, including: Razom IT, Razom Culture, Razom Think with UkrOko.org, Reformers without Borders, Razom Aid with Toy Drive, and Razom Partners. “I was so impressed to see so many new faces in the room,” said Razom Board Member, Dora Chomiak. “Clearly this shows that, even though the headlines may be off the front pages, the drive that brought Razom volunteers together in 2014 is still relevant today.”
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Oblast Competitions
In 2018 we’re planning to cover expenses for 30 teams (6 people per team) at Oblast STEM competitions.
Total Budget is $4500
Ruslan Batytskyi
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”
2017 Trip Itinerary
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
Surgical Mentors and Medical Support Staff
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
- Jefferson Miley, MD – neurointerventionalist
- Jonathan Forbes, MD – skull base neurosurgeon
- Matthew Geck, MD – orthopedic spine surgeon
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
- Bido Patel, MD – neuroradiologist
- Chandra Krishnan, MD – neuropathologist
- Ginger Harrod, MD – neuro-oncologist
Advisory Staff
- Tim George, MD – pediatric neurosurgeon
- Jim Rose, MD – vascular neurosurgeon
- Ryan Murdoch, MD – orthopedic spine surgeon
- Patrick Combs, MD – craniofacial surgeon
- Nestor Tomycz, MD – functional neurosurgeon
- Aaron Stayman, MD – vascular neurologist
- Jim Rutka – pediatric neurosurgeon
- Ben Warf – pediatric neurosurgeon
Participating Centers in Ukraine Page
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.
- Igor Kurilets, MD (International Neurosurgery Center)
- Ivan Protsenko, MD (Romadanov Institute)
- Kostiantyn Kostiuk, MD (Romadanov Institute)
- Vitali Ganjuk, MD (Central Military Hospital, Kyiv)
- Taras Mykytyn, MD (Lviv Children’s Hospital)
- Dmytro Shcheglov, MD (Neurovascular Institute)
Luke Tomycz, MD
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.
Mariya Soroka
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.
CPP info
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
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.