Hear straight from the Ukrainian-Americans working and learning at UConn Health, along with their suggested ways you can help lend your support for the people of Ukraine's health and humanitarian crisis.
Ukrainian-American Alexa Zborowski, RN, works in the Emergency Department at UConn John Dempsey Hospital (Photo courtesy of Alexa Zborowski).
While war rages on in their beloved Ukraine, Ukrainian-Americans working and learning at UConn Health carry on their daily duties while finding ways to help the Ukrainian people's health and humanitarian crisis. Watching their loved ones on television and social media fighting for survival is no easy feat according to these employees and students.
Should you wish to lend your support, UConn Health's Ukrainian-American community members share these vetted and reputable nonprofit organizations providing direct relief to Ukraine: Ukrainian Medical Association of North America (UMANA), Maidan United, Razom for Ukraine, Revived Soldiers Ukraine and Save the Children.
Here are some of the many Ukrainian-American voices from UConn Health:
"I am first generation here in the United States, and I am especially proud of my Ukrainian roots during these troubling times. It is imperative that the U.S. help Ukraine in every possible way! They need to send more weapons so that Ukraine has a fair chance against Russia in this war."
– Tania Zborowski, Program Assistant, Department of Care Coordination, UConn Health
"I am a sonographer at UConn Health, I stand for Ukraine and I choose peace. My husband and I are both immigrants, myself from Poland, and him from Ukraine. We are devastated by what is happening to our families and the Ukrainian people. We as a nation must unite in our effort to support Ukraine. We must stop the cruel and unimaginable suffering of men, women, and children who just want peace."
– Megi Dzidzitsky, Sonography Technician, Ultrasound, UConn Health
"It's a helpless feeling being here when you know the tragedies going on back home. You protest and fundraise, but still feel guilty like you're not doing enough. Our brave people have shown they are willing to fight for freedom and democracy for the whole world, but they need our support now more than ever. Please, do not let our people suffer for nothing."
– Marko Dzidzitsky, RN, Float Pool, UConn John Dempsey Hospital
"With family in Ukraine, and as a Ukrainian-American, it is heartbreaking to watch so many innocent lives of men, women, and children lost. Ukraine has its own beautiful language, history, land, and traditions which they have shown are worth fighting for until the very end. The beautiful country of Ukraine deserves to stand on its own and be free."
-Oksana Voronchak, RN, Orthopedics/Med-Surg 5th floor, UConn John Dempsey Hospital
"It's a heart wrenching feeling coming to work and treating patients with all the medicine and recourses I could ever need, then turning on the TV to see my country desperate for basic medical supplies. The guilt and sadness I feel surrounding that dichotomy weighs more heavily with each day that passes. As a country who sets the precedent for freedom, we cannot sit idly by and watch such a brave republic stand alone. Our community is beyond appreciative for the strong words of support. I can't help but wonder, however, what more I can do as a Ukrainian American to help my homeland. Thus far, I have personally raised approximately $1,000 dollars or so just from small $5-$25 dollar donations from my friends and family; all to be donated directly towards medical supplies and equipment on the front lines of Ukraine. I am touched to have the support of my community."
-Alexa Zborowski, RN, Emergency Department
"I plea to you to do everything in your power to stop the senseless war in Ukraine. I was born in Ukrainian capital Kyiv and raised in Kyiv's northern district of Obolon by the two people dear to me, my mom and dad. These very people, my parents, are now stranded in their apartment in one of Obolon's high-rises bracing for an imminent military assault on Kyiv that is under siege by Russian army. This war has a human face. It is not an obscure conflict in a place far away from you. It already impacts your community, hurts your neighbors, colleagues, friends. Extend your sympathy and support to the people of Ukraine defending their homes. Ask your representatives to use all the means possible to stop the killing."
-Dmitry Korzhniev, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, UConn School of Medicine
