DENVER — A team of Colorado healthcare professionals from Força Ukraine is making repeated trips to Ukraine to train combat medics, emergency workers, civilians, and hospital staff in advanced trauma care as the war continues.
Since April 2022, just two months after Russia’s full-scale invasion, the nonprofit has organized eight missions to deliver critical pre-hospital trauma training directly to medics on the front lines.
“They’re on the front lines of a very hard fight,” said Mike Piet, team leader for Força Ukraine.
Training on the Front Lines
Piet explained that medics often cannot leave their positions for centralized training, so the team travels directly to them, providing several days of hands-on instruction near their units.
The group’s typical team includes:
-
3–5 American paramedics
-
1 emergency room doctor
-
3 Ukrainian interpreters
-
1 Ukrainian doctor
High-Risk Missions
The work comes with significant danger. While in Kyiv, ballistic missiles struck nearby, and in Dnipro, drones hit close to their location.
“One of the sad things is any city at this point is within drone or missile range,” Piet said.
Despite the risks, the volunteers remain committed, emphasizing the importance of preparing Ukrainian medics for the intense and prolonged conflict.
Support & Ongoing Mission
Força Ukraine relies on donor funding to sustain its missions and continues to call for global awareness and support.
“Finding people who still care about Ukraine is really important,” Piet stressed.
“Don’t forget what’s happening in Ukraine. Keep the conversation going.”
The organization plans to continue its lifesaving work as the war enters its third year.
This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.
Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
Leave a Reply