Physicians from Ukrainian Examine Blood Transfusion Services in the Chicagoland Area's Healthcare System
The Congressional Office for International Leadership (COIL, formerly known as the Open World Leadership Center), an agency of the U.S. Congress, is sending a delegation of physicians from Ukraine to Chicago and Northern Illinois from October 14 to October 22, 2022. The physicians - Nataliia Mizyets, Oleksandr Serhiienko, and Oleksandr Sarzhevskyi - will be accompanied by a bicultural/lingual facilitator and an interpreter. While in Illinois, the COIL participants will focus their discovery learning on blood transfusion services in the healthcare system.
Prior to their arrival in Illinois, the participants completed an orientation in Washington, D.C. and policy meetings with Members of Congress. In Illinois, the delegates will visit, meet, and consult with senior professionals at different hospitals, such as Elmhurst, Northwestern, the University of Chicago, and UIC, as well as the American Red Cross and Vitalant centers in Chicago and Rosemont. The delegates will also meet with the members of the Ukrainian Medical Association. While in Illinois, the delegates will be accommodated in the homes of local residents.
More than 30,000 current and future leaders from the Eurasian countries have participated in the Open World program. Open World offers one of the most effective U.S. exchange programs to promote mutually beneficial options for depolarized engagement between future national leaders. It is a unique and powerful tool for Congress to engage professionals and legislatures in critical regions of the world.
The program for the visiting delegates in Illinois is coordinated by the Council of International Programs in Chicago (CIP). Dr. George Palamattam, the Executive Director of CIP, suggests that while many individuals and institutions are engaged in collecting and sending various resources to send Ukraine, this program is unique in that several highly talented doctors and other professionals with extensive experience and expertise are putting aside valuable time from their busy schedule to help the visiting delegates in a time of disaster and great need.
Last month, CIP Chicago hosted a delegation of governors from Mongolia, and in December, it will host another delegation of finance professionals from Turkmenistan. George suggests that the community members from the Chicagoland area have an array of opportunities to join the CIP service team, including leadership roles on its board or other international roles. Interested individuals can learn more information by contacting Dr. George Palattam, Executive Director of CIP Chicago, at gp@cipchicago.org, gpalamattam@gmail.com, or (312) 545-6882.
COIL, a support Agency of the Congress Founded in 1999 by Congress, maintains a vast network of more than 30,000 alumni in strategic countries including Ukraine, Poland, Romania, the Baltics, the Balkans, the Caucasus, Central Asia and others in Eastern Europe. COIL supports legislative diplomacy efforts for Members of Congress by conducting exchanges that establish authentic communication and enduring relations that are maintained through its extensive alumni network. Program participants are provided with exposure to the work of Congress, American politics, accountable governance, and volunteerism while being home hosted by American families. To learn more about the Open World program, please visit www.openworld.gov/.