Welcome to UMANA OHIO

COMMUNITY EVENTS

GREETINGS FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear UMANA Ohio Colleagues and Friends,

I am honored and deeply humbled to write to you today as the newly elected President of the Ohio Chapter of the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America (UMANA). Thank you for entrusting me with this important responsibility. I pledge to lead with integrity, dedication, and gratitude for your support.

Over the coming year, I look forward to working together on initiatives that will strengthen our chapter and amplify our impact. Here are a few immediate priorities I’m committed to:

1. Growing Our Chapter

My goal is to make UMANA Ohio a dynamic and inclusive community—one that resonates with seasoned professionals and welcomes the energy and innovation of students, residents, early-career colleagues, as well as health professionals in any stage of their career. Through mentorship programs, collaborative events, and open dialogue, we can expand our membership and cultivate the next generation of Ukrainian-American medical leaders.

2. Fundraising for Sustainable Impact

We will launch accessible and effective fundraising efforts aimed at supporting vital medical and humanitarian initiatives. From streamlining processes for donors to establishing partnerships with local organizations and businesses, we aim to build a strong financial foundation to power our missions with transparency and purpose.

3. Serving Ukrainians Locally and Abroad

UMANA Ohio stands poised to make meaningful contributions both here at home and in Ukraine. Locally, we will continue to support newly arrived Ukrainian families and address community health needs. Internationally, we will stand shoulder to shoulder with our colleagues in Ukraine through medical missions, resource partnerships, and advocacy. Wherever the need is greatest, we will respond with heart and action.

Let’s Connect & Take Action

I would love to hear your ideas, your hopes for our chapter, and how you’d like to get involved. 

In the meantime, feel free to reach me at adrozd.3@gmail.com or connect through our chapter email: umanaohio@gmail.com. I’m eager to engage with each of you and collectively steer our chapter’s continued success.

Thank you again for your trust and support. I am excited to serve and build a thriving, compassionate, and impactful UMANA Ohio—rooted in our shared heritage and driven by a shared commitment to healing.

We look forward to seeing everyone at our biennial Picnic on September 28th from 2-6pm at the Pavilion at Pokrova Ukrainian Catholic Church (keep an eye out for the formal invite in the coming days). 

Слава Україні!

Andrew S. Drozd, MD
President, UMANA Ohio Chapter
Ukrainian Medical Association of North America

ABOUT

The UMANA Ohio Chapter is an integral member of the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America, also known as UMANA. In Ukrainian, UMANA is known as the Українське Лікарське Товариство Північної Америки, or “УЛТПА”. UMANA is made up of physicians, dentists, nurses, therapists, pharmacists, and students of these professions. Our goal is to unite Ukrainian healthcare providers, share medical knowledge, and bring assistance and support to Ukrainians worldwide.

What We Have Done

The Ohio Chapter of UMANA has risen to challenges again and again. We brought Ukrainians who were critically injured while protesting for freedom in the EuroMaidan protests in 2014 for medical and surgical care by partnering with MetroHealth Medical Center and the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.

In numerous packing events between 2014 – 2021, we sent over 15 pallets of medical supplies to hospitals in Ukraine by partnering with MedWish Medworks (formerly Medwish International), United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio, the Cleveland Maidan Association and our friend/partners in Buffalo, NY.

With the escalation of Russia’s war on Ukraine in 2022, we continue to raise funds and send medical supplies to different locations in war-torn Ukraine.

Each of our members contribute their time and talents to the efforts. Several members have traveled and continue to travel to Ukraine to provide humanitarian and medical/surgical assistance to the injured. Please see our Member Highlights which shows the commitment our group has to our community and war effort.

• Ohio Chapter members traveled and continue to travel to Ukraine to teach, provide care, meet with hospital leaders
• The Ohio Chapter met with and continues to meet with local and national leaders to spread our message and enlist their support to meet our goals 

History

UMANA was founded in 1950 by physicians and dentists who emigrated to the United States after WWII, seeking freedom, democracy, and the right to a peaceful and fruitful life. Once in the U.S., they united to form this fraternal organization, extending membership to Canada.

Initially, named the American Ukrainian Medical Society, UMANA was founded in New York City on January 22, 1950, uniting physicians, surgeons and dentists of Ukrainian descent. Since then, UMANA has grown and expanded to encompass practicing and administrative partners in the healthcare field, including pharmacists, nurses, therapists, and administrators. UMANA is a voluntary non-profit association with objectives of “uniting healthcare professionals of Ukrainian descent who share an interest in promoting the health of Ukrainians and sharing medical knowledge and scientific research with emphasis on aspects unique to Ukrainians.”

The Ohio Chapter has been fully engaged in the mission of helping bring medical aid to war-torn Ukraine. In an effort to optimize our resources and strengthen our efforts, UMANA’s Ohio Chapter has proudly partnered with various Ukrainian organizations and individuals. UMANA Ohio Chapter is a member organization of the United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio and partners with it and other amazing groups to achieve common goals. UMANA Ohio has had a wonderful relationship with nonprofit organizations and since 2014 such as MedWish International which has assisted in bringing much needed aid to Ukraine with an endless supply of medical goods.

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