2024
OSOKINS FREEDOM FESTIVAL
On November 3, 2024, the Cleveland Latvian community, through the Latvian Association of Cleveland and the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, presented the Osokins Freedom Festival. The Latvian community has been a staunch supporter of our efforts to provide medical and humanitarian assistance to the victims of the war in Ukraine and it continues to do so.
The proceeds of the Osokins Freedom Festival were dedicated to the victims of the war in Ukraine. The Osokins’ Freedom Festival was founded in the summer of 2020 and since 2022, it has been devoted to supporting the fight in Ukraine. A big Thank You goes out to our Latvian friends!
ROUNDTABLE WITH USAID
On April 25, 2024, leaders from the Ukrainian community and Ukrainian supporters met with USAID (United States Agency for International Development) in Parma, Ohio. From usaid.gov, “At USAID, we are proud to stand by the Ukrainian people—to strengthen their democracy and sustain their economy as they defend their homeland. Since Putin’s full-scale war against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the United States, through USAID, has surged support to rapidly address urgent humanitarian needs, while also investing in Ukraine’s economy and building resilient infrastructure and institutions to help Ukraine recover from Putin’s ruthless attacks and sustain a lasting peace.”
In attendance were USAID leaders, UMANA members Drs. Maria Strus, George Jaskiw, and Taras Mahlay, United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio and others.
ROUNDTABLE WITH AMBASSADOR FROM ESTONIA
On April 24, 2024, leaders from the Ukrainian community and Ukrainian supporters met with the Ambassador from Estonia to the US, Mr. Kristjan Prikk, at Ukrainian Museum – Archives (UMA) in Cleveland.
Mr. Prikk articulated the importance of defeating Russia not only for Ukraine but for the global good, maintaining focus on the defeat of Russia, and spelled out reasons that this is an attainable goal. He welcomed questions from the attendees.
In attendance were UMANA members Drs. Maria Strus, George Jaskiw, and Taras Mahlay (also current museum director), United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio (President Marta Liscynesky-Kelleher, Vice President Dr. George Jaskiw, Board members Anna Barrett and Dr. Maria Strus), Andrew Fedynsky (UMA), representatives from the Polish and Latvian community.
RALLY FOR UKRAINE
A rally was held for Ukraine on March 18, 2024, outside Bernie Moreno’s campaign event in Parma, Ohio, on the day before Ohio’s Primary elections. Ohio State Senator JD Vance was there to support Mr. Moreno, both which publicly have announced that they DO NOT support funding for Ukraine. The rally was attended by multiple Ukrainian community organizations including UMANA Ohio members, the United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio, Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian supporters of Ukraine. The photo below shows members of the greater Cleveland community from the Polish-American community, Latvian-American community and non-Ukrainian American supporters. The peaceful protesters lined both sides of the street at the entrance with “blue–yellow ” everywhere including a 40′ Ukrainian flag made by Dr. Strus.
ROUNDTABLE WITH SENATORS CHUCK SCHUMER and SHERROD BROWN
On Sunday, March 10, 2024, Drs. Maria Strus, Bohdan Pichurko, and George Jaskiw joined the United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio at a roundtable discussion with Ukraine supporters Majority Senate Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Sherrod Brown as well as members and allies of the Ukrainian-American community of Northeast Ohio. It was an opportunity to hear from the senators, where we presented our concerns and to asked questions. We are grateful to our senators for their leadership and time they dedicated to listen to our concerns.
Vigil of Remembrance: Prayer Service for Peace in Ukraine
The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland and Greater Cleveland’s Ukrainian Community held a prayer service for peace in Ukraine at the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist in Cleveland. Bishop Malesic (Cleveland Catholic Diocese) and Bishop Danylo (Ukrainian Catholic Diocese of Parma) presided at this prayer service. UMANA member Dr. Taras Mahlay, one of the organizers of this event, addressed the congregation which filled the cathedral. Service may be viewed by clicking on Youtube.
2023
AMERICAN NATIONALITIES MOVEMENT
UMANA Members attended the annual American Nationalities Movement Christmas Luncheon on December 9 at the Holy Spirit Party Center in Parma, Ohio. Honorees included Ohio State Senator Matt Dolan, Independence City Congressman and Greek community representative Jim Trakas, and Archbishop Timothy Broglio. Attendees include (left to right): Dr. Maria Strus, Dr. Jurko Jaskiw, Mrs. Christina and Dr. Bohdan Pichurko, Tatyana and Myhailo Gabyak.
ROUNDTABLE WITH SENATOR SHERROD BROWN
On October 2, 2023, UMANA Ohio Chapter treasurer Dr. Bohdan Pichurko joined the Ukrainian Museum – Archives in Cleveland at a roundtable discussion with Ukraine supporter Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown as well as members and allies of the Ukrainian-American community of Northeast Ohio. It was an opportunity to hear from the Senator who was presented with our concerns and asked questions. We are grateful to Senator Brown for his leadership and support of Ukraine.
UMANA OHIO BIENNIAL PICNIC
The Ohio Chapter held its biennial picnic on September 10, 2023 at St. Pokrova in Parma, Ohio. The 2021 picnic was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic causing a long pause between events. It was a successful event on a pleasant Sunday afternoon, attended by more than 70 adults and children attended to mingle with old and make new friends. We recognized Mr. Hans Bloom, Mr. John Dunn, the United Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cleveland and Mrs. Ann Schneidhorst for their contributions to the Ohio Chapter. In addition, our member Dr. Michael Samotowka presented a slide show of his experiences in Ukraine where he as a trauma surgeon provides treatment to the wounded and advises our chapter about the needs in the field.
MEETING WITH OHIO TREASURER OF STATE
Ohio Treasurer of State, Robert Sprague, met with Ukrainian-American community and leaders including UMANA Ohio Chapter President Dr. Maria Strus and United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio in Parma, Ohio, on July 24, 2023. Mr. Sprague asked for a prioritized list of the medical items in greatest need in Ukraine right now which we provided him so that he could share with healthcare executives that he has contact with.
UMANA SENDS 19 PALLETS TO UKRAINE
UMANA Ohio Chapter packed 19 pallets with supplies from MedWish International and sent them to our partners in Ukraine to distribute to the injured in war zones. Between January and March of 2023, several UMANA members including Drs. Maria Strus and Bohdan Pichurko, packed 19 pallets of supplies based on guidance from Dr. Michael Samotowka who has been traveling to Ukraine to provide surgical care to the injured.
UMANA SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE
The XLVI Scientific Conference “Technology and Medicine Friend or Foe” and XL Assembly of Delegates were held in Nashville Tennessee June 14-18, 2023. Topics were a vast array from Current Therapies in Rheumatic and Inflammatory Diseases to 3D Printing in Orthopedic Surgery to AI in Medical Imaging and others. The Young Investigators Program Presentation and Abstract was also included in the program. It proved to be a very informative and inspiring event held at the OMNI Hotel in Downtown Nashville.
MEDWISH BANDAID BASH
MedWish International Bandaid Bash 2023 was held on June 10, 2023 at FWD Day and Nightclub on the east bank of the Flats in Cleveland. Several UMANA members attended with other members of the Ukrainian community. Founder Dr. Lee Ponsky is first on the right of the photo. From RIGHT to left: Dr. Lee Ponsky, Dr. Natalya Mahlay, Dr. Taras Mahlay, Mrs. Chrystia Pichurko, Dr. Bohdan Pichurko, Dr. Jurko Jaskiw, Dr. Maria Strus, Mrs. Marta Kelleher (president United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio), NN, NN, and Mr. Sean Kelleher.
MEETING WITH OHIO GOVERNOR DEWINE
The Ukrainian Community visited with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. Ukrainian Community leaders, including UMANA Ohio President Dr. Maria Strus, met with representatives of our Ohio Ukrainians displaced by the war and visited with Governor Mike and Mrs. Fran DeWine at their residence. The focus of the visit was for Governor DeWine to hear directly from them on a variety of topics regarding their experience in the state of Ohio; their personal stories, issues of employment, education, housing, and language, their successes and challenges.
roundtable with Deputy Secretary of State Sherman and Governor DeWine
UMANA Ohio president Dr. Maria Strus attended a roundtable with Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and Governor DeWine on Tuesday January 24th, 2023, organized by the United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio and held at the Cleveland Selfreliance Federal Credit Union in Parma, Ohio. Secretary Sherman had just returned from Ukraine and she focused on greeting refugees in attendance, hearing their stories, discussing the war with diaspora leaders, and informal conversation.