Neurologists Unite for Ukraine: Grassroot Activism During A Global Health Crisis
Event Description
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, war and displacement led to many emergent neurological needs, particularly access to anti-seizure medications, putting an estimated 250,000 people with epilepsy at risk. A group of neurology providers from across the country came together to support Ukrainian patients by utilizing social media and professional connections to fundraise, procure, and safely deliver close to half a million dollars of neurology medications and medical supplies to Ukraine. These were then distributed based on local needs, addressing emerging needs like epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, and limb amputation in a timely manner by partnering with local pediatric epileptologist, Ukrainian League Against Epilepsy, Brother’s Brother Foundation, and other non-profit organizations.
Date/Time
February 15, 2023 @ 12:00PM EST
Speaker Biography
Dr. Agnieszka Kielian is an Instructor in the Department of Neurology at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, with a focus on pediatric stroke and cerebrovascular diseases, epilepsy, and neurocritical care. Her goal is to provide exceptional patient care, conduct patient-centered research, advance medical education, implement quality improvement, promote global health, and advocate for her patients. She is working to increase access to specialty care, locally, nationally, and internationally, particularly in resource-limited settings. To achieve this, she is involved in several initiatives, such as creating online and on-demand neurology/epilepsy tutorials for healthcare professionals in Zambia and Rwanda, developing a Pan-American Neurology training program, increasing local capacity for newborn screening in Chile, and providing neurology support in war-stricken Ukraine.