Jun 28, 2022

“Stock the Fridge” Program Feeds Hungry Families

Thanks to a generous grant from The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) and a committed Miami trauma surgeon, individuals injured in Ukraine’s deadly war are receiving top-notch care. Within days of Russia’s invasion, Global Surgical Medical Support Group (GSMSG) arrived in Ukraine with a handful of the world's best critical care trauma surgeons and burn specialists. Among them was Dr. Enrique Ginzburg, Director of University of Miami Ryder South Trauma Center, who has on-the-ground experience in war zones and areas of mass destruction like Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Israel and Haiti, along with more than 20 years of experience training critical care trauma surgeons for international army and special operations placements. Dr. Ginzburg and Dr. Aaron Epstein, President of GSMSG,  helped launch the Visiting Surgeon Program in Ukraine. “Upon arrival, we began evaluating their needs, rounding with local doctors on difficult cases, lecturing — in-person and via Zoom — in our specific areas of expertise and meeting with high-level government officials including the Minister of Health and the mayor of Lviv,” said Dr. Ginzburg. “But without funding from JFNA, we would not be able to continue our work as directed by the Minster of Health.” Your donations to our Ukraine Emergency Fund go directly to JFNA to support these efforts. 

With a plan to rotate teams of US surgeons every two weeks who are experts in the fields of trauma surgery, orthopaedics and burn surgery, the program aims to share knowledge, best practices and technical expertise in equipment and supply usage. To date, GSMSG has trained more than 5,000 civilians and military personnel in Stop the Bleed and Tactical Combat Casualty Care. GSMSG volunteers are also helping develop a telemedicine infrastructure and consulting services for the region that can expand as necessary throughout the country. “The financial support of JFNA — our largest donor by far to date — will allow us to extend the program through the end of the year,” said Dr. Ginzburg. “We are immensely grateful.”