On 17-21 June 2024 the Rector of I.Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University (Ukraine), Professor Mykhaylo Korda and the Head of the Research Management Department, Professor Oksana Shevchuk, visited Keele University, UK and the RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital (Oswestry, UK). This trip was funded by an IGHW seed grant awarded in January 2024. The purpose of this trip was to build collaborative links and discuss a grant application around treatment, screening and multidisciplinary interventions in osteoporosis. Another potential area of collaboration may include biomarker research in PTSD and rehabilitation (especially physiotherapy) of trauma victims.
The scientific collaboration between TNMU and Keele University started in 2023 through series of online webinars on regenerative medicine and orthopaedics delivered by OsKor group members.
The Ukrainian delegation had an opportunity to meet with Professors Christian Mallen, Zoe Paskins and Krysia Dziedzic and explained some of the severe pressures they are experiencing while supporting their students in Ukraine. They also explored if Keele might be able to support with online teaching in specialist areas. Particularly important are infectious (tick-born) diseases, rehabilitation and prosthetics.
The TNMU delegation also met with the Bone Health team in Oswestry (Dr Chadi Rakieh) and were given a tour of the Headley Court Veterans’ Orthopaedic Centre at the RJAH by its Director Lieutenant Colonel Carl Meyer and the hospital’s physiotherapy Department by Dr Andrea Bailey.
The Ukrainian guests also met with Keele/Oswestry staff, Professor Karina Wright, Dr Oksana Kehoe, Dr Jan Herman Kuiper and Dr Charlotte Hulme.
This report has been prepared by Dr Oksana Kehoe, Senior Lecturer in Inflammation Biology, Keele University, UK.