Helping Ukraine

Bertram Zarins, MD

In 1944 the Russians invaded Latvia. I was two years old. Our family escaped in a small boat to Sweden and we came to America. I am forever grateful for the assistance we received.

The Ukrainians now face the same fate. Of the six million Ukrainian refugees, 50,000 have arrived in Latvia. Number of civilian casualties in Ukraine during Russia’s invasion verified by OHCHR from February 24, 2022 to October 31, 2024 is more than 40,000. 2,000 of them children.

In 1990 my brother and I started a non-profit foundation, the Latvian Medical Foundation (LMF) to help the newly independent Latvia with emergency medical aid. After the crisis was over, we continued to help the Latvians improve their medical system. In the past years the LMF switched to education and has awarded $400,000 in travelling fellowships to 90 young doctors.

Now, new needs have arisen and we are re-directing the LMF to provide emergency assistance to Ukrainian.

The Latvian Medical Foundation helped Ukrainian medical personnel who arrived in Latvia in 2022. We provided financial support ($1,000) to over 150 medical professionals.  The LMF helped refugees cover medical care expenses and other needs.

Latvian surgeons and anaesthesiologists have gone to Ukraine to help on the spot, and the LMF supports them.

LMF financially supports the training of Ukrainian medical specialists in Latvia in anaesthesiology and microsurgery.

Together with my brother Kristaps Zarins and with Latvian doctors and volunteers from the association “Friendship of Ukraine and Latvia”, we went on a charity mission to Ukraine in December 2024. We delivered medical transport, evacuation vehicles, medical equipment and materials to Ukrainian hospitals, as well as Kupiansk defenders close to the front, met with Ukrainian colleagues in hospitals and understood what help Ukraine would still need.

If you would like to help, please send a donation here or to: Latvian Medical Foundation, located in Marion, Massachusetts 

Adress: LMF, PO Box 7, Marion, MA 02738  USA, +1 617 835-5713

Thank you for your support.

By Kamena Kaidaka

December, 2024

The support of Latvian doctors from the USA, Professors Bertrams and Kristaps Zariņš, to Ukraine in its fight for its right to exist took on a new form this winter – the two founders of the Latvian Medical Foundation (LMF) went on a charity mission to Ukraine together with Latvian doctors and volunteers to deliver medical transport, evacuation vehicles, medical equipment and materials to Ukrainian hospitals and also to the defenders of Kupiansk already near the front, meet with Ukrainian colleagues in hospitals, give two lectures in traumatology and vascular surgery and understand what kind of help Ukrainian medicine currently needs. The planners and leaders of the mission were Pēteris Dimants, Arnis Rukmanis and Dr. Mārtiņš Malzubris from Latvia. For Pēteris Dimants, this was already the twentieth mission trip to Ukraine, and for Arnis Rukmanis – the fortieth. Traumatologist and microsurgeon Mārtiņš Malzubrs’ cooperation with Ukrainian doctors began in 2015, but since 2022 he has been regularly supporting his colleagues, both by operating in Ukraine himself and by teaching Ukrainian colleagues in Latvia. This was the second time that Kristiāns Patrijuks, a 6th-year student at the University of Latvia, went to Ukraine with Mārtiņš.

The mission of US and Latvian doctors lasted from December 8 to 14, 2024. The meeting place was Warsaw. Then, US doctors and Latvian doctors went together, taking both medical transport vehicles and the necessary medical equipment and materials to Ukraine. Before the mission, a lot of work had been done to identify and prepare everything that Ukrainian doctors currently need, both in hospitals and at the front. There were several stops (Lviv Children’s Hospital, Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Clinical Hospital, Vinnytsia Emergency Medical Hospital, Zhytomyr Regional Hospital, Kiev, Kharkiv, Kupiansk), and everywhere the help was accepted with deep gratitude. “They are deeply grateful and touched by these gifts, which will allow them to provide the necessary assistance to patients injured in the war more effectively and successfully,” wrote microsurgeon and traumatologist Mārtiņš Malzubris during the days of the mission, when Latvian doctors had handed over the gift to the reconstructive surgery doctors of the Vinnytsia Emergency Medical Hospital.

On December 10, after a joint morning conference in Ivano-Frankivsk, Latvian doctors continued their mission trip to hospitals, while US professors Bertrams and Kristaps Zariņi, together with Latvian volunteers Pēteris Dimants and Arnis Rukmanis, went to the defenders of Kupiansk to deliver both equipment and medical supplies, which were so necessary for the wounded, closer to the front. The road led through Ternopil, Kiev, Kharkiv, and only on the morning of December 12, the mission reached Kupiansk. Exploding shells, destroyed buildings and an abandoned city where children once played and life flourished – all this was felt and seen with own eyes and hearts by our doctors, whose courage and restraint were also praised by the defenders of Ukraine. “I am grateful for meeting and getting to know amazing people, world legends in surgery, unique brothers, patriots of their people – Bertram Zariņš and Kristap Zariņš, who already in their respectable years decided to come to Ukraine, to pass on their invaluable experience to Ukrainian surgeons and orthopedists in order to save Ukrainian soldiers. Thanks to Pēteris Dimants and Arnis Rukmanis, who have been traveling to Ukraine from the first days of the war and doing a great job, helping both residents, soldiers, and medics, these wonderful people from the USA have the opportunity to see with their own eyes what is currently happening in Ukraine. I am very glad that there are still people in Latvia who understand what evil is,” says one of them.

The mission concluded on December 13 with a visit to the Latvian Embassy in Ukraine. On the same day, all the doctors of the mission received a symbolic gift from the Chief Traumatologist of the Ukrainian Army – a commemorative coin for their courage and for what they had done for the defenders of Ukraine.

“This trip would not have been possible without the organizing abilities of Peter and the long-term cooperation with the Ukrainian authorities, without whose knowledge and support it would have been much more difficult for us to realize our plans in a country at war. Arnis, on the other hand, was the first to show the way in which Latvia could provide support to the Ukrainians – he went to Ukraine on the third day after the Russian attack with the first “transport” of Latvian Ukrainian soldiers. Arnis delivered a full truck to Ukraine and himself walked back to Latvia. We were also convinced of his efficiency and accuracy in everything during our mission. The voluntary work of both of them is a huge blessing and valuable success, and the Ukrainians appreciate it very much and are very grateful. We could feel this at every place we stopped – including small roadside restaurants, where we were greeted with warm borscht soup and refreshments. And even in the middle of the night, when we needed to change a tire on our car, a local Ukrainian got up, opened his workshop and changed the tire in the dark, without asking for any compensation. And a big thank to Mārtiņš Malzubris for his direct cooperation with Ukrainian surgeons. Mārtiņš has done an incredibly valuable job, training doctors and performing microsurgical operations on wounded soldiers. This time too, together with Kristiāns Patrijuks, a 6th-year medical student at the University of Latvia, he operated on the wounded in Ivano-Frankivsk and Zhytomyr hospitals. We saw how much good volunteers do in Latvia. We are glad that the Latvian Medical Foundation can support this blessed work,” – this is how Bertram and Kristap Zariņi briefly evaluate their mission, having already returned to the USA.

The Zariņi brothers have experienced the suffering caused by World War II, they know what it means to receive and also to provide support. The border of war-torn Ukraine is now behind, but thoughts come to mind – nothing is over, the shadow of war is and will be hanging over us. In Ukraine, every new day is new suffering. The photographs help us understand that both – the pain is real and the need for help is real. Each one, as we can. Let us not forget about this while waiting for the Christmas! The Latvian Medical Foundation (LMF) implemented its mission in cooperation with a public benefit organization in Latvia – the association “Friendship of Ukraine and Latvia”. Any support is better than sad sighs.

Photo from the personal archive of the mission participants:

November, 2024

The LMF continues its support for Ukraine and, along with the public benefit organization the association “Friendship between Ukraine and Latvia”, has already carried out a humanitarian project – delivering cargo to Ukrainian hospitals treating wounded soldiers. The humanitarian shipment included special hospital beds, mattresses and other necessities. in November 2024, 3.4 tonnes of cargo was delivered to Dnipro hospital. Jūrmala City Municipality and Riga Rotari Club, also took part in the project. LMF provided transport costs. The association has a circle of supporters, especially they are proud to be supported by the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Latvia, Mr. Christopher Robinson. Founder of Association Valeriy Oleniychuk says a big thank to LMF and prof. Bertram Zarin about support Ukraine.

Foto: Volunteers and humanitarian cargo, 2024

By Kamena Kaidaka

December, 2023

Ukraine, war, freedom, help – these are 2022’s most commonly used words. And behind these words are events and people.

Throughout this year, the Latvian Medical Foundation, which was set up 30 years ago by doctors Bertram and Kristaps Zarins (USA), has helped financially those suffering from Russia’s attack on Ukraine. If the figures are calculated, EUR 173 000 has been donated to support Ukraine. However, the unspeakable support has been equally significant, as has been shown by the many warm words of gratitude from the Ukrainian people. Ukrainian war refugees – 150 health professionals working in Latvian medical institutions – have received the support of the fund.

In cooperation with one of the first volunteer couriers, Peter Dimants LMF was funded and delivered to Ukraine a fully equipped ambulance. Referring to the request of the Wound and Lay Association, the Foundation paid for the transportation of the injured to Latvia, where they were provided with highly qualified medical assistance. LMF donated for the medical care of Ukrainian residents, coordinated by the P.Stradins Clinical University Hospital Development Society.

Close and constructive cooperation has been established with the Latvian charity fund Ziedot.lv, which is responsible for the most acute needs of Ukraine. The Board of LMF decided to financially support the dedicated Latvian doctors, Martin Malzubris, and Olaf Libermanis, who have travelled to Ukraine to treat the injured from the first days of the war.

It is a real pleasure that Latvia has also assessed the performance of doctors. On November 18, the President of Latvia handed out the highest Latvian State awards to 90 distinguished personalities. Order of the Three Stars was received by Olaf Libermanis – microsurgeon, head of the “Wound Clinic” – for the excellent work in microsurgery and self-defence, providing assistance to Ukrainian soldiers injured in the war. Order of the Three Stars was received by Martin Malzubris, a traumatologist-orthopedist, head of the Traumatology and orthopedics Hospital Traumatology Centre, for the excellent work in trauma and reconstructive surgery and self-defence, providing assistance to the soldiers of Ukraine who were injured in the war.

Latvian society also assessed the self-denial of both Latvian doctors. Olaf Libermanis and Martin Malzubris are the recipients of the “Humanity and Courage” nomination for “Latvian Glory of Latvia” this year.

Future plans for Latvian doctors are to continue providing reconstructive microsurgery assistance to hospitals in Ukraine, continuing staff training. Training modules for military trauma and reconstructive microsurgery are also being developed aimed at creating a simple and efficient training system.

The war continues and will need support for all those who suffer the hardest of it. It will be necessary to complement the professional skills of doctors by providing training grants, and there will be needs we don’t know about right now.

The Latvian Medical Foundation says a great thank to all donors who support the fund!

A bright and peaceful Christmas waiting time: these words now have a really new and much deeper sound.

Peace over the ground!

January, 2023

The Latvian Medical Foundation (LMF) provides a one-off financial contribution of USD 1000 to the war-stricken Ukrainian people who arrived in Latvia as refugees and started work in the health sector. Many health professionals have also travelled in the refugee stream to Latvia. Latvia has become their home and also their place of work for an unknown time. New jobs are in Riga hospitals, regional hospitals, health centres, private medical institutions and private practices. More than Ukrainian refugees have received financial support – doctors, dentists, technicians, nurses, sanitary, social workers. Their new jobs are in Riga, Kuldiga, Daugavpils, Jekabpils, Jelgava, Liepaja, Tukums, Ventspils, Valka, Cesis, Jurmala.

Each of us can support this and also other LMF initiatives that will help the people of Ukraine who are victims of the war.

The Latvian Medical Foundation helped Ukrainian medical personnel who arrived in Latvia in 2022. LMF provided financial support to over 150 medical professionals.  The LMF helped refugees cover medical care expenses and other needs.

Thanksgivings from Ukrainian war refugees:

Dкую за допомогу!!! Elena

Thank you for your support of the medical community of Ukraine. This is a valuable help for me, which will help me survive until I find my place in the Latvian Society of Doctors. With best regards, Kateryna.

Thank you so much for your concern and financial support. Sincerely yours, Victoria.

Спасибо большое. Ljuda

Thank you for support and help! It’s so important for me in this hard time. Natalya

Liels paldies! Olga

Dear Latvian Medical Foundation!

Thank you for your support in this difficult time and your care about Ukrainian doctors. I’m very touched! Oksana

Thank you very much! Elena

Thank you so much for the support! Yana

Dear LMF team. Thank you for such generous support. You have motivated me and a lot of other people not go give up and stag strong at this terrible for all Ukrainian time. I highly appreciate all efforts made by your foundation. Thanks for your kind hearts! Best wishes and warm regards! Larysa

April, 2022

The Latvian Medical Foundation donated $40 000 to supply front-line Ukrainian healthcare workers with an ambulance. A well-equipped ambulance has been delivered to the Armed Forces of Ukraine by Latvian volunteer Peteris Dimants and his team on April 19. In 8 hours, the new ambulance will be able to bring injured people out of the front lines again. Peteris says a great thanks to his new friends – the Latvian Medical Foundation – who solved this serious problem so quickly – provided a new ambulance in place of bombing. The Embassy of the Ukraine in Latvia sends its thanks for our assistance!  The Embassy of Ukraine is extremely grateful for the assistance provided by the Latvian Medical Foundation to Ukraine.

Thanks to your donations, we received almost $10,000 to support this effort.