Aspen Circle

Supporting trauma care and recovery in Ukraine

27 April 2023
Photo shows two people from the rear, from legs down with the person on the right wearing army fatigues, holding crutches and missing the bottom half of their leg.
27 April 2023
Categories
Case Study
Europe
Defence and national security
Health services
Humanitarian and crisis response
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Background

Following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia, Aspen Medical began partnering with Ukrainian and international organisations to support both military and civilian healthcare systems. With a focus on trauma care, prosthetics, pain management and medical education, Aspen Medical is helping to strengthen Ukraine’s health resilience during and beyond the conflict. This work is funded and supported by a range of global stakeholders, including the United States (US) Department of Defense, Alcoa Foundation and local Ukrainian health authorities. 

 

Approach

Aspen Medical is delivering a suite of health initiatives focused on long-term outcomes: 

  • Combat Casualty Care Research Program: Commissioned by the US Department of Defense, this program assesses trauma care needs, supports medical strategy development and delivers training through Advanced Surgical Skills for Exposure in Trauma (ASSET) courses.
  • Prosthetics and rehabilitation: In partnership with NGO Unbroken and the Ukrainian First Medical Union, Aspen Medical is supplying prosthetic limbs and rehabilitation services. A grant from the Alcoa Foundation supported the training of 75 healthcare workers in prosthetic care and rehabilitation.
  • Pain and PTSD management: Aspen Medical sponsored Ukraine’s largest post-invasion pain management conference, which led to the development of new national treatment guidelines. Aspen Medical is also supporting Ukraine’s inclusion in a US Department of Defense-led clinical trial into ketamine and stellate ganglion block therapy for PTSD and traumatic injury.
  • Broader system strengthening: Additional projects support paramedic education, infectious disease surveillance and simulation-based clinical training. 

 

Results

Aspen Medical’s work has:

  • trained more than 75 clinicians in prosthetic care and rehabilitation
  • reached over 575 medical professionals and policymakers through trauma care symposia
  • provided ASSET training to frontline trauma surgeons
  • introduced national pain management guidelines for post-traumatic injuries
  • enabled Ukraine’s participation in international clinical trials to improve PTSD and trauma outcomes
  • delivered sustainable support to both military and civilian medical systems. 

 

Outcome

Aspen Medical is strengthening Ukraine’s healthcare infrastructure during one of the most complex medical emergencies in recent history. By combining clinical expertise, international research collaboration and long-term partnerships, Aspen Medical is improving survival rates, supporting long-term rehabilitation and shaping the future of trauma care for Ukraine and beyond. This work is creating a foundation for a resilient, modernised health system that will serve Ukraine’s population well beyond the current crisis.