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POSNA Stands in Support of Ukraine

As an organization whose mission is to promote the wellbeing of children and prevent injury and disability, we condemn Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine and its people.

POSNA stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. As an organization whose mission is to promote the wellbeing of children and prevent injury and disability, we condemn Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine and its people. For those of us who have been in communication with colleagues in Ukraine and surrounding countries, we are hearing about the profound ways in which innocent children are being affected by this war through injury, death, and displacement. 
 
We join the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in encouraging our members to support relief efforts in Ukraine and other areas of the world where children are suffering from armed conflict and war. For those interested, the AAOS has compiled a list of organizations working to support those in Ukraine. We will continue to communicate with our pediatric orthopaedic colleagues in the region to see what resources are needed. We anticipate that, given the number of surgeons in Ukraine and surrounding countries, equipment and supplies are more likely to be needed than person-power. There may come a time when our expertise is needed on the ground, but we currently advise that any interested volunteers go through well-established and well-vetted organizations that are accustomed to providing aide in conflict situations (e.g., ICRC, MSF/DWB, etc.) and are well-connected to the overall relief efforts in the region.
 
We shall continue to keep the people of Ukraine in our thoughts and hope for an immediate resolution to this war. As more information becomes available regarding the needs of those in Ukraine and the 2 million refugees fleeing to surrounding countries, we will share this with the POSNA membership.  
 
As we reflect upon this humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, we remember the other 84 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, 35 million of whom are children.
 
Wishing for peace and for the safety of all children in Ukraine and across the globe,
 
Mininder S. Kocher, MD, MPH, President
Coleen S. Sabatini, MD, MPH,  Chair of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Hank Chambers, MD, Chair of Health Care Delivery Council
Michael J. Heffernan, MD, Chair of Pediatric Orthopaedic Global Outreach Committee