At the onset of the war in Ukraine, Stanislav Onyschuk, an entrepreneur and the director of a Clinic of Plastic Surgery and Cosmetology, founded a project called “The First Volunteer Surgical Hospital.” This hospital provides free medical treatment and surgeries for individuals affected by the conflict.
Before the war
Stanislav started a cosmetology clinic in 2014. Initially, it began as a small office where he employed a cosmetologist and a dermatologist. A few years later, the clinic expanded to three fully operational offices. “A few months before the start of the full-scale war, we won a grant to help small and medium-sized businesses expand. As a result, I had the opportunity to consult with an expert on the SES grant program from Bonn, Germany. He came to Ivano-Frankivsk, the Ukrainian city where my clinic is located, for a month. I don’t remember ever working so hard in my life (laughs). The outcome of this intensive work was a five-year development strategy for the plastic surgery clinic. The defining aspect of the institution was to provide European quality at Ukrainian prices. At the end of November last year, we opened a facility in a small town near Ivano-Frankivsk (the exact location is kept confidential for security reasons). The hospital fully complied with all German standards for the surgical department, including ward structure and equipment. From the very beginning, we focused on delivering the highest quality care.”
On February 24, the entire country of Ukraine woke up to the sound of bombing. The airport in Ivano-Frankivsk was bombed as well, and black smoke was visible from every corner of the city. “I had mixed feelings. On one hand, I had a strong sense of awareness because I had attended special training courses for potential hostilities, where we learned how to put out fires, provide first aid, and follow procedures during shelling. In those courses, we discussed the possibility of a full-scale Russian invasion. On the other hand, it was hard to believe that it was happening in real life. I was also preoccupied with the need to protect my family and ensure their safety. I remember advising my employees not to come to work. Later, I visited the empty clinic to retrieve important documents and seals and to determine how to proceed. Simultaneously, I felt the clinic needed to provide help, as we had a surgical base and an outpatient department capable of assisting people affected by the war. I was very motivated by the idea that after re-profiling the institution, I would feel that I had made my contribution once we win this war. That I did everything I could. At that moment, I didn’t consider whether it would be difficult. I had no idea how to assemble a team of volunteers or whether there would be sufficient equipment and funding. This decision was instantaneous, and I have never regretted it.”
Make monument decisions
The first thing I did was write a social media post about the launch of the First Voluntary Surgical Hospital initiative. I am reaching out to invite people to join us — including surgeons, traumatologists, anaesthesiologists, nurses, coordinators, drivers, and more.
Assembling a professional team was likely my most important and challenging task, and I worried about whether I would succeed. People are the most significant aspect of this project. Even with unlimited funds or the most advanced equipment, this initiative would mean nothing without volunteers.
The enthusiasm and commitment shown by everyone involved demonstrated just how timely and important this project is. Both locals and internal migrants staff our surgical hospital — individuals who fled the war from areas like Mariupol, Kherson, Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Chernihiv, some of which are under occupation.
It was an incredible feeling in those initial days when individuals began contacting me, eager to join the project. I always made it clear that this was a voluntary effort and that we had no funding. Yet, they replied that, given the war in Ukraine, they were willing to sacrifice their time, skills, and expertise out of a sense of civic duty.
This project has been very “human” from the beginning — people are working for the sake of others. We tailor our approaches to each case based on individual circumstances, actively listening to war victims and doing our best to assist everyone in any way possible.
“Human” project
Throughout the project, we have assisted approximately 3,000 individuals. Of these, 73 required specialized surgical, orthopedic, and trauma care for gunshot wounds. The remaining cases involved treatment for wounds, psychological trauma, and the exacerbation of chronic conditions due to stress. When we cannot provide the necessary help, we refer patients to specialists like pediatricians and dentists, relying on our partnerships with other clinics willing to offer care for free.
We have also secured agreements with public organizations to supply us with medications, which our doctors distribute to those in need. Some patients arrive at our station without documents, funds, or adequate clothing — where else could they obtain essential medications?
Patients typically find us through volunteers at the train station in Ivano-Frankivsk, where many are fleeing the war in search of safety. We promote our services through social media, providing addresses and brief information about the clinic. We also have a coordinator who manages all inquiries and requests.
Regarding military personnel, from the onset of our initiative, we shared information about our surgical services with military units. For a significant period, our project was the only one of its kind in Ukraine, so we received numerous appointments and calls seeking assistance.
Inspiration
I want to express how incredible this project is. I find inspiration every day and truly feel how much we are needed. I see the grateful eyes of the people we help, and I witness the passionate dedication of our volunteers to their work. I have many reasons to be proud. Initially, we required a vital set of surgical instruments that cost $1,500, but we had no budget. I decided to call the seller, explained our situation, and he offered to send the set for free, saying, “Thank you will be enough.” It was unbelievable; no one could believe it was true. Recently, ‘Doctors Without Borders’ reached out to us after hearing about our project and wanted to help. I was astonished that they provided everything we requested— fuel for ambulances, a full supply of medicines, even those that are difficult to obtain in non-war times, such as hormonal drugs and anesthetics. They also assisted us in renting premises, as we had become overcrowded with patients. With their help, we are now organizing mobile hospital programs where volunteer doctors travel to various cities and shelters to provide medical care to people affected by the war. Some foreign doctors came to us through ‘Doctors Without Borders,’ while others responded to my ad for volunteers.
We have worked with physicians from the Czech Republic, Norway, Slovakia, Japan, and France. When I asked one of them how long they would stay with us, they replied, “Until Ukraine no longer needs us.”
The power of the Spirit
Perhaps the most memorable story is that of a soldier who miraculously escaped from Mariupol and came to us for treatment. He had been wounded in the first days of the war and had spent two days at a local hospital before Russian forces occupied it. He suffered a severe mine injury, a broken leg, and shrapnel in his eyes. To protect him, Ukrainian doctors falsified his documents, which ultimately saved his life. If the Russian forces had discovered he was a soldier, they could have tortured or killed him. He spent two months in the occupied hospital with no medical care, surviving on a meager diet of bread and tea. Fortunately, he was eventually evacuated from Mariupol, though by then he arrived in very poor condition. While we hoped to save his leg, we faced a serious issue with his eyesight. A journalist from the United States helped us connect with a clinic that specializes in complex vision restoration surgeries. We gathered all the necessary tests, documents, and information to secure funding for transportation to an American hospital. However, after two weeks, we received a call from the doctors informing us that, after reviewing his case, they regrettably could not help because the injury was too severe. That same day, I had to educate the soldier’s daughter that we could not restore his father’s vision, leaving him disabled. Although this story is tragic, it also speaks to the resilience of the human spirit. Despite everything, the man did not lose his optimism. He accepted the situation with grace and even stated that he wanted to help Ukraine win and find a way to apply to his country. Such stories are both inspiring and heartbreaking. When I asked him what else I could do to help, he replied that he was very grateful for everything he received during his treatment at the volunteer hospital because he felt he was treated humanely there. Hearing this motivated me immensely, inspiring me to continue working long hours, attract the best doctors in the world, and strive to achieve the impossible, all to meet more individuals like him and feel that my work truly matters.
Recovering people
A few months after we began treating war victims, both civilians and military personnel, we realized that a diverse team of doctors was necessary, so we expanded our range of medical specialties. Our hospital now includes orthopedic traumatologists, physical rehabilitation doctors, physiotherapists, psychologists, and therapists, all of whom work continuously. Additionally, highly specialized consultants, such as neurologists, psychiatrists, urologists, ENT specialists, ophthalmologists, cardiologists, neurosurgeons, dentists, and ultrasound doctors, are involved in patient care. Municipal and private medical institutions in Ivano-Frankivsk also provide free diagnostic services.
When we received soldiers from Azovstal and after their captivity, we reassessed our approach to rehabilitation. Besides medical treatments and psychological support, we recognized the importance of socialization for these patients. Activities that encourage participation in society, the restoration of feelings and positive experiences, and the ability to manage emotions and actions are vital. As part of this effort, we organized weekly theater visits for both patients and medical staff, which everyone enjoys.
We also created recreational opportunities for the wounded in the hospital. A relaxation area was established, complete with sofas and tables set up outside, where board games are available. “When people are confined to their wards, their interactions are limited to minimal hospital conversations. But when they have the chance to sit and chat in a cozy corner, enjoy coffee or tea outside, play chess or Mafia, or watch films together, it opens people up and enhances the atmosphere,” explains Stanislav Onyshchuk.
He emphasizes that all doctors, without any pretense, consider it an honor to treat soldiers. Every day, they not only carry out their medical duties but also play an integral role in the overall recovery process, becoming active participants in it. “I realized that patients need a family-like atmosphere for the rehabilitation process, along with contact with the outside world. It’s not enough to heal limbs or bones; we must heal the person as a whole,” says Stanislav. “Warriors regain their strength not only through medicine; they recover when they start to reintegrate into life in a full sense.”
He believes this could be the beginning of a “butterfly effect.” “It is known that by caring for every detail of our lives and making small, meaningful decisions, we can bring about significant changes. That’s how Ukraine will ultimately win the war! I am firmly confident in this,” he adds.
How to Help the First Voluntary Surgical Hospital Project:
Stanislav Onyshchuk explains, “Since the war began, we have provided free medical care to a substantial number of patients affected by the conflict. A significant portion of our work involves orthopedic and traumatological surgeries for treating injuries from mine explosions or gunshot wounds. These surgical procedures often require expensive consumables, such as external fixation devices and osteosynthesis systems. While our doctors are volunteers, it’s clear that they cannot continue working indefinitely without compensation.
Additionally, the hospital’s smooth operation depends on various expenses, such as utility bills, the purchase of certain medications (since not all medications can be sourced through humanitarian organizations), and food supplies. Unexpected costs, like equipment repairs or maintenance, can also arise. As a volunteer initiative, we sadly lack government funding for our services. I firmly believe that since the conflict’s active phase began, we have been performing a vital service, benefiting both patients and volunteers (many of whom are forced migrants finding work through this initiative). I am convinced that we are contributing to the fight for Ukraine’s independence.
To ensure the project continues, we need funds to cover treatment costs. Without further donations, we may have to limit medical services or, worst-case scenario, cease operations altogether. Donations allow us to purchase bone fusion devices, provide staff salaries, cover other expenses, and continue our role in the nationwide effort to restore health to those suffering from the war and in need of specialized treatment.”
Account numbers to support the project in UAH (UAH):
Recipient Name: GOED ACTION
Recipient code: 39140629
Account in accordance with IBAN standard: UA703366770000026002052562959
Bank name: IVANO-FRANKIVSK BRANCH OF JSC CB “PRIVATBANK”
Details for financial assistance in euros (EUR):
Company Name: SPRING ACTION GO
IBAN Code: UA653366770000026000052561662
Name of the bank: JSC CB “PRIVATBANK”, 1D HRUSHEVSKOHO STR., KYIV, 01001, UKRAINE
Bank SWIFT Code: PBANUA2X XXX
Company address: UA 76018 Ivano-Frankivsk 18b Hrushevskoho str
Account in the correspondent bank: 400886700401
SWIFT Code of the correspondent bank: COBADEFF
Correspondent bank: Commerzbank AG, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Account in the correspondent bank: 6231605145
SWIFT Code of the correspondent bank: CHASDEFX
Correspondent bank: J.P.MORGAN AG, FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY
Contact number of Stanislav Onyshchuk,
Head of First Voluntary Surgical Hospital:
+380681440709 (WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Viber)
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