This spring, Augustine Moscatello, MD, Director of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Westchester Medical Center, returned to Ukraine for his fifth humanitarian medical mission. The trip, which took place in Lviv, was part of a long-standing partnership between U.S.-based surgeons and local medical professionals, focused on delivering advanced facial reconstructive care to soldiers and civilians injured in the war.
Dr. Moscatello traveled with a team led by Manoj Abraham, MD, through FACE TO FACE, the humanitarian arm of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The two surgeons have worked together for nearly two decades on international missions across Peru, Colombia, India, Ethiopia and Thailand, treating children with cleft lips and palates. Their experience and deep trust have made them a core part of these high-stakes efforts.
While the city of Lviv is not on the front lines, the impact of war is felt everywhere, from frequent air raid sirens to hospitals operating under immense strain.
“These are injuries we rarely see at home—blast trauma to the jaw, shattered facial bones, damage to the eyes, the nose,” says Dr. Moscatello. “Many of these patients will need multiple, staged surgeries over months or even years. This isn’t one-and-done care.”
The team, which included WMCHealth surgeons and operating room staff, performed more than 150 procedures on 26 patients during the week. In addition to direct care, the team focused on training Ukrainian surgeons in advanced techniques, such as free flap surgery, which involves transferring bone and soft tissue from one part of the body to another to reconstruct facial structures.
“The goal is not just to treat people, but to create a sustainable model,” Dr. Moscatello explains. “Teaching these techniques means the care doesn’t stop when we leave.”
But the challenges on the ground are steep. Staffing shortages have intensified as Ukrainian medical professionals are increasingly called to serve on the front lines. Hospitals, particularly military facilities, are under-resourced and overwhelmed.
Lauren Yanks, a writer, professor and founder of a charity for vulnerable children, The Blue Butterfly Foundation, joined the team and described the atmosphere on the ground. “You’re met at the hospital with directions to the nearest bomb shelter. There were some air raids, but everyone keeps working and giving it their all. The resilience is extraordinary.”
She also noted the emotional gravity of the work. “The patients’ injuries are quite severe, but their spirit—as well as the commitment, tenacity and care of the entire medical team—is deeply moving.”
The mission offered a morale boost for patients and staff alike. “They know we’re not getting paid. They know we’re interrupting our lives to be there,” says Dr. Moscatello. “Just showing up sends a message that they’re not alone.”
Dr. Moscatello has already signed on for the next trip, scheduled for October.
Whether abroad or at home, WMCHealth’s ENT surgeons perform life-changing procedures every day, delivering the same level of compassion and surgical precision to patients right here in the Hudson Valley. To learn more about Westchester Medical Center’s ENT services, visit our website.