In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, leaders in the radiology community are speaking out and publicly denouncing the aggressions.
On March 1, the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) released a statement condemning the actions that have led to the loss of innocent lives of civilians in Ukraine, while also voicing concern for the workers managing the country’s nuclear facilities. Ukraine is home to the Chernobyl facility, in addition to 15 nuclear reactors. The reactors are responsible for half of Ukraine’s power supply and due to environmental safety concerns, they must be managed carefully.
“Among the civilians threated by this invasion are the workers who keep these nuclear power plants and the Chernobyl nuclear facility safe,” the statement reads. “For these nuclear workers, for the healthcare professionals delivering nuclear medicine and other services, and most importantly, for the safety and welfare of the Ukrainian people, SNMMI urges an immediate cessation of the invasion and occupation of Ukraine and strongly supports a rapid and peaceful resolution of this conflict.”
Joining SNMMI and the countless other voices of concern for Ukrainian civilians, is Chair of the Department of Radiology at UConn Health and President of the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America (UMANA), Leo Wolansky, MD.
In a letter penned to President Biden and the Congressional leadership of the United States, Wolanksy and his colleagues urged leaders to “reaffirm” America’s commitment to protecting the borders of Ukraine in accordance with the principles of the CSCE Final Act (Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe). Wolansky was referring to when the U.S. government urged Ukraine to surrender its nuclear arsenal in the 90s for the sake of world peace. Ukraine obliged in exchange for security guarantees, which are in jeopardy due to the current state of affairs now.
“Ukraine needs the U.S. to act with strength and resolve to support this new democracy, to do everything within its power to prevent catastrophic loss of life and a refugee crisis of massive proportions,” Wolansky wrote. “While the temptation to look away is strong, we must courageously face the reality of this moment, and recognize that this barbarous act of war is a threat to all of us and an affront to global peace and democracy.”
The entire SNMMI statement can be viewed here, and Wolansky’s statement here.
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In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She joined Innovate Healthcare in 2021 and has since put her unique expertise to use in her editorial role with Health Imaging.