Meet Dr. Myroslava Novosilska

As a well known dermatologist and transplant surgeon who has practiced medicine for nearly two decades, Ukrainian Dr. Myroslava Novosilska’s visit to the US was scheduled months ago. The day before departing for the U.S., she hosted the International Congress on Hair Restoration, a large-scale event in her hometown of Lviv attended by doctors from around the world. Things were seemingly normal when she left Ukraine to study in southern California. This was four days before the war began, she’s trapped here and now worried about her thirteen-year-old daughter who she is now separated from.

Myroslava’s world turned upside down in the blink of an eye. When she left for her business trip, said a goodbye to her family and left her warm, cozy and comfortable life in Lviv, she thought she would return in three weeks. “We were safe and too tolerant of the Russians,” says Myroslava, who has received awards for scientific achievements and is the ambassador of Lviv, located in western Ukraine about 43 miles from the border with Poland. Unfortunately, this beautiful historical, romantic city, known as a tourist destination and often called the cultural capital of Ukraine, is now being destroyed by Russian missiles, and life there is collapsing.

The 37- year-old doctor who speaks seven languages, (Ukrainian, English, German, Italian, Hebrew, Polish, and Russian) is now focused on improving her English and worries about her daughter, Julia, who is believed to have emigrated alone to Poland. Myroslava has been trying for weeks to arrange for her daughter to get on a plane to Spain, then to Mexico, and then across the U.S. border and into Southern California. Unfortunately, communications are difficult, and information is hard to get. Meanwhile, Myroslava is in Manhattan Beach working with a lawyer to apply for and obtain a work and residence permit and a U.S. visa for her daughter, Julia.

Rotarians of South Bay, remaining true to their mission of providing helping hands to others, have welcomed Myroslava, a member of the Rotary e-Club in Ukraine, to their meetings and events. Christine Barnicki, a member of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Rotary Club, held an open house to allow Rotarians in the area to meet Miroslava. “Neither I nor my guests knew where to find the city of Lviv on the map,” said Christine. “A few days later the news was all about Lviv, and we sure know where it is now.” Myroslava was also a guest of South Bay Sunrise Rotarians David Henseller and Karen Greenberg on a tall ship sailing from San Pedro.

It’s hard to listen to stories like Myroslava’s and sit back. However, there are many ways to help. Under a new Department of Homeland Security program called Uniting for Ukraine, American individuals and groups, including nonprofits and churches, can apply for sponsorship of displaced citizens of Ukraine. The new program appeared on the DHS website on Monday, April 25. Unfortunately, Myroslava’s daughter does not qualify for this new program, as a parent must accompany a child en route to the U.S. Myroslava has applied for temporary protected status, so she cannot return for her daughter. She cannot leave America. “The situation is confusing,” she says. “I have been trying to find a way out of this situation every day for two months.

“I want everyone to know I am sincerely grateful to ordinary Americans, because every time I hear the word ‘Ukraine,’ I feel their warm look in my heart.” It is difficult to hear stories like Myroslavas and sit idly by. There are so many ways to help those who are so inclined. Under a new Homeland Security Department program, dubbed “Uniting for Ukraine,” American individuals and groups, including nonprofit organizations and churches, can apply to sponsor displaced Ukrainian citizens. The brand new program goes live on the DHS website Monday April 25, 2022