The White River Valley Herald

Ukrainian Doctor Visits Randolph




 

 


Another chapter was added last Thursday to the continuing story of the cordial relationship between Randolph and its sister city, Myrhorod, Ukraine, when a very excited Dr. Nataliya Nikolaevna Afanasieva was able to meet her benefactor, retired nurse Irene Kendall, face to face for the first time.


During a visit to the Herald office, the doctor presented Kendall with a bouquet of gladiolas and lilies, and a special set of nesting dolls—which Kendall was particularly pleased to receive, since she collects dolls. This set of seven dolls was custom made for her at Dr. Afanasieva’s request.


The doctor explained that the most common set has five dolls, but a set of seven is considered to be a lucky gift, since seven is thought to be a lucky number. She felt that Kendall had brought her very good luck, since Kendall’s financial gift was the major contribution that funded Dr. Afanasieva’s trip to Vermont.


Dr. Afanasieva said she was inspired to become a doctor because "I love people and I love life. I like to help people fight pain and disease. It isn’t very easy to become a doctor in my country, but it was my childhood dream."


Now chief obstetrician-gyn-ecologist for the Myrhorod region and head of the ob/gyn department at the 600-bed Myrhorod Hospital, Dr. Afanasieva found many things to admire about the Gifford Birthing Center.


"I like the idea of a father being present during childbirth, and I would like to see that happen in my country," she said. "I would like to see the happy eyes of a father watching the first minutes of his baby’s life. Also, I don’t know how easy it would be to achieve, but I really like the idea of water births. It was a very exciting thing to observe here."


Dr. Afanasieva also liked the way the rooms at the Birthing Center were "set up in a very home-like way. The staff had a very respectful and kind attitude towards the patients and showed a high level of professionalism.


"One of our strengths at the hospital in Myrhorod is the ability of our staff to work and work well under the existing conditions, such as a lack of equipment," she noted.


During her time in Randolph, Dr. Afanasieva stayed in the homes of nurse-midwife, Anita Onofrio, and R.N., Anne Pritchard, as well as with Rotarian Anne Gorman, who picked her up at Logan Airport in Boston and brought her back there for her flight home, Sept. 16.


Volunteer interpreter Marina Brajnikova-Aronson of Randolph accompanied her throughout her visit.


"From the moment she got off the plane in Boston, she was amazed by everything she saw—particularly the cars!" Gorman said.


"It seems to me that large cars are a feature of America," observed Dr. Afanasieva, adding "the nature is beautiful with gorgeous gardens, but the most wonderful thing about America is the people I have met here."


Gifford C.O.O. Joe Woodin presented her with a certificate adorned with gold seals, in recognition of her work/study, in which she shadowed Gifford surgeons. She also enjoyed a trip to the Tunbridge Fair.


During her visit to the Herald office, Dr. Afanasieva repeatedly expressed her appreciation for the opportunity provided by Kendall’s gift.


Kendall, a modest woman whose nursing career at Gifford and Tranquility Nursing Home spanned over 30 years, noted that she had been inspired by Dr. Milton Fowler’s involvement in helping to provide needed medical supplies to Myrhorod.


"I just thought it was an awfully good project," Kendall said, "and I think it’s time people around the world helped each other instead of putting each other down. I’m not well enough to go myself, but someone else could go there and others can come here."


Kendall enjoyed seeing photos showing the facility in Myrhorod and the delivery of medical supplies there. She has faith in the power of the "average" person to make positive changes in the world.


"If someone like me does something to help, maybe others will, too," she said. "You don’t have to be rich to help people. You just have to care."


By Martha Slater


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