GUMKA Ukraine Co-Executive Director Represents Ukraine and Highlights HealUA at AAN Annual Meeting 2026

Co-Executive Director of Global Ukrainian Medical Knowledge Alliance (GUMKA) Ukraine and neurologist Kateryna Potapova, MD, PhD, MHA, participated in the AAN Annual Meeting, one of the world’s leading gatherings in neurology.

The American Academy of Neurology represents more than 44,000 members and plays a central role in shaping standards of care while advancing both scientific research and clinical practice. Its annual meeting helps define the direction of the field and serves as a premier platform for global professional exchange.

Dr. Potapova was the only representative from Ukraine selected for the prestigious AAN Global Scholars and Future Ambassadors program. She also received an award recognizing her leadership, commitment to academic and clinical excellence, and advocacy efforts in Ukrainian healthcare.

At the meeting, she presented Ukraine’s first gut microbiome study using 16S rRNA sequencing. Dr. Potapova also appeared on AAN TV, where she spoke about practicing medicine in Ukraine during the war, the importance of sustained international support, and the continuity of scientific research despite ongoing challenges.

“It’s important to highlight that even during an ongoing war, Ukrainian physicians continue to conduct research and contribute to global science and medicine. This is a bidirectional exchange: we learn, and we also share our experience—one that is both unique and valuable to the international neurology community,” she said.

During a workshop on artificial intelligence in medicine, Dr. Potapova also discussed the development of HealUA—a free GUMKA app that enables physicians in Ukraine to consult with peers worldwide on complex clinical cases, helping improve the quality of care in even the most challenging settings.

“With HealUA, we use Google’s LLM-based tools to overcome language barriers in professional communication. The platform automatically translates chats and clinical inquiries, allowing Ukrainian physicians to interact directly with international peers. Today, the app connects more than 5,000 users and provides access to a library of over 600 clinical cases. It supports learning, knowledge exchange, and more informed clinical decision-making—ultimately leading to better patient outcomes,” she explained.

According to Dr. Potapova, participation in events such as the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting helps open doors to new partnerships, which the Global Ukrainian Medical Knowledge Alliance then translates into expanded educational opportunities for Ukrainian physicians. These include structured training programs, translated materials from leading international experts, and support for clinical observerships abroad.

“I wouldn’t have discovered these opportunities if I hadn’t taken part in a Harvard University observership organized by GUMKA in 2024. At the time, I had just joined the team as a volunteer. Connecting with the global medical community introduced me to AAN—and now I have the honor of presenting Ukrainian research on the international stage,” she said.

Today, the Global Ukrainian Medical Knowledge Alliance continues to advance the professional development of Ukrainian physicians, including through observerships at leading U.S. institutions. Our goal is to ensure that Ukrainian specialists have access to the most advanced medical knowledge, can disseminate it widely, and become drivers of meaningful change in their fields.