By Laura Rossacher

Thanks to VCU Health and other regional health care partners, a Richmond ambulance packed with medical supplies is headed to Ukraine to provide their first responders new resources to help others in times of need.

VCU Health representatives joined U.S. Senator Mark Warner and Virginia Health and Human Resources Secretary John Littel, alongside staff from the Richmond Ambulance Authority (RAA) and Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association (VHHA) to load medical supplies into the emergency vehicle before its 5,000-mile journey to Ukraine.

Sending ambulances filled with supplies to the war-torn country is at the heart of “U.S. Ambulances for Ukraine,” a nationwide effort launched in March 2022 by Illinois-based OSF HealthCare Vice President of Government Relations, Christopher Manson. Since then, the movement has grown to more than two dozen ambulance and medical supply donations from agencies and organizations across the country. RAA’s ambulance is the 20th ambulance donated to the organization.

“This ambulance will benefit a region in Ukraine hit by three missile strikes,” said Manson. “Their fire department will use it in their search for survivors and to transport the wounded. On behalf of the people of Ukraine, I thank you.”

VCU Health team members with "Ambulances for Ukraine" organizer Christoper Manson (middle).

Unit 85, the ambulance donated by RAA, will be loaded with gauze, bandages, portable ultrasound devices and suture kits, among other supplies. It will also be covered with messages of support and encouragement that VCU Health’s associate vice president of supply chain Josh Plauny and regional partners left for Ukrainian colleagues who will use the ambulance.

"Health care workers in Ukraine are risking their own lives for their calling to help others in times of need,” said Michael Roussos, president of VCU Medical Center, ahead of the event. “VCU Health’s mission to preserve and restore health for all people extends beyond the commonwealth. Today is a good reminder that when we come together in the spirit of our mission, we can have a greater impact to help our fellow health care workers in Ukraine take better care of those depending on them.”

You can visit the RAA headquarters (2400 Hermitage Road, Richmond VA 23220) from Monday, Nov. 7, through Wednesday, Nov. 9, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to write your own message of support on the ambulance, before it departs for Ukraine on Nov. 10.

Dignitaries, including U.S. Senator Mark Warner (2nd from the left), load medical supplies onto Unit 85 before it departs for Ukraine.