The story of “Vohniana” - a medicine instructor and a volunteer medic

She grew up in the reality of war.

Anna was 10 years old in 2014 — that was when her journey of helping others and contributing to a common cause began. It was then that she realized that what was happening in the country was also about her and her future.

At the age of 13, she developed an interest in pre-hospital emergency care. Later, her path in teaching began through working with young people, where she learned not only how to share knowledge but also how to support others and help them unlock their potential.

At 18, she joined the Hospitallers.

As Anna herself recalls: “I saw a vehicle in Pavlohrad with a ‘Hospitallers’ sticker on it. At that time, I was already volunteering, and that was when I realized that I could be useful there.”

Training, her first rotations, work in medical evacuation crews — and a gradual transition into instructing as a natural continuation of her experience.

“The most difficult part of rotations turned out to be the physical strain — working with stretchers, carrying, loading, and unloading wounded patients. That is why, during our courses, we specifically prepare people for these conditions and continue to place great emphasis on this aspect of training.”

Today, “Vohniana” is an instructor who combines practical field experience with teaching others. For her, it is about responsibility, continuous growth, and a simple truth: in medicine, nothing works without humanity, discipline, and teamwork.

As she explains: “The main idea I want people to take away from the training is that it is not enough to simply know the theory well and perform medical procedures correctly. If there is a lack of humanity and respect for colleagues, it will become a problem for the crew’s work. That is why, for me, the highest-priority skill is effective communication.”

Her approach is simple — not to stand aside, but to take action.

“What constantly drives me forward is the thought that what I do is only a drop in the ocean, and that I must continue teaching others for as long as I have the opportunity to do so.”

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