NOTES ON PEOPLE (01/13/02)

NOTES ON PEOPLE

Honored by state's League for Nursing

RIDGEWOOD, N.J. - Zoryanna Kovbasniuk of Whippany, N.J., was recently honored by the New Jersey League for Nursing at the 2001 Autumn Gala. She was one of the recipients of the Nurse Recognition Award.

As manager of the cardiac unit at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, Ms. Kovbasniuk is responsible for all clinical operations of the 33-bed, cardiac in-patient unit, as well as an additional nine-bed outpatient service. She oversees a staff of 51 full-time employees. Her love of teaching also led her to become a nurse educator and the administrative director of infectious diseases during her career.

Through her involvement with Humanitarian Medical Relief Fund/Emergency Medical Aid to Ukraine, Ms. Kovbasniuk became a charter board member and project director for Project Coronary, Project Babyface, and Project Ortho. These efforts have sent medical supplies, equipment and manpower to Ukraine since 1992. In addition, she has been instrumental in sending nursing professionals to Ukraine to teach the skills necessary to have Ukrainian medical professionals care for their own people.

In 1991 Ms. Kovbasniuk joined the efforts of her brother, Roman Dashawetz, who serves as co-founder and executive director of the Emergency Medical Aid to Ukraine (EMAU). Together they mounted Project Ortho, sending supplies and medical professionals to perform orthopedic surgeries. Ms. Kovbasniuk personally recruited the services of a podiatrist to broaden the services of the project. It should be noted that Mr. Dashawetz also was recently cited for his work with the EMAU; he was one of the recipients of the Firestone 100 Who Serve Awards.

After meeting with a group of Ukrainian cardiologists in 1994, Ms. Kovbasniuk founded Project Coronary. After securing donated supplies for a catheterization laboratory, and coordinating the medical talent needed to run the service, Ms. Kovbasniuk and her group facilitated the first cardiac surgery and valvuloplasty in Lviv. While traveling with Project Coronary, Ms. Kovbasniuk met with the administrator of a regional pediatric hospital specializing in Chornobyl issues. The meeting identified many unmet pediatric birth medical needs, including children suffering from facial tumors, burns, congenital birth defects and cleft palates. Ms. Kovbasniuk founded Project Babyface, soon to be the subject of a documentary produced by The Visionaries and narrated by Sam Waterston.

A biography of Ms. Kovbasniuk published in the program book for the New Jersey League for Nursing gala noted: "Through her dedication to teaching and caring for others, whether her patients at The Valley Hospital, her patients in Ukraine, the members of her staff, or her peers, Ms. Kovbasniuk epitomizes all of the characteristics that best personify the profession of nursing."

Cub scouts earn unique honor

HOUSTON - Bohdan Horodecky Jr. and Andrew D. Kuchta were recently presented the Light of Christ Religion Emblem at Protection of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church in conjunction with their participation in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). The Light of Christ, the first of five religious emblems available to Catholic youth involved in BSA, is available to Tiger or Wolf cub scouts, and is presented by the authority of the diocesan bishop.

Bohdan is the son of Bohdan and Vanessa Horodecky and the grandson of Jaroslava and the late Hnat Horodecki of Sherman Oaks, Calif. and Karen and Douglas Turnbull of Mission Viejo, Calf. Andrew is the son of Eugene and Irene Kuchta and the grandson of the late Ihor and Josephine Kuchta of Hillside, N.J. and Maria and the late Petro Majnich of North Port, Fla. (formerly of Willimantic, Conn.).

The Horodecky and Kuchta families are active in Houston's Ukrainian community. The Kuchtas are members of Ukrainian National Association Branch 368.

Appointed to serve on draft board

WARREN, Mich. - Roman J. Kuropas has been appointed in the name of President George W. Bush as a member of the Selective Service System local board in the state of Michigan.

Mr. Kuropas completed his training in Selective Service policies and procedures in May 2001 in Lansing, Mich. His voluntary position is responsible for helping fill and maintain the ranks of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Mr. Kuropas has been with the Michigan-based company General Dynamics for over 34 years, specifically with its Sterling Heights Complex, as a designer. He foresees his current stay with the Selective Service System to last approximately 20 years.

"With pride, honor and duty we must remain vigilant to have a Selective Service System second to none," said Mr. Kuropas. "We have a continuous commitment to our past, present and future generations. America's readiness must never be questioned."

Mr. Kuropas is a member of Ukrainian National Association Branch 20 and is a former UNA advisor.

Notes on people is a feature geared toward reporting on the achievements of members of the Ukrainian National Association. All submissions should be concise due to space limitations and must include the person's UNA branch number. Items will be published as soon as possible after their receipt, when space permits.

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