The impossible takes a little longer 

Solomiia Semeniv is a General Surgery Resident at the University Hospital in Krakow and teaching staff at Uniwersytet Jagielloński Collegium Medicum. She graduated from Bogomolets National Medical University in Kyiv (Ukraine) (2017) and completed her residency in pediatric surgery and endoscopy at the National Children's Specialized Hospital “Ohmatdyt” in Kyiv. She is also a Director of Surgical Education at Global Medical Knowledge Alliance (GMKA).  

  
What do you like most in your job?  
What I find the most fascinating is the fact that no two clinical cases are exactly the same. Each patient requires an individual approach and assessment. Besides, working as a doctor requires constant need for improvement and lifelong learning, which is a great feeling in life.  

  
What motivates and inspires you to constantly learn?  
I am convinced that our environment determines the direction of our development. I am very lucky to have worked with amazing medical teams and colleagues. The department of minimally invasive pediatric endoscopy in Kyiv really made me fall in love with endoscopy and gave me the understanding that “No Scar Surgery” is possible and that minimally invasive procedures are the future in the treatment of many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.  

Today, working at the Krakow University Clinic, I am constantly in the environment of academic surgery and medicine, where the absolute majority of surgeons have the skills of flexible endoscopy, actively use it in their professional activities and willingly share their knowledge. At this institution, everyone, from the most junior resident to the head of the department, takes an active part in clinical, scientific and teaching activities. I learn something new every day, perform new procedures and operations. This rhythm, environment and people around me set the standard very high, and constantly push me to improve and become better.  

Also, in my opinion, finding your professional mentor is critical. This individual can be your formal supervisor or a more experienced doctor with whom you have worked together and share his/her professional values. Mentorship is usually an active and long term relationship in which mentor provides you guidance, assistance and support in career advancement.  

  
What helps in critical moments?  
When the war in Ukraine started in 2014, I was a third-year student at the medical university. Since that time, I have become convinced that in order to win and contribute to the victory, every Ukrainian should do what is best in his or her capacity and try to remain productive.  

Because of that, now I don't need to look for additional motivation even in the most difficult moments. A clear awareness of your own vector of movement is critically important.  

My professional development and continuous improvement remain as my personal frontline battle in the fight for the truth and spreading medical knowledge. That’s why I ​​became part of “Global Medical Knowledge Alliance” (GMKA) which is a non-profit organization aiming to improve oncological and surgical care in Ukraine, as well as globally. GMKA’s mission is to provide physicians and patients in Ukraine with open access to peer-reviewed and evidence-based educational resources on medical care to effectively improve quality care and patient healthcare outcomes, even now in the context of war.  

 
Without what can you not imagine your professional path?  
It is hard for me to imagine how I could have overcome all the personal and professional challenges without the support of my husband. I believe that the support and love we get from our significant others, family and friends gives us self-confidence, which is essential during challenging times. 
 

Why is dreaming important?  
When I assist during complex surgeries, I visualize what I would do during each stage as if I was the main surgeon. Each thought and each step should be planned ahead and analyzed. Each situation may trigger other thoughts about the possible consequences of actions. In this way, dreams are transformed into simulations and visualizations. And any dream can become a reality if you work hard on it!