In late April 2024, Dr. Peter Deveaux, a general surgeon at Sidney Health Center, embarked on a voluntary mission to Ukraine through a partnership between the American College of Surgeons and Harvard University’s Humanitarian Program. The mission aimed to train Ukrainian physicians in Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), empowering them to become certified instructors and sustain the program within their own country.
Dr. Deveaux responded to an email from the American College of Surgeons seeking course instructors with military experience. The goal was to equip Ukrainian physicians with the skills to teach ATLS, a crucial protocol for saving lives in trauma situations. The Harvard Humanitarian Program, which has sent qualified instructors to over 120 countries, emphasizes the importance of multiplying the impact of healthcare education by training local professionals to teach these life-saving techniques.
On April 18, 2024, Dr. Deveaux arrived in Odessa, Ukraine, where he spent almost 3 weeks instructing approximately 20 physicians and residency students at the Ukraine Medical University. The course was conducted under challenging conditions—held in an old building with limited electricity, no heat, and frequent blackout conditions. Rocket alerts were a daily occurrence, sounding between 6 to 10 times a day, with four instances serious enough to require retreating to a fallout shelter.
Reflecting on his experience, Dr. Deveaux remarked, “We don’t realize how good we have it in America. In Ukraine, they rely on barebones teaching equipment, while in the United States, we have access to simulated manikins and high-tech resources. But one thing remains constant: medicine is a universal language.”
Despite the challenges, Dr. Deveaux felt safe during his time in Ukraine, noting that they were several hours away from the front lines and did not interact with military personnel. His 14 years of service in the United States Army, including deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria, had prepared him well for the conditions he encountered.
When asked if he would consider returning for another mission, Dr. Deveaux responded enthusiastically, “Yes, it’s one of those things that fills my bucket, and I’m grateful that Sidney Health Center and my family allow me to do it.”
Dr. Deveaux joined Sidney Health Center’s medical staff in September 2021. He is a Board-Certified General and Colorectal Surgeon with 25 years of experience, including a significant portion of his career serving in the U.S. Army. His passion for teaching, which began in 1997, continues as he regularly instructs ATLS courses across Montana, including in Billings, Great Falls, and Helena.