Dr. Tetiana Makushak is AHF Poland’s Project Manager. Her story is next in our “I Am AHF” series featuring remarkable staff, clients, and partners who are doing what’s right to save lives everyday. Interviewed by Diana Shpak, Knowledge Management Focal Point, AHF Europe.
I was born in Ternopil and grew up in Zhytomyr, Ukraine. My parents are oncologists, and it was they who shaped my understanding of the profession as a service to people. I graduated with honors from Ternopil Medical University, completed my specialization in Kyiv, and worked as an oncologist in Zhytomyr for over 15 years. This was my profession, my life, and my home.
On February 24, 2022, everything changed. After the start of the full-scale invasion, we left for Poland almost immediately, initially thinking it would be only for a few days. Our home was located near an airport under constant shelling, making returning impossible. We left within hours of the shelling, with two young children, aged six and eight. We spent two days at the border among thousands of people and crossed it on February 26. At first, we stayed with my cousin, and later, after I began working at AHF, we moved to Lublin. Over time, this city became our new home. From the very first day, we felt immense support from local people—a kindness for which we will always be grateful.
In 2023, a friend sent me a link to a vacancy at AHF. I hesitated—it was a new field, a different language, a different work format—but I decided to try. At first, communication was in English, as I did not yet speak Polish. Over time, the language barrier disappeared, and I began to feel confident. Simultaneously, I worked on recognizing my medical diploma, passing language and medical exams, obtaining a Polish license, and completing a three-month internship. Today, I can officially work as a family doctor in Poland, combining my work at AHF with seeing patients at a clinic—a path I am truly proud of.
Working at AHF became a natural continuation of my professional journey. Public healthcare gave me a strong clinical foundation, while AHF complemented this experience with a people-centered approach, showing how crucial support, clear communication, and trust are alongside medical treatment.
What affects me most are the stories of migrants, many living in difficult conditions without language skills, documents, or access to healthcare. Some live with HIV and often do not understand how to continue treatment in a new country. In these situations, we help them navigate the healthcare system, obtain insurance, schedule medical appointments, and most importantly, we do not leave them alone with their fears and challenges. These people do not come in search of comfort, but in search of survival and essential support. Seeing how their situation improves thanks to this help clearly demonstrates the true value of this work.
It is important to remain open, hold on to family, and not lose your inner compass. My home is Ukraine, where my roots, memories, and a part of me remain. At the same time, in Lublin I have found safety, stability, and space for professional growth. I plan to continue combining medical practice with my work at AHF, allowing me to help people in a comprehensive way.
In my free time, I enjoy traveling, discovering new places and cultures, and meeting people. Even short trips help me reset and restore balance. If my story could be described in one phrase, it would be called “A New Beginning,” I say with a smile. I would also like to express special thanks to, Anna Szadkowska-Ciezka Country Manager in Poland, my supervisor. Her support and belief in me came at a moment when I doubted my own strength, and it meant a great deal. My family remains my main source of strength, giving me the energy to move forward, persevere, and remember what truly matters.
