July 10 is the Day of Remembrance of the Fallen Medical Workers in Ukraine. This is the day when we remember those who saved lives, even when they themselves were in mortal danger, those whose duty is stronger than fear. About choosing in favor of others. About the strength of doctors who hold the lifeline - to the last.

Among them is Tetyana Tikhonova, a nurse at the St. Panteleimon Hospital in Sumy. She died on September 28, 2024 during a hostile strike by a "shaheed" drone on the hospital. Her death is not only the tragedy of one family, but all her colleagues and Ukrainians. This story is about  dedication and about the lifethreatening conditions of work of Ukrainian doctors.

And outside the hospital, Tetyana was creative, with an incredible talent for handwork. In her free time, she sewed clothes, embroidered, created toys - everything with warmth, with love, with soul. Her needlework gave joy - to colleagues, patients, children. She combined motherhood with exhausting work - the mother of two children who grew up to a strong, loving, wise woman.

‍On the morning of September 28, when her shift was coming to an end, Tetyana decided to stay a little longer. To help. To wait for the next shift. That morning, she did not return home… A drone hit the hospital territory when Tetyana was at her post. She died instantly. Her death was a terrible blow - for her family, colleagues, and patients. Colleagues still remember her smile, calmness, strength, and unconditional devotion.

‍Despite the fear, despite the explosions, she stayed. Because she was a light - quiet, warm, and reliable. And that is exactly how Tetyana is remembered. Her death is an irreparable loss. For the family, which has two children left. For the team, which has lost the heart of the department. For patients to whom will never smile again, this quiet, bright, caring woman. Colleagues say: her smile is still in the corridors. Her calmness and warmth are in the memory of everyone who worked nearby. And her choice to stay a little longer, to help someone else, became an example of true strength.

According to the World Health Organization, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion (February 2022 - April 2024), 1,682 attacks on the healthcare system in Ukraine have been verified. As a result of these attacks, 128 medical workers died, another 288 were injured. These are doctors, nurses, paramedics, ambulance drivers. ‍Medical institutions in Ukraine have long ceased to be a safe space. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Russia has been systematically attacking hospitals, maternity hospitals, and rehabilitation centers. Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson, Dnipro, Zaporizhia, frontline communities of Donetsk and Luhansk regions - no region was left behind unhuman shellings.

‍The story of Tetyana Tikhonova is one of dozens. But her name speaks for all. Her choice - to stay, help, support - became an example of dignity. Her life - an example of service. Her death - evidence of the price Ukrainian doctors could pay for saving others. ‍

The ZDOROVI team works every day together with Ukrainian doctors, nurses, and institution administration - and we know how great the price of serving the medical profession during the war is. That is why we were among those who initiated this Day of Remembrance, we understand how crucial and important is the role of medical workers in supporting our country durign war time and how important is to remember all fallen medics in the name of Ukrainian nation.

On this day - the Day of Remembrance of the Fallen Medics - we call on you to remember every name. Every story. And remember: even under fire, Ukrainian doctors continue to save. We bow our heads to all who died saving others.

We remember Tetyana Tikhonova.

We remember everyone.

* Photo taken from the page of the director of St. Panteleimon Hospital, Volodymyr Potseluyev.