Meet Your COPD Foundation Captains!

COPD Foundation Captains are volunteers with COPD, caregivers, friends and family members or healthcare providers who use their contacts and talents and partner with the COPD Foundation to serve as state and community leaders.

Captains promote the importance of becoming a part of the COPD community. They work to spread COPD awareness in their state and local areas, mentor fellow COPD community members, and participate in online and in-person grassroots advocacy and community building activities focused on health policy issues that are important to those who have COPD. If you are interested in joining our group of volunteers, click here.

If you'd like to speak with a COPD Foundation Captain directly, please email statecaptains@copdfoundation.org and we will connect you with the Captain in your area of interest.


Oksana Viltsaniuk

Oksana Viltsaniuk Profile Photo Vinnytsya, Ukraine


My name is Oksana Viltsaniuk, and I am a physician and associate professor from Ukraine specializing in respiratory medicine and internal medicine. I work at National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, where I am involved in clinical practice, medical education, and scientific research focused on chronic respiratory diseases, asthma, COPD, and pulmonary infections.

Over the years, I have actively participated in educational initiatives, international collaborations, and respiratory health advocacy projects. I strongly believe that patient education, early diagnosis, and access to modern respiratory care can significantly improve quality of life for people living with chronic lung diseases.

As a COPD Foundation Captain, I hope to strengthen international cooperation, raise awareness about respiratory diseases in Ukraine, and support both patients and healthcare professionals through education and advocacy activities. I am especially interested in projects related to early detection, prevention, and improving respiratory care during challenging humanitarian conditions.

One of my proudest professional moments has been helping develop respiratory education initiatives for medical students and young physicians, as well as representing Ukrainian respiratory professionals in international collaborations.

My favorite inspirational quote is: "Science knows no country, because knowledge belongs to humanity." – Louis Pasteur.

My favorite inspirational quote is: “Science knows no country, because knowledge belongs to humanity.” – Louis Pasteur.

 



COPD Foundation State Captain Program Informational Video

The COPD Foundation is looking for new State Captains to join our community to be champions for promoting COPD awareness, improving quality of life for those with COPD, to participate in research opportunities, policy, and much more. Email statecaptains@copdfoundation.org for questions and to start the onboarding process today!