Ivan Horbachevskyi – A Ukrainian in Global Science

Ivan Horbachevskyi belongs to the cohort of our distinguished compatriots who, having achieved worldwide acclaim in various fields such as science, literature, music, and visual arts, always remembered their national roots. He shaped and affirmed the Ukrainian idea, tirelessly working for future generations.

A native of Ternopil region and the son of a provincial Galician Greek Catholic priest, he became a Doctor of Medical Sciences and a professor. He served as the dean of the Faculty of Medicine and the rector of Charles University in Prague. Horbachevskyi was also a member of the Sanitary Council of the Kingdom of Bohemia, the Supreme Health Council of Austria-Hungary in Vienna, the first Minister of Public Health of Austria-Hungary, the rector of the Ukrainian Free University, a full member of the Shevchenko Scientific Society, and a full member of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR. He was even a nominee for the Nobel Prize. His list of titles, positions, and awards was earned through decades of tireless work as a scientist, public figure, and civic leader. Yet, Ivan Horbachevskyi never forgot his Ukrainian heritage and remained a sincere patriot of Ukraine until his last breath.

On November 13, 2024, first-year students of the Faculty of Medicine at Ternopil National Medical University attended a memorial evening honoring Ivan Horbachevskyi. The event also featured a presentation of Mykhailo Korda’s book “A Ukrainian in Global Science.”

The evening’s host, Nataliia Vodyuk, head of the library’s information and bibliographic department, introduced attendees to Ivan Horbachevskyi’s biography.

Olena Protsiv, the library director, discussed Horbachevskyi’s academic contributions.

Senior lecturer Halyna Shershun from the Department of Medical Biochemistry highlighted the efforts of Yaroslav Honskyi, who initiated naming TNMU after Horbachevskyi, creating a museum estate in Zarubyntsi (Horbachevskyi’s birthplace), and organizing annual Horbachevskyi readings. She also emphasized the global significance of Horbachevskyi’s work, particularly his 1882 publication “The Synthesis of Uric Acid.”

Attendees learned about the book “A Ukrainian in Global Science,” fascinating facts about Horbachevskyi’s life, and research into his genealogy from Mykola Shota, chief editor of the Medical Academy newspaper, and Ruslan Pidstavka, a Ukrainian geographer, local historian, and researcher of Zbarazh district’s historical and architectural heritage.

University chaplain Father Ihor Drapak spoke about Ivan Horbachevskyi’s father, Father Yakiv.

You can explore literature on the life and scientific achievements of Academician Ivan Horbachevskyi on the YouTube channel of the TNMU library through the video presentation titled “Ivan Yakovych Horbachevskyi: Ukrainian Biochemist, Hygienist, Epidemiologist, Public and Educational Figure” (Watch on YouTube).

The event was exceptionally informative and engaging. The library staff sincerely thanks all participants for their interest in the legacy of Ivan Horbachevskyi, whose name the university proudly bears.