TNMU Representatives Take Part in the 4th All-Ukrainian Congress on Physical Therapy
On 19–20 September 2026, the 4th All-Ukrainian Congress on Physical Therapy, entitled “The Value of Working Together,” was held in Lviv. The event brought together approximately 500 participants. Dozens of presentations and workshops were delivered, along with a series of master classes and poster presentations.
The 2026 All-Ukrainian Congress on Physical Therapy is an annual event that brings together physical therapists, rehabilitation professionals, and everyone involved in or interested in the development of the rehabilitation system in Ukraine.
I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University was represented by Professor Daria Popovych, Head of the Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physical Education; Petro Skobliak, Deputy Director General for Rehabilitation at Ternopil Regional Clinical Psychoneurological Hospital, Head of the Mental and Physical Rehabilitation Department, and Assistant Professor at the Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physical Education; Ivan Maziar, a physical therapist at the Neurorehabilitation Department of Ternopil Regional Clinical Psychoneurological Hospital and Assistant Professor at the Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physical Education; and Solomiia Hyz, a second-year student of the Master’s programme in Therapy and Rehabilitation.
The congress provided participants with an opportunity to engage in professional discussions on the development of rehabilitation care in Ukraine, exchange experience with leading Ukrainian and international specialists and organizations, and explore current approaches to the organization of rehabilitation services and cross-sectoral cooperation.
The congress brought together physical therapists, physicians, government officials, and healthcare managers to address new goals, tasks, and challenges facing the profession today. International colleagues also shared their experience and expertise, while the congress partners contributed to the professional programme. Most importantly, the event united professionals who provide emergency care in healthcare facilities, develop psychological support services, deliver rehabilitation interventions to patients in rehabilitation departments, develop individualized rehabilitation programmes, and help patients move forward on their recovery journey.
“It is encouraging that former students joined me at the congress – students who only yesterday were sitting in lecture halls and practical classrooms, studying rehabilitation and aspiring to become successful physical therapists. Today, they are already my colleagues here at the congress. They are lecturers, supervisors, and practising physical therapists, as well as future physical therapists,” Professor Daria Popovych noted.
During the congress, participants discussed current approaches to physical therapy and rehabilitation, developed new plans, strengthened professional competencies and evidence-based practice, expanded their knowledge and skills, developed clinical reasoning, and established professional connections. The event also provided an opportunity to explore the interaction between education and clinical practice within the framework of the All-Ukrainian Congress on Physical Therapy entitled “The Value of Working Together.”
Events of this kind demonstrate that through joint efforts, professionals can work together to develop a strong and effective rehabilitation system in Ukraine, drawing on international experience and evidence-based approaches.
The congress was organized by the Ukrainian Association of Physical Therapists and the Patients of Ukraine Charitable Foundation as part of the TRUE initiative, with the support of Switzerland, the Ukrainian Red Cross, the Belgian Agency for International Cooperation Enabel, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Ukrainian-Norwegian rehabilitation project Sunnaas sykehus HF, Soleterre, the Zaporuka Charitable Foundation, and the Institute of Vertebrology and Rehabilitation. The event partners included the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Protez Hub Charitable Foundation, the Ukrainian Society of Speech and Language Therapy, and the Health Sciences Research Foundation.