Dr. Marc Boumeester, PhD from the Netherlands, visited TNMU

On October 15, 2026, Dr. Marc Boumeester, a PhD and researcher of somaesthetics and the philosophy of perception from the ArtEZ University of the Arts (Netherlands), visited I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University.

The purpose of the scientist’s visit was to deliver a lecture titled “Healing Pedagogy – from Perception to Practice” and conduct a practical workshop for the university’s students and teachers. During the visit, a meeting was held with the university management and heads of departments, where directions for further cooperation were discussed.

TNMU Rector Petro Lykhatskyi emphasized the importance of building a partnership with ArtEZ University of the Arts to exchange experience and develop the specialties “Therapy and Rehabilitation” and “Clinical Psychology,” and also proposed initiating academic mobility programs. The importance of these steps was confirmed by Olena Venher, Head of the Department of Psychiatry, Narcology, and Medical Psychology, and guarantor of the Master’s level EPP “Clinical Psychology.”

Vice-Rector for Research Oleksandra Oleshchuk expressed interest in establishing close contacts with Dutch scientists for conducting joint research and its publication in leading international journals.

Vice-Rector for Science, Education, International Relations, and European Integration Mykhaylo Korda outlined the prospects for the development of international cooperation between the two universities.

Dariya Popovych, Head of the Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Education, noted that the use of art therapy is an effective tool for the recovery of military personnel in the practice of both physical therapists and clinical psychologists.

Dr. Marc Boumeester’s visit opened new perspectives for combining medical and artistic approaches in the educational process and rehabilitation practice of TNMU.

Nataliya Volotovska, Associate Professor of the Department of Physiology with Bioethics, was responsible for organizing the visit.

TNMU Press Secretary Yanina Chaikivska.

Photos by Mykola Klantsa.