Regional Winners of the “Order of Saint Panteleimon” Award for Professionalism and Compassion Honored

On May 21, 2025, the Ternopil Regional Council of the Order of Saint Panteleimon recognized the winners of the regional stage of the prestigious award competition during a ceremony held at the Ternopil Regional Puppet Theater. This year, the selection process included seven categories.

The event began with a moment of silence in honor of all those who gave their lives for Ukraine’s independence and freedom. All attendees received pastoral blessings from local clergy.

Among the dignitaries who congratulated the nominees were:

Olha Yarmolenko, Director of the Department of Health of the Ternopil Regional Military Administration.

Vasyl Knyazevych, Head of the Honorary Council of the Order of Saint Panteleimon,

Bohdan Butkovskyi, Head of the Ternopil Regional Council,

Volodymyr Didych, Deputy Mayor of Ternopil for Executive Body Affairs.

Vitalii Hakalo, a student of Ternopil National Medical University (TNMU), was recognized as the best in the category “The Heart of Medicine”. In addition to his studies, he has been volunteering for several years, providing assistance to Ukrainian defenders as part of the Mykola Pyrohov First Volunteer Mobile Hospital.

The winner in the category “Innovator of the Year” was Roman Kuts, a TNMU graduate and co-founder of the Ukrainian Bone Marrow Donor Registry, which made unrelated bone marrow transplants possible in Ukraine.

Mykhailo Korda, Rector of I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, professor, and corresponding member of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, was awarded in the category “Model of Service to Society”. Since the early days of Russia’s full-scale invasion, a volunteer center was promptly established at the university to assist soldiers, their families, and internally displaced persons. During the ceremony, Professor Korda dedicated the award to the entire TNMU team, who have been working together for the good of their country like a united family.

In the “Best Physician – Model of the Profession” category, the highest number of votes from the regional council members went to Alla Pasternak, Head of the Therapeutic Department No. 1 at Ternopil City Clinical Hospital No. 2, also a TNMU alumna.

The category “Fortress of Health” recognizes a medical institution that exemplifies innovation, accessibility, quality of care, and effective healthcare management. The winner in the region was Zalishchyky Central City Hospital.

Oleh Zarudnyi, Head of the evacuation unit of the medical company of the 63rd Separate Mechanized Brigade and a medical service captain, won in the “Lifeline Support” category. His wife accepted the award on his behalf.

A special new category, “Hero of the Medical Front”, was introduced for military medics. The winner was Anatolii Viun, a paramedic in emergency care at the Ternopil Emergency Medical Services Station since 2013. In 2014, he volunteered for medical service in the ATO zone in Luhansk region. Since February 25, 2022, he has been mobilized into the Armed Forces of Ukraine, where he continues to serve as a combat medic with the rank of chief sergeant.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners of the regional stage and wish them success at the national level.