Від протезування до повноцінного життя

Representatives of Ternopil National Medical University named after I. Horbachevsky, including Professor Tetiana Bakaliuk, guarantor of the “Prosthetics and Orthotics” educational programme, master’s students specializing in prosthetics and orthotics, and academic staff of the Department of Medical Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physical Education, took part in the international conference “Unlimited Opportunities. Amputation. Rehabilitation. Social Adaptation 2026”, which was held on August 28–29, 2026, in Ivano-Frankivsk. The event was organized by the public organization “Prosthetics Hub”.

The conference brought together specialists from various fields working in prosthetics, rehabilitation and social adaptation of people following amputation. Over the course of two days, the participants discussed modern approaches to comprehensive recovery, current challenges in prosthetics and orthotics, physical therapy and social integration, as well as prospects for introducing the latest technologies into rehabilitation practice.

An important part of the conference was the panel discussion “The Importance of High-Quality Specialist Training. Developing Human Resources in Prosthetics and Orthotics”, which was attended by Professor Tetiana Bakaliuk, guarantor of the “Prosthetics and Orthotics” educational programme. During the discussion, she presented the experience of Ternopil National Medical University in training prosthetists and orthotists, outlined ways to ensure high-quality professional training for future specialists, and emphasized the importance of close cooperation between higher education institutions and professional practice.

A particularly valuable aspect of the conference was the opportunity to learn first-hand about the real-life experiences of veterans and people who use prostheses, hear their stories, and better understand their needs and the challenges they face during recovery and their return to everyday life.

The story of Jakob Kepka, a former U.S. Marine, was particularly inspiring. After undergoing limb amputation, he returned to an active lifestyle and now undertakes long-distance cycling journeys, drawing attention to the needs of Ukrainians affected by the war. During the conference, he shared his challenging journey from injury to recovery, spoke about the difficulties of physical and psychological adaptation, and described how he gradually returned to an active life. Jakob Kepka was open to dialogue and the exchange of experience. He spoke with master’s students — future prosthetists and orthotists — answered their questions and shared his personal experience of using a prosthesis.

One of the key events of the conference was the presentation of awards to representatives of various areas of prosthetics and rehabilitation whose professional activities contribute to the development of the field, the implementation of modern approaches, and the expansion of opportunities for people following amputation.

From the Ternopil region, the “Effective Management” award was presented to Pavlo Khrystych, Director of Forward-Ortho, for his significant contribution to the development of modern approaches to the organization of prosthetic and rehabilitation care.

An important step in the further development of the “Prosthetics and Orthotics” educational and professional programme at TNMU was the donation by the Charitable Foundation “Prosthetics Hub”, represented by its General Director Antonina Kumka, of educational and methodological materials developed within the “War Trauma Rehabilitation” project with the support of Switzerland.

The donated materials are a valuable practical resource for improving the educational process and training future specialists in prosthetics and orthotics. The package includes the “Student Handbook”, the “Regulations on the Objective Structured Practical Clinical Examination (OSPCE)”, as well as a scenario bank containing 100 clinical cases.

The use of these materials in the educational process will contribute to the development of students’ practical skills, enhancement of clinical reasoning, and preparation for working with real-life clinical situations. The clinical scenario bank is particularly valuable as it can be used for simulation-based learning, practical classes, and objective assessment of the professional competencies of future prosthetists and orthotists.

The University expresses its gratitude to the Charitable Foundation “Prosthetics Hub” for supporting the development of the “Prosthetics and Orthotics” educational field and facilitating the implementation of modern approaches to professional training.

For the University, participation in such professional events is an important component of the development of modern rehabilitation education. The training of competitive specialists must meet the actual needs of the healthcare system, take into account the development of modern technologies, international experience, and changes in professional standards.

The knowledge and professional contacts gained during the conference will be integrated into the educational process, particularly in the training of prosthetists and orthotists and physical therapists.

We would like to thank @protezhub and, personally, General Director Antonina Kumka for the invitation and cooperation.