TNMU Celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Professor Mykola Skakun’s

On March 28, 2024, the 100th anniversary of the birth of Professor Mykola Skakun was celebrated in TNMU.

The evening was started by the Head of the Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Professor Oleksandra Oleshchuk, who drew attention to the personality of Mykola Skakun, who was the first Head of the Department of Pharmacology back in 1957, since the founding of the medical university.

Professor Mykola Skakun was the Head of the Department of Pharmacology (1957-1991) of I. Horbachevsky Ternopil State Medical Academy, Professor of this department (1991-2006), Honoured Worker of the Higher Education of Ukraine, DSc in Medicine, Professor.

Professor Ivan Klish, Vice-Rector for Research of TNMU, spoke about the time of communication with Mykola Skakun. Ivan Klishch fondly recalled his years of work at the Department of Pharmacology under the leadership of Mykola Skakun, as a responsible and demanding leader who always helped students, graduate students, and young teachers.

M.P. Skakun was the founder of the Ternopil school of pharmacologists-hepatologists, initiated the search and study of hepato- and embryotoxicity of drugs and poisons, especially ethyl alcohol. The results of these studies were reflected in the monographs “Ethyl alcohol” (1985), “Fetal alcohol syndrome” (Kyiv, 1987), “Liver damage by carbon tetrachloride” (1989).

Professor M. Skakun did a lot of work on improving the methods of teaching pharmacology. With his participation, a number of modern educational and teaching materials was created, in particular the textbooks “Pharmacology” (Kyiv, 1980), “Fundamentals of pharmacology and prescription” (Ternopil, 1999), “Pharmacology” (Ternopil, 2003), and teaching aids ” Pharmacology. Practical classes” (Kyiv, 1982), “Pharmacotherapy of emergency conditions” (Ternopil, 1992, 1993), “Emergency care for acute poisoning” (Ternopil, 1993), “Pharmacogenetics” (Ternopil, 2002), “Emergency conditions in therapeutic practice (Ternopil, 1998). They are deservedly popular among students, university professors and doctors.

Ilona Kohut, Yuliana Saiuk and Maksym Kaleniuk, students of the Faculty of Medicine, talked about the life path of Mykola Skakun – his biography, scientific achievements, public and teaching activities.

Research conducted at the Department of Pharmacology for many years is summarized in 9 doctoral theses and 36 PhD theses, the scientific supervisor and consultant of which was M.Skakun.

The event discussed not only Professor M. Skakun’s contribution to the development of medical science, but also his role as an excellent mentor and wise leader.

Professor Kateryna Posokhova, Director of TNMU Institute of Pharmacology, Hygiene and Medical Biochemistry, Professor Volodymyr Shmanko, Head of TNMU Course of Clinical Pharmacology, Liubomyr Bilyk, Director of Chortkiv Vocational Medical College, Professor Svitlana Marchyshyn, Head of TNMU Department of Pharmacognosy and Medical Botany, Associate Professor of TNMU Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology Iryna Moseichuk spoke about their memories of the teacher.

Mykola Skakun… There is probably not a scientist or pharmacologist in Ukraine who at least once did not come across his article while studying one or another scientific problem. This testifies to the wide range of scientific interests of Mykola Skakun and the fruitfulness of his scientific activity. During his work, Ukrainian science was enriched with new ideas, replenished with interesting scientific developments that have considerable theoretical and practical significance.

Professor Skakun implemented his life creed “to do good for people” every day, generously shared his experience, helped, supported, and inspired. His students headed departments of higher medical and pharmaceutical educational institutions of Ukraine, medical colleges, worked as associate professors, assistant professors, became Honoured Doctors of Ukraine, Honoured Workers of Education of Ukraine. Vasyl Kniazevych headed the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Bohdan Onyskiv – the Department of Health of Ternopil Regional State Administration.

Professor Skakun was an example of a caring husband, father, and later grandfather. He planted an apple orchard in the yard of the administrative building, which for many years pleased us with lush flowering in the spring and delicious fruits in the fall.

Not all of Professor Skakun’s students were able to come to the commemoration of his memory in this difficult time for our country, so some of them sent their video appeals. With words of gratitude and respect for their mentor spoke Professor Svitlana Drohovoz, Associate Professor Olena Mativeieva, Associate Professor Oksana Davydovych.

Mykola Skakun’s grandchildren were also present at the evening, sharing their personal stories and impressions of their grandfather as a scientist, teacher and family man.

Teachers of the Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology and students of the medical and pharmaceutical faculties of TNMU were also present at the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the great scientist, teacher, innovator Mykola Skakun.

The evening of memories was not only a tribute to an outstanding figure in the history of medicine, but also brought together a community that continues his ideas.

He will forever remain a decoration of the teaching staff of our Alma Mater.

The information was provided by Viktor Pyda.