Memorial Evening for Yaroslav Honskyi at TNMU

On February 4, 2025, I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University hosted a memorial evening dedicated to Yaroslav Honskyi—a renowned biochemist, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, and former Head of the Department of Biochemistry at TNMU. The event was initiated and organized by the Department of Medical Biochemistry, continuing the legacy of their esteemed mentor. The evening, filled with notable facts from his biography and memories from his family, friends, students, and colleagues, was held in honor of what would have been his 95th birthday.

Honskyi’s daughter, Nataliia Honska, lit a memorial candle and shared heartfelt memories of her loving father and grandfather. Her tribute was continued by his son Ihor and grandson Yulii, who expressed their deep respect and gratitude.

Professor Mykhailo Korda, Rector of TNMU, Honored Scientist of Ukraine, and Honskyi’s first Ph.D. student, reminisced about his early encounters with his mentor. He recalled witnessing the creation of Honskyi’s pioneering Ukrainian-language textbook, “Human Biochemistry,” and highlighted his significant contributions to biochemical science and education.

“Yaroslav Honskyi was a guiding light in biochemistry, a wise mentor who taught his students to think critically, work diligently, and cherish science and life. He was a man with a great heart and an open soul, a patriot devoted to Ukrainian history, who revived many forgotten names of Ukrainian scientists, including Ivan Horbachevsky,” Korda shared.

Distinguished scholars, including Professors Yaroslava Hudyvok, Stepan Henyk, Hanna Ersteniuk, and Mykhailo Kalynskyi, shared memories of Honskyi’s student years, career beginnings, scientific achievements, and lifelong friendships.

Speakers like Dr. Svitlana Pidruchna and Dr. Liubov Rubina reflected on Honskyi’s years at TNMU, emphasizing his academic and scientific legacy.

Many of his former students and colleagues—including Dr. Ivan Klishch, Dr. Liudmyla Fira, Dr. Mariia Mykhalkiv, Dr. Ruslan Kubant, Dr. Iryna Solovodzinska, and Dr. Oksana Matolinets—shared how he shaped their professional paths. They described him as a demanding but fair mentor who encouraged his students to strive for excellence and push the boundaries of scientific discovery.

Renowned plastic surgeon Rostyslav Valikhnovskyi, TNMU graduate and founder of the Valikhnovski Surgery Institute, reminisced about Honskyi’s biochemistry lectures, which captivated students and young scientists. He noted that Honskyi always generously shared his knowledge, experience, and analytical skills, guiding his students in scientific exploration.

Attendees also learned about Honskyi’s contributions beyond academia. He played a key role in securing TNMU’s naming after Ivan Horbachevsky, helped establish the scholar’s museum estate in Zarubyntsi, authored numerous publications on Horbachevsky’s legacy, and organized the now-traditional Horbachevsky Readings at TNMU.

The memorial event was both insightful and inspiring. The organizers expressed gratitude for the attendees’ interest in Yaroslav Honskyi’s life and work. They hoped his legacy would remain in their hearts as that of a wise mentor, gifted educator, and outstanding scientist.