Over 400 rehabilitation professionals from across Ukraine gathered to advance accessible healthcare at the Third Ukrainian Congress of Physical Therapy, where Physiopedia’s ongoing commitment to supporting Ukrainian healthcare education took centre stage through the Rehab4U project and international collaboration.
The Third Ukrainian Congress of Physical Therapy, which took place from 12 to 13 September 2025 brought together more than 400 participants from across Ukraine. This gathering represented a celebration for physical therapists nationwide and demonstrated the resilience and dedication of Ukraine’s healthcare community in developing high-quality and affordable rehabilitation services.
Physiopedia was a key supporter in the congress for the third consecutive time, with several Physiopedia team members playing a key role during the event. Tetiana Baryshok (Chairperson of the Board of the Ukrainian Physical Therapists Association and head of the congress organising committee) and Kateryna Tymruk-Skoropad (strategic advisor for rehabilitation education development of the War Trauma Rehabilitation initiative) served as key organisers of the conference. Olha Kovalchuk (Workforce Development Consultant for Ukraine) presented live at the event, whilst Larisa Hoffman (mentor for the International Rehabilitation Education and Training Toolkit) presented online, bringing Physiopedia’s global perspective to the Ukrainian rehabilitation community.
The congress was organised by the NGO Ukrainian Physical Therapists Association alongside the War Trauma Rehabilitation in Ukraine initiative, implemented by the Patients of Ukraine Foundation. The event received substantial support from numerous international and national organisations, including the WHO Office in Ukraine and the European Union, the Ukrainian Red Cross, the International Red Cross Society and multiple other healthcare institutions and foundations.
During the 2-day event, participants conducted a comprehensive analysis of rehabilitation systems, identified challenges and formulating strategic tasks for advancing physical therapy in Ukraine and supporting professional development for physical therapists. The discussions reinforced a fundamental principle that rehabilitation services should be high-quality, free of charge and accessible to every Ukrainian.
A highlight of the congress was Olha Kovalchuk’s presentation of the achievements of the Rehab4U project and Physiopedia Plus in building accessible digital education for physical therapists. This initiative, made possible in the framework of the Rehab4U project by the generous support of the American people through the United States Government, provides free access to the Plus online professional development platform for Ukrainian physical therapists. The impact has been remarkable, with more than 7,400 users now holding accounts and using the platform at no cost. The platform offers approximately 800 courses on rehabilitation topics, with more than 400 translated into Ukrainian, ensuring that language barriers do not prevent access to essential rehabilitation knowledge.
The congress represented more than just a professional gathering; it was a testament to the power of international collaboration in healthcare education. Physiopedia’s continued presence and contributions to this annual celebration demonstrate the organisation’s commitment to supporting healthcare professionals in challenging circumstances and ensuring that quality rehabilitation knowledge remains accessible regardless of geographical or economic barriers. This collaboration serves as a model for how international healthcare education initiatives can provide meaningful support whilst respecting local expertise and leadership.
As Ukraine’s physical therapy community looks ahead, the congress has laid important groundwork for continued development of rehabilitation services. The combination of international support, local leadership and accessible digital education resources creates a foundation for sustainable growth in the country’s rehabilitation capacity, ensuring that both current and future generations of physical therapists have the tools they need to provide excellent patient care.
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