The life and work of Borys Horodynskyi: contribution to medical science and education

Abstract

The article focuses on the life and professional accomplishments of Borys Mykhailovych Horodynskyi (1887—1969), an outstanding Ukrainian surgeon, teacher, and scientist. His path from a student at St. Volodymyr University in Kyiv to a leading specialist in general and military field surgery is highlighted. The article explores the main stages of his career, including his work in Kyiv clinics, participation in World War I, management of the surgical departments at the Second Kyiv Medical Institute, and evacuation to Chelyabinsk during World War II. His contributions to the development and implementation of asepsis and antiseptic procedures, abdominal surgery, and treatment of purulent diseases are particularly noteworthy. The educational endeavours of Borys Horodynskyi, his influence on the formation of a new generation of doctors, as well as the circumstances of his dismissal during the 1953 «doctors’ case», are elucidated. We analyse his legacy in Ukrainian medicine, specifically regarding his scientific research, the training of specialists, and the organization of surgical education. The article emphasizes Horodynsky’s significance as a pivotal figure in 20th‑century Ukrainian medicine, with his name engraved in the history of national surgery and medical science.