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Vera Gedroits Biography : Early Life, Education, Career & Her Work

Last Updated : 21 Feb, 2024
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Vera Gendroits was a Russian doctor, Author, Professor and Poet. She was the first female surgeon Russian military. She plays an important role in the Russian and Japanese Wars and the First World War. She also holds the title of Russia’s first female professor of surgery and served as the first female physician to the imperial court. She published many medical papers, wrote poetry, and founded a free clinic for factory workers. In 2021 Google honored her for achievements with a Doodle on her 151th birthday.

Vera Gendroits Life Overview

Name

Vera Gendroits

Date of Birth

7 April 1870

Place of Birth

Slobodishche, Oryol Governorate, Russia

Education

  • Gymnasia in Moscow from Secondary School
  • Women’s medical course from St.petersburg
  • Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Moscow

Career

  • Military Surgeon
  • Professor of Surgery
  • Physician to the imperial court
  • Dean of the Surgeon faculty

Died on

March 1932 ( At the age of 61 )

Cause of Death

Cancer

Vera Gedroits: Birth , Early life, Education

Vera Gedroits was born on the 7th of April 1870 in Slobodishche, Oryol Governorate, Russia. She was the daughter of Ignaty Felikssovich Gedroits, he was a Polish nobleman serving in the Russian army and her mom was Yulia Pavlovna. She completed his early education from his home town She goes to Gymnasia in Moscow. Gymnasia is a secondary school in Russia that provides primary education to students. She took admission to the Women’s Medical course in St.pertrsburg but due to her involvement in student activism, she got suspended from the Women’s Medical courses.

After that, she went to Switzerland in 1901 and enrolled in Women’s Medical courses there and completed her medical course in Zurich, Switzerland. She faced hate from the people and was pressured not to continue her education because society’s thoughts were against female education at that time but her family supported her. After she came back from Switzerland. She was admitted to University of Moscow and enrolled for a Doctorate in Medicine in 1912.

Vera Gedroits : Career

Vera Gendroits begins her career as an intern and junior assistant as being surgeon in Switzerland. She gains her first practical valuable experience from there. In 1920 After serving in the Russian Military as Voluntery and Chief Surgeon. She joined the faculty of the Kiev Medical Institute and became the First Female professor of surgery in Russia In 1923 She was appointed as the Professor of Medicine at the Kiev Medical Institute. From 1924 to 1932 Vetra Gendroits Published many scientific papers and contributed to the advancement of Surgery and healthcare. In 1929 she became Dean of the Faculty of Surgery at the Kiev Medical Institute.

In post war between Russia and Japan from 1906 to 1907 She started working of the Intercession Monastery in kiev. She had a remarkable career journey in which she got recognition may times she was became the first chief surgen on the Red Cross hospital train in 1905 later on She became the first female Professor of surgery in Russia and also became the Professor of Medicine and Dean of the faculty of surgery. In 1924 after having valuable work experience in her medical career She opened a clinic in Kiev, Ukraine . The clinic was for maxillofacial surgery which comes in the field of surgery that mainly deals with the injury on the face, jaws and mouth—her clinic of the first clinic for maxillofacial surgery in Kiev, Ukraine.

Vera Gedroits : Russo – Japenese War

  • After coming back to Russia during the Russia and Japan war in 1904. She volunteered there as a surgeon on a Red Cross hospital train.
  • In 1905 after serving as a volunteer for one year She became the chief surgeon of the hospital train and treated thousands of russian soldiers who were injured on the battlefield.
  • She mastered the use of laparotomy for treating abdominal wounds and saved many soldiers’ lives.
  • Her innovative techniques for surgery leads to higher survival rates and changed battlefield medical protocol.
  • After the Russian and Japanese war, She published her thoughts and Wartime experiences through her Poetry.
  • She worked in the hospital of the Intercession Monastery in Kiev.
  • In 1912 She got her degree in Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Moscow.
  • In 1919 She opened a clinic for maxillofacial surgery in Kiev.
  • During the First World War from 1914 to 1918. In 1914 She again volunteered as a Surgeon and treated injured soldiers.
  • In 1917 She was honored by the Order of St. Vladimir for her service during WWI.

Vera Gedroits and her work

Vera Gedroits is an inspiration for many female students. She faced hate due to her gender, and being part of student activism but she never stopped his education even after being suspended from the Women’s Medical Course in St. Petersberg. She went to Switzerland and completed her women’s medical course and She gained her first valuable experience as an intern and junior assistant surgeon in Zurich, Switzerland. She served as a Volunteer Despite having low opportunities for females at that time in the Russian Military. She saved thousands of soldiers’ lives which were very valuable for her country. she served her country in tough situations once in the Russia and Japan war in 1904 – 1905 and once at First World War time during 1914-1918. It shows that she was a true Patriot.

Vera Gedroits : Death

Vera Gedroits passed away in March 1932 at the age of 61. The cause of her death was uterine cancer.She was diagnosed for cancer in year 1931.Her death was a loss for the medical community and for those who admire her as an inspiration,for her dedication and courage.Her legacy will continue to inspire generations of women and medical professionals.Her innovative surgical techniques saved countless valuable lives and revolutionised the way of battlefield medicines. She had a great journey and she got recognised and honoured for it many times.Recently she was honoured by Google in a Doodle on 19 April 2021 on his 151th birthday. Even knowing about her cancer she frequently visits the medical Institute to interact with students which shows her dedication towards her love for the medical field .

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Vera Gedroits Biography – FAQ

Q. Why did Vera Gedroits not continue women’s medical courses from Russia?

Because She was found in actively participating in the student activism that’s why she got suspended from the Women’s medical course in St. pertersberg. After that she went to Switzerland and she continued her Women’s medical course from there .

Q. From which medical institute and in which year did she become the first female professor of surgery?

In year 1920 , She joined the Keiv Medical Institute and became the first female professor of surgery in Russia .

Q. What was the reason for Vera Gedroits death?

Uterine Cancer was the reason for the Vera Gedroits death. She died at the age of 61 , In the year 1932.

Q. What was the role of Vera Gedroits in the Russian military between the War of Russia and Japan?

Vera Gedrots was Volunteering as a Surgen in Russain Military between the war of Russia and Japan in 1904 and 1905.



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