History

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology was established by an order of the Rector of Grodno Medical Institute dated August 25, 1961. Teaching of obstetrics to fourth-year students of the first intake began in the 1961–1962 academic year.

Elena Leontyevna Savonevich — Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology since May 18, 2026; Candidate of Medical Sciences (PhD-equivalent), Associate Professor.

A graduate of Grodno State Medical Institute, she completed clinical residency training and postgraduate research training at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Grodno State Medical University.

Assistant Professor at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology since 2001.

Associate Professor at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology since 2010.

Doctoral research training as an external degree candidate in specialty 14.01.01, Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Coordinator of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology’s clinical training site at Grodno University Clinic.

Supervisor of the Department’s Student Scientific Society (2012–2025).

Member of the State Examination Board (2023–2025).

Member of the University Council, the Faculty of General Medicine Council, and the Faculty of International Students Council.

In 2004, she was awarded the degree of Candidate of Medical Sciences (PhD-equivalent) in specialty 14.01.01, Obstetrics and Gynecology, for her dissertation entitled “Clinical Significance of Early Detection of Antiphospholipid Antibodies in Pregnancy Loss.” Her academic supervisor was Professor V. S. Rakut, Doctor of Medical Sciences.

She has held the highest professional qualification category for physicians since 2009.

In 2010, she was awarded the academic title of Associate Professor in Clinical Medicine.

Principal investigator of international research projects supported by grants from the Belarusian Republican Foundation for Fundamental Research and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research: “Restoration of BRCA1 Gene Function as a Mechanism of Resistance to Platinum-Based Therapy” (2016–2018) and “Novel Mutations in Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Genes in Patients in the Republic of Belarus” (2020–2022).

Author of more than 200 scientific publications, including teaching manuals in obstetrics and gynecology.

Member of the Belarusian Medical Public Association “Reproductive Health,”

the Belarusian Society of Oncologists, and the Belarusian Union of Women.

Recipient of the Excellence in Healthcare of the Republic of Belarus distinction (2022).

Winner of the 2023 city-level Woman of the Year competition in the “Saving Lives” category.

Awarded Certificates of Honor by the Grodno Regional Organization of the Belarusian Healthcare Workers’ Trade Union (2015, 2023), the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus (2017), and Grodno State Medical University (2023); letters of appreciation from the Chair of the Grodno Regional Executive Committee (2021, 2026) and the Chair of the Grodno Regional Council of Deputies (2021).

Lyudmila Vitoldovna Gutikova — Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology from 2012 to 2026.

She graduated with honors from Grodno State Medical University in 2000, subsequently completed clinical residency training (2000–2003), and progressed from trainee lecturer to Head of Department.

In 2004, Lyudmila Vitoldovna defended her Candidate of Medical Sciences dissertation, “Characteristics of the Maternal–Placental–Fetal Functional System in Late Gestosis, with Consideration of Hormones and Lipid-Soluble Antioxidants.” In 2011, she defended her Doctor of Medical Sciences dissertation, “Disorders of Lactation in Postpartum Women with a History of Gestosis: Pathogenetic Aspects, Predicted Risk, Management, and Prevention.” She was awarded the academic title of Associate Professor in 2008 and Professor in 2014.

She actively strengthened the Department’s research capacity. Under her leadership, the “Reproductive Health” research school developed; five Candidate of Medical Sciences dissertations were successfully defended, and research toward Doctor of Medical Sciences degrees continues. Department staff presented their research widely at international forums. In clinical practice, she extensively performed advanced pelvic reconstructive procedures for pelvic organ prolapse complicated by urinary incontinence, using prosthetic mesh implants.

L. V. Gutikova is the author of more than 500 scientific publications and seven monographs. She has received Certificates of Honor from the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus, the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, regional and municipal executive committees, and the medical university, as well as the Excellence in Healthcare distinction.

Tatyana Yuryevna Egorova — Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology from 2002 to 2012.

She graduated from Grodno State Medical Institute in 1975, then completed clinical residency training at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (1975–1977) and served as an Assistant Professor (1977–1979). For eight years, she worked as an obstetrician-gynecologist at Grodno City Maternity Hospital. At the same time, she undertook part-time postgraduate research training at the All-Union Scientific Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology in Moscow (1979–1982). In 1988, she successfully defended her Candidate of Medical Sciences dissertation, “Specialized Antenatal Care for Pregnant Women at High Risk of Preterm Birth.”

Her subsequent career was associated with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Grodno State Medical University: Assistant Professor (1986–1992) and Associate Professor from 1993.

T. Yu. Egorova led the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for ten years. Her research focused on pregnancy loss, hemostatic disorders, anemia in pregnancy, placental insufficiency, and prenatal diagnosis of congenital fetal anomalies. She published more than 300 scientific papers and supervised six successful Candidate of Medical Sciences dissertations.

T. Yu. Egorova is a member of the Board of the Belarusian Association of Obstetricians, Gynecologists and Neonatologists, the Russian Association of Gynecological Endocrinologists, and the Russian Menopause Association. She has received the Excellence in Healthcare distinction and Certificates of Honor from the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus, regional and municipal executive committees, and the medical university. Her name is included in the Book of Honor of the Grodno Regional Clinical Perinatal Center.

Vitaly Stepanovich Rakut — Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology from 1967 to 2002.

Vitaly Stepanovich Rakut was born on October 1, 1928. He graduated from Minsk Medical Institute in 1953 and completed clinical residency training under the supervision of Leonid Semyonovich Persianinov. He subsequently worked for one year at Nesvizh Maternity Hospital and served as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Minsk Medical Institute from 1957 to 1961. In 1960, he successfully defended his Candidate of Medical Sciences dissertation, “Restoration of Vital Physiological Functions in Asphyxia by Intra-Arterial Administration of a Combination of Medicinal Agents.”

In 1961, Vitaly Stepanovich joined Grodno State Medical Institute as an Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and became Head of Department in 1967.

In 1976, Vitaly Stepanovich Rakut defended his Doctor of Medical Sciences dissertation, “Arterial Hypotension in Pregnant Women and Women in Labor: Pathogenesis, Clinical Features, Diagnosis, and Treatment.” He was awarded the academic title of Professor in 1977.

V. S. Rakut headed the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for 35 years. His research interests were exceptionally broad, encompassing nearly all areas of obstetrics and gynecology. His findings were reported in 180 scientific publications. Under his supervision, 16 dissertations were defended, including three for the degree of Doctor of Medical Sciences.

Vitaly Stepanovich Rakut possessed exceptional diplomatic skills, enabling him to reach sound compromises and solutions in difficult situations, earning sincere appreciation and respect.

Professor V. S. Rakut was awarded the Medal “For Valiant Labor,” Certificates of Honor from the Ministries of Health and Education of the Republic of Belarus, regional and municipal executive committees, and the medical university. He also received the Excellence in Healthcare distinction.

He died on January 15, 2012, and was buried in Grodno.

Mikhail Veniaminovich Mogilev — Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology from 1961 to 1967.

Mikhail Veniaminovich Mogilev was born on June 1, 1898. In 1918, he enrolled at Kyiv Medical Institute and, after graduation, worked as a physician at a district hospital. From 1925, he held Assistant Professor and Associate Professor positions at the S. M. Kirov State Institute for Advanced Medical Training in Leningrad. In 1937, he received the title of Privatdozent following a presentation entitled “Conservative Surgery in Gynecology.” He combined teaching and clinical practice with scientific research at the M. Gorky All-Union Institute of Experimental Medicine. In 1938, he successfully defended his dissertation, “Ovarian Internal Secretion and Its Relationship to the Gonadotropic Hormones of Pregnancy — Prolan A and B,” and was awarded the degree of Doctor of Medical Sciences. He received the academic title of Professor in 1941.

From 1940 to 1945, Professor M. V. Mogilev headed the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Central Asian (now Tashkent) Institute for Advanced Medical Training, chaired the Tashkent Scientific Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and provided specialist consultations at Tashkent outpatient clinics and evacuation hospitals. In 1945, he transferred to Kishinev State Medical Institute to establish its Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology amid the postwar devastation. From 1948 to 1950, he headed the obstetrics and gynecology course at the Dental Institute in Leningrad. He then headed the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Stalinsk (now Novokuznetsk) Institute for Advanced Medical Training from 1951 to 1954. Beginning in 1955, Professor Mogilev successfully organized the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Blagoveshchensk Medical Institute (now Amur State Medical Academy). He is regarded as the founder of the scientific and clinical obstetrics and gynecology service in Amur Region.

Throughout his career, Professor M. V. Mogilev was regarded as a gifted teacher, an experienced clinician, and a highly skilled surgeon with a particular interest in innovative approaches to reconstructive surgery of the female reproductive tract.

On August 25, 1961, Professor M. V. Mogilev became Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Grodno State Medical Institute. He drew effectively on his extensive organizational, teaching, and clinical experience gained in various regions of the country. M. V. Mogilev supervised eight successful Candidate of Medical Sciences dissertations. He authored several monographs on female physiology, nutrition during pregnancy, organ-preserving gynecologic surgery, and emergency obstetric care. Mikhail Veniaminovich Mogilev died on March 14, 1967, and was buried in Grodno.