P. Hertsen Moscow Oncology Research Institute in Moscow Celebrates its 125th Anniversary with the Unveiling of a Monument to the Great Russian Surgeon

December 20, 2023 is a special event for all Russian medicine. The year 2023 marks the 125th anniversary of the P. Hertsen Moscow Oncology Research Institute. P. Hertsen Cancer Research Institute, the oldest cancer center in Europe. The Institute celebrates this date by unveiling a monument to the outstanding surgeon, founder of the Russian oncology school, brilliant scientist and teacher Pyotr Hertsen.

The monument was opened by the Deputy Minister of Health of the Russian Federation Evgeny Kamkin and Director of P. Hertsen Moscow Oncology Research Institute, Director General of the FSBI “National Medical Research Radiological Centre” (NMRRC) of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation Andrei Kaprin. This sculptural composition became the first in Moscow, dedicated to P.A. Hertsen. The ceremony was also attended by Inna Svyatenko, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council, Veronika Skvortsova, Head of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of the Russian Federation, Badma Bashankaev, Chairman of the State Duma Health Protection Committee, and Konstantin Chernyavsky, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, author of the sculptural composition.

President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin congratulated the staff of the Institute. “This is a big, significant date for the entire national healthcare,” the address notes.
At the origins of the Institute were scientists, public figures, entrepreneurs and philanthropists who understood the importance of the formation and development of medical science in the country. These people by their selfless labor laid the traditions of honest and selfless service to their vocation, people and Fatherland, Vladimir Putin’s message emphasizes.

Congratulatory addresses were also sent by Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin, Chairman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation Valentina Matvienko, Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin.
“Under the leadership of Pyotr Alexandrovich Hertsen a whole pleiad of remarkable surgeons, oncologists, researchers was raised. This monument is a tribute to the teacher and a sign of our pride for belonging to the brilliant constellation of Russian doctors of world fame,” said Andrei Kaprin.

Veterans of the P. Hertsen Moscow Oncology Research Institute of Medical Sciences were honored on this day, which today number more than 30 people. Academician Georgy Frank, Professors Valery Starinsky, Anatoly Mamontov, Anna Boiko, Elena Novikova, Nadezhda Volchenko and many others have worked at the Institute for more than 40, and some – more than 60 years, giving their lives to science and the art of healing people.

A real surprise was the greeting from the crew of cosmonauts of the International Space Station, who are now in orbit. By special cargo the jubilee emblem of the P.Hertsen Moscow Oncology Research Institute was sent into orbit and then returned with autographs of the crew. The emblem was handed over by Andrey Fedyaev, a test cosmonaut of the Roscosmos cosmonaut squadron.
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For the great contribution to the national health care on this memorable day, the staff of the Institute together with the National Medical Research Radiological Centre of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation was awarded with the gratitude of the President of the Russian Federation, a diploma of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, gratitude from the Minister of Health of the Russian Federation. Professor Boiko Anna Vladimirovna was honored with a unique award – a badge of distinction “For Mentoring”.