Google Doodle Honours Vera Gedroits, Russia's First Female Military Surgeon

Dr Vera Gedroits' 151st birth anniversary was commemorated by Google Doodle today. Dr Vera Gedroits was Russia's first woman military surgeon. She was one of the world's first female professors of surgery. Dr Vera Gedroits saved countless lives through her fearless service and innovation in the world of medicine. Dr Vera Gedroits was born on April 19th, 1870 in a Lithuanian royal family in Kiev, which was part of the Russian Empire then.

She studied medicine in Switzerland and returned home in the 20th century. Soon Dr Vera Gedroits began her medical career as the surgeon at a factory hospital. As a young physician, Dr Gedroits was concerned about the poor hygiene standards, nutrition and sanitation and worked hard for improving the conditions.

During the Russo-Japanese War in 1904, Dr Vera Gedroits volunteered as a surgeon on a Red Cross hospital train. Under threat of enemy fire, she performed complex abdominal operations in a converted railway car. The Russian government adopted her techniques as the new standard. 

Following her battlefield service, Dr. Vera Gedroits worked as a surgeon for the Russian royal family. When she returned home to Kiev, she was appointed professor of surgery at the University of Kiev in 1929.

Dr Vera Gedroits authored several medical papers on nutrition and surgical treatments. She also published multiple collections of poems, and several nonfiction works, including the 1931 memoir -- "Life,"-- which narrated the story of her personal journey.