Anniversary of Honored Doctor Mikhail Sachek in Vitebsk
The other day, the honorary academician of the Belarusian Academy of Medical Sciences, Honored Scientist of the BSSR, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Hospital Surgery with courses in Urology and Pediatric Surgery of VSMU, former rector of the university, and honorary citizen of the city of Vitebsk celebrated his 90th birthday.
Congratulations to Mikhail Sachek were sent from all continents.
His students – successful practicing doctors and sought-after scientists – work in leading medical, healthcare, and research centers in various countries, teach in specialized universities, paying tribute and gratitude to their mentor.
Mikhail Grigoryevich has dedicated his entire life to medicine; with his talent and devotion to the most humane and noble profession, he inspires a new generation of young surgeons and future doctors.
Mikhail Sachek: I still remember my first patient. It was a wounded soldier, and I asked my uncle to help me remove a metal fragment from his back with forceps…
– I still remember my first patient. At that time, I wasn't even a medical student, let alone a doctor – just a simple village boy who grazed cows near the airfield during the war. It was a wounded soldier, and I asked my uncle to help me remove a metal fragment from his back with forceps. We saved that guy. It turned out he was from my homeland, born and raised not far from our village, – shared Mikhail Grigoryevich his memories and admitted that this case determined his future.
He entered the Vitebsk Medical Institute, and after graduation, he went from being a doctor at a rural district hospital to a professor, rector of his alma mater, and an academician, under whose scientific supervision 4 doctoral and 25 candidate dissertations were defended. In addition, Mikhail Sachek is the author of over 350 scientific papers, 35 rationalization proposals and inventions, and 13 monographs on various aspects of thoracic and abdominal surgery.
At the same time, the distinguished doctor with many accolades does not focus on his awards and titles, emphasizing that he entered medicine not for glory, but to help people. He teaches this to his students as well.
Future surgeons, senior students of VGMU, consider Mikhail Sachek a shining example of what they should strive for. They say that the authority and professional prowess of the professor are felt from the very first minutes of hospital surgery classes at the regional hospital.
The young people are also impressed by the mentor's professional longevity, who has trained and prepared more than one generation of qualified specialists.
The professor directs his students towards continuous self-education and improvement of practical skills.
Students note that even during exams, Mikhail Grigoryevich not only asks questions but is ready to help answer them in order to further explain and work through complex topics.
Another quality for which young people value the professor is his kindness and humanity.
– Despite his busy schedule, heavy workload, high achievements, and titles, Mikhail Grigoryevich is open to communication, finds time to talk not only on medical topics but also gives us very necessary life lessons, advises, and shares his experience, – the students said.
The fact that Professor Mikhail Sachek is truly loved and respected at his home university can be judged by the ovations colleagues gave him at the solemn university council.
Presidential Aide Alexander Kosinets arrived to congratulate Mikhail Grigoryevich on his 90th birthday and the 65th anniversary of his scientific, medical, and pedagogical activities.
Alexander Nikolaevich is a student of Mikhail Grigoryevich, having defended his doctoral dissertation under his scientific supervision.
“I took the Hippocratic Oath and still remember its words: ‘I will consider him who taught me this art more precious than my own parents, and I will share my livelihood with him and will help him in his need.’ Mikhail Grigoryevich is my teacher, I have known him for over 40 years. He is a great surgeon, a brilliant scientist, an excellent organizer-manager, and a teacher, a person with a capital ‘P’,” noted Alexander Kosinets and presented Mikhail Sachek with a commemorative watch with an engraving.
Rector of VGMU, member of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Anatoly Shchasny, along with all scientific, medical, public, and pedagogical achievements, emphasized the fact that Mikhail Sachek, together with his wife, Professor of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the university, Honored Scientist of Belarus Lidiya Yakovlevna Suprun, became the founders of a medical dynasty.
Their daughter Marina heads the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Medical Technologies, Informatization, Management, and Economics of the Ministry of Health, while their daughter Svetlana is a functional diagnostics physician and a top-category cosmetologist. Their grandson Konstantin is a surgeon and chief physician at the VGMU clinic, and their great-grandson Nikita is currently studying at the Belarusian State Medical University.
Sincere congratulations and wishes for good health to the jubilarian were conveyed on behalf of the Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Andreichenko and personally by Member of Parliament Alexander Tsetsoho.
Many warm words and acknowledgments were addressed to Mikhail Sachek from his colleagues and acquaintances who also came to honor the distinguished doctor.