On October 29, 2025, the distinguished healthcare worker of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Yuri Ivanovich Kalish, celebrates his 85th birthday.
Yuri Ivanovich Kalish was born in Tashkent. In 1963, he graduated with honors from the Tashkent State Medical Institute and began his professional career as a surgeon at the Syrdarya Regional Hospital. From 1966 to 1968, he successfully completed his clinical residency at the Department of General Surgery under the supervision of academician V. Vakhidov. Between 1968 and 1972, he worked as a surgeon at the 1st Surgical Department of the Institute’s clinic.
From 1972 to 1975, he served as an assistant at the Department of Hospital Surgery. His entire subsequent scientific and practical career was closely connected with the founder of the Republican Surgery Center — academician V. Vakhidov. At this center, Professor Kalish worked as a senior researcher, chief researcher, academic secretary, head of the Department of General and Laser Surgery, first deputy director (2009–2019), and director (2003–2009), continuing the noble traditions of his mentor.
In 1971, he defended his PhD thesis titled “Oxidation-reduction processes and tissue respiration indices in purulent diseases and the effect of hydrocortisone on them.” In 1984, he defended his doctoral dissertation “Diseases of the operated stomach (diagnosis, typological characteristics, and choice of surgical treatment).” In 1992, he was awarded the title of professor.
From 1984–1991 and 1998–2006, Professor Kalish served as the Chief Surgeon of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan, playing an important role in reforming and improving the country’s healthcare system through his outstanding organizational skills.
He is recognized as one of the founders of endoscopic medicine in Uzbekistan. His first endoscopic studies were conducted in 1972 at the Department of Hospital Surgery. His research mainly focused on the diagnosis and reconstructive surgical treatment of postoperative stomach diseases. He also developed and introduced various types of vagotomy for duodenal ulcers, methods for repairing giant and recurrent ventral hernias using prosthetic materials, and prosthetic hiatoplasty for diaphragmatic hernias.
Since 1982, he has been actively involved in the establishment and development of laser medicine in Uzbekistan. On his initiative, the Republican Center for Laser Medicine and Surgery was established, and the School of Surgical Laserology was founded. Under his leadership, laser technologies were developed and successfully applied to treat gastrointestinal diseases.
Professor Kalish is the author of 4 monographs, 12 patents and author’s certificates, 23 methodological manuals and recommendations, and more than 700 scientific works, including 329 scientific articles. Under his supervision, 5 doctoral and 24 PhD dissertations were defended.
He is an academician of the Laser Science Academy of the Russian Federation, recipient of the Order of the Badge of Honor, the Badge of Excellence in Healthcare of Uzbekistan, and the honorary title of Veteran of the Healthcare System of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Professor Kalish is also one of the founders of the scientific-practical journal “Surgery of Uzbekistan” (established in 1999), where he served as Deputy Editor-in-Chief for twenty years.
Today, Professor Yuri Ivanovich Kalish celebrates his anniversary in good health and high spirits, surrounded by his family, loved ones, and students. His immense contribution to the development of national surgery, the creation of a scientific school, and the training of thousands of students will always be held in the highest esteem. We sincerely congratulate the jubilarian, wishing him longevity, strong health, prosperity, and the continued flourishing of his scientific legacy!
