Leo Antonovich Bockeria, outstanding Russian cardiac surgeon

Everyone in our country knows a world-famous doctor, cardiac surgeon-inventor, organizer of medicine as a science, teacher, academician Leo Bockeria. He can be counted among the narrowest circle of cardiac surgeons in the world, who uses the entire currently known arsenal of heart operations, considering a wide variety of pathologies. Many of the operations that Leo Bokeria performs have no analogues in the world. He never completely devoted himself to administrative work, although the great doctor also has a remarkable talent for this. And a great many patients who were considered inoperable have thanked Dr. Leo Bockeria for many happy years.

Biography

The famous doctor was born in December 1939 in the Abkhaz city of Ochamchira. In 1965, he graduated from the best medical university in the country - the Sechenov First Moscow Institute and immediately entered graduate school (department of operative surgery and topographic anatomy). In 1968, Leo Bockeria was sent to the Bakulev Institute (cardiovascular surgery), where he worked as a senior researcher.

In 1974, he took charge of the hyperbaric oxygenation laboratory, in 1977 he was appointed deputy director for science and headed the department of surgery for cardiac arrhythmias. To this day, since 1994, cardiac surgeon Leo Bockeria has been the director of the Scientific Center for Cardiovascular Surgery (Scientific Center for Cardiovascular Surgery) named after Bakulev at the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences.

Childhood and youth

Leo Antonovich is a Georgian by nationality, born in the Abkhaz Ochamchira in December 1939, and grew up in Poti. The parents' son became the youngest of three children - the family already had two daughters. At the age of three, Boqueria lost his father and, to his surprise, remembered this day, although he did not realize the full tragedy.

Leo Boqueria in his youth

Even at school, Leo knew that he would go into medicine. At home, it was believed that if a man wanted to become a doctor, then he should be a surgeon. In 1959, Bokeria entered the Sechenov First Medical Institute in Moscow. There the young man learned that there is such a field as cardiac surgery. In my 4th year I began studying in the scientific circle of academician Vladimir Kovanov. The institute was followed by graduate school.

The science

The scientific activity of the talented surgeon developed in the direction of surgical treatment of a wide variety of heart diseases, where the newest diagnostic and treatment methods were invented and applied. More than two hundred heart surgeries under barooperative conditions were performed personally by Leo Antonovich Bockeria. His biography was entirely related to helping people suffering from heart rhythm disturbances and coronary heart disease.

Thanks to his light hand, the possibilities of cardiac surgery have significantly expanded, and it has become possible to treat patients previously considered inoperable. All his life he was an ascetic in a new direction - minimally invasive surgery. A special merit is the implantation of artificial cardiac ventricles, as well as defibrillators-cardioverters. For the first time in the world, the Leo Bockeria Clinic began performing such operations on children.

About childhood

I was born a few days before the onset of the last pre-war year in Ochamchira, a small but very ancient city on the shores of the Black Sea.

My father is an engineer by profession, my mother is a primary school teacher. I don’t remember my dad because he died suddenly when I was only three years old. The first picture of life that stuck in my memory was my father’s funeral. I still didn’t understand much. I remember adults whispering to me: “Be quiet. Your dad died!”

The second picture of my childhood is bright and joyful. Victory Day! The sun is shining. They put me on a white shirt and trousers with straps over my shoulders: and so we went to the city. It happened in Ochamchira. The radio was playing loudly in the square, and all the people seemed happy. I remember well that I was also very happy...

I remember the difficult years 1947–1949. In the Caucasus, in a rare event, a real famine occurred. Bread was issued on ration cards, food could only be bought at the market, and it cost a lot of money. Therefore, all our neighbors, and we together with them, grew everything we could ourselves.

Academician of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Leo Bockeria at the bedside of a small patient who underwent heart surgery. Photo: RIA Novosti/Sergey Subbotin

Experimenter

Leo Antonovich not only actively, but also successfully used the experimental method during his medical career. He would have tested in experiments and then introduced into the clinic techniques and operations in a huge number. Now they are widely used in Russia and abroad. Leo Bockeria’s personal experience is unique: he performed many thousands of heart surgeries during his life, repeatedly performing them abroad - which is significant.

On his initiative, new clinical units with enormous therapeutic and diagnostic potential were created in his native Scientific Center for Surgery. His operational activities were extremely intense, but nevertheless he managed to do a tremendous amount of work as a director. In addition, he is an active teacher who created the largest cardiac surgery school in the country, being the head of the department at his alma mater, Sechenov Moscow Medical Academy, he trained many generations of doctors who put Leo Bockeria’s methods into practice. The photo shows us this connection between generations.

About science

When I was in graduate school, I came across an article about hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a means of extending the time it takes to shut the heart out of circulation during surgery. Nobody was working on hyperbaric oxygenation (the use of high-pressure oxygen during operations), and I immediately decided that this would now become my main topic.

I decided to decide, but how to organize everything? It was clear that carrying out such operations is a very difficult matter, and designing an operating room for such work is like building a submarine. But when you are in your twenties and you are truly passionate about some, even the most puzzling idea, there are no barriers. Without delay, I started construction.

Head of the Laboratory of Hyperbaric Oxygenation, Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery named after. A. N. Bakuleva Leo Bockeria (right). 1972 Photo: RIA Novosti/Dmitry Kozlov

It was clear to me that the operating room for hyperbaric oxygen therapy is something like a hermetically sealed autoclave. Without wasting time, I went in search of something suitable in the basement of the building where the department was located. Unexpectedly, I found two autoclaves there in relatively good condition, which were supposed to go to the landfill. After a preliminary examination, it became clear that the devices were suitable for me. Exactly what you need, with completely serviceable sealed doors: but you still have to tinker... Tubes were initially installed inside the autoclave, through which air was supplied and steam was released. These tubes could easily be adapted to supply oxygen-enriched air under pressure to the operating room.

When I started preparing for operations on dogs in a pressure chamber, I immediately set all my friends the task of finding a large pipe (about 50 centimeters in diameter and at least 140 centimeters long). Soon such a pipe was found at a construction site near the Kievsky railway station.

They brought it and unloaded it in the yard. Now you need to make a pressure chamber out of this rusty pipe. The main problem here is the extremely complex welding.

Article on the topic

How to keep your heart healthy? Advice from Leo Bokeria There was a workshop on the territory of the institute next to our department, several people worked there: mechanics, turners, furniture makers. All great masters of their craft, and, of course, lovers of alcohol, which I possessed: each graduate student was entitled to eight liters of alcohol per month for wiping and processing instruments. More than once or twice, workshop workers came to our aid for a small alcohol fee.

There was one great craftsman there - Vasya. I turned to this extraordinary person for help. They quickly agreed on a fee, after which Vasya said very seriously: “Let’s agree this: until the work is finished, not a gram! Not a bit! Even if I ask with tears. Well, when I finish, then we’ll all sit down together and celebrate as it should be.”

Vasya kept his word firmly and during the entire time of work he never took even an ounce of poison into his mouth. Here we saw in full beauty this great master, for whom, it seems, nothing could be done. Not only was he able to carry out an exceptionally difficult task with flying colors, but he also suggested many improvements along the way that made my job much easier and more streamlined.

I performed my very first serious operation under conditions of hyperbaric oxygenation. Everything happened in the barooperative room of the A. N. Bakulev Institute.

Leo Bokeria is preparing for surgery. Photo: RIA Novosti/Ilya Pitalev

Ranks

Bockeria is an academician and member of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, a full member of various associations of surgeons abroad, President of the National Health League, a member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation, chief cardiac surgeon of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Doctor of Medical Sciences, and professor. He has patented more than one hundred and fifty inventions, innovation proposals and utility models, and has published many more than a thousand articles, including more than a hundred abroad.

He wrote a number of problematic monographs, as well as the only manual on heart surgery in the country. Leo Bokeria is the editor-in-chief of two medical journals and the founder of two more. He is a laureate of the Lenin Prize and State Prize. Honored Scientist, awarded many orders, medals, state and international awards.

Boqueria Leo Antonovich

President of the Federal State Budgetary Institution National Medical Research Center for Cardiovascular Agricultural Sciences named after. A.N. Bakulev Ministry of Health of Russia, head of the department, cardiovascular surgeon

Doctor of Medical Sciences

Professor, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Education

1st Moscow Medical Institute named after I.M. Sechenov, Ministry of Health of the USSR (general medicine, 1965)

Qualification (Specialty, Category)

Cardiovascular surgeon

Certificates

Healthcare organization and public health / 04/28/2022

cardiovascular surgery / 06/09/2022

PUBLICATIONS ON eLIBRARY.RU

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PUBLICATIONS ON PubMed

Scientific publications:

eLIBRARY.RU, Scopus, PubMed

Leo Antonovich Bockeria is a leading cardiac surgeon, a famous scientist and organizer of medical science. Born on December 22, 1939 in the city of Ochamchira, Abkhaz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1965, L. A. Bockeria graduated from the 1st Moscow Medical Institute named after I. M. Sechenov of the USSR Ministry of Health and entered graduate school at the Department of Topographic Anatomy and Operative Surgery with Academician of the USSR Academy of Medical Sciences V. V. Kovanov. In 1968, having completed his graduate studies, Leo Antonovich was assigned as a senior researcher to the A. N. Bakulev Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, with whom he forever connected his life. In 1968 he defended his candidate's dissertation, in 1973 - his doctoral dissertation. From 1974 to 1977 supervised the hyperbaric oxygenation laboratory. From 1977 to 1993 worked as deputy director for science, head of the department of surgical treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. In February 1994, he was elected a full member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. Since September 1994, Leo Antonovich Bockeria has been acting, and since November 1994, director of the Scientific Center for Agricultural Agricultural Sciences named after. A. N. Bakuleva. Since 1994, Leo Antonovich Bockeria has been the Chairman of the Academic Council and the Chairman of the dissertation council of the Scientific Center for Agricultural Sciences named after. A. N. Bakuleva.

International recognition of the works of Leo Antonovich Bokeria is his election as a full member of the American Association of Thoracic Surgeons (1991), a member of the European Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons and the International Cardiothoracic Center of Monaco (1992), a member of the Serbian Academy of Sciences (1997), a member of the Faculties of a number of regular international conferences in France, Italy, Switzerland, member of the editorial boards of journals in the USA, Great Britain. Leo Antonovich Bockeria repeatedly traveled abroad to perform demonstration operations and performed the first successful operations for tachyarrhythmias in Italy and Poland. Of particular note is the election of L. A. Bockeria in 1998 as an Honorary Member of the American College of Surgeons, the highest title in the surgical hierarchy. Since 2003, Leo Antonovich has been a member of the Presidium (consul) of the European Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons.

Leo Antonovich Bockeria - President of the Russian Scientific Society of Cardiovascular Surgeons. since 1995. In this capacity, he achieved the holding of regular congresses with the wide participation of nursing staff and young specialists, and attracted leading foreign surgeons to give lectures and demonstrate operations.

Leo Antonovich Bockeria - during 1993-1998. was the Chairman of the Committee of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation and the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences on antiarrhythmic implantable devices and electrophysiology, and since 1998 - Director of the Center for Surgical and Interventional Arrhythmology of the Russian Federation Ministry of Health. In this capacity, he contributed to the creation of the most important regulatory documents, the creation of new types of electrical stimulators, and the formation of regional centers.

Leo Antonovich Bockeria is the editor-in-chief of a number of journals: “Annals of Surgery”, “Childhood Heart and Vascular Diseases”, “Bulletin of the Scientific Center for Cardiovascular Surgery named after. A. N. Bakuleva RAMS”, “Cardiovascular diseases”, “Creative cardiology”, “Annals of Ari”, “Bulletin of Lymphology”, information collection “Cardiovascular Surgery”. Together with Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences V.S. Savelyev, L.A. Bockeria is the editor-in-chief of the journal “Breast and Cardiovascular Surgery”. Leo Antonovich was also the initiator of the creation of the popular science publication “Doctor”.

In June 2003, Leo Bockeria was elected President of the All-Russian public organization “League of National Health”, in the creation of which the most prominent scientists, literary and artistic figures, athletes, politicians, and businessmen participated. The League’s mission is to achieve the creation of a model of self-development in medicine, develop “sport for all,” strengthen the family, spread the experience of a healthy and active lifestyle, create conditions for the spiritual and physical development of the individual, and the revival of national cultural traditions. Since 2003, Leo Bokeria has been a member of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences.

In 2005, Leo Antonovich was elected a member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation under the President of Russia. From 2006 to 2009 - Chairman of the Commission of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation on the formation of a healthy lifestyle.

In 2010 he was elected a foreign full member - academician of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, in 2011 - honorary professor of Moscow State University. M.V. Lomonosov. In 2011 he was elected academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Prizes, honors and awards

Lenin Prize laureate (1976)
Honorary Citizen of Poti (1985)
Laureate of the USSR State Prize (1986)
Active member of the American Association of Thoracic Surgeons (1991)
Member of the Scientific Board of the International Cardiothoracic Center of Monaco (1992)
Full member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences (1994)
Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation (1994)
Memorial sign “For courage and love for the Fatherland. 1941-1945" (1996)
National Award "Person of the Year" (1996, 1997, 1999, 2002-2009)
Honorary Member of the Serbian Academy of Sciences (1997)
Order of Merit for the Fatherland, III degree (1999)
Georgian Order of Dignity and Honor (1999)
Order of the Holy Right-Believing Tsarevich Demetrius, Moscow and Uglich Wonderworker “For Works of Mercy” (1999)
Honorary Citizen of Tbilisi (1999)
Honorary Member of the American College of Surgeons (1999)
Gold medal of B.V. Petrovsky “Outstanding Surgeon of the World” (2001)
Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh, II degree (2001)
Vernadsky's Star (2001)
Akaki Tsereteli Prize laureate (2001)
Medal "For Merit to Domestic Healthcare" (2002)
Laureate of the State Prize of the Russian Federation (2002)
Medal of the Prize Winner of the International Association of Children's Funds (2002)
Insignia in honor of the Day of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) “Civil Valor” (2003)
Badge-medal “Honor and Benefit” (2003)
Laureate of the State Prize of the Russian Federation in the field of science and technology (2003)
International Golden Hippocrates Award (2003)
Member of the Presidium of the European Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons (2003)
Badge-order "Patron" (2004)
RAS Prize "Triumph" in the field of science (2004)
Laureate of the Russian Government Prize in the field of science and technology (2004)
Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" II degree (2004)
Medal of the Russian Academy of Arts “Worthy” (2004)
Medal of Honorary Member of the Russian Academy of Arts (2004)
Order of international ambassadors (2004)
Order "For Honor, Valor, Creation, Mercy" (2004)
Medal “To the Faithful Son of Russia. Matvey Platov" II degree (2005)
Medal “Public Recognition. 60 years of Victory" (2005)
Medal of I. I. Kartukov (2005)
Memorial sign “75 years of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug - Ugra” (2005)
Order of N. I. Pirogov (2005)
Medal of the Order "Spiritual Unity of the Peoples of the World" (2005)
European Avicenna Medal (2005)
Order of Nikolay Pirogov (2005)
Medal of E. N. Meshalkin (2006)
Medal of the Order "Great Victory" (2006)
Order of Peter the Great (2006)
Special national award “Kremlin Grand” with the honorary title “Light of Medicine” (2006)
Badge-order "For Mercy" (2006)
Honorary Diamond Order "Public Recognition" (2006)
Order “For Honor and Dignity”, “Kremlin Grand” Award (2006)
Order "Pride of Russia" (2006)
Order of Kuzbass "Key of Friendship" (2006)
Gold star “Honour, pride and glory of Russia” (2006)
Order "Good Angel of the World" (2006)
"Scientist of the Decade" (2007)
Order "Sovereign Rus'" (2007)
Order of St. Nina Equal to the Apostles, Illuminator of Georgia, IV degree (2007)
Laureate of the All-Russian competition “National Treasure” (2007)
Medal "For Merit to the Chechen Republic" (2007)
Order of F. E. Dzerzhinsky (2007)
Medal "Man of the year" (2007)
Medal of I. I. Mechnikov (2008)
Medal “To the 100th anniversary of Academician B.V. Petrovsky” (2008)
Order of “Honour”, “Sovereign” award with the title “Support of Honest Business” and the honorary title “Outstanding Cardiac Surgeon of Our Time” (2008)
Medal "Dank" (2008)
Medal of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences “For practical contribution to strengthening the health of the nation” (2008)
Medal “Viktor Rozov. For contribution to national culture" (2008)
Memorial certificate “On the inclusion of the name of the Cavalier of the highest public awards of Russia in the Golden Fund of Russia” (2008)
Medal “Peter the Great. For selfless work" (2008)
Order of Saint Daniel (2008)
Order of Kadyrov (2009)
A. N. Kosygin Prize “For great achievements in solving problems of economic development in Russia” (2009)
Moscow City Prize in the field of medicine “For the development and implementation into clinical practice of a new biological heart valve “Bioglis” (2009)
Medal "For Valiant Labor" - for services to healthcare (2009)
Honorary medical badge "Red Cross" - for services to the development of healthcare (2009)
Honorary title "Person of the Year" (2010)
Elected foreign full member - academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (2010)
Elected Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences (2011)
Elected honorary professor of Moscow State University. M.V. Lomonosov (2011)
Certificate of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences for organizing and holding the All-Russian Scientific Conference of Young Medical Scientists “Innovative Technologies in Medicine of the 21st Century” (2012)
Laureate of the CIS interstate award “Stars of the Commonwealth” for major contributions in the fields of science and education, culture and art, and humanitarian work.

Leo Antonovich Bockeria has more than 180 patents for inventions, utility models and innovation proposals.

Recognition abroad

Leo Bockeria was elected in 1991 as a full member of the American Association of Thoracic Surgeons, a year later in the European Society of Cardiovascular Surgeons, in the International Cardiothoracic Center of the State of Monaco, and a member of the Serbian Academy of Sciences.

He regularly attends international conferences in Switzerland, Italy, France, and is on the editorial boards of medical journals in England and the USA. Since 1998, Boqueria has been an honorary member of the American College of Surgeons, the highest title in the hierarchy. Since 2003, he has been a member of the presidium, that is, consul of the European Society of Cardiovascular Surgery.

Career

Bockeria Leo Antonovich did not immediately become a famous surgeon. He has come a long way of becoming and developing as a specialist in his field. At first he worked as a simple research assistant. Later, he was appointed head of the laboratory, and at the same time Leo defended his Ph.D. thesis. When he defended his doctorate and received the title of professor, he was appointed deputy director for science. Leo Bockeria worked in this position for almost twenty years. In the 90s, it was decided to organize a scientific center for cardiovascular surgery. Leo was appointed director of the cardiology center. A year later, Bokeria became acting. O. director of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, and a little later - director. In 2012, Bockeria was presented as a confidant of the Russian President.

National Health League

As the president of this public organization, where prominent scientists, artists and writers, politicians and athletes, businessmen and the best teachers work, Leo Bokeria was involved in creating a model of self-developing medicine, developing sports for everyone, strengthening families, and disseminating the experience of a healthy, active lifestyle. The main objectives of the League are to create conditions for the physical and spiritual development of the individual, the revival of cultural and national traditions.

How did the son of engineer Anton Ivanovich, who died back in 1943, and primary school teacher Olga Ivanovna from a distant Abkhaz town become such an outstanding personality - Leo Bockeria? Nationality certainly played a role, Georgia - the movement itself, the dance, the flight. It is these wonderful qualities that the outstanding doctor is trying to instill in Russian society. “Walks with a Doctor” at the All-Russian Exhibition Center, in which Muscovites participate weekly, promote a healthy lifestyle.

Personal life

Leo met his wife Olga Alexandrovna at the institute; they were classmates. Now she is the head of the department at the Sechenov Moscow Medical Academy.

In 1971, the couple had a daughter, Katya, and in 1973, Olya. Leo Antonovich considers them his idols; he is proud of his daughters, because both women have succeeded both in their profession and in their personal lives. Firstly, both Katya and Olya continued their parental work, treating and saving people. The younger Olya has now replaced her father in the “Walks with a Doctor” project; she is fully responsible for its organization. Secondly, both daughters created wonderful families; the Bokeria couple have seven grandchildren.

Leo Antonovich and his wife have been accustomed to spending their weekends culturally since their youth. Nowadays, more and more often, their children and grandchildren gather together, but they still find time to go to the cinema, theater, conservatory and art exhibitions. They don’t miss the premiere screenings of Nikita Mikhalkov’s films and Valery Gergiev’s concerts in Moscow.

The entire older generation in the Boqueria family - he, his wife, daughters and their husbands - are doctors. Until the age of thirteen, the eldest grandson wanted to become a heart surgeon, but then he changed his mind and decided to study as an economist. But Leo Antonovich jokes that there are six more grandchildren in stock, perhaps one of them will want to continue the family business.

Optimism and movement

A person who wants to stay healthy should take at least ten thousand steps every day, and that’s forty minutes of walking without a break. Not running, no. Just a walk, even at the most leisurely pace. Leo Boqueria is convinced that this initiative will become a tradition. At the All-Russian Exhibition Center, walking Muscovites have their blood pressure and pulse measured if they wish. This way you can even out your heart rate and breathing, and this is how your blood vessels and muscles are trained.

The morning of every person who is committed to health should begin with a smile. From here comes the correct state that accompanies the whole day. It is not so important who you smile at: loved ones, family or your reflection in the mirror. Leo Boqueria raised both his wife and two daughters in this vein. By the way, they all also chose medicine as their profession. Even grandchildren are taught to be optimistic from an early age. Then life becomes longer.

Honorary titles and awards[ | ]

1976 - Lenin Prize laureate (together with V.I. Burakovsky and V.A. Bukharin) - for the development and implementation of hyperbaric oxygenation into clinical practice
1986 - Laureate of the USSR State Prize - for the development and implementation into clinical practice of new electrophysiological methods of diagnosis and operations for ventricular overexcitation syndromes, supraventricular and ventricular tachycardias and the development of a new direction - surgical arrhythmology.
1991 - full member of the American Association of Thoracic Surgeons
1994 - Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation
1999 - Order of Merit for the Fatherland, III degree
1997, 1999, 2002 - title “Person of the Year”, Russian Biographical Institute
2000 - title “Man of the Decade” in the “medicine” category, Russian Biographical Institute
2001 - Order of the Russian Orthodox Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh, II degree
2002 - title “Man-Legend” of the All-Russian Prize of the Government, the Union of Industrialists and the Third Millennium Foundation, “Russian National Olympus”
2002 - State Prize of the Russian Federation in the field of science and technology - for developing the basic principles of the problem of surgical treatment of aneurysms of the ascending section and aortic arch.
2003 - International Golden Hippocrates Award (for the best cardiac surgeons in the world)
2003 - title “Person of the Year - 2003” in the “Medicine” category for outstanding contribution to global cardiac surgery and strengthening Russian healthcare, Russian Biographical Institute
2003 - Prize of the Government of the Russian Federation in the field of science and technology - for the development and implementation of a transmyocardial method of treating inoperable patients.
2004 - award sign-order "Patron" for outstanding contribution to the revival and prosperity of the World, for the greatness of the soul, for selfless generosity. Awarded by the Patrons of the Century Charitable Foundation.
2004 - Golden honorary badge “Public Recognition” for a great personal contribution to the development of domestic medicine, conducting unique cardiac surgeries using the latest medical technologies that saved the lives of hundreds of children and newborns, many years of fruitful scientific, practical, pedagogical and educational activities, active civil society position. Awarded by the National Foundation for Public Recognition, the National Civil Committee for Interaction with Law Enforcement, Legislative and Judicial Bodies, and the independent organization Civil Society.
2004 - Triumph Award.
2004 - title “Person of the Year - 2004” (Russian Biographical Institute).
2004 - Order of Merit for the Fatherland, II degree
2004 - Order “For Honor, Valor, Creation, Mercy.” Prize Profession-Life.
2005 - Award “Best Books and Publishing Houses of the Year”, nomination “Science”, for the publication of the book “Health of the Nation” (Atlas).
2005 - title “Person of the Year - 2005” (Russian Biographical Institute).
Honorary member of the Russian Academy of Arts[12]
2007 - medal “For services to the Chechen Republic”[13]
2007 - Honorary title “Knight of Childhood”[14].
2008 — National Award “Russian of the Year”[15]
2008 - Medal "Dank" (September 1, 2008, Kyrgyzstan) - for services in the development of Kyrgyz-Russian cooperation in the field of medicine, contribution to the formation and development of cardiovascular surgery in the republic
[16]
2010 - Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree[17]
2013 - “Person of the Year - 2013” award, for new reconstructive operations for congenital heart defects[18]
2015 - Order of Alexander Nevsky (August 22, 2020) - for his great contribution to the development of healthcare, medical science and many years of conscientious work
[19]
2016 - special Muz-TV award in the nomination “For contribution to life”[20]

Diet Leo Boqueria

Witty in purely Georgian style, the never-aging doctor told reporters how he once misled his colleagues by accidentally finding his fifty-year-old suit at home, which looked quite decent. Leo Antonovich came to work in it. And no one noticed anything unusual, except for the strange cut. A healthy person has approximately the same weight throughout his life, and his clothing size does not change, as has been demonstrated.

The diet should be varied, but moderate, then you will definitely be able to keep yourself in good shape, and most importantly, your heart will be very grateful for it. In addition, Leo Bockeria’s recommendation: “Give breakfast to the enemy,” although the popular proverb says the opposite. In the morning, a person is not yet tired, he does not need to replenish his strength, so the more suitable advice is “eat dinner yourself.”

Astronauts from America

The low-carbohydrate diet, which is used by American astronauts and recommended by Leo Boqueria, is considered an effective method of losing weight. Gradually, this diet “went to the people”, and now the broadest masses of the population of many countries limit flour, sweet, salty foods, as well as legumes, cereals and vegetables.

This is an effective nutrition system, because after just a week of strict adherence to its rules, it allows you to lose more than three kilograms. Carbohydrates are sharply eliminated from the menu: potatoes, flour, sweets, rice, bread, fruits. But there is a lot of protein in the diet: meat, fish and poultry, as well as skim milk and vegetables that do not contain starch. The level of carbohydrate content is taken as a basis. Products are carefully listed in a special table, and each gram of carbohydrates is calculated before eating.

Contraindications

This weight loss technique is only for healthy people. It should absolutely not be used by people with diseases of the heart, intestines, blood vessels, digestive organs, especially kidneys. Even for completely healthy people, it makes sense to discuss this diet with your doctor. It is also not recommended for pregnant and lactating women.

Eating the way the famous doctor does is only possible for those who live his life. Although the so-called Kremlin diet itself has gained the greatest popularity in the country. True, many nutritionists claim that using it for more than a month is harmful. Boqueria lives like this for a quarter of a century. Although, he has a diet that is completely impossible for an ordinary person.

Criticism[ | ]

In 2014, Dissernet accused Bockeria of organizing a “factory” for writing dissertations containing incorrect borrowings and falsified data[21][22]. The newspaper “Troitsky Option - Science” published an investigation by the President of the Society of Evidence-Based Medicine Specialists Vasily Vlasov into dissertations defended at the Scientific Center for Cardiovascular Surgery named after A. N. Bakulev. The author of the investigation claims that among the large number of dissertations with abundant incorrect borrowings, three quarters were completed under the direction of Leo Bockeria and that in these works there are signs of data falsification in the form of substitution of arithmetically or statistically impossible values[21].

To live long

In the first place among the dangers to human life is hypertension, in second place is atherosclerosis. And the third place is confidently taken by physical inactivity with excess weight. Smoking is also harmful, according to doctor Bockeria, who himself smoked for more than twenty years. But alcohol should beautify life - of course, good alcohol, high quality. But even for them it is unacceptable to get drunk, warns Leo Antonovich. Because intoxication, that is, a hangover, is a real threat to life. There is no cure for it, it’s just that life ends forty years earlier.

Of course, everything is God's will. Many very healthy people die quickly and unexpectedly - from cancer or injuries in old age. For most, only proper nutrition and moderate exercise will help. No miracle pills, herbs, lotions, or poultices are needed. Only walks and food restrictions. Leo Boqueria provided details of his recommendations in many media. It is his job to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Food should rarely be tasty!

At six thirty the doctor is already on his feet - every day, always. For breakfast, he eats just a little cottage cheese without sugar, but with natural yogurt. Operations begin at eight in the morning and last until at least sixteen, eighteen hours. Already evening! During all this time, not a crumb fell to Leo Antonovich. But now there will be no lunch. Yogut again. And a glass of mineral water. Then the work continues - the most varied, requiring effort of will, mind, memory. Leo returns home at night. Then there is lunch in the form of a large piece of fish or meat with vegetables, most often with tomatoes, which he eats every day (or rather, night).

Bokeria gave up first courses - soups and other borscht soup - many years ago. And, contrary to the opinion of nutritionists, nothing bad happened to his stomach. Rarely, rarely can he eat candy or cookies, no more than once a week. Fruits - two to three times a month: pears, tangerines, bananas, peaches. Even less often - honey instead of sugar. This is all. I would like to add that the human body is not only unique, it is also individual. Very few people could exploit their body with impunity the way Leo Bokeria does.

Master of Heart Affairs

As long as I know him, I am always amazed by his eternal ability - to come up with something, to do something that no one has done before. Not afraid to be the first. Leo Antonovich is amazingly greedy: everything is not enough for him, he needs more, more, more!..

He directs the unique center for cardiovascular surgery named after Bakulev. On the facade of this world-famous medical institution it is written: “House of the Heart.” Bokeria believes that this name most accurately conveys the content of the business to which he and his colleagues devote their lives. Books, articles, TV shows, films...

Leo Antonovich is not ignored. But best of all, his wife Olga Alexandrovna knows Leo best of all. Recently, this amazing family duo celebrated their golden wedding. And today with Olga Alexandrovna we are talking about her great husband.

Is it easy to be the wife of such a man?

Olga Bockeria:

It was and is easy for me. I never understood when even close friends asked: how do you live with him? Even as a joke. I loved him, love him and will always love him. I have done and will continue to do things to make him feel calm. To be surrounded by his beloved children and grandchildren. This is my greatest joy. I try to do everything so that nothing in the house irritates him. I avoid all conflicts. All sorts of conversations on unpleasant topics. And in difficult situations I always consult with him.

But it happens that the operation was unsuccessful...

Olga Bockeria:

He is terribly worried. From the way he entered the hall, the way he took off his coat, I understand that something happened. Either the operation was unsuccessful, or something happened at the institute. Although he takes care of me, he tries not to bring negativity with him. If he is silent or does not answer my questions, then I do not ask them. Because I know: after some time he will tell everything himself.

Does he work from home too?

Olga Bockeria:

Weird question! Certainly. He brings home piles of documents that need to not only be reviewed, but also responded to and a decision made. Prepare for a complex operation.

And the impression is that he knows everything in advance, that with his experience, his knowledge, he no longer needs to prepare for anything.

Olga Bockeria:

Does he really give that impression? He prepares for every operation, especially if it is new or complex.

Is he a home person?

Olga Bockeria:

Very. Most of all he loves home comfort and silence in the house. Although I am always glad to see the gang of our children and grandchildren who turn everything upside down in the house. But he really doesn’t like it when something valuable is broken. He treats everything with respect, including things. Although not a stingy person, not a materialist.

Leo Antonovich is always elegantly and fashionably dressed...

Olga Bockeria:

He watches this very closely. The suit must be ironed. The shirt is starched, the tie and shoes are chosen by himself. And the shoes always shine.

Who cleans it?

Olga Bockeria:

Himself. He believes that it is not scary for his hands.

Is it true that he chooses outfits for himself and for you? And not just the foppish caps and ties that he loves so much and wears with such charm?

Olga Bockeria:

This is true. Moreover, he buys almost all my fashionable and unfashionable things even without my personal presence. And there was no case that he made a mistake in the size or that I didn’t like it.

Olga, today you have an unusual brooch on your suit - a cameo, but not on a light background, as is customary, but on a dark one...

Olga Bockeria:

My Leo also chose it and gave it to me.

Leo Antonovich and I were in Chechnya. The hospitable hosts asked what to cook for breakfast. Leo Antonovich's answer to the hospitable hosts not only surprised, but also disappointed: for breakfast he asked for a little cottage cheese and buckwheat porridge. You can use unsweetened yogurt. At home too?

Olga Bockeria:

All my life I have been preparing this very homemade cottage cheese every morning, cooking buckwheat porridge, which he can eat for dinner. He is completely unpretentious when it comes to food.

But he’s Georgian, which means a glass of good wine... True, I noticed how many times: during a general feast, he hardly drinks. Justified: surgery tomorrow. And there is always an operation for tomorrow...

Olga Bockeria:

Or there may still be an emergency operation. And your hands should not shake. And the head should be light. In the last couple of years, he stopped drinking altogether.

You both drive a car. Both love to drive fast...

Olga Bockeria:

No, I drive carefully. But he always scolds me for driving fast. When we drive together, he usually drives.

You share his love for dancing and choral singing. He dances amazingly gracefully, for example, “gypsy girl with an entrance,” and sings well. He has excellent hearing...

Olga Bockeria:

You saw and heard it all. I, of course, always liked it. And I like it. At such moments, he rests his soul. He loves his friends and always tries to help them if they have problems, not only with health.

We live in difficult times. It is not easy for the health service either. I know that Leo Antonovich is going through all the vicissitudes...

Olga Bockeria:

Leo always says: I'm a doctor. And this is his main credo. And he never changes this.

Sometimes it seems to me that Bokeria simply does not know what fatigue is. Here are the same “Walks with a Doctor”. Yes, they are commanded by your youngest daughter Olga. But what to hide: people, having learned that Leo Antonovich is participating in the walk, literally run to at least see him, and if they can ask a question... They ask them in such numbers... And Bockeria answers everything. All walks are extended over time. Somehow such a walk was announced in Samara. That Saturday—walks are usually on Saturdays—I remember the weather was disgusting, it was drizzling. To be honest, I thought that early in the morning Leo Antonovich would not fly in specifically to take part in the walk and that people would not gather for it. I was wrong! A huge crowd came, and Leo Antonovich almost ran, almost straight from the plane. Not to mention how much he values the “National Health League” he invented and created. Every year, “League” sends out a motor ship, stuffed with specialists and modern equipment, on its next voyage. The ship is sent along the rivers of Russia to provide advice to all children in need of help. And there was never a case when Leo Antonovich did not guide the ship on its voyage. And I’ll ask you: does he really never get tired? Doesn't this ever become a burden to him?

Olga Bockeria:

Unfortunately, he gets tired. I try to ensure that he rests at least on Saturday and Sunday, so that there is at least one or two days without operations, without endless calls. So he can bury himself in his books.

— Tired? However, he does not refuse invitations to concerts and performances...

Olga Bockeria:

We really love going to the conservatory and theaters. We don’t miss Gergiev’s concerts in Moscow or the premieres of Nikita Mikhalkov’s films. So you asked us questions. I myself was interested in how much our answers coincided or did not coincide. And since we are meeting before the New Year, I wish him and everyone, everyone, everyone peace and health and happiness.

Do you feel that your husband is, without exaggeration, a great man?

Olga Bockeria:

It is very difficult for me to answer this question. For me, he is the dearest, the most beloved, the closest. I understand that he is extraordinary, extremely gifted. Is it bad? Great? Let others judge this. You've been communicating with him for so many years. Does it bother you that he is Leo Bokeria?..