Rostyslav L. Valikhnovski
Ukrainian plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Doctor of Philosophy in Medicine (PhD), Docent (Associate Professor), Honored Doctor of Ukraine. Founder and CEO of Valikhnovski Surgery Institute, President of Valikhnovski Academy, Personal Physician to the President of Ukraine (2005–2010).
01 · Origins & Medical Dynasty
Volyn Medical Roots
Rostyslav Valikhnovski was born on February 24, 1973, into a prominent medical family in Volyn, Ukraine. His father, Dr. Lubomyr Dmytrovych Valikhnovski, served for decades as the Chief Surgeon of the town of Turiisk in the Volyn region and is an Honored Doctor of Ukraine. His mother, Dr. Maria Antonivna Valikhnovska, served as the Chief Internist of the Turiisk district.
His formative school years in Turiisk, immersed in an atmosphere of selfless medical service, laid the foundation for his future surgical school and principles of clinical deontology.
Family & Surgical Continuity
The family's commitment to medicine continued into subsequent generations: his wife, Dr. Kateryna Gennadiyivna Valikhnovska, is also a surgeon by profession. Together they are raising their daughter, Maria.
His brother, Dr. Taras Lubomyrovych Valikhnovski, is the Chief Physician and Lead Surgeon at Valikhnovski Surgery Institute, with whom he built and expanded this modern multidisciplinary surgical ecosystem.
02 · Education & Academic Milestones
University Education & Fellowships
In 1990, he graduated from Turiisk Secondary School No. 1 with honors (Gold Medal). In 1995, he earned his medical degree from the Faculty of General Medicine at Ternopil State Medical Institute (now I. Horbachevsky TNMU), graduating with distinction.
He completed specialization in general and emergency surgery at the O. O. Shalimov National Institute of Surgery and Transplantology (Kyiv), followed by international surgical fellowships at McGill University (Montreal, Canada).
Academic Degree & Doctoral Research
In 2006, he successfully defended his doctoral dissertation, earning the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Medicine (PhD) in Surgery. He holds the academic title of Docent (Associate Professor).
Since 2024–2025, he continues advanced postdoctoral research in the Doctoral School of the Shupyk National Healthcare University of Ukraine (NuozU) focusing on innovative methods in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
03 · Spiritual Service & Theological Education
Priesthood, Christian Ethics & Bioethics
Alongside his advanced surgical and doctoral qualifications, Dr. Rostyslav Valikhnovski attained higher theological education from Kyiv Theological Seminary and Kyiv Theological Academy (KDAiS). Ordained to the Orthodox priesthood (priest / archpriest / protoiereus), he combines surgical healing with pastoral service, lecturing broadly on medical chaplaincy, Christian bioethics, and spiritual care for injured soldiers and patients.
04 · Four Fundamental Pillars of Biography
Medical Dynasty
Generational transmission of clinical mastery: parents with 50+ years of continuous service, brother-surgeon, and wife-surgeon.
Volyn Foundation
Worldview shaped in the family of honored physicians of Volyn, defining the moral imperative of serving patients.
International School
Synthesis of the classical Ukrainian Shalimov surgical tradition and North American clinical protocols (McGill University, ATLS, The Lancet).
State & Civic Mission
Service as Personal Physician to the President (2005–2010), emergency 112 system development, surgical education at Valikhnovski Academy, and pro-bono wartime trauma surgery.