Elizaveta Glinka

Orden of Friendship

RUS Decoration For Beneficence 2012 BAR

RusStatePrize

Vladimir Putin and Elizaveta Glinka (2016-12-08) 01

[[File: Elizaveta Petrovna Glinka, better known as Dr. Liza, was a prominent Russian humanitarian, physician, and charity worker. Born on February 20, 1962, in Moscow, Soviet Union, she became widely recognized for her compassionate work, particularly in providing palliative care to children and adults with serious illnesses. Glinka's dedication to humanitarian causes and her untimely death in a plane crash on December 25, 2016, while en route to Syria, have made her a revered figure in Russia and beyond.

Early Life and Education

Elizaveta Glinka was born into an intellectual family in Moscow. Her father was a journalist and her mother a physician, which influenced her future career path. After completing her secondary education, Glinka pursued medical studies, graduating from the First Moscow State Medical University with a degree in medicine. Her early career was marked by a keen interest in palliative care, a field that was not widely recognized in Russia at the time.

Career

Glinka's medical career took a significant turn when she moved to the United States in the early 1990s, where she gained further experience in palliative care. Upon returning to Russia, she became a pioneering advocate for the development of hospice care and palliative treatment, areas that were largely neglected in the post-Soviet healthcare system.

In 2007, Glinka founded the charity organization "Fair Aid" (Russian: Справедливая помощь), through which she provided medical and financial support to those in need, including homeless individuals, cancer patients, and children with disabilities. Her work extended beyond Russia's borders, with humanitarian missions in conflict zones such as eastern Ukraine and Syria, where she delivered medical supplies and aid to civilians affected by the ongoing conflicts.

Humanitarian Work

Dr. Liza's humanitarian efforts were characterized by her hands-on approach and her belief in the dignity of every individual, regardless of their social status or health condition. She was particularly noted for her work with children suffering from terminal illnesses, providing them not only with medical care but also with emotional support.

Her commitment to helping those in the most desperate situations led her to frequently visit war-torn areas, where she personally delivered humanitarian aid. Glinka's work in these regions highlighted the critical need for medical assistance and international attention to humanitarian crises.

Death and Legacy

Elizaveta Glinka's life was tragically cut short when she died in a plane crash over the Black Sea on December 25, 2016, along with 91 other passengers and crew members. She was en route to Syria to deliver medical supplies to a hospital in Latakia at the time of her death. Her passing was mourned by many, including the highest levels of the Russian government, and she was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation for her humanitarian contributions.

Glinka's legacy lives on through the continued work of "Fair Aid" and the many lives she touched. Her dedication to the most vulnerable members of society serves as an enduring inspiration to those working in humanitarian aid and healthcare.

See Also

• Palliative care
• Humanitarian aid
• First Moscow State Medical University