In memory of Professor Alexey B. Okulov (October 2, 1937–August 1, 2025)

Russian pediatric surgery has suffered a great loss: on August 1, 2025, Alexey B. Okulov, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, an outstanding physician, renowned pediatric surgeon, and one of the founders of Russian pediatric urology-andrology, passed away. Alexey B. Okulov was born in 1937 in Moscow. After graduating from the I.M. Sechenov Moscow Order of Lenin Medical Institute and completing his residency, his entire professional life was associated with the Central Institute for Advanced Training of Physicians (now the Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education). Within the team of talented staff of the Department of Pediatric Surgery under the leadership of Academician Doletsky, Okulov was formed as a surgeon, scientist, and teacher. Through his perseverance and dedication, he was able to develop new directions in pediatric surgery and operate at Rusakovskaya (now St. Vladimir) and Tushinskaya (now Z.A. Bashlyaeva) hospitals. His scientific legacy includes more than 500 publications. Without exaggeration, Alexey B. Okulov was a living legend of the Russian school of pediatric surgery, one of the pioneers of surgery for disorders of sex development in Russia, and a true mentor to many pediatric surgeons and urologists.