title: [Beginning of urology in Szczecin. Felix Hagen (1880-1962)--the first head of the Department of Urology in Stettin].
abstract: The history of the hospitals in Stettin goes back over 200 years. Urology has now existed in Szczecin, with interruptions, for 91 years. The first Department of Urology was set up in 1919 and existed till 1935. The chief of the department was Dr. Felix Hagen. The present, academicals Urology Clinic was founded nearly half a century ago. Its founder and first head doctor was Prof. Alfons A. Wojewski. Felix Hagen, the first chief of urology in Stettin, was born one hundred and thirty years ago on 27 May 1880 in Berlin. The aims of this publication are to present a brief outline of the life and work of this hard working urologist, to show the part he played in the foundation and development of the first ward of urology in Stettin, and to describe his activity in those historically so stormy times. The beginning of urology in Stettin after the World War II is briefly described, as well. The first urological ward of 30 beds in Municipal Hospital of Stettin (today Szczecin) was duly opened in 1919. Its head became a 39-years-old Dr. Felix Hagen a "specialist in urinary, bladder and kidney diseases"--from Berlin. In addition to his clinical activity, Dr. Hagen worked in his own urological practise in Stettin. In October 1935, the position of the head of the urological department was terminated, and urology was incorporated in the department of surgery. Thereafter Dr. Hagen was engaged exclusively in his private practice. After 26 years working in Stettin, in February 1945, Dr. Hagen and his wife left Stettin just before invading soviet army for Erfurt. Birth of urology, its slow beginnings, and its struggle for full autonomy and separation from surgery were laborious and difficult. It was only the combination of the political changes in Europe, due to the second World War and changes of Polish boundaries and the personality engagement of Prof. Alfons Wojewski, and the helpful attitude of the Prof. Władysław Heftmann and authorities of the Pomeranian Medical Academy (PAM) that finally brought about the creation of an independent Urology Clinic in Szczecin, in 1962.
authors.forename: Tadeusz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zajaczkowski
authors.forename: Elzbieta M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Wojewska-Zajaczkowska
mesh_terms: D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D011044:Poland; D014572:Urology / Q000266:history* / Q000458:organization & administration