FILM-RELATED WEBSITES
The English Surgeon
Visit the filmmaker's website for The English Surgeon and access additional information about the film, download press photos, find ways you can help doctors Henry Marsh and Igor Kurilets in their work in the Ukraine and get a listing of upcoming screenings.
Nick Cave and Warren Ellis
Longtime collaborators Nick Cave and Warren Ellis created the haunting score for The English Surgeon. Tracks from the film will be released as part of White Lunar, the forthcoming two-CD soundtrack compilation set from Mute Records (September 21, 2009). Learn more about the album and the soundtrack on the website.
Kyiv Post: The Non-English Surgeon
This article about Dr. Igor Kurits, the other doctor featured in The English Surgeon, appeared in the Ukrainian newspaper, The Kyiv Post, earlier this year. The article provides a Ukrainian perspective on the film and includes interviews with Ukrainian officials. (August 20, 2009)
NPR: Talk of the Nation
Dr. Henry Marsh appeared on NPR's daily call-in talk show to talk about his collaboration with a Ukrainian doctor to save lives and bring hope to patients. (September 8, 2009)
CBS News: Interview with Filmmaker Geoffrey Smith
The English Surgeon director talks about why he decided to make the film and the criminal investigation of Dr. Igor Kurits currently underway in Ukraine. (September 8, 2009)
RESOURCES
Neurology and Neurosurgery
BBC News: "I Was Awake During Brain Surgery"
This article follows a British man who had awake brain surgery performed by Henry Marsh, the neurosurgeon featured in The English Surgeon, to remove a brain tumor that had not diminished with chemotherapy and radiation. (March 9, 2004)
BBC Radio: "Neuroscience"
In this episode from the BBC Radio Four series "In Our Time," host Melvyn Bragg interviews experts in psychology, neuroimaging and philosophy who discuss issues around neuroscience, including consciousness and identity.
Healthline: Neurosurgery
Set up like an encyclopedia article, this page gives a concise explanation of brain surgery and other therapies to treat brain diseases, tumors and other types of illness. The page also gives brief descriptions of different brain maladies, from hemorrhages to degenerative disorders.
International Brain Research Organization
This organization was founded in response to growing demand from neuroscientists for an organization that would cut across world boundaries and help improve collaboration and productivity of brain research. The organization runs many programs and features up-to-date publications, as well as providing researchers with suggestions for accessing funding and grant opportunities and donating equipment.
The New York Times: "Health Guide: Brain Surgery"
This health guide features an overview of brain surgery and defines some procedures. The guide also lists recent New York Times articles concerning brain surgery.
The New York Times: "Brain Surgery Frees Runner, But Raises Barriers"
This article tells the story of a woman who developed epileptic seizures and had surgery to remove the part of her brain that caused the episodes. As a result, she now struggles with some memory loss issues. (July 8, 2009)
Society for Neuroscience
This nonprofit membership organization brings together scientists and physicians who study the brain and nervous system. The group's website features an extensive list of publications about the brain including several fact sheets and a section devoted to education and advocacy for brain research.
Ukraine
BBC News: "Chernobyl's Cancer World Record"
Part of the BBC's health section, this page gives a general overview of the Chernobyl disaster, which occurred in Ukraine while it was still a part of the Soviet Union.
BBC News: "Country Profile: Ukraine"
This country profile from the BBC gives basic information and facts about Ukraine and also provides a timeline of key events in the country's history.
BBC News: "Ukraine's Hybrid Healthcare System"
This article describes the state of the health-care system in Ukraine, which is paid for by government money, patients and doctors. It offers a look at the way the former Soviet republic is trying to expand and improve the quality of its health care in spite of its economic struggles. (July 2, 2008)
The CIA World Factbook: "Ukraine"
This entry provides background and current facts and statistics on Ukraine. (May 13, 2009)
The European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies: "Health Care Systems in Transition: Ukraine." (PDF)
Published by the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, this extensive report features an in-depth look at the health-care system in Ukraine and provides detailed background on the country. The report also discusses Ukrainian health-care finance and delivery, as well as health-care reforms after the fall of the Soviet Union. (2004)
World Health Organization: "Ukraine"
This fact page on Ukraine links to health statistics for the country, as well as to articles about the current health-care situation.
International Health
American International Health Alliance
This nonprofit organization works to help communities and nations with limited resources improve their community health through technical assistance as well as community education on a variety of health issues. The group's website features a page listing places where the organization performs its work that includes information about its work in Ukraine. It also suggests different ways that people can get involved.
Medline Plus: International Health
Medline Plus offers resources and publications that give information about the current state of international health, including information on epidemics, tips on traveling and current collaborative efforts to improve global health.
UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the health, education and rights of children, noting that care at a young age can lead to a better future. The organization's website features a page listing ways that people can support UNICEF, as well as a fact page on its work in Ukraine specifically.
Women for World Health
Women for World Health evaluates and identifies community medical needs in both the United States and in developing or struggling nations. In addition to raising awareness about these issues and concerns, the group also supports communities through volunteer medical missions. Its website features information on how people can either donate to the organization's efforts or volunteer with the organization.
PBS/NPR
PBS
NewsHour: Shattered Health
This transcript of a 1997 interview covers some of the factors fueling the health-care problems that former Soviet Republics like Ukraine are facing today. (Dec. 26, 1997)
NOVA: Brain Mapping Pioneers
This concise history covers the major players in modern neuroscience and neurosurgery and the different experiments that each conducted to further the field. There are also links to other information about neurology.
RX For Survival: A Global Health Challenge
This project follows some of public health's leading pioneers and heroes in more than 20 nations around the world as they work to help control disease and bring medical aid to developing nations.
NPR
Fresh Air: A Surgeon's-Eye View of the Brain
This page provides an excerpt from neurosurgeon Katrina Firlik's book, Another Day in the Frontal Lobe: A Brain Surgeon Exposes Life on the Inside, which talks about her own personal experiences with brain surgery. (May 10, 2006)