Vladimír Vondráček
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Vladimír Vondráček, M.D. (23 February 1895 – 10 May 1978) was a Czech psychiatrist. He is considered one of the founders of Czech medical psychology, psychopharmacology, dietetics and psychiatric sexology. After World War II, Vondráček became the "legendary head physician" at the Psychiatric Clinic in Prague. He was an important popularizer of psychiatry and related sciences, and contributed to the integration of the mentally ill into normal life. Vondráček is the author of about 225 studies and books, of which probably the best known is his work Fantastické a magické z hlediska psychiatrie (Fantastic and Magical from the Viewpoint of Psychiatry). He is also noteworthy for his three-part memories.
Vondráček was born on 23 February 1895 in Prague to the family of a delicatessen merchant.[1] He graduated from gymnasium and later studied medicine in Prague, graduating in 1919. His military service was as a doctor with the 7th Regiment.[2]
Early in his medical career, he worked at the Clinic of Internal Medicine under Ladislav Syllaba, and at the Institute for the Mentally Ill under Antonín Heveroch. After receiving a doctorate in pharmacology in 1932,[3] he worked at the Pharmacological Institute of Emanuel Formánek, and at the spa in Ľubochňa and Tatranská Lomnica. In 1938, he was appointed professor of psychology, and in 1946, he became professor of psychiatry, at the psychiatric clinic, Charles University in Prague, Faculty Of Medicine. After World War II, Vondráček became the "legendary head physician" at the Psychiatric Clinic and retired in 1957 after 25 years of service.[4] In 1957, he became the head of the psychiatric clinic, replacing Zdeněk Mysliveček. He is credited with establishing a research laboratory at the clinic, working there until his death. He was a proponent for the unity of psychiatry and neurology.[5]
Vondráček was a charismatic figure of the medical faculty, described as being a tall man with a beard, known for his dry humor.[6] He applied his characteristic expression to his professional works, which are clear, readable and accessible to a wider public. His earliest books and articles date to 1923 and cover a wide range of issues, including psychiatric, psychological, sexological, pharmacology, and internal medicine, incorporating findings and observations of his time.[3] His radio shows were well received. Her popularized a healthy lifestyle by discussing it not only in university lecture halls, but also by writing books and talking about it on the radio.[7]
