July 1 – a symbolic day in the life of Semmelweis University. On the closing day of the academic year the university commemorates the birthday of Ignác Semmelweis with a series of festive events.
University Rector Tivadar Tulassay and Head of I. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
János Rigó laying a commemorative wreath at the Semmelweis Museum of Medical History
The world-famous medical doctor, Ignác Fülöp Semmelweis (1818-1865), whose name is borne by our university, and whose knowledge and life-work was much ahead of his time, was born 190 years ago. It was the ground-breaking invention of introducing the handwash procedure in medical practice to combat puerperal fever for which he is remembered as the Saviour of Mothers.
The university strives to give his name even more merit by a continuous development of the high-level education, health care and research centre of excellence that it is grown into now. This endeavour dates back to earlier times than the moment the school proudly took the name of Semmelweis, but ever since its foundation as the Faculty of Medicine in the town of Nagyszombat in 1769.
The anniversary celebrations of Semmelweis Day comprised three festive events. First, university leaders and invited guests congregated in the morning at the Semmelweis Museum of Medical History – the building Semmelweis was born – where a commemoration speech and wreath-laying ceremony were held at the tombstone of our name-giving patron. Later in the day, wreaths were also laid to the statue of Ignác Semmelweis in the central campus site of the university. The main ceremony in the afternoon rounded up the festivities on Semmelweis Day. It served as the occasion to officially close the academic year as well as to present students and members of the teaching and administrative staff with various awards and honours.
