According to Dr. Ágoston Szél, Rector of Semmelweis University, Semmelweis Day is the largest celebration of our institution, since we pay homage to the memories of Ignaz Semmelweis, the namesake of our university this day.
On the basis of the traditions, the celebration series organized on the occasion of Semmelweis Day were started in the inner courtyard of Semmelweis Medical History Museum, Library and Archives, which used to be the birth place of Ignaz Semmelweis.
“The work of Semmelweis sends the message of the importance of being exact and precise in our daily work. Even if the conditions are less favourable, for the sake of patient care one cannot allow a lower quality of work.”, highlighted Dr. László Tamás, Director of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery during his ceremonial speech.
Dr. Tamás talked about the difficulties of the worldwide famous Hungarian physician, that his theory and views were not tolerated during his lifetime. The first article about his discovery was published in Medical Weekly (Orvosi Hetilap) in 1858, 10 years after he had discovered childbed fever, and the world acknowledged only in 1879 that Semmelweis had been right. Dr. Tamás also recalled the visit of a respected American head and neck surgeon, who during his visit in Budapest stopped by Semmelweis’s working place, Rókus Hospital and expressed his respect at his memorial plaque.
Finally, the ceremonial speech was followed by a wreath taking ceremony. On behalf of Semmelweis University a wreath was placed by Dr. Ágoston Szél and Dr. László Tamás. On behalf of Semmelweis Medical History Museum, Library and Archives a wreath was placed by Dr. Erzsébet Kótyuk, Director. On behalf of the Hungarian National Museum a wreath was placed by Benedek Varga, Director-General.
In the inner courtyard of Semmelweis University, by the statue of Ignaz Semmelweis a celebration was being held starting from 11:00 a.m. The ceremonial speech was held by Dr. András Matolcsy, Director of the 1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research.
“The discovery of Ignaz Semmelweis is still valid as of today, therefore on Semmelweis Day we not only celebrate the birth anniversary of Ignaz Semmelweis, but also the successful discovery. The life of Semmelweis and the story of the discovery of childbed fever is exemplary for us all, exemplary because Semmelweis was standing in an opposition with the dogmas of the era and he was fighting for justice.”, emphasized Dr. András Matolcsy.
Dr. Matolcsy also called the audience’s attention to the fact that the life and work of Semmelweis show the importance of autopsies as well. Even if the number of autopsies are currently less and less worldwide, yet the instruction of pathology is an important part of the curriculum at Semmelweis University, and the clinicians are active participants of the discussions held at the dissecting room.
Finally, the ceremonial speech was followed by a wreath taking ceremony. On behalf of Semmelweis University a wreath was placed by Dr. Ágoston Szél, Dr. Károly Szász, Chancellor and Dr. András Matolcsy. On behalf of Budapest City Hall a wreath was placed by Dr. Gábor Bagdy, Deputy Budapest Mayor. On behalf of the City Hall of the 9th District a wreath was placed by Miklós Zombory, Deputy Mayor. On behalf of the City Hall of the 8th District a wreath was placed by Oszkár Zentai, President of the Human Resources Committee of the City Hall of the 8th District. On behalf of the Hungarian Medical Chamber a wreath was placed by Dr. Gábor Gerber, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, member of the Hungarian Medical Chamber’s Dentistry Division. On behalf of Semmelweis University Association of Friends a wreath was placed by Dr. Emil Monos Professor Emeritus and President of Semmelweis University Association of Friends, Dr. László Rosivall, Professor and Executive Secretary of Semmelweis University Association of Friends as well as by Dr. Péter Schmidt, Professor and member of the leadership of Semmelweis University Association of Friends. On behalf of Students’ Union a wreath was placed by László Kósa, Vice-President of Students’ Union. On behalf of Instructor Self-Active Group a wreath was placed by Krisztina Tóth and Csaba Eke, leadership members.
On the occasion of the 199th birth anniversary of Ignaz Semmelweis, a ceremony was being held at the Nagyvárad tér Theoretical Building (NET), which was the closing ceremony of the 247th academic year as well. The ceremony was opened by Dr. Ágoston Szél, Rector.
“There are several important anniversaries in the life of the university: in two years we are celebrating the 250th anniversary of its foundation, and in one year we are celebrating the 200th anniversary of Semmelweis’ birth anniversary.”, highlighted Rector Szél.
Rector Szél briefly introduced an overview about the results of the current academic year, among others he mentioned the completion of the Union Phase of the Korányi Project of the Central Patient Care Building, as well as the investment of several equipment such as PET-CT and MR scan. Rector Szél also highlighted that the foundation stone of the Faculty of Health Sciences’ new wing has recently been laid. The construction is partly supported by the government with a budget of 1.4 billion HUF. The ceremony was organized in the framework of the third forum of the health ministers of China and Central-Eastern Europe, with the participation of the Vice-President of the State Council of China. The new building wing will provide space for the Traditional Chinese Medicine teaching. Rector Szél also emphasized that one should not mistake Western Medicine taught by the Faculty of Medicine for Traditional Chinese Medicine. Yet, as Rector Szél pointed out, especially on Semmelweis Day it is important not to consider the results of evidence-based Western Medicine exclusive.
During the ceremony a ceremonial speech was also held by Dr. György Losonczy, Director of the Department of Pulmonology. Dr. Losonczy emphasized the importance of Semmelweis’ discovery: as opposed to his respected fellow professors in Vienna, Semmelweis could not disregard the massive number of deceased women. As Dr. Losonczy expressed, due to his common sense, clear-sightedness and honesty, Ignaz Semmelweis was predestined to analyse the epidemic mechanism related to childbed fever until he entirely grasped it. According to Dr. Losonczy, unfortunately Semmelweis was isolated by the professional leadership of the era; mediocre people did not let him prevail, the professional who was so much better than any of them. However, due to his discoveries Ignaz Semmelweis became one of the ten greatest figures of the universal medical history. Dr. Losonczy also added that our institution is extremely proud to have Ignaz Semmelweis as the namesake of the university; Semmelweis’ life is exemplary for every creative mind as it represents an inexhaustible source of fresh water.
The ceremony was followed by the awarding process of the media awards, certificates of habilitation, the Pro Universitate Silver Awards and the golden seal-rings. Afterwards the commission of new titles were announced for the positions of deputy dean, department head and director. The Senate of Semmelweis University provided ten professors with the Professor Emerita and Professor Emeritus titles, the certificates were handed over to the awardees by Rector Szél. During the ceremony the following certificates were also handed over to the recipients: associate professor, senior research fellow, scientific advisor, excellent employee award and praise awarded by the Rector, excellent employee award and praise awarded by the Chancellor, excellent professional award as well as praise by the dean.
In the framework of the ceremony Dr. Ágoston Szél Rector handed over the Semmelweis University Innovation Award, of which the aim is to promote the scientific results achieved by university students and researchers.
This year the Regöly Awards were handed over to the awardees for the seventh time, the Awards entitled In Memoriam of Prof. Dr. Romics László Foundation for the first time, and the Award of Dr. Rácz István Foundation for the tenth time.
Pálma Dobozi, Eszter Keresztes
Photo: Zoltán Adrián, Gábor Ancsin
Translation: Katalin Illés-Romhányi
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