In Agust 1809 Doctors H. Dziarkowski, A. F. Wolff, J. Czekierski and F. Brandt decided to found a medical and surgery school. On September 19th the royal decree of Frederick Augustus I of Saxony, issued in Dresden, founded the Faculty of Medicine headed by H. Dziarkowski and the General Medical Council. On September 22th H. Dziarkowski submitted a memorandum on the teaching of medicine to the president of the Chamber of Education, Stanisław Kostka Potocki, and he confirmed the readiness of the signatories to accept the duties: A. F. Wolff, H. Dziarkowski, J. Czekierski, F. Brandt, Józef Celiński and Ludwik Cassius. At its first meeting, a commission (comprising S. Staszic, S. B. Linde, H. Dziarkowski, A. F. Wolff and J. Czekierski), appointed by the Chamber of Education, considered the selection of the school premises and teachers, the founding of the Obstetrics Institute and determined the funds required to run the school. A decision to organise a medical school in the Jesuit’s former building on 4/73 Jezuicka Street was taken. At the second meeting, the commission prepared the timetable, approved the estimate to convert the post-Jesuit building into an anatomical theatre. The Chamber was asked to approve the nominations of professors and to issue relevant patents. The decision was taken to publish an announcement on the founding of the Medical Academy and its commencing classes. The 15 November classes commenced. In the first year of existence, the Medical Academy had 44 medical and 14 pharmacy students. In 1813 the first diplomas were granted to 18 graduates.
The Stone Obelisk was unveiled in 2009 to highlight the 200th anniversary of medicine teaching in Warsaw. Beneath, the authorities laid a message - a solemn pledge obligating Medical University of Warsaw to bring up and teach academic youth, as well as to bring help to all the sick and needy. The message also contained jubilee motto of the University community about serving to "the People and Homeland".
Fot. Wanda Widomska
Dział Fotomedyczny WUM
