The celebration of the 100th anniversary of the imperial military medical academy as a recognition of its special role in the development of russian medicine

Abstract

The study describes the solemn celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Imperial Military Medical Academy. This celebration not only fixed the special status of the academy among the educational and medical institutions of prerevolutionary Russia but also allowed us to summarize the main results of its development and formation. For 100 years of its existence, it has turned into the largest military educational medical institution, known worldwide, and has experienced periods of ups and downs, heydays and declines, and hopes and disappointment. In 1809, shortly after its foundation, the academy was named the Imperial Military Medical Academy and was introduced into the rank of the first scientific institution of the Russian Empire. The academy reached its greatest heyday when it was part of the military Department, which generously paid for the expenses of its “offspring. ” Thanks to the care of the curators and trustees of the academy, the initiative and creative activity of its leaders in the second half of the XIX century created a wonderful complex of buildings with amphitheaters, auditoriums, classrooms, and medical Departments. More than 10 thousand military doctors had already been educated at the academy by that time. Continuous improvement of teaching and encouragement of the scientific activity of teachers and students put the academy on par with the leading scientific and educational institutions of the West, and some of its institutions nearly surpassed even the best European models. Anniversary events include laying a wreath at the grave of Emperor Paul I, assembly speeches, festive dinners, routs, and visiting the theater and remained in the memory of the participants of the celebration for a long time. During its anniversary, Russian scientists have received numerous warm and heartfelt congratulations from outstanding figures of world science. The involvement of the country’s top officials and the medical community in this celebration testifies to the great respect and love for this oldest military educational institution, the profession of a military doctor, and the recognition of the academy’s merits in the development of Russian and world medical science in helping a suffering person.