Honorary Professors

Honorary Professors of the MUG

The Medical University of Gdańsk may confer special distinction upon its academic staff in recognition of their outstanding scientific achievements or their contributions to the development of the University. This recognition takes the form of the title Aesculapius Gedanensis / Honorary Professor of the Medical University of Gdańsk, established by a resolution of the Senate of the MUG adopted on 26th February 2018. The presentation of a commemorative diploma takes place during major University ceremonies, and the names of the Honorary Professors are inscribed on a dedicated memorial plaque.

A distinction analogous to that of Honorary Professor existed at the Stefan Batory University in Vilnius, whose traditions are continued by the Medical University of Gdańsk. As noted by Prof. Wiesław Makarewicz, Rector of the Medical Academy of Gdańsk from 1999 to 2005, the Higher Education Act of 1920 provided for the appointment of honorary professors. This title could be conferred upon distinguished scholars, particularly those retiring from their academic units and positions upon reaching retirement age. The procedure was similar to that for appointing associate and full professors, although it did not require the collection of formal opinions.

The first honorary professorships were awarded in the academic year 1924/1925. Among the Honorary Professors of the Faculty of Medicine at Stefan Batory University were Dr Józef Babiński, neurologist; Dr Ludwik Spillmann, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Nancy; Dr Ludwik Bruntz, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Nancy; and Prof. Józef Ziemacki, in recognition of his overall contribution to the Faculty and the University.

In the academic year 1927/1928, the Faculty of Medicine Council conferred the title upon Rafał Radziwiłłowicz, Ph.D. contract professor at the Department of Psychiatry, and Władysław Motz, M.D. professor at the Free Faculty of Medicine of the University of Paris. In subsequent years, the distinction was also awarded to Prof. Juliusz Szymański (resolution of 24th September 1935, approved on 4th April 1936) and Prof. Jan Szmurło (appointed by the President of the Republic of Poland on the 2nd December 1936).