Ever wonder what it took to build a medical school in the late 19th century? Here before us stands the Facultad de Medicina. It is one of the fourteen schools of the Universidad de la República. The Facultad de Medicina was founded by decree on December 15, 1875. It is in the Aguada neighborhood.
The building was completed in 1910. Architect Jacobo Vázquez Varela drew inspiration from the Medicine School in Paris. Imagine the Montevideo of that era. It was a city on the rise. The Facultad de Medicina was a symbol of progress. It embodied the hopes of a nation striving for modernity.
Initially, the Facultad de Medicina began humbly. The courses started in 1876. They were held in a small space. This space was within the old University building. It stood at the corner of Sarandí and Maciel streets. Resources were scarce. Yet, the dedication was immense.
Dr. Suñer y Capdevila became the first Dean. He developed the initial curriculum and regulations. The first courses were anatomy and physiology. Dr. Francisco Suñer y Capdevila taught physiology. Dr. Julio Jurkowski taught anatomy. Interestingly, both were foreign doctors. Dr. Suñer was Spanish. Dr. Jurkowski was Polish.
In its early days, the Facultad de Medicina relied heavily on foreign expertise. Doctors from Spain, Italy, Germany, and Poland shaped its growth. It wasn’t until 1884 that a Uruguayan, Dr. José Máximo Carafi, became the dean. He was the eighth dean.
The first curriculum started on May 12, 1877. It required five years of study. To become a “Doctor in Medicine and Surgery”, students had to defend a final thesis. This requirement lasted until 1902. The Facultad de Medicina also offered courses for dentists, midwives, and phlebotomists.
Dr. José María Muñoz Romarate was the first graduate in 1881. He faced accusations of practicing medicine illegally. He had not registered his degree. This led to a new rule. All graduates had to register their degrees.
Adela Parietti became a midwife. José Scarabini became a phlebotomist. By 1886, the student body had grown. There were 92 students. 74 were Uruguayans and 18 were foreigners.
José Arechavaleta founded a bacteriology laboratory. This was inspired by the work of Robert Koch and Louis Pasteur. This laboratory became the Institute of Experimental Hygiene in 1896. It was the first institute of the Facultad de Medicina.
By 1901, a new building was needed. Architect Jacobo Vásquez Varela was in charge. He modeled it after the Faculty of Medicine of Paris. The new building had two pavilions. One was for the Institute of Chemistry. The other was for Hygiene. A larger building with an H-plan housed anatomy and physiology. The center had a large amphitheater. It also contained the Deanery and offices. The courses in the new building started in March 1911.
Clinical teaching faced challenges initially. The Administrative Commission of the Hospital de Caridad hindered the teaching. But the Maciel Hospital gradually became available for teaching. In 1908, the Pereira Rossell Hospital opened. It housed clinics for children, gynecology, and obstetrics. The Hospital Pasteur was installed in 1922.
Dr. Manuel Quintela secured approval for a clinical hospital in 1926. The cornerstone was placed in 1930. The hospital opened in 1953. It was named “Hospital of Clinics Dr. Manuel Quintela”.
The Facultad de Medicina also created the Course of Dieticians in 1945. The “University School of Nursing” and the “Graduate School” were founded in 1952. The School of Nutrition was created in 1956.
The military dictatorship from 1973 to 1985 greatly impacted the Facultad de Medicina. The regime aimed to weaken the University. It promoted individualism and limited research.
The Facultad de Medicina has a rich history. It has overcome many challenges. It continues to be a vital institution in Uruguay. Take a moment to appreciate the history and significance of this building. It is a place of learning. It is a place of healing. It is a testament to the pursuit of knowledge.