Facultad de Medicina

The air crackled with a nervous energy. Students whispered greetings, their faces a mixture of anticipation and dread. It was exam day at the Facultad de Medicina. The Facultad de Medicina at the Universidad de Cartagena has been a beacon of medical education for almost two centuries. Its story is intertwined with the city’s rich history, reflecting Cartagena’s diverse cultural tapestry and unwavering spirit. Established in December 1836, the Facultad de Medicina quickly became a cornerstone of the city’s intellectual landscape. One of its most celebrated alumni, Rafael Calvo Castaño, revolutionized the curriculum in 1850 after training in Paris. He introduced groundbreaking practices like cadaver preservation with formaldehyde, aligning the Facultad de Medicina with the prestigious Sorbonne. The university, then known as Universidad de Bolivar, attracted aspiring doctors from across Colombia and even as far as Venezuela, Panama, Aruba, Cuba, and the Antilles. The Facultad de Medicina’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. The university’s resilience was tested in 1959 during a major strike that led to the resignation of a significant portion of its medical faculty. Yet, under visionary leaders like Napoleon Franco Pareja, the Facultad de Medicina not only recovered but flourished. The Facultad de Medicina stands as a testament to the enduring power of education and the unwavering pursuit of knowledge. Its legacy is etched in the annals of Cartagena’s medical history, a beacon of hope and healing for generations to come.