| Description | This collection was established in 1986 on the 45th anniversary of the founding of the Polish School of Medicine at the University of Edinburgh. The collection contains a wide range of items of varying quality. These include medals of medical interest, wartime memorabilia, books about the Polish School of Medicine (in English and Polish), photographs, paintings, sculptures and other artefacts, including the original crest of the Polish School of Medicine and a hand painted tea service. Most of the collection is housed at the Chancellors Building, the University of Edinburgh’s Medical School, with a small satellite exhibition at the Lister Postgraduate Institute. Many of the items in the Collection have been gifted to The University of Edinburgh, or directly to the Collection, by Polish Medical Academies, grateful former students, staff and graduates of the Polish School, and their families and friends. The late Dr Wiktor Tomaszewski, a former member of staff at the Polish School and a long serving and revered Edinburgh doctor, was the main driving force behind the realisation of this collection and also added extensively to it. The establishment of the Polish School of Medicine in March 1941 was a unique wartime academic initiative. Although originally intended to meet the needs of students and doctors in the Polish armed forces, the School opened its doors to civilians from the outset. Students followed a Polish curriculum, were taught mainly in Polish, and were awarded a Polish degree. By the time the school closed in 1949, over 336 students had matriculated. 227 had graduated with a medical diploma (MBChB) and 19 obtained a doctorate or MD. Only a few graduates returned to Poland after the war - most remained in Britain. Some emigrated to the US, Canada, Australia and elsewhere. Though older and far fewer in number today, graduates still keep the spirit of the Polish School of Medicine alive and maintain their links with the University. |
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