Inauguration of the bust of Ignác Semmelweis in Toronto
In the framework of the Semmelweis memorial year launched by the Government of Hungary in 2018 – on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of his birth —we unveiled the bronze bust of the world famous Hungarian physician, saviour of the mothers, Ignác Semmelweis in Toronto at Mount Sinai Hospital on 6 February 2019. The statue was made by the young Hungarian sculptor Botond Polgár, who’s works feauture extraordinary realism. We should thank him creating this outstanding work of art.
„If you know Hungary and Hungarians, you might know that we have been trying to combine the wisdom brought from the East with the rationality of the West and this endeavour has brought about a unique Hungarian way of thinking, which gives the world inventors and scientific minds in much greater numbers than would be expected from a country with the size of Hungary’s. We Hungarians are proud to have given many Nobel Prize laureates in different fields, including 3 in physilogy and medicine. Thanks to everyone who took part in the project’s realisation. The statue of Ignác Semmelweis couldn’t have been erected in a worthier place, thank you Mount Sinai Hospital. Special thanks to Dr Johns Dirks and Professor László Rosivall, former rector of the Semmeilweis University of Budapest, president of the Semmelweis Memorial Committee, who initiated this international statue project” – said Consul General Valér Palkovits in his opening remarks.
We are grateful for the commitment and praising words of Gary Newton, President and CEO of Mount Sinai Health System, Dr. Péter Forbáth, Dr. Trevor Young, Dean of UoFT Faculty of Medicine and Dr. Dan Farine, Perinatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital.
