The University in badges and medals: the phaleristic heritage of Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University

The article examines the phaleristic heritage of Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University. It introduces into scholarly circulation a collection of awards, medals, and commemorative badges reflecting the history of the institution from the late nineteenth century to the present day. The study considers the “Woman Physician” badge of 1880, academic badges awarded to graduates, faculty and departmental awards, anniversary and graduation badges, as well as badges associated with student scientific societies, sports organizations, and medical teams. Particular attention is paid to changes in the university’s award symbolism during the post-Soviet period and to the development of its own system of honorary medals commemorating prominent scientists and founders of scientific schools. Phaleristic objects are examined not only as museum exhibits, but also as sources for studying the university’s symbolism, corporate traditions, and mechanisms of collective memory formation.

1. Gliantsev S. P. On the history of medical insignia of the USSR. In: Proceedings of the 7th Meeting of the Council for the Development of Historical-Medical Museums under the Ministry of Health of Russia. Moscow, 2015. (In Russ.).

2. Gribanov E. D. Russian chest medical badges. Riga, 1989. (In Russ.).

3. Gribanov E. D. Tokens of the Russian Empire. Medicine, Red Cross, charity. Moscow, 1998. (In Russ.).

4. Tolmachev R. A., Polyakov E. L., Sinyachenko O. V., Tikhonyuk I. I. Catalogue of medical and biological badges. Congresses, congress sessions, conferences, symposia, and other forums. Moscow, 2009. (In Russ.).

5. Tolmachev R. A., Tikhonyuk I. I. Professional, commemorative, and souvenir badges of medical institutions. Russia and other countries. Moscow, 2006. (In Russ.).

6. Tolmachev R. A. Golden emblems for distinguished physicians // Science and Life. 2008;3. (In Russ.).

7. Tolmachev R. A. Official academic and commemorative badges of medical and veterinary higher and secondary educational institutions. Russia and other countries. Moscow, 2004. (In Russ.).

8. Gleizer M. M. Medals and badges of the Mining Institute (University). Saint Petersburg, 2018. (In Russ.).

9. The “Woman-Physician” badge was approved on May 14, 1880 (PSZRI, 2nd edition, No. 61090). It was officially named the “Badge for Graduates of the Women’s Medical Courses at the St. Petersburg Nikolaev Military Hospital.” At the center of the badge are the letters “Ж” and “В” (for Zhenschina-Vrach, Woman-Physician). In 1881, the Women’s Medical Courses were abolished, and the last graduating class completed their studies in 1886.

10. Shabanova A. N. In memory of Nikolai Yakovlevich Chistovich. On the history of women’s medical education in Russia Leningrad Medical Journal. 1926;(5):49–59. (In Russ.).

11. On the establishment of extra-staff positions at the Saint Petersburg Women’s Medical Institute. Ministry of Public Education. 17 March 1906;36. Saint Petersburg: n.p., 1906. Materials. Vol. 43 / Russia. State Council. Department of Industry, Science and Trade. (In Russ.).