Dr Christopher Rowland Payne received the Lifetime Award and Dr Liliana Sytnyk received the Trotula Research Award at the Schola Medica Salernitana

 

Dr Christopher Rowland Payne received the Lifetime Award and Dr Liliana Sytnyk received the Trotula Research Award at the International ceremony reported by Corriere Salerno. Their recognition formed part of the 26th edition of the Scuola Medica Salernitana Days, which began on 25 November with the opening of a photographic exhibition titled “The Places of the Scuola Medica Salernitana.” The programme continued with events and conferences that examined the heritage and future of medicine and concluded with the presentation of awards to distinguished medical professionals.

Dr Sytnyk’s award carried the name of Trotula, one of the earliest known women in the ancient medical world, who promoted healthy and long living through exercise, good diet, low stress and cleanliness. Trotula also wrote extensively on personal care, including skincare, make-up, reducing puffiness, removing unwanted hair, lightening the skin, treating blemishes and freckles, maintaining oral hygiene and caring for lips and gums.

The awards were presented in Salerno, home of the Schola Medica Salernitana, the first and most influential medical school of medieval Europe. Founded in the 9th century on the Tyrrhenian coast, the school rose to prominence in the 10th century and became the leading source of medical knowledge in Western Europe. The historic setting provided a meaningful backdrop for celebrating the achievements of Dr Rowland Payne and Dr Sytnyk, whose contributions to medicine reflected the spirit of innovation and learning that characterised the school’s legacy.

The Schola Medica Salernitana is widely considered the first medical school in the world (or at least the Western world) to have formally accepted female students.