Hygiena 2015, 60(3):107-111 | DOI: 10.21101/hygiena.a1395

Famous Founders of the National Institute of Public Health in Prague, CR

Jaroslav Kříž

Státní zdravotní ústav, Praha

The National Institute of Public Health in Prague, Czech Republic, was inaugurated 90 years ago on November 5th, 1925. The article remembers the eminent personalities of the specialists who were instrumental in the foundation and development of the institute in its formative years. Ladislav Procházka formulated the initial concepts of a centralised institute of public health and prevention of disease and as minister of health played a significant role in its realization. Alice Masaryková, daughter of T. G. Masaryk, the first president of Czechoslovakia, negotiated professional and financial assistance from the Rockefeller Foundation. Selskar Gunn, an American public health specialist, provided valuable advice to the Czechoslovak state and mediated contact between the Rockefeller Foundation and Czechoslovak Ministry of Health. Pavel Kučera elaborated a definitive description of the institute's structure and function and became its first director, holding this post for the first three and most complicated years that involved completion of building work and expansion of its professional activities.

Keywords: history of public health, history of public health institutes, National Institute of Public Health

Received: April 2015; Accepted: July 24, 2015; Published: September 1, 2015  Show citation