In the 1952-1953 academic year, Professor Lajos Szodoray managed the independent Medical University of Debrecen as a dean with rectoral powers, then in 1954-1955 he was the academic vice-dean of the University, while between 1961-1964 he was the academic deputy rector. In his young years, he purposefully prepared himself for the task that fate had indeed chosen for him to organize one of the country's leading Dermatology Department, and to develop the necessary conditions of the excellent clinical patient care based on broad theoretical foundations in the institute, as well as the high-level teaching and research work. Lajos Szodoray is the founding figure of the Hungarian dermatology, an internationally renowned scientist, a colourful, warm-hearted individual. He is credited with the first detection and communication of numerous dermatological diseases in Hungary, and had extraordinary merits in the field of textbook writing. Fate gifted Lajos Szodoray with a long creative life for the benefit of Hungarian medicine, matchless work ethic, dynamism, unrelenting diligence, and perseverance throughout his life. In addition to his several decades of activity as a department head and teacher, he completed his professional life by holding leading positions at the University.