On this important day, the graduates were accompanied by their families, friends, faculty authorities, university authorities and invited guests. Congratulations and best wishes were addressed to the graduates by the Rector, Prof. Rafal Krenke, and the Head of the Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Aneta Nitsch-Osuch, Vice Dean for Curriculum and Educational Quality, the host of the ceremony.
Ethics and ethos in the work of a doctor
- The medical profession, despite its many challenges, also brings great joy. There are not many who can say that they change people's lives for the better every day - Prof. Aneta Nitsch-Osuch said to the heroes of the diploma awarding ceremony.
However, the Vice Dean stressed that being a doctor is not just a profession, but also a vocation that requires more than knowledge and skills. - When we think of doctors, two words often come to mind: ethos and ethics.
As Professor Nitsch-Osuch explained, ethos is a set of principles that must be followed in the daily struggle for the welfare of the patient. Ethics, on the other hand, helps you make the right decisions. - It is through it that we can be sure that we are serving the patient in the best possible way - the Vice Dean stressed.
Prof. Rafal Krenke, Rector of MUW, also argued about the importance of staying true to the highest standards in a doctor's work.
- Unlike external circumstances that will be more or less conducive to the development of your professional career, what standards you will represent - is already up to you - said Professor Krenke - I believe and wish that as graduates of the Faculty of Medicine - a faculty with over 200 years of history - you will remain faithful to these unquestionable and universal values.
The Diploma does not symbolize the end of education
And this is because medicine is developing all the time, so the doctor's work requires constant deepening of acquired knowledge and acquiring additional skills. Without this, there is no way to treat patients well.
- In the era of rapid development of various medical methods and technologies, you will even be forced to continue your education. This will require of you both to meet the needs of the medical market or health services, as well as the common decency that dictates preserving - for the patient - the best, most effective and safest methods of diagnosis and treatment - said Rector Professor Rafal Krenke.
- The knowledge you have gained during your studies is only the beginning. What lies ahead of you is continuous education and improvement of your skills. New technologies, medicines, procedures - all of these require you to be constantly engaged and willing to develop. Constantly improving your skills is not only a duty, but also a privilege. Each new discovery, each new skill, is a step towards better patient care - Prof. Aneta Nitsch-Osuch, in turn, emphasized.
Medical pledge, presentation of awards and diplomas
After the speeches, the graduates repeated the words of the medical pledge, declaring that they accept the conferred title of doctor with reverence and deep gratitude, as well as comprehend the full weight of the duties associated with it.
Diplomas were then presented. And also a number of awards for the most outstanding graduates.
- The Golden Laurel for the best graduate and a diploma with distinction for the highest grade point average was awarded to Aleksandra Bętkowska (average 4.90). The award for her was also sponsored by TU INTER Polska S.A.
- The diplomas with distinction for high average were also awarded to: Mateusz Kołodziejczyk, Natalia Karpowicz, Monika Gajda, Justyna Popczyńska, Justyna Wołos, Paweł Tyrna, Agnieszka Kluz, Patrycja Retman, Ksawery Szlęzak, Joanna Anyszka, Michał Woźniak, Martyna Berej, Przemysław Klasicki, Klaudia Łuczak, Aleksandra Słowikowska, Anna Stróżak, Ewa Tomicka, Maria Zasadzińska, Julia Adasiewicz, Paulina Filipowicz, Szymon Pucyło, Szymon Staneta, Joanna Żyła, Agata Antoniak, Piotr Pęczek, Karolina Szałata, Karolina Woźniak, Klaudia Baran, Anna Centkowska, Jędrzej Machtyl, Marcelina Sztyler-Krąkowska, Piotr Więckowski, Ignacy Grochulski, Julia Izdebska, Olga Jakubik, Katarzyna Kozon, Karolina Stachyra, Katarzyna Stachyra, Weronika Balas, Katarzyna Ceglarz, Michał Janiszewski, Irmina Jaszczuk, Dmytro Kovalchuk, Ignacy Sterliński, Wiktor Żyro, Martyna Cholewik, Maciej Gicewicz, Kinga Kowalik, Agata Król, Katarzyna Krupa, Krzysztof Łuszczyński, Maciej Mozer, Alicja Nowik, Jan Wilk, Marta Borecka, Mateusz Teofilak, Katarzyna Żyro.
- Kamila Rutkowska received the Special Award of His Magnificence Rector for promoting the Medical University of Warsaw as an open, multicultural University and, in particular, for implementing the idea of the unique Diversity x WUM student project.
- The Golden Badge of the Student Scientific Society for lifetime achievement in science was also presented. It was awarded to: Emilia Piotrkowicz, Paweł Tyrna, Julia Nowak, Martyna Cholewik, Agnieszka Dąbkowska, Matylda Kubacz, Agata Gaweł, Klaudia Zielonka, Jędrzej Machtyl, Jaromir Huna, Krzysztof Łuszczyński, Anna Krawczyk.
- Awards of the International Association of Medical Students IFMSA-Poland Warsaw Branch were given to: Aleksandra Maciejczyk, Kamila Rutkowska, Katarzyna Krupa, Karolina Stachyra, Jędrzej Machtyl, Joanna Olejnik, Weronika Kowalczyk, Katarzyna Giemza, Małgorzata Krzyżanowska, Anna Krawczyk, Nina Karpińska, Katarzyna Pomykała.
- Martyna Cholewik and Adam Niedziela received the “Key to the House of Medics” award for their outstanding and long-standing commitment to the student community and their contribution to the development of the MUW Student Government, while Karolina Marrodan-Wojtczak received the “Key to the House of Medics” award for her activities on behalf of the Faculty of Medicine Student Government.
- At the end, the awards were presented to the graduates active in the Academic Sports Association MUW. They went to Joanna Pergoł and Kacper Stępniak.
The diplomas are just the beginning of the journey
An indispensable part of the diploma awarding ceremonies is to give voice to the heroes of the ceremony. This year the graduates were represented by: Aleksandra Bętkowska and Katarzyna Marrodan-Wojtczak.
Recalling the years spent at the university, Aleksandra Bętkowska emphasized: - For six years we went outside our comfort zone, discovered our passions and interests, including those outside/beyond the university, to leave this place already as different people.
She thanked her colleagues for being an invaluable support to her during difficult times and for being able to share moments of joy with them. She also thanked the academic staff for the knowledge they imparted, the challenges they posed, and the time they took to help students develop their skills. She also expressed her thanks to her family and friends.
- We certainly still have a lot of challenges and important decisions ahead of us - this is just the beginning of the road, but I hope that each of us, regardless of the direction we take, will find our place on it - the Golden Laurel winner concluded her speech.
- The last few years have been filled with long hours of seminars, lectures and clinical classes, countless days and nights spent on books, preparing for colloquia and exams, striving for desired goals. And finally we hold our diplomas in our hands. We did it - Karolina Marrodan-Wojtczak, in turn, said.
She also thanked family and friends, as well as academic teachers for their guidance in the academic adventure and the opportunity to learn and be inspired by their knowledge and experience.
She concluded by stressing that she looks to the future with hope and determination.
- There is a lot of learning ahead of you, new experiences, many paths to explore. I wish you perseverance, passion and satisfaction with your work as well as the fulfillment of more dreams, and above all - good luck!
After the speeches of the graduates, Dr. Artur Drobniak, President of the Regional Medical Council in Warsaw, took the floor and warmly congratulated the heroes of the ceremony.
- I believe that it is you - this wonderful group of young doctors - who will show that the medical profession is not only outstanding knowledge, but also great communication skills, management of the therapeutic team, at the head of which you will stand, because at the moment medicine is not only a doctor, but also a nurse, paramedic, physiotherapist - and that all together we can provide the most wonderful care to our patients - said Dr. Artur Drobniak.
Musical accompaniment for the entire event was provided by the Choir of the Medical University of Warsaw.
At the end, a commemorative photo was taken, and the graduates threw their graduation caps.
In addition to those mentioned above, the diploma awarding ceremony was also attended by: Prof. Agnieszka Cudnoch-Jędrzejewska, Vice Rector for Clinical Affairs and Investments, Prof. Marek Kuch, Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Education, Prof. Michal Grąt, Vice Rector for International Relations, Development and Promotion, Dr. Bogdan Lang, member of the University Council for the 2021-2024 term, Prof. Maciej Dawidowski, Vice Chairman of the Council for the Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prof. Agnieszka Mielczarek, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Prof. Mariusz Gujski, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Agnieszka Bazylko, MD, PhD, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, as well as former Rectors of the MUW: Prof. Tadeusz Tołłoczko, Prof. Marek Krawczyk, Prof. Mirosław Wielgoś, Prof. Zbigniew Gaciong, Vice Deans of the Faculty of Medicine: Prof. Aleksandra Banaszkiewicz, Prof. Tadeusz Grochowiecki, Łukasz Koperski, MD, PhD, Jacek Sieńko, MD, PhD, as well as members of the Council of the Faculty of Medicine, program and pedagogical councils, as well as Prof. Longin Marianowski, Dean of the Second Faculty of Medicine from 1987 to 1993, Dr. Artur Drobniak, President of the Regional Medical Council in Warsaw, Ewa Piotrowska, Director of the Princess Anna Mazowiecka Clinical Hospital, Dr. Marta Kijak-Bloch, chancellor of MUW, Katarzyna Ładno, director of the Insurance Company TU INTER Polska S.A Warsaw Branch, members of the Board of Directors of the Students' Self-Government of the Faculty of Medicine, Alexis Vourtsis, Chairman of the English Division Students' Self-Government, Anna Kupczak, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Students' Self-Government, representatives of the of the International Federation of Medical Students Association IFMSA-Poland Warsaw Branch: Maja Jabłońska and Martyna Majewska, representatives of the Students' Scientific Society: Magdalena Justyniarska and Emilia Włoszek.
Enjoy a short video report from the event!
