Being accepted into the medical field of study requires hard work, especially since it is very popular. Every year several thousand people compete for a place amongst students, and less than a thousand get in. Therefore, the matriculation ceremony is a special event, and in a lofty way confirms the status of the student and emphasizes membership in the academic community. The ceremony for those newly admitted to the medical field of study took place on October 8 at the Didactic Center MUW, and the matriculated were accompanied by the dean's authorities, university authorities and numerous academic teachers.
- You have chosen a wonderful field of study, because in the future you will practice the most beautiful profession in the world. For there is nothing more beautiful than helping another human being, relieving suffering, saving health, saving life - said Prof. Aneta Nitsch-Osuch - There is nothing more beautiful than the words, often spoken in a quiet and trembling voice, ’Thank you, Doctor!”, words you will hear from your future patients, their families and loved ones.
The awareness of responsibility for patients, according to Professor Nitsch-Osuch, should accompany students throughout their studies. - Remember that it is your knowledge, skills and competence that people's health and lives will depend on in the future. This is a great challenge and obligation, because medicine is an art and a vocation - the Vice Dean said.
Commitment and the right attitude - a message from the Rector
Rector of MUW Prof. Rafal Krenke also addressed the newly admitted with a message, calling for a committed and responsible approach to the educational process.
- You should realize by now that there is a very close relationship between the level of knowledge acquired and the quality of assistance provided to your patients - the Rector stressed - I wish you to acquire the broadest possible knowledge, skills and competence, which on the one hand will allow you to effectively care for your patients, and on the other hand will ensure their respect and trust. And what we experience from patients: this respect and trust - is a very positive motivation in the daily work of a doctor.
The Rector stressed that from their studies, in addition to the merits, students should also bring the right - ethical - attitude. An attitude not only towards patients, but also towards colleagues.
- I'm thinking of an attitude characterized by openness, respect for the other person and sensitivity to the problems we all have. If you do not develop such ethical attitudes in yourselves during your studies, it will be difficult for you to become doctors under whose care patients will feel safe and about whom they speak with such a really very positive emotion “my doctor.”
First-year students' oath
After the Rector's speech, the most important part of the ceremony - the oath - began. The oath was taken from medical students in Polish by Łukasz Koperski, MD, PhD, Vice Dean for Student Affairs for the first and second years. And from the students of the medical field of study in English - Jacek Sieńko, MD, PhD, Vice Dean for English Division. Afterwards, the Rector, Vice Rectors and Vice Deans of the Faculty of Medicine presented all students with badges bearing the logo of the Faculty of Medicine.
Evidence-based medicine and AI
A very interesting inaugural lecture entitled “Data-driven medicine. Will artificial intelligence change the rules of the game?” was delivered by Prof. Hanna Szajewska from the Department of Pediatrics UCC MUW. Why is EBM, that is evidence-based medicine, worth dealing with? Because in the modern world we suffer from an excess of information. Therefore, the ability to distinguish between reliable and unreliable ones is of great importance in every field of life, but especially in medicine. A doctor who cannot critically evaluate scientific data is not well prepared for clinical practice.
- Integrating: the doctor's experience and skills, scientific data, and the patient's values and preferences - only then do we say that this is practiced according to the principles of evidence-based medicine - Professor Szajewska stressed.
And what impact does artificial intelligence have on EBM? Professor Szajewska told about it during the lecture.
Dreams don't come true on their own, dreams are fulfilled
There would be no matriculation without the voice of the students. They, in turn, argued that although studying for a medical degree is not the easiest thing to do, the matriculated have the first difficult step behind them.
- Each of you, while preparing for the extended baccalaureate, had more than once a moment of weakness, but know that if it weren't for them, you wouldn't be here today in the auditorium of the Didactic Center of the Medical University of Warsaw - said Emilia Figura, chairwoman of the Student Government of the Faculty of Medicine.
She stressed that soon all that is new will become everyday life. - Remember that learning is a process, don't demand too much of yourself at the beginning, because it will overwhelm you. You have to accept that there will be ups and downs, but with the right attitude and motivation you will meet every challenge - Emilia advised.
Finally, she wished her younger colleagues perseverance and satisfaction with every small step that will bring them closer to their desired goal. - You have already proved more than once with your determination that dreams do not come true on their own, dreams are fulfilled - said Emilia.
Words of appreciation for the newcomers also came from Alexis Vourtsis, chairman of the English Division Student Government.
- I congratulate you on your first step on the road to becoming doctors - Alexis said. And he added - It's a long journey, it will take six years before you receive your diploma. But all the steps are necessary to become full-fledged doctors. At the university we all have the same opportunities, but it is up to each of you, how you use your individual predispositions, to make this dream come true.
Finally, Alexis asked his colleagues to never forget the common goal of patient welfare. - Everything you learn will help with it, because when patients enter your office they entrust you with their own lives.
In addition to those mentioned above, the ceremony was also attended by: Prof. Marek Kuch, Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Education, Prof. Michal Grąt, Vice Rector for International Relations, Development and Promotion, Prof. Marcin Sobczak, Vice Rector for Science and Technology Transfer, Prof. Zbigniew Gaciong, Rector of MUW for the 2020-2024 term, deans of sister faculties: Prof. Agnieszka Mielczarek, Prof. Mariusz Gujski, Piotr Luliński, MD, PhD, and members of the Medical Faculty Council, members of the Medical Faculty Student Government, members of the English Division Student Government, Dr. Marta Kijak-Bloch, MUW Chancellor, Jolanta Ilków, MUW Bursar.
Also present were the Vice Deans of the Faculty of Medicine: Prof. Aleksandra Banaszkiewicz, Prof. Tadeusz Grochowiecki.
Musical accompaniment of the ceremony was provided by the Choir of the Medical University of Warsaw.
