It was a big celebration and two ceremonies in one day. At the first one - there was a capping ceremony and presentation of diplomas to 300 undergraduates in nursing and midwifery. At the second ceremony, 484 graduates of nursing and second degree midwifery, first degree emergency medicine, first and second degree dietetics, and first and second degree public health received their diplomas.
Both ceremonies were presided over by Prof. Mariusz Gujski, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, and on the part of our university, HM Rector Prof. Zbigniew Gaciong was present along with the representatives of the Rector's authorities, the dean's authorities of MUW and vice deans of the Faculty of Health Sciences.
In his remarks, the Rector not only congratulated the graduates, but also stressed the importance of a degree from the Medical University of Warsaw. - You receive a diploma from a university that has been in existence for 210 years. At that time, an academic and medical faculty was established by royal decree. The first capping ceremony was held in 1911. - recalled Prof. Gaciong.
Graduates and their families came to the university's capping ceremony, among the guests were the representatives of government bodies and local authorities. Among them were Piotr Bromber, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Health, Filip Nowak, President of the National Health Fund, Dr. Konstanty Radziwill, Mazovia Province Governor, and Zofia Malas, President of the Supreme Council of Nurses and Midwives. The representatives of hospitals affiliated with MUW, which may become the first place of work for graduates, also responded to the invitation.
The second part of the ceremony, the awarding of diplomas of the Faculty of Health Sciences (WNoZ), was attended by Tomasz Latos, chairman of the Parliamentary Health Committee, Dr. Beata Małecka-Libera, senator, chairwoman of the Health Committee of the Senate of the Republic of Poland, and Dr. Tomasz Slawatyniec, director of the Health Department of the Mazovian Provincial Office.
Many speeches emphasized that the studies that young medics graduate from are unique, and that the health care system is in great need of representatives of these professions. Minister Piotr Bromber pointed out: - Today in education it is important not only to know, but also to have the competencies to deal with difficult situations. And the role of the ministry and universities is to do everything possible to ensure that these competencies are acquired by students as much as possible.
Guest speeches were an important part of both ceremonies. However, it should not be forgotten that the main characters were the graduates, and the key moment was taking the oaths. They were about providing professional care for human health and life, providing help regardless of race, religion or wealth, showing respect for the patient and colleagues from the medical team, honing the skills, maintaining professional confidentiality and having the patient's best interests at heart.
Students who graduated with a bachelor's degree in nursing took a solemn oath derived from the Code of Ethics for Professional Nurses of the Republic of Poland. They then received their caps with a black stripe, and received their diplomas from the hands of Rector Zbigniew Gaciong and Dean Mariusz Gujski. The entire ceremony was repeated with midwifery graduates. The text of their vows came from the Code of Ethics for the Professional Midwife of the Republic of Poland, and the caps had a red stripe.
During the following diploma awarding ceremony, the graduates' oath was accepted by Dean Mariusz Gujski. The first to make their oath were graduates of the first degree programs in dietetics, emergency medicine and public health. It was the vow of an undergraduate. On the other hand, the graduation oath was taken by students who finished their second degree programs in nursing, midwifery, dietetics and public health.
Awards were presented to top graduates at both ceremonies. Among them was Matthew Owczarczyk, the only male in first degree obstetrics. His average of 4.84 was the best of the year. Awards were also given for commitment to the university and the department. However, the most remarkable award "for steadfast determination and good work organization" went to first-year midwifery graduate Liliana Pięta. During the course of her studies, she became a mother twice, and received the award with her baby daughter Rut, who slept in a sling.
Finally, the graduates spoke. First and foremost, they thanked their teachers and mentors. But they were also grateful to each other for the support and friendships that were forged at MUW.
