Prof. Rafal Krenke takes office as Rector of the Medical University of Warsaw

With the handing over of the insignia of the Rector's authority – the scepter, the signet ring and the neck-chain with emblem - the term of office of Rector Rafal Krenke, who was elected by a majority vote of electors on September 26, officially began.

- I know that I have been given a very large mandate of trust from the academic community, but it also comes with an increased sense of responsibility for all that I would like to do during my term. I can declare that I will strive to make our university even better and stronger in four years than it has been so far - said Rector Rafal Krenke.


The official handover ceremony brought together the outgoing rector, dean and administrative authorities in the Senate chamber. As is customary, the rector's chain and other insignia of power were handed over to the new Rector by the outgoing Rector, this time Acting Rector for the past month, Prof. Robert Gałązkowski.


- I would like to thank my predecessors for their commitment, there were many successes that should be recognized and continued - said Rector Rafal Krenke. - I would like to thank the administrative staff for their commitment to the challenging work. I hope that over the next four years our cooperation will go well.


Rafal Krenke is a physician, professor of medical sciences, Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Diseases and Allergy at the Medical University of Warsaw and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at our University.
In 1987, he graduated with honors from the Medical Academy in Warsaw, earning his medical degree. In 1996, he defended his doctoral dissertation at the First Faculty of Medicine of the Medical Academy in Warsaw. In 2012, he received his postdoctoral degree, and in 2014 he was awarded the title of professor of medical sciences.


Since the beginning of his medical career, he has been associated with the Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Diseases and Allergy MUW, serving as the Head and Medical Director of this Department since 2014. He holds specializations in internal medicine (first and second degree), lung diseases and intensive care. Professor Krenke's special clinical and scientific interests include interventional pulmonology, pleural diseases, lung cancer, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, respiratory infections in immunocompromised patients, respiratory diseases caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria, and diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough.


From 2007 to 2013, Professor Krenke served as a consultant in lung diseases at the Institute of Hematology and Transfusiology in Warsaw. Since 2014, he has been a consultant in lung diseases for the Mazovian Province. From 2016 to 2019, he was Vice Dean of the First Faculty of Medicine for Student Affairs IV-VI, and from 2020, he served as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine MUW. Since 2017, he has served as Chairman of the Scientific Council of the Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases in Warsaw.


For more than 35 years, Prof. Rafal Krenke has been actively involved in the training of medical students in internal medicine, pulmonary diseases and allergology, as well as physicians in postgraduate training in internal medicine and pulmonary diseases. He is the author of more than 200 scientific articles with a total IF of more than 530 points, 38 chapters in textbooks or monographs and co-author or editor of 9 textbooks for doctors and students.
Professor Krenke has been awarded the Silver Cross of Merit, the Public Health Service Meritorious Medal, the Medal of the National Education Commission, the Gold Cross of Merit, and the Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, among others.