For many years, this was an underappreciated topic. However, a lot has changed recently. There is a growing body of research on the role of communication in medical practice. Communication skills training programs are being developed. The importance of this was discussed by experts at the 5th National Scientific Conference "Communication in Medicine."

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Department of the Prevention of Environmental Hazard, Allergology and Immunology MUW, a scientific symposium on "Public and Environmental Health in MUW Research" was held on December 2. The event brought together many distinguished guests currently and formerly associated with the department.

There are 26,486 people infected with HIV in Poland. The National AIDS Center reported 943 new cases in 2020. - The data are underestimated, and the most disturbing fact is that in our country half of the patients are diagnosed with HIV infection at a late stage - points out Prof. Alicja Wiercińska-Drapało, head of the Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases and Hepatology MUW. - For this to change, testing needs to become more widespread. This is the only way to detect the infection at an early stage, when we have many options for effective treatment - adds our expert.

The "Golden Cuckoo" (Złota Kukułka) - a special award of the Rector of the MUW for the works most frequently cited in the world literature - went to Agnieszka Strzelak, MD, from the Department of Pediatric Respiratory Diseases and Allergology, UCC MUW. According to the Web of Science database, the distinguished dissertation entitled "Tobacco Smoke Induces and Alters Immune Responses in the Lung Triggering Inflammation, Allergy, Asthma and Other Lung Diseases: A Mechanistic Review" was cited 108 times. Co-authors of the paper are: Aleksandra Ratajczak, Aleksander Adamiec and Wojciech Feleszko, MD, PhD, from the Department of Pediatric Respiratory Diseases and Allergology, UCC MUW.

- The time of the soloists in healthcare is gone and now it's time to play as a team. Only team work - in relation to diagnosis or treatment of a patient - produces the best results, as evidenced by the fact that the medical profession is evolving into team work - said Prof. Mariusz Gujski, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, MUW, during the conference "Health care system of today and tomorrow. Perspective and experiences of patient organizations". The event was organized by the PACJENCI.PRO Academy for the Development of Patient Organizations initiative, carried out as part of cooperation between the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Medical University of Warsaw and the Employers' Union of Innovative Pharmaceutical Companies INFARMA, under the honorary patronage of the Patients Ombudsman.

- We hope that within a few years the results of our research will contribute to the development of new methods of immunotherapy, which will save thousands of lives all over the world - says Prof. Jakub Gołąb from the Department of Immunology at the Medical University of Warsaw.

- Congratulations to the dean's authorities for being able to host such a wonderful event under safe conditions during the upcoming fourth wave. Today, 604 of this year's graduates join the medical family - said Prof. Zbigniew Gaciong at the ceremony of the Promotion of Doctors of the Faculty of Medicine, which began with a traditional "Gaude Mater Polonia" hymn performed by the choir of the Medical University of Warsaw.

During the ceremonial gala of the Polish Medical Association, which was held at the Royal Castle, the "Gloria Medicinae" medals were awarded to the outstanding representatives of the Polish medical community. Among the honored were professors associated with the Medical University of Warsaw: Prof. Renata Górska, Prof. Longin Marianowski, Prof. Jacek Szmidt, Prof. Grzegorz Opolski and Prof. Alicja Wiercińska-Drapało.

On October 23, in the presence of top university officials as well as families and loved ones, the pledge was taken by the graduates who completed their studies in medical analytics and DUO OTM in Health Technology Assessment. The graduating students vowed, among other things, to "serve human life and health to the best of our knowledge, to prevent suffering, to prevent diseases and to participate in the healing process, to help people regardless of their race, religion, nationality, political views, or financial status with only their best interests in mind."

Mariusz Tomaniak, MD, PhD, from the 1st Chair and Department of Cardiology at UCC MUW received the prestigious Prime Minister's Award for scientific achievements and the best habilitation thesis in medical science. The MUW specialist was recognized for his significant contribution to the ongoing discussion on individualization of antiplatelet therapy in patients after percutaneous revascularization and the enormous practical value of his research.