Prof. Jan Skokowski, an eminent surgeon and thoracic surgeon, academic teacher, and mentor to many generations of physicians, has been awarded the dignity of Honorary Professor of the Medical University of Gdańsk. The ceremony was held in the presence of the University authorities, members of the MUG Senate, representatives of the academic and medical communities, as well as the Professor’s family and friends.
The ceremony was opened by Prof. Michał Markuszewski, Rector of the MUG, who emphasised the exceptional character of the event and the significance of Prof. Jan Skokowski’s scientific, clinical and teaching achievements for the development of Polish medicine and the Medical University of Gdańsk.
This distinction is one of the highest honours that our University may bestow upon those who have made an exceptional contribution to shaping its history, authority and good name. The dignity of Honorary Professor is not merely an expression of gratitude for scientific, clinical or teaching achievements. It is a sign of profound respect from the academic community of the Medical University of Gdańsk for a person whose work has become part of the identity of our alma mater, said the Rector.
In his address, the Rector turned directly to Prof. Skokowski, highlighting his service to medicine and to patients:
Professor, your path has been that of a physician, researcher and teacher, but also that of a person of extraordinary responsibility. For decades, your name has been inseparably associated with thoracic surgery, oncological surgery and the treatment of patients with lung cancer. These are fields that require not only exceptional expertise, but also courage, precision, resilience and, above all, deep sensitivity to the wellbeing of the patient.
The Rector also referred to the social dimension of Prof. Jan Skokowski’s work, noting that his sense of responsibility had extended far beyond the walls of a single clinic.
The course of the proceedings preceding the conferment of the highest academic distinction awarded by the University was presented by Assoc. Prof. Maria Bieniaszewska, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. The reviewers in the proceedings were Prof. Tomasz Grodzki from the Pomeranian Medical University and Prof. Janusz Kowalewski from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń.
The laudation in honour of Prof. Skokowski was delivered by Prof. Witold Rzyman, Head of the Department of Thoracic Surgery at the MUG and a long-standing student of Prof. Skokowski. In his address, he referred to the Professor’s history, academic path and achievements, before outlining his professional career. Professor, I would like to thank you for all your achievements, for everything you have done for all of us, and for the legacy you have given to me and to all thoracic surgeons in Gdańsk and in Poland. It is truly extraordinary, concluded Prof. Rzyman.
The culmination of the ceremony was the reading of the diploma in Latin and the official conferment of the dignity of Honorary Professor. Rector Prof. Michał Markuszewski declared: I hereby declare Professor Jan Skokowski admitted to the community of Honorary Professors of the Medical University of Gdańsk, after which he presented the Professor with the honorary diploma.
The ceremony also included a special moment of recognition by the Minister of Health, Jolanta Sobierańska-Grenda. On her behalf, the Honorary Badge for Merit to Healthcare was presented by the Rector Prof. Michał Markuszewski and Prof. Michał Hoffmann, Vice-Rector for Clinical Affairs at the MUG. The distinction recognises Prof. Jan Skokowski’s many years of scientific, teaching, organisational and clinical activity, as well as his contribution to the development of thoracic surgery and healthcare in Poland.
After receiving the distinctions, the Honorary Professor delivered a commemorative address. I am deeply moved, but I must say that I am fortunate. I have lived to the age of 90 to be able to meet you here today, said Prof. Skokowski. He spoke about his professional path, in which the wellbeing of the patient had always remained paramount. He also expressed special thanks to his wife, who had always supported both him and their family. Life is beautiful!, the Professor concluded.
During the ceremony, letters of congratulations were read by Marcin Nowiński, President of the District Medical Chamber in Gdańsk, and Agnieszka Baranowska, Member of the Board of the Marshal’s Office.
The second part of the ceremony had a jubilee character and was connected with the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Medical University of Gdańsk. The Rector presented the MUG 80th Anniversary Medals to distinguished staff members of the Faculty of Medicine who, over the decades, have helped shape the history of the University, educated successive generations of physicians, and contributed to the advancement of science and medicine.
The jubilee medal, designed by Prof. Jan Szczypka from the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk, refers symbolically to the uniqueness of the academic community. The fingerprints impressed on the medal symbolise the individuality of each member of the University, while the waves recall the continuity of tradition and responsibility for a future built upon the achievements of previous generations.
The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of Prof. Jan Skokowski’s name on the plaque commemorating the Honorary Professors of the Medical University of Gdańsk. In the presence of representatives of the University authorities, the Senate, family members and guests, the Professor symbolically inscribed his name among the most distinguished figures associated with the history of the MUG.
Recipients of the MUG 80th Anniversary Medal:
Zdzisław Bereznowski, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc.
Prof. Maria Dudziak
Prof. Andrzej Hellmann
Prof. Jacek Jassem
Prof. Barbara Kamińska
Prof. Zbigniew Kmieć
Prof. Jerzy Lasek
Prof. Janusz Limon
Prof. Jolanta Myśliwska
Prof. Roman Nowicki
Prof. Zbigniew Nowicki
Assoc. Prof. Maria Prośba-Mackiewicz, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc.
Prof. Jan Rogowski
Anna Rosnowska-Mazurkiewicz, M.D., Ph.D.
Prof. Jadwiga Sadlak-Nowicka
Prof. Czesław Stankiewicz
Prof. Krzysztof Sworczak
Prof. Zbigniew Śledziński
Prof. Julian Świerczyński
Prof. Adam Włodarkiewicz
Anna Wojtaszek-Słomińska, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc.
Prof. Michał Woźniak
Prof. Maria Wujtewicz
Prof. Zbigniew Zdrojewski
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