The Student Cardiology Association (SSK) currently has 200 members from 15 different medical universities, and the number of members continues to grow. What do members gain from belonging to the association? Under the guidance of renowned experts, they can develop their skills, expand their knowledge, and exchange experiences in the field of cardiovascular diseases.
“We want to enhance the competencies of students interested in cardiology, whose thirst for knowledge and desire for professional development are immense. We hope that this will help them become better physicians for their future patients,” says Adrian Bednarek, President of the SSK and Chair of the Student Scientific Club at the 1st Department and Clinic of Cardiology, WUM.
In addition to our students, the association's activities also involve Professor Marcin Grabowski, Professor Paweł Balsam, and Professor Mariusz Tomaniak from the 1st Department and Clinic of Cardiology, WUM, who serve as academic supervisors.
What Does the Association Do and What Are Its Plans?
The association organizes meetings with leading figures in Polish cardiology as well as workshops in areas such as in echocardiography, interventional cardiology, ECG fundamentals, and Advanced Life Support (ALS). It also teaches members how to interpret and conduct scientific research, enabling them to navigate the world of Evidence-Based Medicine with confidence.
Furthermore, the association collaborates with various organizations to promote healthy lifestyle practices. It also organizes numerous gatherings for members during nationwide congresses, fostering integration among young and future cardiologists.
The flagship initiatives of the SSK are its science camps: the Summer Cardiology School in Gdańsk (organized jointly with the Hemodynamics Student Scientific Club of the Medical University of Gdańsk), whose third edition will begin in August, and the Spring Cardiology School in Warsaw (organized jointly with the Student Scientific Club at the 1st Department and Clinic of Cardiology, WUM), whose second edition took place in March. One of the co-organizers of the Warsaw school is Dominika Tomkiel, who was elected to the Association’s Board.
“I treat this appointment as a commitment to continue working toward the development of educational, scientific, and practical initiatives aimed at students interested in cardiology,” explains Dominika Tomkiel, Vice-Chair of the Student Scientific Club at the 1st Department and Clinic of Cardiology, WUM.
Future plans include additional meetings, workshops, and lectures with specialists, as well as a campaign specifically designed with medical students in mind. The goal is to further improve equal access to practical education throughout Poland.
How the Association Was Established
The association began as a network of several student cardiology clubs. One of them was the Student Scientific Club operating at the 1st Department and Clinic of Cardiology, WUM. In 2024, the structure was formalized following the model of professional medical associations and began to open its doors to new members.
“In major academic centers such as Warsaw, Kraków, and Gdańsk, student research clubs operate very efficiently. We decided to give students from other regions an opportunity as well—those who do not have the same opportunities as we do, such as meetings with specialists or unrestricted access to training simulators, or ultrasound equipment,” emphasizes Adrian Bednarek.
“I hope that in the coming years we will be able to continue developing this community and create a space that fosters education, exchange of experience, and the implementation of ambitious scientific and organizational projects,” adds Dominika Tomkiel.