Our University’s Jubilee Alumni Reunion – the class of 1976

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Three people and one additional person dressed in red and black academic gowns and caps stand in a lecture hall. Two people and one additional person wear decorative rector’s chains. One person in a red cap holds an open folder with a document and shakes hands with another person in a suit. In the background, there are red chairs, a door, and a wall with framed photographs.
It was yet another exceptional event marking the 50-year alumni’s graduation anniversary. Organized by the Faculty of Medicine [Wydział Lekarski, WL] and the Faculty of Dentistry [Wydział Lekarsko-Stomatologiczny, WLS], the event honors individuals who have been taking care of the health and life of patients for decades. This time, 86 graduates of 1976 received their symbolic diplomas certifying their long-standing service for Polish medicine and dentistry.

The event was held at Prof. Janusz Piekarczyk’s Auditorium on May 29, with Prof. Paweł Włodarski, Dean of WL greeting the guests.

Solid foundation

“Half a century is an entire era in the history of the world of science. Our University, as well as the world were different when you took your graduate oaths 50 years ago,” emphasized Prof. Paweł Włodarski. “However; there is something that has remained unchanged – your education obtained at WUM remains a solid foundation for professional development.”

The Dean thanked the graduates for having being model ambassadors of our University for years while fulfilling their duties as clinicians, researchers, and educators. He added that WUM will be always open to them.

Loyalty towards the alma mater

Congratulating the diploma recipients on their professional careers, Prof. Agnieszka Mielczarek, Dean of WLS said, 

“I am truly grateful for your commitment to the development of Polish dentistry and medicine as well as for being part of our academic community and upholding our academic traditions.”

For, despite having graduated half a century ago, it is here that they received their foundation as professionals and as individuals who have since maintained a sense of respect, empathy, and righteousness in all their endeavors.

Student, graduate, mentor

Representing the Rector’s Office on the day of the event, Prof. Marek Kuch, Vice-Rector or Student Affairs and Education, delivered a heartfelt and enthusiastic speech. He emphasized the great influence of many of the alumni in the auditorium on educating subsequent generations of physicians, including himself. He joyfully added that such events as this jubilee diploma ceremony help revive former students’ memories and renew their bond with their alma mater.

Patients’ wellbeing is the priority

The event undoubtedly provided opportunities to reminisce, also about exceptional past lecturers. Małgorzata Sznajder, who spoke on behalf of the alumni of 1976, listed Prof. Jan Nielubowicz, Prof. Tadeusz Orłowski, Prof. Andrzej Trzebski, Prof. Stefan Kruś, and others. Individuals characterized by – as she put it – a vast knowledge of medicine and of the humanities and by high moral and ethical standards.

“Those Professors conveyed to us not only knowledge of medicine but also their life’s motto ‘salus aegroti suprema lex’ [the health of the patient is the supreme law], not ‘procedura suprema lex’ [the procedure is the supreme law]. As a result, we performed our duties throughout our entire lives according to this maxim,” added the alumnus.

“Despite having often operated at the limits of what’s humanly possible, they saved thousands of patients and improved the quality of life of many more over these last 50 years. Therefore, having a chance to choose their career path again, they would pursue medicine once more.”

Diplomas

The alumni received symbolic diplomas for pursuing their noble mission of helping the ill, educating, and shaping the younger generations of physicians, and developing the health care system. 

Doctor Tytus Chałubiński medals 

The recipients of the medal, which is awarded to those who have made the most outstanding contributions to the good of WUM, were Prof. Andrzej Horban and Dr. Paweł Rebandel. 

At the conclusion of the event, WUM’s choir performed "New York, New York," "Only you," and "Siyahamba."

Apart from those already mentioned, WL Vice-Rectors: Prof. Renata Główczyńska, Prof. Aleksandra Banaszkiewicz, Prof. Aneta Nitsch-Osuch, and Prof. Tadeusz Grochowiecki also attended the event.
 

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A person in a light jacket shakes hands with a person wearing a red and black academic gown with a decorative chain. Another person in a gown stands nearby holding an open folder with a document. Red auditorium seats and additional participants are visible in the background.
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Two people stand facing each other and shake hands during a ceremony. One person wears a suit, and the other wears a red academic gown and holds an open folder with a document. In the background, additional people in gowns, a lectern, and a decorative flower vase are visible.
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Two people stand facing each other and shake hands during a ceremony. One person wears a suit, and the other wears a red academic gown with a decorative chain and holds an open case with a medal. In the background, additional people in gowns are visible, including one holding a document, as well as a red university banner.
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A person stands at a lectern in a lecture hall with hands resting on the podium, where a red folder is placed. A microphone is positioned in front. A floral arrangement stands nearby. In the foreground, seated attendees in red and black academic gowns and caps are visible and do not hold any objects.
A group of attendees sits in rows of red seats in an auditorium. One person holds a red folder, while others rest hands on laps or armrests without holding objects. Additional rows of participants are visible in the background.
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