Seventy-Five Years of the Department of Pediatric Surgery

A group of elegantly dressed people pose for a photo in a large hall. They are participants in the 75th anniversary celebration of the Pediatric Surgery Clinic.
Established in 1950, the Department is the oldest department of pediatric surgery in Poland. To commemorate this impressive anniversary, a two-day conference was held, titled “Pediatric Surgery: Past, Present, and Future”. It was an opportunity for both reminiscing about the past and meeting former colleagues, and to share knowledge and experience related to pediatric surgery, which has been developing dynamically as a field.

The first day of the event was devoted to presenting the history of the Department and commemorating its founder, Professor Jan Kossakowski. He created that specialism, and served as the first President of the Polish Association of Pediatric Surgeons and the national specialist in this area. Apart from being an outstanding doctor, he also was valued as a painter and sculptor. Event participants could see an exhibition of his works, prepared in cooperation with the Kossakowski Foundation.

To commemorate his contributions, a plaque in his memory will be installed at the entrance to the Department.

The second day was dedicated to discussions about the current situation in pediatric surgery, as well as the prospects for its development. The invited speakers talked about modern standards in treating congenital defects, innovations in pediatric reconstructive surgery, as well as the development opportunities for pediatric organ transplantation.

About the Department

Every year, the department admits over 2300 children, performs over 1900 surgeries, and treats 10,000 patients in outpatient care. The Department operates in the following areas: neonatal surgery, urology, thoracic surgery, surgical oncology, general surgery, plastic surgery, and traumatic surgery. Surgeries are performed using minimal access techniques and state-of-the-art operating equipment.

After Professor Kossakowski, the Department’s subsequent directors were: Professor Irena Giżycka, Professor Krystyna Wysocka, Professor Aleksander Wagner, Professor Andrzej Kamiński, Aleksandra Jasińska, MD, PhD. Each of them made a unique contribution to the Department’s scientific and clinical development. Starting from October this year, the Department is led by Patrycja Sosnowska-Sienkiewicz, PhD Hab.
 
 

A group of elegantly dressed people. They are sitting on chairs in a large hall. They are participants in the clinic's 75th anniversary celebration.
There are three people in the room. One of them, an elegantly dressed man—the dean of the faculty—is speaking into a microphone.
The university rector speaks into the microphone during the anniversary celebrations.
Three elegantly dressed people: two men and a woman pose in front of Prof. Kossakowski's commemorative plaque.
Three elegantly dressed people: two women and one man pose for a photo. They are smiling.
Three people: two women and a man pose for a photo. They are smiling. One of the women is holding a book dedicated to Prof. Kossakowski.
Several elegantly dressed people pose in front of a plaque commemorating Prof. Kossakowski.