World Day of the Sick celebrations | Medical University of Warsaw

A large screen displays a slide with information about the UCK WUM conference held on the occasion of the World Day of the Sick, dated February 11, 2026.

The day is observed on February 11. To mark the occasion, the University Clinical Center of WUM organized a conference at the university devoted to patient safety in the healthcare system and improving hospital care standards. World Day of the Sick was also celebrated at the Princess Anna Mazowiecka Clinical Hospital on Karowa Street.

Conference on good practices

The conference titled “Quality and safety: a system that works, not just meets standards” was part of the anniversary celebrations of the University Clinical Center of the Medical University of Warsaw. The jubilee marked three anniversaries: the 125th anniversary of the Infant Jesus Clinical Hospital, the 50th anniversary of the Central Clinical Hospital, and the 10th anniversary of the Children’s Clinical Hospital. In addition to substantive discussions of issues important to patients, the event also provided an opportunity to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the clinical center.

“The hospitals that form UCK WUM have changed over the years, but what has remained constant is their mission, built on care, support, and sometimes very heroic efforts to protect patients’ health. Patients have always been at the center of our activities. That was true in the past, it is true today, and it will remain so in all hospitals of UCK WUM,” emphasized Prof. Rafał Krenke at the opening of the conference.

“Everyone who performs their duties at our hospital daily knows how difficult and responsible this mission is. In reality, helping another human being often requires personal sacrifice,” said Director Marzena Kowalczyk.

She also noted that holding the conference on World Day of the Sick was not accidental and that its main goal was to present good practices implemented at UCK WUM for the benefit of patients:

“This is the first conference organized by UCK WUM devoted to quality and safety. These are key words with real power. We want to present a system that truly works, not one that merely fulfills formal requirements. Let our actions inspire others to build a strong organizational culture.”

Key topics

The first panel focused on the role of disaster simulation in improving the quality and safety of care. Speakers included Mgr inż. Marcin Janik, Mgr Anna Langa, Mgr Karolina Kosiacka, Mgr Agata Bryk, Mł. chor. w. st. spocz. Marcin Błeński and Mł. asp. Mgr Kamil Kędzierski.

The second panel discussed the quality of the healthcare system. The first presentation was delivered by Mgr Barbara Kutryba from the Center for Monitoring Healthcare Quality, who spoke about raising standards of care from the perspective of patient and staff safety.

Monika Godlewska, the Director’s Representative for Quality Management and Safety of Care at UCK WUM, presented the behind-the-scenes preparations for UCK WUM accreditation.
The panel concluded with presentations on patients’ rights in hospital practice, delivered by Anna Panufnik-Onaszkiewicz, the Director’s Representative for Patient Rights at UCK WUM; Urszula Rygowska-Nastulak, Deputy Director of the Department of Investigative Proceedings at the Office of the Patient Rights Ombudsman; Dr. Iwona Kania, Deputy Spokesperson and Acting Head of the Communications Department at the Supreme Medical Chamber in Warsaw; and Dr. Katarzyna Julia Kowalska from the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Warsaw

Staff awarded commemorative medals

An important part of the event was the ceremonial presentation of commemorative medals. They were awarded to individuals who have made particularly significant contributions to the development of the University Clinical Center of WUM. The medal also recognizes dedication, compassion in patient care, and contributions to the university’s teaching mission. Recipients accepted the decorations with emotion and joy. Some have been connected with the hospitals that form UCK WUM for many years or even decades.
The medals were presented by Director of UCK WUM Marzena Kowalczyk and Rector of WUM Prof. Rafał Krenke.

“The hospital is like a home to us, and sometimes we neglect our personal responsibilities to be with patients, to make sure everything is done properly and no mistakes are made. All of this deserves recognition today. For all of it, I sincerely thank you,” said the rector, who also treats patients at the Chair and Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Diseases and Allergy at UCK WUM.

“Thank you very much for everything you do every day. You bring help, kindness, and safety to patients,” emphasized the director of UCK WUM.

Among the participants at UCK WUM were representatives of the Ministry of Health of Poland, including Katarzyna Zajkowska and Ilona Hibner; Dr. Artur Drobniak, President of the District Medical Chamber; Anna Dudzińska, Chair of the District Chamber of Nurses and Midwives; and representatives of the State Emergency Medical Services Department: Director Maciej Maślanka and Deputy Director Wiesława Rybicka-Bogusz.

Representing the Medical University of Warsaw were, among others, Vice Rector for Clinical Affairs and Investments Prof. Agnieszka Cudnoch-Jędrzejewska, Vice Rector for Personnel and Organization Prof. Dorota Olczak-Kowalczyk, Vice Rector for Internationalization, Promotion and Development Prof. Michał Grąt, as well as representatives of the Senate, the Scientific Discipline Excellence Council, and WUM’s deans’ offices: Prof. Robert Gałązkowski, Prof. Adam Liebert, Dr. Marta Kijak-Bloch, Mgr eng. Wojciech Bogusz, Mgr eng. Jarosław Prugar.
More information about the UCK WUM Jubilee can be found in the article “How we celebrated the UCK WUM Jubilee.”

Celebrations at the Karowa Street hospital

On the occasion of World Day of the Sick, the Princess Anna Mazowiecka Clinical Hospital was visited by the Archbishop of Warsaw, Adrian Galbas, who celebrated Mass and met with the hospital’s director Ewa Piotrowska, Rector Prof. Rafał Krenke, and the heads of the hospital’s clinical departments. He then visited patients in their wards.

Rows of open boxes display medals arranged in orderly lines. Each medal rests in padding and shows an engraving with the name of the university.

A woman is standing behind a lectern with the inscription 'Veritatis Splendor' and speaking into two microphones. She is resting one hand on the lectern while making a gesture with the other beside it. Next to her, there is a monitor placed on a stand. In the background, part of a screen with graphic elements is visible.

A woman is standing in front of the audience and holding a microphone close to her mouth. With her other hand, she is making a gesture that emphasizes her speech. In the background, a fragment of the displayed slide is visible.

Six people are sitting in a single row of red seats, listening to the presentation. They have their hands resting on their knees or clasped in front of them. Next to them, more people are seated in the rows behind.

The speaker is standing with a microphone on the right side of the room, delivering a presentation. Behind her, a slide is displayed with the title of the presentation about the role of a leader in a crisis situation and a photo of a person wearing a yellow vest. Participants of the event are seated in the front rows.

Kobieta stoi przed publicznością, trzymając w jednej dłoni mikrofon, a w drugiej pilot do prezentacji. Patrzy w stronę słuchaczy, mówiąc. Za jej plecami widoczne są zasłony oraz fragment ekranu.

Six people are sitting in a single row of red seats, listening to the presentation. They are resting their hands on their knees or folding them in front of them. On the left sit a man and a woman, next to them three men, and at the end a woman dressed in red. More people are visible in the rows behind.

Four people are seated in armchairs arranged in a semicircle, waiting for their part of the event. They rest their hands on their knees or on the armrests. In front of them are small tables with bottles of water and vases with tulips. In the background, wooden panels and a fragment of an informational poster are visible.

The participants are seated in multiple rows of red chairs and are listening to a speech given at a podium on the left side of the room. The presenter is standing next to a screen displaying a conference slide. In the lower part of the room, people can be seen taking notes or holding devices, and numerous portraits hang on the wall to the right.

A bouquet of pink roses rests on the lap of a person sitting in one of the front rows. In the background, the speaker is standing at the podium and giving a presentation. Participants are seated in rows of red chairs and listening to the presentation displayed on a large screen.

A few people are sitting in red chairs and listening to a speech. In the foreground, a woman raises her phone and points it toward the stage. Next to her, other attendees are seated with their hands resting on their laps or clasped together. In the further rows, a larger group of participants can be seen taking their seats in the auditorium.

Three people are standing next to each other against the backdrop of roll‑ups from the University Clinical Center of the Medical University of Warsaw. The woman on the left is holding an open box with a medal. Next to her stand a woman and a man dressed in formal attire. All three are looking toward the camera.

Six people are standing in two rows and taking part in an award ceremony. A man in a suit is shaking hands with the person standing opposite him. Several participants are holding cases with medals. In the background, a table with neatly arranged cases and roll-ups of the University Clinical Center of the Medical University of Warsaw can be seen.

Five people are standing in a small group during an award ceremony. The two women in the center are holding medal cases and handing them to each other, making hand gestures. Next to them, other individuals are standing and observing the exchange. In the background, wooden panels and a row of closed cases arranged on a table can be seen.

A few people are sitting in the front rows of red chairs and listening to a speech. Closest to the camera sit two men and two women, who are resting their hands on their laps or clasping them in front of themselves. In the further rows, a larger group of participants is taking their seats.

A group of several people is standing and talking after the award ceremony. Some of them are holding closed or open medal cases. The individuals are arranged in a loose line and are turned toward one another, gesturing as they talk. In the background, wooden panels and part of the event’s roll‑ups can be seen.

Several elegantly dressed people are posing for a photo. In the background, a multimedia screen and roll‑ups can be seen.

A clergyman dressed in black is standing next to a woman while visiting a room with newborns. In front of them stands a cart with medical equipment. On the left, a woman is sitting on a chair beside an incubator and leaning over a baby. In the background, monitors and other room equipment are visible.

A person dressed in a long, dark outfit with a red head covering is standing in a bright corridor and making a gesture toward another person. Around them, several people are standing in a queue and others are walking further down the corridor.