Another group of graduates of the Medical Programme at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of the University of Zielona Góra Collegium Medicum has left the walls of our university. More than 80 graduates pronounced the Physician’s Oath and received their graduation diplomas last Saturday, 27 June. This is a reason for personal joy and offers the prospect of welcoming new, ambitious medical professionals to our region.
The graduation ceremony for the Medical Programme brought together graduates, their families and loved ones in the auditorium of the University of Zielona Góra. Representing the University on this special occasion were Vice-Rector for Collegium Medicum, Prof. Marcin Zaniew, MD, PhD; Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dr Jolanta Chmielowiec, Associate Professor at UZ; Vice-Dean for Student Affairs of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bartosz Kudliński, MD, PhD; Director of the Institute of Health Sciences, Dr Katarzyna Baldy-Chudzik, Associate Professor at UZ, as well as lecturers from Collegium Medicum UZ. Congratulations to the graduates were also extended by Lubusz Voivode’s Deputy, Maciej Siwicki; Deputy Marshal of the Lubusz Voivodeship, Grzegorz Potęga; and President of the Regional Medical Chamber in Zielona Góra, Jacek Kotuła, MD, PhD.
Collegium Medicum UZ has been educating future doctors for 11 years. During this time, we have already educated several hundred graduates who are now working in healthcare facilities across the Lubusz region. However, the need for medical professionals remains considerable, which is why it is particularly encouraging that new medical graduates join the profession every year. As Prof. Zaniew summarised: “This is a wonderful event. It is an important day in the lives of our graduates, but also for Collegium Medicum and the entire University of Zielona Góra. Another 85 people are leaving our university, and in the near future they will be treating patients. There is no doubt that they will find employment in medical facilities throughout our region. We must remember that the medical and nursing workforce includes experienced professionals, as well as those who will eventually make room for young professionals – our students.”
Bartosz Kudliński, MD, PhD, Vice-Dean for Student Affairs of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, is also pleased to see new doctors joining the medical workforce in the Lubusz region: “As a doctor, I am very pleased that every year there is such great interest in the Medical Programme and other medical programmes at our university. We need these people, and we are well aware of the situation. Our graduates are people who want to continue learning, pursue their careers and treat patients. They are people worth fighting for and making every effort to retain.”
During the graduation ceremony, distinctions were also presented for the best academic results among this year’s Medical Programme graduates. One of the distinguished graduates was Wiktoria Nowicka, the sixth-year student representative of the Medical Programme. As the graduate summarised: “The emotions are incredible. We are all proud of ourselves. It is a reason to celebrate. Now we have the final three months of summer holidays ahead of us. Then there will be thirteen months of internship, after which we will choose our specialisations. Some of us will leave. Some will certainly stay here. I plan to remain in the Lubusz Voivodeship. I would like to work at a hospital in Nowa Sól.”
Paweł Hełka, also a graduate of the Medical Programme this year, will particularly remember the friendships formed during six years of study: “What stands out most in my memory is the complete lack of time, but also the people I met here. Over all these years, we became very close. These are studies that require not only knowledge from us, but also particular communication and team-building skills. I can confidently say that we succeeded in this respect. We built a great team and made it through these six challenging years together. The internship ahead of us will show us who we want to become. I have several dreams that I would like to keep to myself. We will see in the future what I ultimately become.”
It is also worth noting that next week, on 7 July, we will celebrate the 15th anniversary of the first graduates of the Nursing Programme at the University of Zielona Góra. The event will also include the graduation ceremony for the Nursing Programme and the first graduation ceremony for the Midwifery Programme at our university.
