Wrocław Medical University
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Wrocław Medical University ( Polish: ''Uniwersytet Medyczny we Wrocławiu'',
Latin Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...
: ''Universitas Medicus Vratislaviensis'') is an institution of higher medical education in
Wrocław Wrocław is a city in southwestern Poland, and the capital of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. It is the largest city and historical capital of the region of Silesia. It lies on the banks of the Oder River in the Silesian Lowlands of Central Eu ...
,
Poland Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It extends from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains in the south, bordered by Lithuania and Russia to the northeast, Belarus and Ukrai ...
. It consists of six faculties:
Medicine Medicine is the science and Praxis (process), practice of caring for patients, managing the Medical diagnosis, diagnosis, prognosis, Preventive medicine, prevention, therapy, treatment, Palliative care, palliation of their injury or disease, ...
, Medicine and
Dentistry Dentistry, also known as dental medicine and oral medicine, is the branch of medicine focused on the Human tooth, teeth, gums, and Human mouth, mouth. It consists of the study, diagnosis, prevention, management, and treatment of diseases, dis ...
,
Pharmacy Pharmacy is the science and practice of discovering, producing, preparing, dispensing, reviewing and monitoring medications, aiming to ensure the safe, effective, and affordable use of medication, medicines. It is a miscellaneous science as it ...
, Health Sciences,
Nursing Nursing is a health care profession that "integrates the art and science of caring and focuses on the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and human functioning; prevention of illness and injury; facilitation of healing; and alle ...
and
Midwifery Midwifery is the health science and health profession that deals with pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period (including care of the newborn), in addition to the sexual and reproductive health of women throughout their lives. In many cou ...
, and
Physiotherapy Physical therapy (PT), also known as physiotherapy, is a healthcare profession, as well as the care provided by physical therapists who promote, maintain, or restore health through patient education, physical intervention, disease preventio ...
. There are nearly 200 chairs, departments, and clinics. Altogether, about 6,400 students study there, and 300 PhD students. Wrocław Medical University has 22 international agreements of cooperation signed with other universities abroad. There is a wide exchange of students and teaching staff within the framework of the
Socrates Socrates (; ; – 399 BC) was a Ancient Greek philosophy, Greek philosopher from Classical Athens, Athens who is credited as the founder of Western philosophy and as among the first moral philosophers of the Ethics, ethical tradition ...
and
Erasmus Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus ( ; ; 28 October c. 1466 – 12 July 1536), commonly known in English as Erasmus of Rotterdam or simply Erasmus, was a Dutch Christian humanist, Catholic priest and Catholic theology, theologian, educationalist ...
programmes of the
European Union The European Union (EU) is a supranational union, supranational political union, political and economic union of Member state of the European Union, member states that are Geography of the European Union, located primarily in Europe. The u ...
, especially with France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands and England.


History

Wrocław is a city with a rich medical tradition. The first hospital was founded in the 13th century. Medicine was first taught in 1745 by the establishment of the Collegium Medico-Chirurgicum. It was the first medical school in the city. The traditions of Wrocław Medical University date back to 1811, when the Viadrina University (Brandenburg University of Frankfurt) in
Frankfurt (Oder) Frankfurt (Oder), also known as Frankfurt an der Oder (, ; Central Marchian: ''Frankfort an de Oder,'' ) is the fourth-largest city in the German state of Brandenburg after Potsdam, Cottbus and Brandenburg an der Havel. With around 58,000 inh ...
was relocated to Wrocław by order of Prussian King
Friedrich Wilhelm III Frederick William III (; 3 August 1770 – 7 June 1840) was King of Prussia from 16 November 1797 until his death in 1840. He was concurrently Elector of Brandenburg in the Holy Roman Empire until 6 August 1806, when the empire was dissolved ...
. It merged with the local Leopoldine Academy, which did not have a medical faculty, to create the
University of Wrocław The University of Wrocław (, UWr; ) is a public research university in Wrocław, Poland. It is the largest institution of higher learning in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, with over 100,000 graduates since 1945, including some 1,900 researcher ...
. Among its five faculties was the Faculty of Medicine, transferred from Frankfurt (Oder) and headed by its dean, Prof. Dr. Karl Berends, who became the rector of the Royal University of Wrocław in 1811. This connection traces the university's origins back to 1506, when the four-faculty Brandenburg University of Frankfurt, including medicine, was established. Many famous doctors lived and worked in Wrocław such as
Alois Alzheimer Alois Alzheimer ( , , ; 14 June 1864 – 19 December 1915) was a German psychiatrist, neuropathologist and colleague of Emil Kraepelin. He is credited with identifying the first published case of "presenile dementia", which Kraepelin later ide ...
-
neurologist Neurology (from , "string, nerve" and the suffix -logia, "study of") is the branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of conditions and disease involving the nervous system, which comprises the brain, the ...
and
psychiatrist A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in psychiatry. Psychiatrists are physicians who evaluate patients to determine whether their symptoms are the result of a physical illness, a combination of physical and mental ailments or strictly ...
, who presented his findings regarding degeneration of the brain cortex (
Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease and the cause of 60–70% of cases of dementia. The most common early symptom is difficulty in remembering recent events. As the disease advances, symptoms can include problems wit ...
),
Robert Koch Heinrich Hermann Robert Koch ( ; ; 11 December 1843 – 27 May 1910) was a German physician and microbiologist. As the discoverer of the specific causative agents of deadly infectious diseases including tuberculosis, cholera and anthrax, he i ...
- creator of modern
bacteriology Bacteriology is the branch and specialty of biology that studies the Morphology (biology), morphology, ecology, genetics and biochemistry of bacteria as well as many other aspects related to them. This subdivision of microbiology involves the iden ...
(
Nobel Prize The Nobel Prizes ( ; ; ) are awards administered by the Nobel Foundation and granted in accordance with the principle of "for the greatest benefit to humankind". The prizes were first awarded in 1901, marking the fifth anniversary of Alfred N ...
in 1905),
Paul Ehrlich Paul Ehrlich (; 14 March 1854 – 20 August 1915) was a Nobel Prize-winning German physician and scientist who worked in the fields of hematology, immunology and antimicrobial chemotherapy. Among his foremost achievements were finding a cure fo ...
- pioneer of present
chemotherapy Chemotherapy (often abbreviated chemo, sometimes CTX and CTx) is the type of cancer treatment that uses one or more anti-cancer drugs (list of chemotherapeutic agents, chemotherapeutic agents or alkylating agents) in a standard chemotherapy re ...
(Nobel Prize in 1908). At present Wrocław is an active centre of
medical education Medical education is vocational education, education related to the practice of being a medical practitioner, including the initial training to become a physician (i.e., medical school and internship (medical), internship) and additional trainin ...
. The Medical University also performs a wide range of scientific activities and provides the whole region of Lower Silesia with highly specialised medical care.


Post-War Reconstruction and Early Development

After
World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, significant efforts were made to restore and rebuild university buildings, as 70% of the city was destroyed. The Faculty of Medicine was established in 1945 as part of the University of Wrocław and Polytechnic of Wrocław. Professor
Ludwik Hirszfeld Ludwik Hirszfeld (; 5 August 1884 – 7 March 1954) was a Polish microbiologist and serologist. He is considered a co-discoverer of the inheritance of ABO blood types. Life He was a cousin of Aleksander Rajchman, a Polish mathematician, and ...
served as the first dean and delivered the inaugural lecture. Initially, 467 students enrolled in the faculty. On January 1, 1950, the Faculty of Medicine became part of the newly established Wrocław Medical University, then a Medical Academy, which included the Medical and Pharmaceutical Faculties. Professor Antoni Falkiewicz served as the dean during this transition, with student enrollment increasing to 2,100.


Faculty of Medicine

The Faculty of Medicine is the oldest faculty at the Medical University of Wroclaw, established on November 14, 1945. The scientific staff consisted mainly of professors from the Jan Kazimierz University in
Lvov Lviv ( or ; ; ; see #Names and symbols, below for other names) is the largest city in western Ukraine, as well as the List of cities in Ukraine, fifth-largest city in Ukraine, with a population of It serves as the administrative centre of ...
. The Faculty of Medicine has seen several structural changes, including the establishment of the Department of Dentistry in 1948 and the Department of Pediatrics from 1954 to 1966. In 1992, the Faculty of Postgraduate Medical Education was created, followed by the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry in 2000. In 2003, the English Division was established to educate international students. Notable achievements at the Faculty of Medicine include the first open-heart surgery in Poland, performed by Professor Wiktor Bross on February 12, 1958, and the first kidney transplant from a living donor on March 31, 1966 together with Prof. Wladyslaw Wrezlewicz. The faculty has also made significant contributions in microbiology, biochemistry, enzymology, and experimental surgery, earning state prizes for its research. A great number of prominent scientists have conducted research at the Faculty of Medicine, including Professors Ludwik Hirszfeld, Zygmunt Albert, Edward Szczeklik, Witold Orłowski, Stefan Ślopek, as well as Hugon and Zofia Kowarzyk.


Faculty of Pharmacy

The Faculty of Pharmacy at the Medical University of Wroclaw began operations shortly after World War II, with a group of scientists from the Jan Kazimierz University in Lvov leading the initiative. The Pharmaceutical Department was established in 1946 as part of the Faculty of Medicine of Wrocław University and Polytechnic, becoming an independent Faculty of Pharmacy in January 1950 under the Medical Academy. Professor Tadeusz Baranowski served as the first director, with Professor Bogusław Bobrański as his deputy. The faculty initially operated from a reconstructed building on Szewska Street, formerly the German Pharmaceutical Institute. In the 1979/80 academic year, the Department of Medical Analytics was established to train laboratory diagnosticians. In 2012, the faculty moved to new, modern facilities on Borowska Street.


Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry

The Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry was established on May 24, 2000, and began operations on October 1, 2000. It was created from the former Faculty of Dentistry within the Faculty of Medicine. The faculty received accreditation for its dentistry program in June 2003, renewed in October 2008, and was authorized to confer doctoral degrees in dentistry and medicine. The faculty introduced English-language classes in the 2005/06 academic year. The first English Division graduates received their dental diplomas in the 2010/11 academic year.


Faculty of Health Sciences

The Faculty of Health Sciences traces its roots to the post-war establishment of the University and Polytechnic in 1948. Initially part of the Faculty of Medicine, it became part of the Medical Academy in 1950. The faculty was originally located on Worcella Street and is now situated at 5 Bartla Street. In response to national demands, higher nursing studies were established across Poland, leading to the creation of the Faculty of Nursing at the Wroclaw Medical Academy in 1978. The faculty initially comprised four departments and introduced a master's program in 1979. In 2008, it was renamed the Faculty of Health Sciences and expanded its educational offerings to include nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, public health, and emergency medical services.


Recent Structural Changes

On July 31, 2024, structural changes were implemented, establishing the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery and the Faculty of Physiotherapy, along with adjustments to the Faculty of Health Sciences.


Campus


Medical Facilities

* Jan Mikulicz-Radecki University Clinical Hospital in Wroclaw: A multispecialty hospital established in 2002, named after Jan Mikulicz-Radecki. It consists of 25 clinics, 29 departments, operating theaters, and numerous laboratories, providing primary and specialized healthcare services. The hospital also conducts research and trains medical professionals. * Academic Dental Polyclinic: Established in 2003, this facility offers comprehensive dental services and focuses on scientific work, clinical practice, and teaching. * Research, Scientific and Didactic Center for Dementia Diseases in Ścinawa: A center dedicated to the study and treatment of dementia diseases.


Museums

* Museum of Pharmacy: Part of the Faculty of Pharmacy, this museum showcases the history of pharmacy and medicine. Housed in a historic Renaissance-Classical building, it features exhibits ranging from an alchemical laboratory in the basement, through the interior of the Renaissance pharmacy on the first floor, the exhibition devoted to natural medicine and ancient tools for the production of medicines, to the exposition showing analytical measuring apparatus and synthetic and semi-synthetic drugs on the second floor. * Museum of Forensic Medicine: Part of the Department of Forensic Medicine, this museum continues the traditions of the former German Museum of Forensic Medicine, established in 1887. It houses a collection of exhibits related to forensic science, including historical artifacts, medical instruments, and preserved human specimens.


Organization

Wrocław Medical University is governed by a rector and six vice-rectors. Each faculty is led by a dean and one to four vice-deans. The university's Senate, comprising 30 members, is the key decision-making body, responsible for approving statutes, setting strategy, and granting academic degrees. The Senate includes professors, academic teachers, students, doctoral students, and non-academic employees. It ensures the university operates in accordance with laws and statutes. The university has three councils for scientific disciplines: * Council for the Discipline of Medical Sciences (60 members) * Council for the Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences (28 members) * Council for the Discipline of Health Sciences (25 members) These councils oversee research, education, and quality evaluation within their respective fields. Additionally, the university has: * A Bioethics Committee (16 members) that evaluates the ethical aspects of scientific research and clinical trials. * An Ethics Committee (15 members) that monitors and enforces ethical principles within the academic community.


Faculties

* Faculty of Medicine * Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry * Faculty of Pharmacy * Faculty of Health Sciences * Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery * Faculty of Physiotherapy Wroclaw Medical University also has a branch in
Wałbrzych Wałbrzych (; ; or ''Walmbrich''; or ) is a city located in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in southwestern Poland, seat of Wałbrzych County. Wałbrzych lies approximately southwest of the voivodeship capital Wrocław and about from the Czec ...
that offers a Medicine programme.


Rectors

* Zygmunt Albert (1950–1954) * Antoni Falkiewicz (1954–1957) * Bogusław Bobrański (1957–1962) * Aleksander Kleczeński (1962–1965) * Tadeusz Baranowski (1965–1968) * Leonard Kuczyński (1968–1972) * Stanisław Iwankiewicz (1972–1978) * Eugeniusz Rogalski (1978–1981) * Marian Wilimowski (1981–1987) * Bogdan Łazarkiewicz (1987–1990) * Zbigniew Kapnik (1990–1993) * Jerzy Czernik (1993–1999) * Leszek Paradowski (1999–2005) * Ryszard Andrzejak (2005-2011) * Marek Ziętek (2011–December 18, 2018; March 15, 2019 - August 27, 2019) * Piotr Ponikowski (2020-2024) Acting rectors: * Marek Ziętek (Acting: 2010 - April, 2011) * Jerzy Rudnicki (Acting: April, 2011 - May, 2011) * Piotr Ponikowski (Acting: December 18, 2018 - January 18, 2019) * Halina Grajeta (Acting: January 18, 2019 - February 12, 2019̣) * Piotr Ponikowski (Acting: February 12, 2019 - March 15, 2019) * Piotr Ponikowski (Acting: August 27, 2019 - 2020)


Research


Biobank

The Biobank of the Medical University of Wroclaw was established on December 15, 2017. It operates within the Laboratory for Biological Activity Screening and Collection of Biological Material. The biobank holds accreditations and certifications, including EN ISO 20387:2021-01 and ISO 9001:2015. The biobank's resources are listed in the European BBMRI-ERIC Directory and the Polish directory.


University Clinical Research Support Center

The University Clinical Research Support Center offers support in planning, coordinating, and managing clinical trials. It focuses on non-commercial trials and is funded by the Medical Research Agency. The Center also provides training for new researchers through postgraduate studies in collaboration with the Medical Research Agency and the Association for Good Clinical Research Practice in Poland.


References


External links

*
English Division of Wrocław Medical University
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wroclaw Medical University Universities and colleges in Wrocław Medical schools in Poland