On Wednesday, April 19, a ceremony was held to award diplomas to students and graduates of the Silesian Medical University in Katowice, who for several months helped the staff and patients of covid hospitals in the Silesian province. In March 2021, nearly half a thousand students rushed to the rescue of the sick. Most of them supported the work of the Temporary Hospital in Pyrzowice and the Upper Silesian Medical Center of Prof. Leszek Giec SUM in Katowice. In both places, many of the SUM volunteers individually worked more than half a thousand hours.
- We have met here today to thank you for everything you have done. Thank you for every hour you have worked. Thank you for the fact that when the SARS-COV-2 coronavirus pandemic broke out you rushed without hesitation to help many in need - said prof. Tomasz Szczepanski, Rector of the Silesian Medical University in Katowice, who also added during the event: - I admire your empathy in accompanying the sick, for whom every slightest gesture of support and cordiality restored hope for recovery. Undoubtedly, working at Covid Hospital was not an easy experience. However, I believe that you will learn valuable lessons from this life lesson that will make you even better medics.
Dr. Klaudia Rogowska, director of the Upper Silesian Medical Center named after Prof. Leszek Giec SUM in Katowice, also addressed words of appreciation to students and graduates of our university: - Each of us needs closeness, these patients did not have this closeness from their family... They had it from you instead. The gesture of holding hands, words of encouragement, your long night duty, future nurses and doctors were something truly wonderful and beautiful. These are lofty words, but they are true. My dears, whether angels exist is a matter of faith, but if they do exist they look just like you. We have come to know you as sensitive and unremarkable people. I wish you that you remain such unspectacular people. Thank you very much, on behalf of myself, the entire hospital team and all the patients.
An important part of the ceremony was also the part devoted to the conference "Today's Young Generation - Challenges", where two very interesting lectures were given by Prof. Małgorzata Janas-Kozik, head of the Department of Clinical Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of the Developmental Age of the Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, and Prof. Zbigniew Gąsior, head of the Department of Cardiology of the Faculty of Health Sciences in Katowice. Ms. Professor spoke not only about the challenges of the modern world and the needs of young people, but also characterized all generations - from the so-called "silent generation" through Baby boomers, X, Y, to Z and Q. Instead, Mr. Professor prepared a lecture on the prevention of cardiovascular disease. During his short speech, he answered the key question: how to take care of your health in order to effectively help patients? Among other things, he spoke about the harmfulness of smoking and electronic cigarettes. He also reminded how important a healthy diet and physical activity are in the life of every young person.
The event culminated with a performance by Michalina Kukla, a second-year medical student and talented vocalist of The Night Springs Band.
