Prof. Rafal Krenke is the new rector of WUM.

"During the six years of my studies and the subsequent 37 years of professional work, I got to know Warsaw Medical University on various levels and from different perspectives. I observed the magnificent successes of representatives of the various professional groups that make up our university community, as well as the undeniable development of the University's clinical, teaching and scientific infrastructure. To the best of my ability, I have tried to be active in each of these fields," writes Prof. Rafal Krenke on his website.

As the new rector of the Warsaw University of Medical Sciences emphasizes, he is no stranger to the problems that the university faces on a daily basis. This includes both the perspective of an academic teacher, clinician and researcher, as well as that of a person managing a university unit.

"For the past four years I have served as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and as a Senator. I have not shied away from difficult and controversial topics, while at the same time trying to show respect to every member of our community. I have evidence that the manner in which I have carried out these functions has gained the acceptance and appreciation not only of numerous members of the Faculty of Medicine, but also of other departments," the rector-elect points out.

Prof. Rafal Krenke admits that the period of the next term of the WUM authorities is exceptionally important. On the one hand, new opportunities are opening up before the university, but on the other hand - one cannot forget about the threats, the most important of which are the loss of staff and the financial situation of teaching hospitals.

Prof. Rafal Krenke graduated from the Second J. Kasprowicz High School in Kutno, where he passed his matriculation exam with honors in 1981. He then went on to study at the Medical Academy in Warsaw, graduating with honors in 1987, earning his medical degree. In 1996, he defended his doctoral dissertation at the First Medical Faculty of the Medical Academy in Warsaw, entitled. "Effect of cyclophosphamide on hyperoxia-induced lung tissue damage in guinea pigs." The dissertation was supervised by Prof. Dr. Elżbieta Walajtys-Rode. In 2012, presenting a dissertation entitled. "Assessment of respiratory function and gas exchange rates in patients qualified for liver transplantation," he was awarded a postdoctoral degree. In 2014, he was awarded the title of professor of medical sciences.

Since 2017, he has served as Chairman of the Scientific Council of the Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases in Warsaw, and since 2019 he has been a member of the Scientific Council of the Maciej Nałęcz Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw. He is also a member of the Medical Sciences Disciplinary Council of the Medical University of Warsaw.

Since the beginning of his medical career, Prof. Rafal Krenke has been affiliated with the Department of Internal Medicine Pneumonology and Allergology at the Medical University of Warsaw. Since 2014, he has served as the head and physician-in-charge of this unit. He holds specializations in internal medicine ( first and second degree), lung diseases and intensive care. His special clinical and scientific interests include interventional pulmonology, pleural diseases, lung cancer, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, respiratory infections in immunocompromised patients, respiratory diseases caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria, and diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough. From 2007 to 2013, he served as a consultant in pulmonary diseases at the Institute of Hematology and Transfusiology in Warsaw. Since 2014, he has been a consultant in pulmonary diseases for the Mazovian province. In 2016-2019, he was Vice-Dean of the First Faculty of Medicine for student affairs of the 4th-VI year, and since 2020 he has served as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at WUM.