Rev. Dr. Arkadiusz Nowak with honorary doctorate degree

For years we have been recognizing those who change reality. We need role models that artificial intelligence will not create for us University of Medical Sciences rector Prof. Zbigniew Krasinski.

The resolution of the university's Senate stressed that the title was awarded "in recognition of special contributions to the building of the common good in favor of health, for faith in human beings and their dignity, for courage in the fight against stigmatization and exclusion, and for inspiring attitudes consistent with the university's mission. It was pointed out that Fr. Dr. Nowak's long-standing activities in the area of public health and patient rights are of a pioneering nature and have had a lasting impact on the development of the support system for the sick and excluded.

Today, we are conferring the title of Doctor Honoris Causa on the Karol Marcinkowski Medical University in Poznan, and it is a great celebration, because this title is a symbol of the highest academic dignity awarded by the University Senate to persons of particular merit to scientific, cultural or social life Prof. Ewa Baum, PhD, Dean of Health Sciences Karol Marcinkowski Medical University in Poznan.

During the ceremony, it was noted that Rev. Dr. Nowak's activity from the beginning was related to HIV/AIDS and drug abuse in Poland. It was thanks to his commitment that the first aid centers were established, educational and intervention activities were spread, and structures supporting people living with HIV were developed. It was emphasized that the initiatives undertaken were often ahead of their time, becoming the foundation of modern public health practices.

All of Dr. Arkadiusz Nowak's work is related to public health. He was one of the pioneers dealing with AIDS and drug addiction in Poland, organizing centers. His exceptional empathy, concern for the well-being of people, attention to preserving dignity were also manifested in the fact that he took part in the founding of the entire movement for patient rights

Associate Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Poznan Medical University Prof. Marcin Zarowski.

It was also noted that Rev. Dr. Arkadiusz Nowak was instrumental in creating the patient rights movement in Poland. His work, based on respect, empathy and concern for human dignity, was pointed out as an example of modern health education, combining medical knowledge with a deep understanding of patients' needs. - This is a great honor and a big commitment for me, but also one of the most important honors. It was the year 2000 when I received the award of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan precisely for fighting intolerance and for fighting for the rights of people living with HIV, and I think that in this whole hierarchy of all these later awards, definitely the honorary doctorate ranks on a par with this award I received from the UN. - Dr. Arkadiusz Nowak said. Rev. Dr. Nowak is also a lecturer and author of a scientific monograph produced at the Poznan Medical University. He went down in the history of the university as the first clergyman to receive an honorary doctorate.The ceremony in Poznan became not only a symbolic summary of the many years of activity of Rev. Dr. Arkadiusz Nowak, but also an opportunity to emphasize the importance of his mission in the area of public health and protection of the dignity of patients.

Source: press release