Tell us about where you currently live (city/country) and how you ended up in this location.
I was born, grew up, and work in Gdańsk, Poland. Because I like living here and being close to the sea, I have never thought of moving anywhere else. However, I love to travel to far and exotic countries, so I make up for being in the same place by visiting far-off corners of the world during my holiday.
Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.
I am an attending physician, currently working at the Department of Gynecology, Gynecological Oncology and Gynecological Endocrinology, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland. I am a clinician and an academic teacher. I specialize in obstetrics & gynecology. My main area of focus has been urogynecology for a while now. In fact, my adventure with urogynecology started right after my med school and continues until today, so it’s been twenty years.
Quality of life of urogynecological patients is the main focus of my research. My Ph.D. thesis, defended in 2013, was entitled “Sexual function in women with pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence”. The results were presented at several international congresses and published in international journals. My research has been focused on the standardization of the methods applied in various studies. I have translated and validated several questionnaires into Polish, and analyzed their psychometric properties.
In 2020, I had the honor of being admitted to the International Urogynecological Consultation (IUC) IUGA Prolapse Initiative. In this international team, we are currently working on a project on Patient-Reported Outcomes, and preparing a chapter for the book.
Also, I am an active member of the Polish Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (PSGO). As a member of the Board of Urogynecology Section of PSGO, I work with a team of experts and together we develop and prepare up-to-date guidelines for the management of various urogynecological conditions for Polish clinicians. The recommendations are about to be published.
I hope that my experience will make me a valuable addition to the Committee. I am excited about future development of IUGA and its contribution to urogynecology worldwide.
When and why did you decide to join IUGA?
I have been a member of IUGA since 2017. I joined the Association because very early on I understood the importance of being a constant learner and attending international medical congresses to keep in touch with the latest research, trends and developments in my field of interest, to have up-to-date knowledge. Also, another equally important aspect of being a member of the Association is the opportunity to meet people, exchange ideas, cooperate and, quite frankly, be inspired. As a physician working at a Medical University, I understand how important it is for all scientists to cooperate with other centers in the country and internationally.
What has been your most rewarding or memorable IUGA experience?
The most memorable IUGA-related moment happened in 2013, when I received permission to translate into Polish and validate the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire – IUGA Revised. This led to the publication of the study in the International Urogynecological Journal, in 2017. Afterwards, I was invited to join the PISQ-IR Working Group, which I consider great honor.
What is the last book you read or movie you saw? Would you recommend it?
Among various literature genre, I often choose fantasy. I read fantasy books for relaxation. I like to take my mind off the everyday struggles by journeying to magical realms and reading about the adventures of the protagonists. Recently, I have read “The wise men fear” by Patrick Rothfuss from the Kingkiller Chronicles.
I would also recommend a book by the 2018 Literature Nobel Prize Winner, a Polish author, Olga Tokarczuk, “Drive Your Plow over the Bones of the Dead” for its very different way of presenting the reality.
What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
In my spare time, I like doing sports, jogging, and swimming. Physical activity lets my brain achieve the “Flow”. It is then, when I am out of breath, that I have this sensation of having a clear mind and it is when some of my ideas come to the surface. During holidays, my family and I take lots of books with us and we go to warm places. We spend time together and enjoy reading books in our spare time. I love paper editions of the books, when I can hold a book in my hand, turn the pages, and see what has been read.
What is one "fun fact" about you?
I cannot travel light?