2016 Program Booklet

PAMS_Pamietnik_2016_Organization_PAMS 2/1/2016 12:41 PM Page 9
Special Recognition
Piotr Witkowski
iotr Witkowski MD,PhD, is a transplant surgeon and
Associate Professor of Surgery at University of
P
Chicago Medical Center in Chicago. He specializes in
abdominal organ transplantation - kidney, pancreas and liver.
For the last 6 years, he has also been Director of Pancreatic
Islet Transplantation program there, leading a cutting-edge
research team and supervising clinical trials. The focus of
his clinical research is a novel, mini-invasive treatment of
complicated forms of type I diabetes mellitus. Another example of his innovative treatment
is islet autotransplantation in patients required total pancreatectomy for begin disease,
in order to improve their blood glucose control and prevent diabetes.
These clinical advances stem from Dr. Witkowski’s very productive scientific work in
his laboratory, where he leads a team of researchers, fellows and students. He has authored
over 80 peer-reviewed publications, mentored numerous students, physicians
and scientists and has been a principal investigator on many projects.
Dr, Witkowski’s work has been recognized with several grants and awards. Deservedly,
he received the Outstanding Mentor Award from The Transplantation Society in 2012.
His research was also recognized and supported by the Kosciuszko Foundation and the
Polish-American Medical Society (PAMS) in Chicago. One of his star researchers, Dr.
Natalia Marek, was recently able to pursue her project in Dr. Witkowski’s laboratory as
the Foundation’s grantee. She has received international awards for this research, including
PAMS’ Science Award two years ago. Dr. Witkowski continues to play an active
role in helping and mentoring Polish medical students and physicians, as he is
often able to offer them observership, elective or fellowship at University of Chicago.
These activities are frequently in collaboration with the Polish American Medical Society
and are very appreciated.
Prior to moving to Chicago, Dr. Witkowski gained extensive research experience at Columbia
University in New York City, where he also completed his surgical fellowship
in transplantation at the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center.
Dr. Witkowski is a graduate of Medical University in Gdansk. He finished his training
in general surgery and defended his PhD thesis there before emigrating to the US. He
credits his later accomplishments to the outstanding medical education he obtained in
his native Gdansk.
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