Professor Ludwik Jerzy Mazurek
Professor Ludwik Jerzy Mazurek was born on May 24th, 1916 in Wolsk (currently in Russia). He completed his medical training at the University of Warsaw in 1934 – 1939 and obtained an MD degree in 1940 in Lvov. Based on his doctoral disseration entitled “Multiple cartilaginous exostoses”, professor Mazurek received a degree of doctor of medical sciences at the University of Lodz in 1948 and was in 1955 appointed doctor habilitatus (assistant professor) by the Medical Faculty Council of the Medicl University of Lodz. He was awarded the title of associate professor in 1967 and of full professor in 1967 and full professor in 1984.
Prof. Ludwik J. Mazurek, MD, Ph.D. headed of the Clinical Department of Urology at the Medical University Clini of Surgery in Lodz between 1955 and 1960, and from 1960 to 1968 held the position of hea of the Lodz Medical University Chair and Department of Urology. From 1968 to 1986, he coordinated the Tuberculosis Institute Research Group for Urogenital Tuberculosis with its seat at the District Hospital in Tuszynek near Lodz. In that hospital, Prof. Mazurek organized a Urology Ward in 1954 which in his honour now carries his name, and which was the first hospital center for the treatment of urogenital tuberculosis in Poland. Prof. Ludwik J. Mazurek headed that ward until 1988 and remained involved as a consultant until 2000.
Professor Mazurek laid the foundations for the treatment of tuberculosis of the urinary tract and male genital organs, and was greatly involved in the development of this area, becoming and internationally recignized authority in this field. Another importatnt area of the Professor’s scientific and professional activities was urological oncology, especially urinary bladder neoplasms, as well as urogynecology (he developed his own method to surgically treat female urinary incontinence) and was one of the few pioneers of urinary tract reconstructive surgery in Poland. His contributions to the development of that field of urologic surgery have been invaluable. Reconstructive surgery of the urinary tract making use of intestinal tissue, construction of orthopic bladders from intestine, as well as formation of continent urine reservoirs ( he developed his own method of ileocystoplasty) held the Professor’s particular interest. Excellent surgical skills and immense experience attained in this field rank Professor Mazurek among the most outstanding specialists.
Professor L. J. Mazurek established his own school of urology and educated a great number of specialits and many of his numerous disciples have become, owing to the thorough professional training, heads of urological wards. The Professor contributed to 13 conferred doctoral degrees and one assistant professor degree and acted as reviewer in many doctoral and habilitation proceedings, as well as a reviewer of the scientific output includes circa 200 original papers, many of which appeared in renowned urological journals, and 4 books constituting the foundation of Polish rological literature. The handbook “ Tuberculosis of the urinary tract and male genital organs”, published in 1974 and “Radiodiagnostics of urinary tract diseases” are still a valuable source of knowledge for urological trainees and urologists, whereas the work “Urological radiology” published in 1977 provides – also at present – a set of fundamential principles and examples of classic radiological diagnostics, useful for contemporary urologists.
Professor Ludwik J. Mazurek was one of the founders of the Polish Association of Urology. In 1966 – 1968 he was the President, and from 1979 onwards an Honorary Member of the association. Professor Mazurek was a member on many Polish international scientific societies, including the scientific Society of Lodz, Societe Internationale d’Urologie (SIU), Association Francaise d’Urologie (AFU), and the European Association of Urology (EAU). In 1992, he became a member of the EAU Historical Committee.
His extensive scientific as well as professional activities were the basis for numerous awards and state decorations, including the Gold Cross of Merit, the Knight’s Cross and Officer’s Cross of the Order of Polish State Revival, and the Order for Veterans of the 1939 – 1945 War.
The Professor rendetred considerable services to Polish urology, the Polish Association of Urology and the education of urologists. However, the mosy significant measure of Professor Mazurek’s success is the large number of patients he treated with total dedication and whose lives he saved.
The Professor’s achievements place him among the most outstanding Polish urologists. We also should not forget his excellent manners and deeply humane attitude, which provided and still provides an example worth following; not only for his students and disciples, but also for all urologists, as well as doctors specializing in other fields of medicine. Professor Ludwik Jerzy Mazurek was an example of a doctor – humanists. He passed away March 7th, 2005.