LSMU Continues Collaboration with Leading Lecturers: Expert Knowledge Shared by Prof. J. C. Szepietowski, Renowned Dermatologist from Poland

The Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) continues its collaboration with lecturers of high expertise. This time, Prof. Jacek Cezary Szepietowski, a renowned dermatologist from Poland, shared his expert knowledge.

The professor gave lectures to students and residents of the University throughout the week. The lectures ranged from the pathogenesis and treatment of chronic pruritus, to fungal infections of the skin and its appendages, to allergic skin diseases.

Special focus was given to the most recent guidelines for the management of atopic dermatitis and chronic pruritus, in addition to the field of psychodermatology. This is an individual field of dermatology which explores the connection between the psychosocial implications of chronic skin diseases and the management of specific psychodermatological disorders, dermatitis artefacta, and chronic pruritus.

The highlight of Prof. Szepietowski’s visit was his lecture on “Skin lesions in internal diseases”. The expert told the participants about the most common paraneoplastic skin diseases that occur in malignant tumours.

“The visit from Prof. Szepietowski is seen as a pivotal moment. It will offer the students, residents, and doctoral students the chance to broaden their knowledge and learn about new scientific concepts in dermatology. Our academic community is delighted that an expert of such calibre is keen to collaborate and share his expertise. We hope that this collaboration will give a serious impetus to the advancements of the field of dermatology,” commented Prof. Andrius Macas, Dean of the LSMU Faculty of Medicine, who also attended the lecture.

On behalf of the Rector of LSMU, he presented a certificate of appreciation to the guest and thanked Prof. Skaidra Valiukeviciene, Head of the Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases, and the entire staff for their active contribution to the development of the international outreach of the University.

Repeated Visit by the Expert Lecturer

Prof. J.C. Szepietowski is the Head of the Clinical Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology at the Wrocław Medical University, Poland. He is President of the Polish Dermatological Society. His research and practical interests include general dermatology, psychodermatology, and chronic inflammatory diseases. He is the author of 700 peer-reviewed articles, 17 books, and has delivered more than 300 lectures at international and national congresses.

The renowned expert’s visit was financed by the Education Exchanges Support Foundation (SMPF) under the call Education Exchanges Support Foundation (ŠMPF) under the call “Highly Competent Foreign Lecturers for Short-Term Teaching Visits 2023”. This call is also open to other academic units of the University.  

In the autumn, the Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases welcomed two more renowned experts – Prof. Harald Gollnick from the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany, and Prof. Christos C. Zouboulis from the Dessau Medical Centre in Wokeland.

Overall, 12 distinguished lecturers from abroad have visited LSMU this year under the above-mentioned call by ŠMPF. Two more professors are scheduled to visit in December.

Cooperation Continues

Prof. Szepietowski not only gave lectures, but also participated in the Concilium of the Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases of the LSMU Kaunas Clinics. The Concilium discussed particularly severe clinical cases of atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Prof. Szepietowski not also shared useful, but also assisted in formulating diagnostic and treatment strategies for these patients.

The expert from Poland also discussed the PhD students’ research in atopic dermatitis and genetic markers. It was decided to strengthen cooperation through participation in Lithuanian-Polish scientific projects aimed at the implementation of research and dissemination of results. Prospects for expanding competences in the field of dermatoallergology were identified, and an agreement on clinical internship at the Wrocław Medical University was reached.

Prof. Szepietowski has been collaborating with the Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases at the LSMU Faculty of Medicine since 2013. During his first visit to Kaunas, he chaired the allergology session of the Congress of the Baltic Association of Dermatovenerologists.

His previous visit to Kaunas occurred five years ago, during which he served on the LSMU doctoral dissertation defence committee. This was the fifth time the professor had been a committee member for doctoral defence in dermatology.

“I see positive changes have taken place since my last visit,” said Prof. Szepietowski.

Feedback from the Community

“Prof. Jacek C. Szepietowski is distinguished by his extensive clinical and scientific experience in dermal allergology, in the field of atopic dermatitis. During the visit, we had time to discuss the challenges in my PhD work, I received useful advice on dealing with them, and we planned future work. I very much appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with the professor and to conduct research in the field of dermal allergology,” noted Kamilija Briedė, PhD student at the Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases and a dermatovenereologist, after the meeting.

“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to meet and learn from Prof. J.C. Szepietowski. Professor Szepietjewski is a true expert and is sincerely eager to share his experience with us. The lectures were comprehensive, engaging, and we learned about the latest developments in the field of dermatovenerology,” said Evelina Bučionytė, resident doctor at the Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases.

“I appreciate the opportunity to meet Prof. Szepietowski. He is as the true professional and a highly experienced, active, and warm person,” said Sonata Didžiagalvienė, Head Nurse of the Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases.

“The professor is an inspirational figure, both in terms of career and values. During his lectures, he not only shared his years of knowledge and experience, but also emphasised the importance of soft competences in the educational process as well as the relationship with patients. We are very happy that the University fosters collaboration with world-class researchers. This opens more research and practice opportunities for us, the students,” said Livija Petrokaitė, member of the board of the Students’ Scientific Society for the Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases.