The Jagiellonian University honoured Prof. Henning Dralle, an eminent scientist and surgeon, with an honorary doctorate. The conferment ceremony was held on 16 September 2015 in Collegium Maius Assembly Hall.
As stressed by the Rector of the Jagiellonian University Prof. Wojciech Nowak, the JU Senate decided to honour Prof. Henning Dralle with the University's highest academic award for his role in the foundation and development of endocrine surgery, including the establishment of the European Association of Endocrine Surgery, his active promotion of this surgical discipline, as well as membership in the editorial board of the Polish Surgical Review, the organisation of the Congress of the European Society of Endocrine Surgery in Poland, his recommendation on organising the World Congress on Neural Monitoring in Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery in Kraków and on participation of many Polish surgeons in the work of international research groups. The Jagiellonian University has also recognised Prof. Dralle's dedication as a clinical scientist, surgeon, intellectual, and teacher, who has shared his medical knowledge and experience with others, especially with Polish surgeons.
The laudatory speech was delivered by Dr hab. Michał Barczyński of the 3rd Chair of General Surgery of the JU Medical College. Dr hab. Barczyński called the degree recipient, a "great friend of the Jagiellonian University", as well as of Polish surgeons. He pointed to Prof. Dralle's outstanding contribution to the advancement of medical research and the development of endocrine surgery in Kraków and Poland. The full text of the laudatory speech is available in the link below.
In his address Prof. Henning Dralle stressed that he considers JU honorary doctorate a great honour and extended special thanks to the JU Faculty of Medicine. He pointed to his long and successful cooperation with the oldest Polish university, which would not be possible without the support of Prof. Wojciech Nowak and Dr hab. Marcin Barczyński. The degree recipient also emphasised the links between endocrinology and endocrine surgery, to which he referred to as "two sides of the same coin".
The JU Rector congratulated him and, on behalf of all Polish surgeons, expressed profound gratitude for the long-lasting and fruitful cooperation.
After the ceremony, the participants proceeded to Stuba Communis, where they individually congratulated Prof. Dralle and wished him further success in the future.
