Michalina Kołodziejczak, MD, PhD
Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Antoni Jurasz University Hospital No.1, Bydgoszcz, Poland
Collegium Medicum Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University Torun
Postdoctoral Researcher, Yale Cardiovascular Research Group, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, USA
University Lecturer and Researcher, Resident at Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Department
kolodziejczak.michalina@gmail.com
Dr Kołodziejczak graduated from Medical Faculty of Collegium Medicum of Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland. In 2019 she completed her PhD thesis: Optimization of safety and efficacy of antidyslipidemic therapies in adults with dyslipidemia – new research frontiers.
Dr Kołodziejczak’s research focuses on the dyslipdemia management, revascularization in coronary artery disease, and heart failure. She received two national scholarships for excellence in research and a scholarship of Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) for postdoctoral internship at Yale Cardiovascular Research Group. Together with researchers from the Department of Applied Computer Science, Nicolaus Copernicus University, she is developing an expert system supporting the physician in controlling the ventilator, a project supporting fight against COVID-19 pandemic, founded by Polish National Centre for Research and Development. She has published over 35 peer-reviewed papers and served as Reviewer for numerous cardiovascular journals, including the BMJ. Her professional memberships include: The Club 30 of Polish Cardiac Society and Polish Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care (Secretary of Geriatric Section).
Matteo Matteucci, MD
Born in Cuggiono (Italy) 1th March 1987
MD degree from University of Insubria (Italy), School of Medicine, in 2014
Residency in cardiac surgery at Varese University Hospital, University of Brescia (Italy), in 2020
Clinical research fellow at Maastricht University Medical Center (The Netherlands), from 2018
PhD fellow at University of Insubria, from 2020 Cardiac Surgeon at Varese University Hospital, from 2021
Michał Pasierski, MD
Graduate of Medicine at Medical University of Warsaw and College of Inter-Faculty Individual Studies in Mathematics and Natural Sciences at University of Warsaw. Founder of Cardiac Surgery Students Scientific Association “Heart Rock” at MUW. While still studying he published 8 articles in international journals with a summary impact factor of 22.5. He presented his research and won awards at international conferences both domestic and abroad. Huge enthusiast of cardiac surgery with an emphasis on CABG operation, circulatory support, and congenital heart defects.
Federica Jiritano, MD
Medical Degree at the “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro (2006-2012)
CCT in Cardiac Surgery at Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome (2013-2018)
Research fellow at the Maastricht University Medical Centre (Hart+Vaat Center) (Sept 2018 – Aug 2019)
Clinical fellow at Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh – Cardiothoracic Dept. (Jul 2019 – Aug 2019)
PhD student in Biomarkers of Chronic and Complex Disease at “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro (2017 – 2021)
Interests: basic research, coronary artery disease, valve disease, mechanical assistance devices (IABP, ECMO, VAD), platelet count disorders after bioprosthesis implantation, anticoagulation in ECMO.
Dario Fina, MD
Cardiologist at Città di Lecce Hospital, Puglia, Italy
Heart & Vascular Center in Maastricht, The Netherlands
Dr Fina graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Pavia and then obtained a specialization in Cardiology at the University of Milan. During his activity at the cardiovascular intensive care of the IRCCS Policlinico San Donato (Milan, Italy), he assisted patients undergoing cardiac surgery and/or treated with a minimally invasive interventional cardiological techniques, including the immediate peri-procedural phase, and managed the most variable acute cardiological scenarios as well. As part of the specialization training, Dr Fina also attended the Heart & Vascular Center in Maastricht (The Netherlands), which he is still following several research projects with. Over time he developed considerable experience in the diagnostic and therapeutical management of subjects affected by aortic, mitral and tricuspid valve disease, in the context of acute and chronic ischemic heart disease, in relation to the most common cardiomyopathies and in the treatment and follow-up of heart failure patients. He currently works as a cardiologist at Città di Lecce Hospital (Puglia, Italy), local center of excellence in the field of cardiology and heart surgery.
Gennaro Martucci, MD
Gennaro Martucci, MD was born in Napoli in 1982.
Medical degree was completed in Second University of Naples (now Vanvitelli University) in 2006 with a thesis on “Multimodal approach to thoracic pain”. Following completed the residency program at the same university in Anesthesia and Intensive Care with a thesis on “Analgosedation in neurointensive care”.
The background knowledge was enlarged by relevant fellowships at Catholic University in Rome, University of Turin, Vall d’Hebron Hospital in Barcelona, Kings’ College in London, Hospital Pope XXIII in Bergamo.
Currently is a senior anesthesiologist and intensivist at ISMETT in Palermo, a part of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center international network. He is also a PhD fellow at Maastricht University, Cardio-Thoracic Department. His main research fields are the coagulation, effects on haematology and patient blood management in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and liver transplantation. He is member of the Italian anaesthesiology society, ESICM and ELSO.
Paolo Meani, MD
Intensivist in a Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular ICU
PhD Fellow at Maastricht University
Paolo was born on May 14th 1987 in Merate (Lecco, Italy). He spent his childhood in Lomagna, a lovely town in the heart of Brianza, a green area at the foot of the Alps.
He graduated at Milano Bicocca Medical School in 2012 and became specialist in Cardiovascular Disease in 2018, attending the Cardiovascular Department of Niguarda Hospital (Milan).
He worked in the Cardiology and ICU department of the Medical University Center Maastricht in 2017 and 2018. Furthermore, he attended the Cardio-Thoracic ICU of Scott and Baylor University in Dallas (USA).
He is currently working as Intensivist in a Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular ICU and as a PhD Fellow at Maastricht University, under the supervision of prof. R. Lorusso. He focused his research on left ventricular unloading, animal models, mechanical circulatory support and cardiogenic shock.
He won the EUROELSO Basic Science Research Grant in 2017 and he was honored to receive the EURO ELSO Young Investigator Awards in 2020.
His professional memberships include the European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Anesthesia and Intensive Care.
Artur Słomka, PhD, DSc
Associate professor in the Department of Pathophysiology, Collegium Medicum of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Bydgoszcz, Poland
Current and previous research interests include hemostatic risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, extracellular vesicles, and iron metabolism—Head of the local branch of Polish Society of Haematology and Transfusion Medicine.
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Mariusz Kowalewski, MD
Clinical Department of Cardiac Surgery, Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Interior and Administration in Warsaw, Poland
Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Innovative Medical Forum, Bydgoszcz, Poland
Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Department, Heart and Vascular Centre, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
Attending doctor in Cardiac Surgery Department
Dr Kowalewski graduated from Medical Faculty of Collegium Medicum of Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland. In 2014 he completed his PhD thesis: Gentamicin-collagen sponge reduces the risk of sternal wound infections after heart surgery: Meta-analysis.
Dr Kowalewski’s research focuses on complications of coronary revascularization (in particular differences between cardiopulmonary bypass- and off-pump coronary bypass grafting), and on the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in cardiogenic shock and respiratory failure. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers, is Academic Editor for the PLOS One and JTD Journals. He served as Reviewer for numerous cardiovascular journals.
Prof. Piotr Suwalski, MD, PhD
Head and Professor, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Interior and Administration, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
Member of the EACTS Techno-College Task Force, Arrhythmia Surgery TF, ex-member of the EACTS Mitral and Tricuspid Valve Surgery TF and Guideline Committee
President of ISMICS – International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (2019-2021)
President of the Cardiac Surgery Working Group of the Polish Society of Cardiology
Secretary General, Association of Polish Cardiac Surgeons
Focus: Minimally invasive and robotic cardiac surgery, arrhythmia surgery, left atrial appendage occlusion technologies
Radoslaw Litwinowicz, MD, PhD
Associate Professor
The John Paul II Hospital, Krakow, Poland
Dr Litwinowicz graduated from Medical Faculty of Jagiellonian University, College of Medicine, Krakow, Poland. In 2016 he completed his PhD thesis: Reduction of stroke and bleeding risk after left atrial appendage closure in patients with atrial fibrillation with high CHADS2 score, CHA2DS2-VAS-score and HAS-BLED – long-term results. In 2021, he received the title Associate Professor from Jagiellonian University for his research on left atrial appendix closure in patients with atrial fibrillation, becoming the youngest associate professor in the history of Polish cardiac surgery.
Dr Litwinowicz is an investigator, co-investigator and clinical study coordinator in 11 clinical trials (most FDA controlled and 7 first in man clinical studies) and in several research grant founded by nonprofit organization (4 founded by National Science Centre). He has published over 80 peer-reviewed papers. He is a recipient of the Gründeman Scientific Research Award founded by International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery (ISMICS) and Francis Fontan Award founded by European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgery (EACTS).
Dr Litwinowicz’s clinical interests include minimally invasive cardiac surgery and the use of new surgical techniques.
Jakub Staromłyński MD, PhD
Cardiac Surgeon
Clinical Department of Cardiac Surgery, Central Clinical Hospital Ministry of Interior and Administration in Warsaw, Poland
Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education in Warsaw, Poland
Centre of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Warsaw, Poland
Dr Staromłyński graduated from Medical Faculty of Medical Department of Medical University in Lublin, Poland.
In 2017 he completed his PhD thesis: Videoscope assisted cardiac surgery procedures through lateral minitoracotomy- selection of operating techniques and results analysis.
Dr Staromlynski’s research focuses on thoracic aorta pathology (especially aortic root and arch aneurysms), and use of extracorporeal oxygenation (ECMO) in cardiogenic shock and respiratpry failure. Additionaly he is interesting in minimally invasive surgery techniques (aorta and aortic, mitrall, tricuspid valves surgery, coronary disease- MIDCAB, TECAB). One of his topic is Minimally Invasive Extracorporeal Circulastion (MiECC) in CABG and aortic valve surgery.
Maged Makhoul, MD
Cardiac Surgeon at Cardiac Surgery Department, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
Born in Haifa, Israel in 1986.
Graduated medical school at the university of medicine and pharmacy (U.M.F Iuliu-Hatieganu) in Cluj Napoca- Romania in 2011.
He started residency in cardiac surgery in the cardiac surgery department in Rambam Medical Center in Haifa- Israel, in 2014. Now he is completing a sub-specialty in hybrid cardiac surgery and minimal invasive procedures in co-operation with different cardiac centers in Israel.
Dr Makhoul is involved in several research projects in Israel and Europe. Among other projects, he is leading the Covid-19 ECMO registry in Israel in collaboration with the Euro-Elso registry. Moreover, he is investigating atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery in observational and randomized clinical trials.
Interests- coronary diseases, PCI and CABG. Valvular diseases, AVR, MVR, valvular palsty and percutaneous interventions. Mechanical circulatory support- ECMO.
Residency – Akko, Israel
Sub-specialty – Resident in Hybrid Cardiac Surgery and minimal invasive procedures.
Research – Post-operative care, atrial fibrillation, ECMO and Covid-19 ECMO.
Wojciech Wańha, MD, PhD
Cardiologist
Department of Invasive Cardiology and Electrocardiology, 3rd Department of Cardiology and Structural Heart Diseases, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice
Upper Silesian Medical Center prof. Leszek Giec, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice
Dr Wańha is a certified independent invasive cardiology and electrotherapy operator. The main area of his research interests is invasive cardiology, in particular: intravascular imaging by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), techniques of in-stent restenosis and bifurcations of coronary arteries treatment, intravascular lithotripsy (IVL), multivessel interventions in acute coronary syndromes, cardiogenic shock, percutaneous aortic valve implantation.
He is a board member of the Club 30 of the Polish Cardiac Society.
Giuseppe Maria Raffa, MD, PhD
Attending Cardiac Surgeon, Department for the Treatment and Study of Cardiothoracic Diseases and Cardiothoracic Transplantation, IRCCS-ISMETT, Palermo Clinical Assistant Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery – School of Medicine, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Giuseppe Maria Raffa, was born on May 6th in 1978 in Messina – Sicily, Italy. In July 2003 he graduated Medical Doctor with a thesis on surgical treatment of congestive heart failure. In May 2003 he started his Internship as Medical Student at the Unit of Cardiac Surgery – University of Pavia. In September 2007 he moved to Stockholm for a Cardiothoracic Fellowship at Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital of Stockholm and he graduated Specialist Cardiac Surgeon at University of Pavia in October 2008. Later on the same year he moved to Sudan as voluntary cardiac surgeon at The Salam Centre for Cardiac Surgery, Emergency NGO, in Khartoum and in 2009 he started his first job as specialist surgeon at Istituto Clinico Humanitas in Milano. In January 2013 he moved to Palermo where he currently lives and works as Attending in Cardiothoracic Surgery at The Institute of the Mediterranean for Transplantation and High Specialty Therapies (ISMETT) in collaboration with University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre. Since 2016 he is Clinical Assistant Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery, School of Medicine, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh and in 2019 he completed his PhD thesis on ECMO in Post-Cardiotomy shock at Maastricht University Medical Centre.
TRC 