Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters - vol. XXVI - n. 4 - December 2013
MBC NEWS
FIRST ALBANIAN KOSOVO CONFERENCE FOR BURNS, PLASTIC AND AESTHETIC SURGERY WITH INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION. MBC INSTRUCTIONAL COURSE
From left to right (Vice Dean of Faculty of Medicine Prof. Xh. Dracini, Dr. S. Isaraj, Prof B.Atiyeh, Prof. M. Masellis, Dr. N. Kola, Prof. A. Andrea). The Mediterranean Council for Burns and Fire Disasters (MBC) was invited to participate at the first “Albanian Kosovo Conference for Burns, Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery with International Participation, MBC Instructional Course” on November 1-2, 2013 at the Tirana International Hotel and University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa”. The MBC was represented by Prof Michele Masellis (MBC General Director) and Prof Bishara Atiyeh (MBC President). Other invited speakers were Alessandro Masellis from Palermo (Chairman of Prevention and Health Education Committee, MBC) and Spiros Lazarow from Athens (Plastic and Craniomaxillofacial surgeon). The Conference was organized by the Albanian and Kosovo Societies for Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery represented by Prof. Gjergji Belba (Albania) and Prof. As. Hysni Arifi (Kosovo), successfully bringing together 37 lectors and 160 participants from Albania and Kosovo. The Conference was opened by the General Director of University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa”, the Rector of University of Medicine and the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. Participants were mainly plastic surgeons, anesthetists, general surgeons and surgeons in specialist areas related to plastic surgery, such as orthopedics, oncologists, and ophthalmologists. The Conference was also at-
tended by nurses, general practitioners, pharmacists and dentists. Held over two days, the Conference covered the following general topics: Disaster medicine, Burns, and Reconstructive Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery. The first day featured a number of presentations. Prof. Michele Masellis covered two lectures: “The Fire and Burn Disaster” and “Some aspects of reconstructive surgery with particular solutions”. Prof. Bishara Atiyeh presented an article entitled “Measures of Intervention in Burn Disaster: Preparedness and Crisis Management”, with printed copies available for the attendees. Dr. Alessandro Masellis spoke of an Interactive Tool, “MBC Burn Care for Emergency/Critical Care Burn Management”, developed by the Euro-Mediterranean Council for Burns and Fire Disasters, and also talked about the encouraging results of the “Treatment of Burn Scars with Non-Ablative Fractional Laser 1540”. Dr. Spiros Lazarow spoke on the “Early Repair of Cleft Lip and Alveolar Defect”. The Albanian and Kosovo plastic surgeons spoke on specific topics, including surgical approaches for severe burns, resuscitation of patients in the shock phase, and treatment of burn wound infections. They presented important information regarding burn prevention and increasing effectiveness of the treatment of burn patients in both coun-
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Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters - vol. XXVI - n. 4 - December 2013
From left to right (Prof. M. Masellis, Prof. Gj. Belba, Dean of Faculty of Medicine Prof. B.Hysa, General Director of Hospital O. Manastirliu, Prof. As. H.Arifi). tries. Finally, the Chief of the Service of Burns and Plastic Surgery in University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa”, Prof. Gjergji Belba gave a speech congratulating participants in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Burn Service. He also spoke of the history of the Service’s development and of the enhanced priorities and duties for the future. On the second day, participants involved in burn service work within the local vicinity (mainly surgeons and anesthetists working in burn centers in Tirana and Kosovo) took part in the MBC Instructional Course. The Albanian and Kosovo doctors benefitted greatly from the participation of doctors from the wider international community invited to assist with organizing our services. It is also important to stress the value of the wealth of publications in the prestigious journal “Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters”, which is now an official EBA publication platform as well. At the close of the sec-
ond day, guests were transported by cable car for a traditional lunch on top of the Dajti Mountain (at a height of 1600 meters). Conference participation resulted in accreditation from the National Center of Continuing Education for Health Professionals, through which attendees received 13 credits and speakers received 20 credits. The overall success of the Conference was thanks to the presence of the highly esteemed MBC leaders, the hospitality of the two Societies (Albanian and Kosovo), and the well organized scientific program, all of which made the event enjoyable, informative and memorable for all participants. The next meeting is scheduled to take place in Kosovo in two years time. Prof. Gjergji Belba Chief of the Service of Burns and Plastic Surgery University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa”
OBITUARY: PROFESSOR RADANA KÖNIGOVÁ, MD, CSC. On Friday, 20th September, 2013, the Czech medical community was shocked by the very sad announcement of the death of Professor Radana Königová, prominent personality in Czech medicine and society and respected authority in the international galaxy of burns and medical societies. She passed away in the hospital where she had worked for more than 51 years, until the very last days when she had to undergo orthopedic surgery. Unfortunately, she did not return to her “second home”, the Prague Burns Centre. st Radana Königová was born on the 31 July, 1930, in Prague, into the family of a dentist. She studied at the Charles University Medical Faculty in Prague where she graduated in 1955. In a district hospital she started work as a house-doctor in the department of surgery. After two years, she transferred to the Surgical Trauma Division at the County Hospital in Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad). She
222
fondly remembered those years spent in western Czechoslovakia, and she particularly appreciated the broad experience and scope of surgical expertise that she gained. The year of 1962 proved a turning point in her career; she was accepted into the Department of Plastic Surgery of Charles University, in Prague, led by Professor Burian. She participated in all aspects of plastic surgery and fields of reconstructive surgery, and led clinical research at the Burns Division. She gained her plastic surgery accreditation in 1966. Burian soon recognized the great talent, extraordinary capacity for hard work and diligence of the young doctor, and he granted her long-term fellowships in Uppsala with Professor Skoog, in Edinburgh with Professor A.B. Wallace, and at plastic surgery in Karolinska Sjukhuset, Stockholm. In 1969, Dr. Königová was asked to establish an intensivecare unit for critically-burned patients. She accomplished this task
Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters - vol. XXVI - n. 4 - December 2013
Prof. R. Königová, on 12th June, 2013, on receiving the Jan Evangelista Purkinje Prize. with great skill; the unit, the first in our country, opened at the Department of Plastic Surgery. She promoted the principle of complex and continual care for burns-injury patients, and she developed a broad, permanent interdisciplinary team. She took part in research activities of the department which she thus actively supported. In 1990, she passed a selection-board and became Head of the new independent Department of Burns-Medicine at the Third Medical Faculty of Charles University. In 1992, she was appointed Professor of plastic surgery and burns-medicine. She led the Department until 1996, but remained at the Department, teaching students at the Faculty and training doctors in the Department of Burns Medicine IPVZ (Institute of Postgraduate Education). When such a prominent person is to be memorialized, it is traditional to list achievements in care, lectures/presentations, and publications, pedagogical activity and scientific research. Professor Radana Königová achieved exceptional levels in all these areas. Numerous pages would hardly suffice to list the lectures, publications, final-research reports, treatises monographs and the chapters in them; nor the teaching-texts, of which Professor Königová is author or co-author, and lists of professional societies, organisations and committees, in which the Professor actively participated. A list of professional and societal acknowledgements which she had received, both at home and abroad, would also be extremely long. Let me mention here just the G. Whitaker International Burns Prize, awarded in Palermo, in 1993. In the same city, Professor Königová became a founding member and Regent of the International Association for Humanitarian Medicine Brock Chisholm, in 2001. But, probably most importantly, I would like to mention the thousands of patients treated during more than 50
years of her work as a doctor. Professor Königová was reputed as an excellent surgeon and as a doctor with great empathy for patients. She was able to view patients from both the medical and social perspectives. She had taken care of many patients all their lives – sometimes since their childhood when they had suffered serious burns-injury causing permanent consequences. On occasions, multiple operations during their lives had allowed them to lead a tolerable life without which they would have been condemned to a social death. Professor Königová committed herself to psychological support of burns-patients within the context of complex and continual burns-patient care. She was also involved, at the Ministry of Health level, in complicated ethical questions that arise in conjunction with medical-science advancement, particularly with resuscitation and intensive care, as well as with consequences of mass disasters. Patients, colleagues, as well as students honoured and praised her for her deeply humane attitude. Many scientific publications at home and abroad are prefaced by four of her treatises, which became a professional basis for the treatment of burnspatients in Czechoslovakia, and contributed to a step-up in scholarly learning for everyone engaged in this field as well as for other specialists. In addition to creating a national concept in the care of burnspatients, Professor Königová, at the request of medical representatives from other countries, contributed meaningfully to the development of a burns-patient care-system in India, Cuba, and in Columbia, where she was invited to advise as an expert, and where she worked for some time. She received honorary membership of professional medical associations as the founding member of the ISBI, EBA, in Cuba, Sweden and Columbia. In the Czech Republic and in Europe, Professor Königová drew many significant scientific and societal recognitions. Among the ones she valued most is the Gold Commemora Medal – the Alma Mater – of Charles University. I would like to list just three of the many, but perhaps most significant, acknowledgements from recent years which crown the lifelong work, commitment, effort, persistence and enthusiasm of Radana Königová. On 6th March, 2004, the President of the Czech Medical Chamber momentously appointed Professor Königová the first female Knight of the Czech Medical Society for exceptional lifelong work in the field of burns-treatment, to which she had devoted the bulk of her life, and in which had become a respected worldwide expert. On 28th October, 2004, a National Holiday in the Czech Republic, she was awarded the Order of Merit, presented personally by the President of the Czech Republic. On 12th June, 2013, some 3 months before passing away, Professor Königová was awarded the highest award possible for a physician in our country – the Medal of Jan Evangelista Purkinje. She was commended for her lifelong medical, pedagogical, and scientific work, as a living monument to Czech medicine and to its representation worldwide. Professor Radana Königová, MD, CSc. was not only an exceptional doctor, but also a noble person and friend. Her physical and psychological stamina was extraordinary. She has been admired for her lifelong moral stability, honour, and sheer quality of character. Her work was timeless; her expertise respected at all continents. She was not only a brilliant scholar but also a natural successor in the work of her memorable teacher, Professor František Burian. Professor Königová´s life is a story of devotion; to her work, her family, colleagues, but above all to her patients. Prague, November 2, 2013 Associate Professor Leo Klein, MD, PhD. Head, Dept. of Plastic Surgery and Burns Treatment Charles University, Medical Faculty and Teaching Hospital Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
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MBC NEWS
FIRST ALBANIAN KOSOVO CONFERENCE FOR BURNS, PLASTIC AND AESTHETIC SURGERY WITH INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION. MBC INSTRUCTIONAL COURSE
From left to right (Vice Dean of Faculty of Medicine Prof. Xh. Dracini, Dr. S. Isaraj, Prof B.Atiyeh, Prof. M. Masellis, Dr. N. Kola, Prof. A. Andrea). The Mediterranean Council for Burns and Fire Disasters (MBC) was invited to participate at the first “Albanian Kosovo Conference for Burns, Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery with International Participation, MBC Instructional Course” on November 1-2, 2013 at the Tirana International Hotel and University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa”. The MBC was represented by Prof Michele Masellis (MBC General Director) and Prof Bishara Atiyeh (MBC President). Other invited speakers were Alessandro Masellis from Palermo (Chairman of Prevention and Health Education Committee, MBC) and Spiros Lazarow from Athens (Plastic and Craniomaxillofacial surgeon). The Conference was organized by the Albanian and Kosovo Societies for Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery represented by Prof. Gjergji Belba (Albania) and Prof. As. Hysni Arifi (Kosovo), successfully bringing together 37 lectors and 160 participants from Albania and Kosovo. The Conference was opened by the General Director of University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa”, the Rector of University of Medicine and the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. Participants were mainly plastic surgeons, anesthetists, general surgeons and surgeons in specialist areas related to plastic surgery, such as orthopedics, oncologists, and ophthalmologists. The Conference was also at-
tended by nurses, general practitioners, pharmacists and dentists. Held over two days, the Conference covered the following general topics: Disaster medicine, Burns, and Reconstructive Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery. The first day featured a number of presentations. Prof. Michele Masellis covered two lectures: “The Fire and Burn Disaster” and “Some aspects of reconstructive surgery with particular solutions”. Prof. Bishara Atiyeh presented an article entitled “Measures of Intervention in Burn Disaster: Preparedness and Crisis Management”, with printed copies available for the attendees. Dr. Alessandro Masellis spoke of an Interactive Tool, “MBC Burn Care for Emergency/Critical Care Burn Management”, developed by the Euro-Mediterranean Council for Burns and Fire Disasters, and also talked about the encouraging results of the “Treatment of Burn Scars with Non-Ablative Fractional Laser 1540”. Dr. Spiros Lazarow spoke on the “Early Repair of Cleft Lip and Alveolar Defect”. The Albanian and Kosovo plastic surgeons spoke on specific topics, including surgical approaches for severe burns, resuscitation of patients in the shock phase, and treatment of burn wound infections. They presented important information regarding burn prevention and increasing effectiveness of the treatment of burn patients in both coun-
221
Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters - vol. XXVI - n. 4 - December 2013
From left to right (Prof. M. Masellis, Prof. Gj. Belba, Dean of Faculty of Medicine Prof. B.Hysa, General Director of Hospital O. Manastirliu, Prof. As. H.Arifi). tries. Finally, the Chief of the Service of Burns and Plastic Surgery in University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa”, Prof. Gjergji Belba gave a speech congratulating participants in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Burn Service. He also spoke of the history of the Service’s development and of the enhanced priorities and duties for the future. On the second day, participants involved in burn service work within the local vicinity (mainly surgeons and anesthetists working in burn centers in Tirana and Kosovo) took part in the MBC Instructional Course. The Albanian and Kosovo doctors benefitted greatly from the participation of doctors from the wider international community invited to assist with organizing our services. It is also important to stress the value of the wealth of publications in the prestigious journal “Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters”, which is now an official EBA publication platform as well. At the close of the sec-
ond day, guests were transported by cable car for a traditional lunch on top of the Dajti Mountain (at a height of 1600 meters). Conference participation resulted in accreditation from the National Center of Continuing Education for Health Professionals, through which attendees received 13 credits and speakers received 20 credits. The overall success of the Conference was thanks to the presence of the highly esteemed MBC leaders, the hospitality of the two Societies (Albanian and Kosovo), and the well organized scientific program, all of which made the event enjoyable, informative and memorable for all participants. The next meeting is scheduled to take place in Kosovo in two years time. Prof. Gjergji Belba Chief of the Service of Burns and Plastic Surgery University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa”
OBITUARY: PROFESSOR RADANA KÖNIGOVÁ, MD, CSC. On Friday, 20th September, 2013, the Czech medical community was shocked by the very sad announcement of the death of Professor Radana Königová, prominent personality in Czech medicine and society and respected authority in the international galaxy of burns and medical societies. She passed away in the hospital where she had worked for more than 51 years, until the very last days when she had to undergo orthopedic surgery. Unfortunately, she did not return to her “second home”, the Prague Burns Centre. st Radana Königová was born on the 31 July, 1930, in Prague, into the family of a dentist. She studied at the Charles University Medical Faculty in Prague where she graduated in 1955. In a district hospital she started work as a house-doctor in the department of surgery. After two years, she transferred to the Surgical Trauma Division at the County Hospital in Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad). She
222
fondly remembered those years spent in western Czechoslovakia, and she particularly appreciated the broad experience and scope of surgical expertise that she gained. The year of 1962 proved a turning point in her career; she was accepted into the Department of Plastic Surgery of Charles University, in Prague, led by Professor Burian. She participated in all aspects of plastic surgery and fields of reconstructive surgery, and led clinical research at the Burns Division. She gained her plastic surgery accreditation in 1966. Burian soon recognized the great talent, extraordinary capacity for hard work and diligence of the young doctor, and he granted her long-term fellowships in Uppsala with Professor Skoog, in Edinburgh with Professor A.B. Wallace, and at plastic surgery in Karolinska Sjukhuset, Stockholm. In 1969, Dr. Königová was asked to establish an intensivecare unit for critically-burned patients. She accomplished this task
Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters - vol. XXVI - n. 4 - December 2013
Prof. R. Königová, on 12th June, 2013, on receiving the Jan Evangelista Purkinje Prize. with great skill; the unit, the first in our country, opened at the Department of Plastic Surgery. She promoted the principle of complex and continual care for burns-injury patients, and she developed a broad, permanent interdisciplinary team. She took part in research activities of the department which she thus actively supported. In 1990, she passed a selection-board and became Head of the new independent Department of Burns-Medicine at the Third Medical Faculty of Charles University. In 1992, she was appointed Professor of plastic surgery and burns-medicine. She led the Department until 1996, but remained at the Department, teaching students at the Faculty and training doctors in the Department of Burns Medicine IPVZ (Institute of Postgraduate Education). When such a prominent person is to be memorialized, it is traditional to list achievements in care, lectures/presentations, and publications, pedagogical activity and scientific research. Professor Radana Königová achieved exceptional levels in all these areas. Numerous pages would hardly suffice to list the lectures, publications, final-research reports, treatises monographs and the chapters in them; nor the teaching-texts, of which Professor Königová is author or co-author, and lists of professional societies, organisations and committees, in which the Professor actively participated. A list of professional and societal acknowledgements which she had received, both at home and abroad, would also be extremely long. Let me mention here just the G. Whitaker International Burns Prize, awarded in Palermo, in 1993. In the same city, Professor Königová became a founding member and Regent of the International Association for Humanitarian Medicine Brock Chisholm, in 2001. But, probably most importantly, I would like to mention the thousands of patients treated during more than 50
years of her work as a doctor. Professor Königová was reputed as an excellent surgeon and as a doctor with great empathy for patients. She was able to view patients from both the medical and social perspectives. She had taken care of many patients all their lives – sometimes since their childhood when they had suffered serious burns-injury causing permanent consequences. On occasions, multiple operations during their lives had allowed them to lead a tolerable life without which they would have been condemned to a social death. Professor Königová committed herself to psychological support of burns-patients within the context of complex and continual burns-patient care. She was also involved, at the Ministry of Health level, in complicated ethical questions that arise in conjunction with medical-science advancement, particularly with resuscitation and intensive care, as well as with consequences of mass disasters. Patients, colleagues, as well as students honoured and praised her for her deeply humane attitude. Many scientific publications at home and abroad are prefaced by four of her treatises, which became a professional basis for the treatment of burnspatients in Czechoslovakia, and contributed to a step-up in scholarly learning for everyone engaged in this field as well as for other specialists. In addition to creating a national concept in the care of burnspatients, Professor Königová, at the request of medical representatives from other countries, contributed meaningfully to the development of a burns-patient care-system in India, Cuba, and in Columbia, where she was invited to advise as an expert, and where she worked for some time. She received honorary membership of professional medical associations as the founding member of the ISBI, EBA, in Cuba, Sweden and Columbia. In the Czech Republic and in Europe, Professor Königová drew many significant scientific and societal recognitions. Among the ones she valued most is the Gold Commemora Medal – the Alma Mater – of Charles University. I would like to list just three of the many, but perhaps most significant, acknowledgements from recent years which crown the lifelong work, commitment, effort, persistence and enthusiasm of Radana Königová. On 6th March, 2004, the President of the Czech Medical Chamber momentously appointed Professor Königová the first female Knight of the Czech Medical Society for exceptional lifelong work in the field of burns-treatment, to which she had devoted the bulk of her life, and in which had become a respected worldwide expert. On 28th October, 2004, a National Holiday in the Czech Republic, she was awarded the Order of Merit, presented personally by the President of the Czech Republic. On 12th June, 2013, some 3 months before passing away, Professor Königová was awarded the highest award possible for a physician in our country – the Medal of Jan Evangelista Purkinje. She was commended for her lifelong medical, pedagogical, and scientific work, as a living monument to Czech medicine and to its representation worldwide. Professor Radana Königová, MD, CSc. was not only an exceptional doctor, but also a noble person and friend. Her physical and psychological stamina was extraordinary. She has been admired for her lifelong moral stability, honour, and sheer quality of character. Her work was timeless; her expertise respected at all continents. She was not only a brilliant scholar but also a natural successor in the work of her memorable teacher, Professor František Burian. Professor Königová´s life is a story of devotion; to her work, her family, colleagues, but above all to her patients. Prague, November 2, 2013 Associate Professor Leo Klein, MD, PhD. Head, Dept. of Plastic Surgery and Burns Treatment Charles University, Medical Faculty and Teaching Hospital Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
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