Eulogy

Laudation in honor of Professor Eugene J. Kucharz on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday

Anna Kotulska Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland

The present supplement of the Polish Archives 1992, whereas in 1994, he was conferred the title of Internal Medicine introduces papers special- of professor and earned the position of full pro- ly dedicated to Professor Eugene Joseph Leszek fessor (professor ordinarius) in 2000. He start- Kucharz on his sixtieth birthday anniversary. ed to head the 4th Department of Internal Med- Eugene J. Kucharz, the only child of Bożena icine in 1996 which, on his motion, was trans- H. Kucharz (neé Hadryś) and Józef Kucharz, formed into the Department of Internal Medi- was born on 4 January 1951 in Katowice, Po- cine and Rheumatology based in Katowice as of land. He attended primary and secondary schools 1 March 2000. Professor Kucharz obtained a board in his hometown of Katowice where he obtained specialization in laboratory diagnostics in 1977, a secondary school diploma at the Nicolas Co- internal medicine (1st degree, 1978, and 2nd de- pernicus Secondary School in 1968. Astounding gree, 1985), rheumatology in 2000, and angiol- achievements resulted in his being listed among ogy in 2003. the best secondary-school graduates of what was Eugene J. Kucharz’s extensive scientific work at the time the Katowice Voivodeship. In 1974, he includes not only 64 books and book chapters, but graduated with honors from the School of Med- also 268 original publications, 235 review papers icine at the Medical University of Silesia. Upon and case reports, as well as 162 publications on graduation, not only did he begin to work at the the history of medicine. In addition, the publi- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laborato- cations list is enriched by more than 600 confer- ry Diagnostics, a part of the newly opened School ence and congress abstracts, numerous reports, of Pharmacy, but also continued to receive a post- journalistic articles, popular science papers and graduate medical training at the 2nd Ward of In- reviews published in leading Polish and interna- ternal Medicine at the Municipal Hospital no. 1 in tional scientific journals. Sosnowiec. In 1978, he earned the title of Doctor Published in New York and Berlin in 1992, of Medicine (research doctorate) from the School a comprehensive monograph entitled The Colla‑ of Medicine at his Alma Mater. In 1982, he was ap- gens: Biochemistry and Pathophysiology is consid- pointed head of the Department of Clinical Chem- ered Professor Kucharz’s most significant publi- istry and Laboratory Diagnostics and, having ob- cation. It was the first work on collagen proteins tained a postdoctoral degree (so called habilita- to be published in history that was intended for tion), he was officially promoted to the head of physicians and, thus, not only introduced the the- this Department in 1984. He was conferred the ti- ory on the biochemistry of these proteins but Correspondence to: tle of Associate Professor in 1985. For 3 consecu- also presented a wide spectrum of pathophysi- Anna Kotulska, MD, PhD, Katedra tive years, from 1986 to 1988, he worked at the ological problems as well as their importance in Chorób Wewnętrznych i Reumatologii, Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Arthritis Center of the Medical College of Wis- pathogenesis and treatment. ul. Ziołowa 45/47, 40-635 Katowice, consin in Milwaukee, United States. Upon his Professor Kucharz has been active as a coau- Poland, phone: +48­‑32­‑359-82-90, return to Poland, from February 1989, he per- thor of Polish medical coursebooks for many years. fax: +48­‑32­‑202-99-33, e­‑mail: [email protected] formed assistant duties at the Regional Hospi- In 1995, he wrote a chapter to the Internal Dis‑ Received: April 16, 2012. tal no. 1 in Tychy, and, in October of that year, he eases (Choroby wewnętrzne), a three­‑volume hand- Conflict of interest: none declared. became a lecturer at the 4th Internal Medicine book edited by Andrzej Wojtczak. He also con- Pol Arch Med Wewn. 2012; Department of the Medical University of Silesia. tributed to the Internal Medicine (Interna) text- 122 (Suppl 1): 7-14 Copyright by Medycyna Praktyczna, Professor Kucharz was offered a position of as- book edited by Włodzimierz Januszewicz and Kraków 2012 sociate professor (professor extraordinarius) in Franciszek Kokot (1st edition, 2002; 2nd edition,

EULOGY Laudation in honor of Professor Eugene J. Kucharz on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday 7 2006). He wrote a few chapters included in the In‑ Manual of In­‑Patient Medicine: An Evidence­‑Based ternal Diseases (Choroby wewnętrzne) handbook Guide (J.N. Katz, C.B. Patel, M.K. Aslam, 2009). edited by Andrzej Szczeklik (1st edition, 2006; Eugene J. Kucharz translated also a chapter of 2nd edition, 2010; 3rd edition, 2011; 4th edition, Klinikleitfaden Labordiagnostik (under the editor- 2012). Furthermore, Professor Kucharz is a coau- ship of B. Neumeister, I. Besenthal, H. Liebich, thor of the abridged version of the Internal Med‑ 2001) from German to Polish. icine coursebook – Internal Medicine. A Compen‑ Published in Polish, English, and Russian, a spe- dium of Practical Medicine (Choroby wewnętrzne cial publication by Eugene J. Kucharz in a form – Kompendium Medycyny Praktycznej; 1st edition, of an extensive essay entitled “Man is the way of 2009; 2nd edition, 2010; 3rd edition, 2011). medicine” constitutes an open letter announced The Great Handbook of Internal Medicine (Wiel‑ to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Pol- ka Interna) published in 2010 introduces a num- ish Society of Internal Medicine. It is an exhaus- ber of his chapters on rheumatology (Volume 9, tive analysis of problems arising from internal edited by Mariusz Puszczewicz), whereas Family medicine development in the light of develop- Medicine (Medycyna rodzinna), edited by Andrzej mental directions of medical science and med- Stewciwko, features the Professor’s chapters on ical practice. rheumatology in adults. He also wrote chapters Eugene J. Kucharz began his scientific pursuit to numerous specialized handbooks, among oth- as a third-year student at the Department of Phys- ers, to Clinical Rheumatology (Reumatologia klin‑ iological Chemistry under the supervision of Pro- iczna) edited by Irena Zimmermann­‑Górska in fessor Stanisław Jóźkiewicz. At that time, his sci- 2008, and made a contribution as a coauthor to entific interest focused on experimental hyperthy- the second edition of the Clinical Physiopathology roidism and hypothyroidism studies. During that (Patofizjologia kliniczna) handbook (under the ed- period, his first articles were published, including itorship of Barbara Zahorska­‑Markiewicz and a paper on the influence of thyroid hormones on Ewa Małecka­‑Tendera, 2009). Serial publications the function of 5’-nucleotidase in tissue printed Rheumatology 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 as well in Endocrinology. In the fifth year of studies, Eu- as New trends (Reumatologia. Nowe trendy), ed- gene J. Kucharz was the first student at the Med- ited by Piotr Wiland, Poznań, 2011 and Poznań, ical University of Silesia to receive an individual 2012, introduce Professor Kucharz’s chapter on study plan, and an approval to commence prep- osteoarthritis. arations for his PhD research. His study focused Professor Kucharz coauthored Vademe‑ on an experimental collagen­‑like disease induced cum of Internal Medicine (Vademecum Medycyny by chronic application of hydralazine to guinea Wewnętrznej), edited by Jan Duława, and collab- pigs. After graduation, he continued his research orated on a number of monographs, including as a member of the team supervised by Profes- Vascular Surgery: an Outline (Chirurgia naczyń w sor Marian Drożdż. The study results were pre- zarysie) edited by Krzysztof Ziaja and Tomasz sented in his PhD thesis, which concerned a colla- Urbanek, 2006, and Enbrel: A Clinical Application gen metabolism malfunction in the experimental (Enbrel: zastosowanie kliniczne) edited by Jacek collagen­‑like disease. At that time, his description Szechciński in 2008 and the 2nd edition by Piotr of an effective method which consisted in induc- Wiland in 2012. ing the collagen­‑like disease in guinea pigs came In 2004, at Professor Kucharz’s initiative, to light. He proved that animals suffering from the first edition of a series of academic medical this disease manifest impaired collagen fiber mat- handbooks (2004–2007), published as the Gold uration, and put forward a hypothesis on the ly- Series of Polish Internal Medicine by the PZWL syl oxidase malfunction due to hydralazine. This Medicine Publishing House (Wydawnictwo Leka- thesis was confirmed by Japanese scientists, who rskie PZWL), came to light. It was published to referred to the name of Professor Kucharz several celebrate the 100th anniversary of establishing years after his observation had been published in the Polish Society of Internal Medicine. Each book Experimental Pathology. At the same time, Profes- of the series, consisting of more than 10 alto- sor Kucharz studied the influence of toxic exhaust gether, features a foreword written by the Pro- gases on connective tissue metabolism. fessor himself. In the next years, he continued his research on Professor Kucharz is known as a translator connective tissue metabolism in experimental an- and editor of numerous medical books translat- imal models and in clinical studies. His scientific ed from English, e.g., Washington Manual of Med‑ work concentrated on, inter alia, connective tis- ical Therapeutics (under the editorship of Ewald sue metabolism during pregnancy, in post­‑partum G.A. and McKenzie C.R., 1997) and Medicine period, and in heart attack patients; furthermore, (under the editorship of J. Axford, 1998), Case he investigated circadian rhythm changes of col- files – Internal Medicine (E.C. Toy, J.T. Jr. Patlan, lagen peptidase activity in serum and tissues of F. Faustinella, S.E. Cruse, 2009). He translated a rat, the influence of nonsteroidal antirheumat- chapters of, among others, Harper’s Illustrated ic drugs on the metabolism of connective tis- Biochemistry (Polish edition, 1994, 1998, 2002, sue and liver condition of a tissue culture in vit- and 2008), a chapter of The Merc Manual (MSD ro, the influence of fluorine and other substanc- Manual – a textbook of diagnostics and thera- es on collagen transformations, glycosaminogly- py) (the 1st Polish edition, 1995) and Parkland cans, and glycoproteins.

8 POLSKIE ARCHIWUM MEDYCYNY WEWNĘTRZNEJ 2012; 122 (Suppl 1) Professor Kucharz made a remarkable effort diagnosed with an inflammatory process located to investigate regulation of liver fibrosis process outside the vessels, particularly in patients diag- in animal models and in patients suffering from nosed with rheumatoid arthritis (Reumatologia, hepatic cirrhosis or hepatitis. He demonstrated 2009; Medical Hypotheses, 2011). changeable dynamics of synthesis and degrada- Eugene J. Kucharz’s accomplishments in tion of collagen in liver fibrosis, and proposed, the area of history of medicine are significant. at the same time, that the unbalanced degrada- In his works, the main emphasis is put on for- tion to synthesis ratio is a turning point of transi- gotten Polish medical discoveries. Several papers tion of a reversible liver impairment into an irre- published in scientific journals such as The Lan‑ versible process. This paper, published inConnec ‑ cet, Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine, tive Tissue Research, has been cited on numerous and Materia Medica Polona focused on Edmund occasions. Furthermore, he continued to exam- Biernacki’s top priority to discover the erythro- ine collagen­‑glycosaminoglycan interactions dur- cyte sedimentation rate. These papers available ing the development of hepatic fibrosis. He coin- both in English and French are still frequently dis- vented a modification method of hydroxyproline cussed and cited by scientists. In 1992, in The Lan‑ determination that, surprisingly for its inventors, cet, Professor Kucharz, recalled the forgotten pri- has been widely applied in the biochemistry of ority of Michał Lityński to discover the primary plants, and is often quoted in the most prominent hyperaldosteronism. Later, a more comprehensive botanical journals. He is also known to be a coau- biography of that scientist by Professor Kucha- thor of a method used for hydroxylysine and col- rz followed. The publication was noticed by Nor- lagenolytic cathepsin determination. man Kaplan, known to be the author of a mon- At the Medical College of Wisconsin, United umental monograph on arterial hypertension, States, he worked in the team supervised by Pro- who requested Eugene J. Kucharz to provide him fessor Daniel McCarty Jr, in the group of Profes- with the original copy of Michał Lityński’s paper; sor James S. Goodwin. His studies focused, in- since the 8th edition of Hypertension, a mention ter alia, on lymphocyte activation in patients of the Polish scientist’s priority to discover a dis- suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus. ease commonly known as Conn syndrome is to be In the course of his research, he discovered an im- found in this book. Professor Kucharz paid a lot pairment of calcium­‑mediated signal transduction of attention to the outstanding internists, and, in pathway in these cells as well as a partial rever- the Polish Archives of Internal Medicine, he would sion of this defect due to lithium activity in vitro. publish biographies of those physicians who were His scientific achievements include a description awarded with the Medal of the Polish Society of of a method of the interleukin­‑2 inhibitor deter- Internal Medicine. He would make a mention of mination; also, he demonstrated an increased ac- prominent contributions by Odon Bujwida, Wi- tivity of this inhibitor in patients with systemic told E. Orłowski, Walery Jaworski, Edward Szcze- lupus erythematosus. Additionally, he proved that klik, and Nanna Svartz. Publishing of the majority hydralazine increases binding of antibodies with of historical works in English in reputable inter- lymphocytes. For several years to come, these re- national journals is Professor Eugene J. Kucharz’s sults were often cited in leading monographs on particular credit, which plays an essential role in systemic lupus erythematosus. the promotion of achievements of Polish medicine Upon his return from the United States, a clin- worldwide. The biographical sketches of, among ical subject­ matter arose Eugene J. Kucharz’s sci- others, Ludwik Hirszfeld, Odon Bujwida, Witold E. entific interest (under the supervision of Pro- Orłowski, Wojciech Oczko, Rafał Czerwiakowski, fessor Gerard Jonderko, 1989–1995). His clini- Henryk Jordan, Mściwoj Semerau­‑Siemianowski, cal research focused on, inter alia, internal or- Władysław Biegański, and Kazimierz Funk were gan involvement in patients with systemic scle- published in the Proceedings of Mayo Clinic. Profes- rosis in which he demonstrated, among others, sor Kucharz’s efforts resulted in the publication a beneficial effect of administering erythromy- of papers on Józef Dietl as well as memories of cin as a motilin antagonist for gastric emptying, Stanisław Konopka and Stanisław Szpilczyński in gall bladder motility disorder, increased serum the International Academy of History of Medicine level of prolactin, and cognitive function disor- magazine entitled Clio Medica, whereas the article der in patients suffering from systemic sclerosis. on Ludwik Rydygier came out in the Investigative Not only did he observe and describe the occur- Urology. Professor Kucharz elaborated on Johann rence of Behçet disease in Poland, but also partic- Placotonus in the Wissenschaftliche Zeitschrift ipated in research on pathophysiology of thyroid Martin­‑Luther­‑Universität Halle­‑Wittenberg. Es- function (including its influence on collagen me- peranto journals released his papers on Odo Bu- tabolism, arterial hypertension, and free radical jwid. In addition, Professor’s historical publica- generation) and studied lipid metabolism in pa- tions appeared in numerous international sci- tients with systemic connective tissue diseases as entific journals. These included a monograph of well as factors regulating angiogenesis. Recently, Ludwik Maurycy Hirszfeld, an acclaimed Polish he has proposed to introduce a novel nosological neuro­‑anatomist, published in Hamdard Medi‑ unit, i.e., a chronic inflammation­‑enhanced ath- cus edited in Karachi, Pakistan, and an article on erosclerosis syndrome, as a syndrome of progres- a little­‑known Greek god of internal medicine, sive atherosclerosis, which develops in patients Podelairos, which was published in the European

EULOGY Laudation in honor of Professor Eugene J. Kucharz on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday 9 Journal of Internal Medicine and reprinted in a bul- conferences on three occasions (in Kalinin, pres- letin for Dutch internists. ent Tver, in 1973 and 1974) and in Pilsen in 1973. An extended book monograph discussing In the period of intensive investigations into the life and credits of Antoni Gluziński, the found- the metabolism of connective tissue, he partici- er of the Polish Society of Internal Medicine, pated in congresses of the European Federation was published in the year of the 100th jubilee of the Connective Tissue Research Societies in of the Society. Professor Kucharz authored sev- Prague (1980), Budapest (1984), Białystok (as eral biographic entries released in the Polish Bio‑ chair of one of the congress sections in 1992), graphical Dictionary (Polski Słownik Biografi­czny) and Davos (1994). and Biographical Dictionary of Polish Medical Sci‑ In 1982, Professor Kucharz actively participat- ences of the 20th Century (Słownik Biograficzny Pol‑ ed in the World Congress of International Society skich Nauk Medycz­nych XX Wieku). What is more, of Internal Medicine for the first time in Prague; he wrote about other prominent personalities of 12 years later, in 1994 in Budapest, he was elect- whom one has to mention Herman Bolesław Fuda- ed to the Executive Board of the International So- kowski, Józef Polak, Hakaru Hashimoto, Húlusi ciety of Internal Medicine, and since then he has Behçet, Ignacy Filip Semmelweis, Awicenna, Ilia been a regular participant of all World Congress- Mechnokoff, Tytus Chałubiński, and Eleonora es of Internal Medicine (Manila, 1996; Lima, 1998; Reicher. Professor’s numerous publications on Cancun, 2000; Grenada, 2002; Kyoto, 2004; Taipei, the history of internal diseases, including the se- 2006; Buenos Aires, 2008; and Melbourne, 2010). ries of papers published in the European Jour‑ Apart from delivering numerous regular and plena- nal of Internal Medicine, as well as his elabora- ry lectures, he chaired sessions including the open- tions on the history of the Polish Society of In- ing ones (Manila, 1996; Lima, 1998). As a member ternal Medicine, all published in English in in- of the Executive Board of the International Soci- ternational magazines, deserve to be mentioned. ety of Internal Medicine, his main task consisted Eugene J. Kucharz is also known to have initiat- in introducing Central European societies of inter- ed and authored a graphic concept of a series of nal medicine into the International Society of In- Polish stamps issued to celebrate the centenary ternal Medicine. Since 2004, he has been actively of the Polish Society of Internal Medicine as well representing the Polish Society of Internal Medi- as special-event date stamps. cine in the International Society of Internal Med- Another area of history in which Professor icine – International Committee. It is necessary to takes particular interest is literature and its re- emphasize that Professor accepted invitations to lation to medicine. He produced a dozen or so bio- host lectures at postgraduate courses organized graphical papers of well­‑known physician-writers­ by the International Society of Internal Medicine and physician­‑poets, inter alia, Aleksander Maj­ (Pärnu, 1996; Vilnius, 1997; and Dubrovnik, 2000). kowski, Francis Brett Young, Richard Blackmore, In recognition of his merits for the international in- John Keats, Samuel Garth, Oliver Wendell Holm- ternal medicine, Professor Kucharz was conferred es, Axel Munth, and François Rabelais. He stud- the title of an honorary member of the Interna- ied student scientific activities and student orga- tional Society of Internal Medicine at the World nizations of the 19th century, which resulted in Congress of Internal Medicine in 2000. This dis- the publication of an extended elaboration paper tinction is awarded almost exclusively to former on the history of student press (“Pen and Lancet” presidents of the International Society of Internal [“Pióro i Lancet”]) considered unique in the en- Medicine or organizers of the World Congresses tire subject literature. For several years, Professor of Internal Medicine. Kucharz authored the Medical University of Sile- A special attention is to be paid to Eugene J. sia Chronicle published in Annales Academie Med‑ Kucharz’s efforts to unite internists from our re- icae Silesiensis. Another Professor’s distinguish- gion of Europe. Professor participated in all Cen- able activity includes posthumous memories of tral European Congresses of Internal Medicine eminent doctors he knew in person, including (under various names), starting in Grado in 1996. his teachers, among others, Stanisław Jóźkiewicz, In 1997, he acted as the first vice­‑president of and international doctors (inter alia, Eric By- the 2nd Mittler Europa Congress of Internal Med- waters and Valentina Alexandrova Nasonova). icine (Olomouc, 1997), and a year later, in 1998, He also contributes to the Rheuma Roche journal he made efforts to organize the 3rd Central Euro- (Warsaw) where he publishes essays on relation- pean Congress of Internal Medicine (Wisła, 1998) ships between medicine and art, e.g., blood­‑letting and led to conclude a Declaration of Cooperation and medical aspects of famous portraits. of Central and Eastern European Internists, also Professor Eugene J. Kucharz’s professional referred to as the “Declaration from Wisła”, which work includes 23 completed doctorate disser- was signed by 11 countries. Professor Kucharz tations, 71 reviews of PhD theses, 12 reviews of acted as Honorary President of the Congress- habilitation proceedings, 10 professor applica- es in Vienna (1999), Bratislava (2000), and Iga- tions, and 33 MSc theses at the Department of lo (2001). In the light of formation of the Euro- Pharmacy. pean Federation of Internal Medicine and disap- Professor has been involved in the internation- pearance of political divisions in Europe, further al scientific movement for many years. As a stu- congress organization was not necessary and was dent, he gave speeches at international scientific discontinued.

10 POLSKIE ARCHIWUM MEDYCYNY WEWNĘTRZNEJ 2012; 122 (Suppl 1) Eugene J. Kucharz’s integrating actions for University Science Conferences as well as the In- the international internal medicine brought nu- ternational Student Science Conference under merous invitations to give lectures at interna- the name of “Thyroid Gland” (Katowice, 1973), tional conferences on internal medicine, partic- and initiated and organized an International Stu- ularly, to host the first lecture once a given coun- dent Conference on Biochemistry and Physio- try joined the International Society of Internal pathology of the Connective Tissue “Intertecon“ Medicine. He delivered plenary speeches, among (Katowice, 1974). A distinction received at the others, in Taipei (1996, 1998), Dubrovnik (1998), 15th National Conference of Students’ Science Belgrade (1998), Ljubljana (2001), Tallinn (1999), Societies “Symposium Medicum” (Poznań, 1974), Minsk (2001), and Chişinãu (2006, 2011). and two prizes presented at university conferenc- Since 1999, his active participation has been es only add to a considerable number of Profes- observed in all Congresses of the European Fed- sor Kucharz’s awards. Moreover, he was elected eration of Internal Medicine (Edinburgh, 2001; a Medical University of Silesia delegate to the 1st Berlin, 2003; Paris, 2005; Lisbon, 2007; Rome, and 2nd Congress of Student Scientific Movement 2008; and Istanbul, 2009). He has been repre- (Warsaw, 1974 and Katowice, 1978). senting the Polish Society of Internal Medicine After graduation, Eugene J. Kucharz became since 1992 and has actively participated in ses- a member of a research program “Compounds sions in, among others, Antalya, London, Co- with High Biological Activity” coordinated by penhagen, Bratislava, Dublin, Amsterdam, Asker the Institute of Pharmacology at the Polish Acad- near Oslo, Luzern, Bucharest, and Tel Aviv. At the emy of Science in Cracow. Within the scope of Congress in Paris (2005), he was conferred the ti- this program, he performed a secretary’s duties tle of Honorary Fellow of the European Federa- in an organizational committee of the 1st and 4th tion of Internal Medicine. He was also invited on Conference (Wisła, 1977; Ustroń 1980). During a number of occasions to give plenary lectures the first conference, his pamphlet “Catecholamine“ at the European Congresses of Internal Medicine (“Katecholamina”) was published. From 1975 to in, among others, Paris (2005), Lisbon (2007), 1985, he made an active appearance at all con- Rome (2008) and Athens (2011), adding that, in ventions of the Polish Biochemical Society (13th 2009, he delivered a plenary lecture at the 20th Convention in Toruń, 1975; 14th in Lublin, 1976; Congress of the Russian Scientific Society of In- 15th in Gdańsk, 1977; 16th in Łódź, 1978; 17th ternal Medicine in Moscow. Moreover, it is nec- in Warsaw, 1980; 18th in Wrocław, 1981; 19th in essary to mention a Centenary Medal of the Rus- Szczecin, 1983; 20th in Olsztyn, 1984; and 21st sian Scientific Society of Internal Medicine which in Cracow, 1985). 1983 marked his first appear- Professor received. ance at the 28th Congress of the Polish Society Professor Eugene J. Kucharz is known as an ini- of Internal Medicine in Poznań. tiator and organizer of Polish­‑Slovak conferenc- Professor Kucharz is or was a member of sev- es on internal medicine, the oldest regularly or- eral other scientific societies, including the Polish ganized event for internists from the two coun- Medical Society (since 1974), the Polish Society of tries that have been taking place alternately in Laboratory Diagnostics (1975–1986), the Polish Poland and Slovakia since 2000. The Slovak con- Pharmaceutical Society (1975–1986), the Polish ferences are organized by Ivan Ďuriš, Jan Murin, Society of Catholic Physicians (as a vice­‑president and Andrej Dukat. From 1993 to 2002, a special of the Silesian Division, 1996–1999), the Polish event known to public as the Polish and Czech Society of History of Medicine (a member since Days of Internal Medicine were organized; not 1977; a member of the Central Auditing Commit- only did Eugene J. Kucharz take active part in all tee, 1981–1984; a vice­‑president of the Silesian Di- of these conferences, but also acted as an orga- vision, 1978–1985; a chair of the Organization- nizer of some of the meetings. The First Polish­ al Committee of “History of Pharmacy” Confer- ‑Lithuanian Conference on Internal Medicine ence in Katowice, 1979; as well as the 13th Con- (Katowice, 2006) was also organized by Profes- gress of the Polish Society of History of Medi- sor Kucharz; however, this undertaking was not cine, Katowice 1982), the Polish Endocrinology continued in the years to come. It is necessary Society (a vice­‑president of the Silesian Division, to mention that he was awarded with honorary 1996–1999), the Polish Society of Arterial Hy- membership by the Slovak Society of Internal pertension (a vice­‑president of the Silesian Divi- Medicine (Ustroń, 2000), the Czech Doctors’ So- sion, 1999–2002); he founded and continued to ciety of J.E. Purkyn together with the Czech Soci- be a member of the Silesian Division of the Inter- ety of Internal Medicine (Zlin, 2001) and the Mol- disciplinary Osteoporosis Forum (2000). davian Society of Internal Medicine (Chişinãu, Professor Kucharz travelled abroad numer- 2011). ous times for scientific purposes. These includ- For many years, Professor Eugene J. Kucharz ed medical practice in Rome (1972), participation has been involved in the student scientific move- in the European Congress of Clinical Chemistry ment. As a university student, not only did he in Prague (1975), and, in the following year of chair the Scientific Group at the Department of 1976, in the jubilee Congress of Rheumatologists Physiological Chemistry, but also was a member in Pistany organized on the occasion of the fifti- of the Board of the Student Science Society; he eth anniversary of the foundation of the Interna- made appearance at the 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th tional League against Rheumatism. In the years

EULOGY Laudation in honor of Professor Eugene J. Kucharz on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday 11 to come, he travelled to, inter alia, Dresden, Re- At the next World Congress of Internal Medicine, inhardsbrunn, Prague, Budapest, Plodiv, and Vi- held in Taipei, the Meeting in Katowice was des- enna. He was a noticeable participant of the Con- ribed as the most important internal medicine gress Fédération Internationale de Pharmaceu- event of the past years. On Professor’s own ini- tique (Warsaw, 1976). tiative, a Centenary Medal of the Polish Society Professor Kucharz has been a member of of Internal Medicine was made and presented to the Polish Society of Internal Medicine since 1978. distinguished Polish and international internists. In 1991, he became secretary of the Executive One of the goals of the celebrations was to dem- Board (1992–1995) and since 1995 performed onstrate that Polish internal medicine was cre- duties of a vice­‑president of the Central Auditing ated and managed by excellent doctors regard- Committee (until 1998); he established the His- less of their main occupation area, i.e., wheth- toric Committee in 1992 and since then has been er they were distinguished scientists, authors of the head of this organization. handbooks or meritorious practitioners work- In 2001, Professor Kucharz was elected pres- ing outside academic institutes. Another goal ident and performed the duties of president of was the integration of internal medicine doctors. the Polish Society of Internal Medicine from 2004 On the 2nd European Day of Internal Medicine, to 2008. Moreover, he has been chairing the In- the Professor presented a lecture on the Polish ternational Cooperation Committee since 2008. scientists’ contribution to the development of During his term of office as acting president of internal medical science made over the centuries. the Polish Society of Internal Medicine, one cel- Furthermore, it is necessary to mention that, in ebrated the Society’s 100th anniversary, and or- 1994, Professor designed an emblem of the Pol- ganization of the celebrations constituted one of ish Society of Internal Medicine, which is still in the main tasks which Eugene J. Kucharz assigned use at present, and also authored an emblem of to himself. The guiding principles of the celebra- the centenary celebrations. tions consisted in presentation of the role of in- Professor Kucharz is a member of the Polish ternal medicine in contemporary medicine and Society of Rheumatology. In 2002, he was elect- promoting integration of specialist societies. ed to the Executive Board of which he has been In the course of the event, the 1st and 2nd Gala a valid member to this day, and acted as vice­ of Polish Internal Medicine took place (Katowice, ‑president of the Silesian Division for 10 con- 2006 and 2007). It needs to be emphasized that secutive years (2001–2011).­ In 2011, he was re­ not only did a number of chairs and presidents ‑elected for the 2014–2017 term. He was a mem- of Polish specialist societies dignify the celebra- ber of science committees of rheumatological tions and give their lectures, but also Przemysław congresses held in Wrocław, Poznań, Warszawa, Gluziński, a grandson of the founder of the Pol- and Mikołajki. In 2010, he organized a meeting ish Society of Internal Medicine, i.e., Władysław for presidents of rheumatologic societies from Antoni Gluziński, participated in the opening of the Central and Eastern Europe, dignified by Lasz- the 1st Gala of the Polish Internal Medicine. Af- lo Czirjak, the EULAR Secretary General. ter many years of efforts, Poland was officially al- Numerous activities of Eugene J. Kucharz lowed to organize the General Meeting of the Eu- include participation in the Annual European ropean Federation of Internal Medicine, which Congresses of Rheumatology since 1999, orga- was the first meeting ever to have taken place in nization of three Colloquium Rheumatologorum the Central and Eastern Europe. This special event Silesiae meetings (Katowice, 2004, 2005, and was held in Katowice (2006) and was followed 2009), and a membership of the committee issu- the next day by the Second European Day of In- ing therapeutic­‑treatment recommendations of ternal Medicine in Cracow. The ceremonious din- the Polish Society of Rheumatology. Since 2005, ner party organized on this occasion was digni- he has also been chairing the Rheumatology Ac- fied by presidents of societies of internal medi- creditation Committee. He received a professional cine from 41 countries, including the Royal Col- rheumatologic training in Vienna, Budapest, York, lege of Physicians of London and the American and Toronto. He presented lectures at the 1st and College of Physicians. The Executive Committee 2nd Inflammation Forum (Antalya, 2010; Sankt of the International Society of Internal Medicine Petersburg, 2011) and is a member of this confer- and five former presidents of this organization as ence scientific committee. Since 2004, he has been well as the Executive Committee of the Europe- actively participating in the studies of the Euro- an Federation of Internal Medicine together with pean Group on Systemic Sclerosis EUSTAR, i.e., its six former presidents marked their presence European League Against Rheumatism Sclero- at dinner. Prominent and acknowledged inter- derma Trials and Research. He has taken part in nists from all over the world were invited to Ka- EUSTAR’s meetings on a number of occasions, for towice, and had it not been for Professor Kucha- the most part in Florence. In 2010, he was invit- rz’s personal acquaintances, the majority would ed to give a lecture at the 1st Ukrainian­‑Polish not have accepted the invitation. Therefore, Po- Rheumatological Forum (Kiev, 2011) and con- land was honored to host, among others, Wal- tributed to works of a European group Fit­‑for­ ter Siegenthaler, Carol Black, Akihito Igata, Teh­ ‑Work (Brussels, 2011). ‑Hong Wang, Ivan Ďuriš, Mordehai Ravid, Rudolf Professor Kucharz has been attending to de Châtel, and many other outstanding figures. the University’s activities and issues for a very

12 POLSKIE ARCHIWUM MEDYCYNY WEWNĘTRZNEJ 2012; 122 (Suppl 1) long time. His activities included not only rep- a member of the Medical Section of the Polish Es- resenting academics in the senate (1978–1980), peranto Association and, in 1984, he published but also presiding over the Library Committee a two­‑volume seven­‑language medical dictionary (1982–1986) and performing associate dean’s consisting of terms in Esperanto, Malgranda Me‑ duties at the Faculty of Medicine in Katowice dicina Voltaro (A Short Medical Dictionary). On two (1991–1993). Since 1995, he has been participat- occasions, he participated at the congresses of In- ing in arrangements for English medical program ternacia Medicina Esperanto Konferenco (Inter- teaching at the Medical University of Silesia; he nacia Medicina Esperanto Asocio) (Hódmezövá- was a representative of the Rector for English sahely, 1979; Ruse, 1981), and authored a num- medical program from 1995 to 1999, and, subse- ber of scientific publications in Esperanto, which quently, fulfilled the duties of a deputy dean for earned him the Zamenhof Medal and an Interna- English medical program for the period of 2 terms cia Esperanto Medicina Asocio prize. (1999–2005). During this time, he made a signifi- Professor Eugene J. Kucharz manifested inter- cant contribution to the development of this pro- est in journalism as early as the first years at the gram by participating in the recruitment process University. He used to contribute to the Nowy Me‑ on a number of occasions, or by obtaining prop- dyk (The New Medical Student), and published not er accreditation for the University. As a member only coverage reports and interviews, but also ed- of the Association of Medical Colleges, Professor itorial reviews, articles, and columns. He cooper- Kucharz attended and was active at the meetings ated with the magazine for many years. His jour- of this group. He was also awarded with commem- nalistic activity was much appreciated and earned orative badges by the Hope Medical Institute and him a number of editorial prizes. It is also nec- the American Student Association. essary to emphasize that he was a vice­‑president Eugene J. Kucharz’s scientific pursuit has been of the editorial office division in Katowice, and recognized and acknowledged. In 2000, he was worked as one of the editors of the Medical Stu‑ the first Pole to become Fellow of the American Col- dent and Medicine (Medyk i Medycyna) supplement. lege of Physicians. In recognition of the outstand- He co­‑organized the National Conference of Med- ing achievements, the many prizes and distinctions ical Student­‑Journalists in Ustroń (1977). Fur- include, among others, the Golden and Bronze thermore, he used to make contributions to oth- Crosses of Merit, the Medal of the National Edu- er magazines such as Itd. (Etc.), Smar (Studencki cation Commission, the Golden and Silver Med- Magazyn Reporterski, Student Journal of Report‑ al of Merit for the Silesian Region, Bruno Nowa- age), or Służba Zdrowia (The Health Service). What kowski Prize, two individual Scientific Prizes of is more, he edited a one­‑off release Wiwisekcja the Health Minister (1992, 1993), the Medal of (Vivisection) (1980). Palecki University in Olomuniec (1997), Laurel of Eugene J. Kucharz put a lot of effort into the Medical University of Silesia (1998), the Med- the initiation and management of a student sci- al of the University in Udine (1998), the Medal entific journal. As a co­‑organizer of “The Thyroid” of the Serbian Medical Society (1999), the Medal International Student Conference in 1973, he of the Polish Society of Internal Medicine (1995), was allowed to publish the conference papers in the Centenary Medal of the Polish Society of In- the form of a special issue of a journal established ternal Medicine (2006), the Medal of the Polish particularly for this purpose under the name of Society of Hematologists and Transfusiologists Annales Societatis Doctrinae Studentium Academi‑ (2006), Rostek’s Medal of the Silesian Division of ae Medicae Silesiensis (Annals of the Student Sci‑ the Polish Medical Society (2006), the Centenary entific Society of the Medical University of Silesia). Medal of the Russian Scientific Society of Internal The efforts to gather a sufficient amount of pa- Medicine (2009), the Medal of the Cardiology In- per materials and receive permission for print- stitute of Jagiellonian University Medical College ing took almost 2 years during which copies of (2010), the Medal of the Polish Society of Rheu- the journal working version, scheduled to contain matology (2010), the Prize of the Elamed Publish- awarded papers from the students’ scientific con- ing House “Higher Level” (2007), and the title of ferences, were published. As a result, the first is- the “Ambassador of Polish Congresses” (2007). sue of the journal prepared by Professor Kucharz The papers he presented received broad acclaim and came out as a supplement. In 1976, the Chancel- earned him numerous prizes, including the prize lor of the Medical University of Silesia appoint- of the President of the Polish Society of Rheuma- ed Eugene J. Kucharz as the first editor­‑in­‑chief tology (2008) and a diploma of the Editorial Of- of the journal and, under his editorship, 11 vol- fice of the Polish Archives of Internal Medicine (Cra- umes were published. Thanks to Professor Kucha- cow, 2011), at, among others, the 1st Mitteleurope­ rz’s efforts, the journal was indexed by the Chem‑ ‑Countries Meeting on Internal Medicine (Grado, ical Abstracts (Columbus, Ohio, United States) 1996), Spring Conference on Clinical Pharmacy and the Referativniy Zhurnal (Moscow). In 1977, (Reykjavik, 2000), the 36th Congress of the Pol- a volume consisting of international papers pre- ish Society of Internal Medicine (Warsaw, 2008), pared on the occasion of the international year and the 31st World Congress of Internal Medicine of fighting rheumatism was published. The men- (Melbourne, 2010). tioned magazine has been coming out at inter- For several years, Professor Kucharz was partic- vals up to this day, and it is essential to empha- ular interested in the Esperanto language. He was size that the first papers of now well­‑known

EULOGY Laudation in honor of Professor Eugene J. Kucharz on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday 13 academics were printed in Annales Societatis Doc‑ (“Niepojęta rzeka czasu”, 1993). Since then, he has trinae Studentiu. not resumed writing poems although, in 2008, his In 1974, Professor Kucharz was elected to English translations of poetic songs by Andrzej the Editorial Board of Problems of the Student Sci‑ Sikorowski were published (“and it’s our power entific Activity (Problemy Studenckiego Ruchu Nau‑ that we are able to dream”). kowego), journal published by the Polish Scientif- In his leisure time, much restricted due to ic Publishers’ House (Państwowe Wydawnictwo numerous professional activities, he reads and Naukowe), which made him the only representa- travels. Eugene J. Kucharz enjoys reading non- tive of medical universities in the Board. He con- fiction, biographies, diaries, also historic works, tinued to represent universities until 1978. and poetry in the original language of their au- Additionally, Eugene J. Kucharz has published thors. When traveling, he seeks forgotten plac- his journalistic articles in international maga- es and Polish traces. He always tries to be well zines. One of his texts about the Polish medical prepared for the sightseeing and hardly choos- student scientific activity published in the World es package holidays. So far, he has traversed all Student News is available in English, French, Ger- the continents and visited all of the European man, and Spanish. He wrote in Esperanto (Herol‑ countries. What remains of some trips are arti- do de Esperanto, Madrid) and in English (inter alia, cles (published, among others, in the Pro Medi‑ IPSF Bulletin). Even today, whenever time allows, co) as well as the first Faroe Islands guidebook in he reaches out for his pen and writes commentar- Polish, which he published in 2002. ies and remarks on different aspects of our reality The 1970s rock music, including Czerwone which are then published in medical journals. Gitary, Czesław Niemen, Skaldowie, but also Accounts of meetings, conferences, training the Beatles, is of great sentimental value to Pro- courses, etc. constitute a significant part of Pro- fessor Kucharz. Occasionally, he goes to concerts fessor Kucharz’s journalistic activity. Not only do (inter alia, The Rolling Stones, Warsaw, 25th July these reports record the presented lectures, but 2007; U2, Chorzów, 5th July 2005, and Scorpi- also introduce discussion and information on ac- ons, Zabrze, 6th December 2009) which bring companying events. After years, they seem to be back memories of youth. the only traces and documents of various scien- Eugene J. Kucharz is a man of many passions; tific achievements. As early as his first years as however, it is his daughter Patricia, now a stu- a medical student, Eugene J. Kucharz has been dent, who is the greatest meaning and happi- publishing reports of which many came out in ness of his life. Those close to him know that their the Polish Archives of Internal Medicine (Polskie Ar‑ father­‑daughter relation is based on strong and chiwum Medycyny Wewnętrznej) and Rheumatology deep friendship. (Reumatologia). His comprehensive reports pub- Despite his unquestionable achievements, Pro- lished abroad deserve a note as well because they fessor Kucharz remains a modest and kind man. play an essential role in promoting Polish scien- He is hard­‑working, enjoys his friends’ compa- tific associations. As early as 1977, in the Connec‑ ny, but always works in solitude. He possesses tive Tissue Research journal, his reports of the con- the ability of comprehensive analysis of problems, ferences of Polish biochemists’ studies on colla- both scientific and diagnostic ones, but also dis- gen and other components of connective tissue tinguishes himself by creativity and eagerness to were published. It was, at the time, the only men- tackle nonstandard topics. tion of Polish scientists’ activity in this field avail- Our Dear Professor, on the occasion of your able in international literature, particularly when jubilee and on behalf of all your friends, we wish considering that publication of Polish reports in you both happiness and health for all the days American scientific journals was highly unusual to come spent among friends and well­‑wishers, during that period. Professor Kucharz’s reports and successful realization of all, not only scien- have been coming out in the European Journal of tific, plans. Medicine for many years. Professor Eugene J. Kucharz’s literary interests go far beyond journalism. In the 1980’s, he would publish poems in English, which he considers now a “youth adventure”; nevertheless, it is essential to emphasize that “My Silesia” poem (1987) re- ceived an honorary mention from the American Poetry Association, and, together with his oth- er poems, was printed in several American po- etic anthologies, whereas another of his poems was included in the Anthology of American Po‑ etry (1987). Furthermore, he published his po- ems in English in the Union Mondiae des Ecriv- as Médicins journal entitled Musa Medica. He also produced a number of poems in Polish and pub- lished them in two booklets: Elapsing of Days (“Dni przemijanie”, 1988) and Mysterious River of Time

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