The scientific conference “New Challenges in Healthcare” was held on March 27 at the Faculty of Architecture of Poznan University of Technology.
The Faculty of Architecture had the honour of hosting this year’s edition of the recurring event, which aims to integrate the medical, legal, economic, and architectural communities around a shared goal: the creation of a modern, empathetic, and better-organised healthcare system.

The conference was opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Assoc. Prof. Agata Gawlak, welcomed distinguished guests and presented the wide range of initiatives undertaken by the Faculty in the field of healthcare.

Opening remarks were also delivered by the Rector of Poznan University of Technology, Prof. Teofil Jesionowski, and the Rector of the Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Prof. Zbigniew Krasiński, who jointly announced the signing of a cooperation agreement between the two universities to enhance the quality of the healthcare system.

Keynote lectures were given by representatives of the architectural community: Assoc. Prof. Ewa Pruszewicz-Sipińska,  and Prof. Ewa Kuryłowicz, . The first lecture addressed a model for evaluating functional-spatial relationships in hospitals, while the second tackled current crises in architecture and the environmental aspects influencing healthcare facility design.

Four thematic sessions followed, featuring interdisciplinary presentations and panel discussions. Experts from various fields explored topics including:

• Hospital design as a team-based effort,
• Managing treatment processes in emergency situations,
• Public law’s response to the healthcare system crisis,
• Organization and financing of healthcare.

We are pleased to observe the growing awareness of the importance of a holistic approach in which architecture meets medicine, economics aligns with ethics, and technology serves humanity. We believe that only through such collaboration can we achieve meaningful changes that benefit patients, medical staff, and the entire healthcare system.

The first thematic session focused on spatial and infrastructural aspects. The discussion emphasized the need for participatory design of medical infrastructure. We thank the following speakers for their inspiring presentations:
Assoc. Prof. Anna Szewczenko, 

MSc. Eng. Henryk Kwapisz,
Dr. Magdalena Matuszewska, PhD, Eng. Arch., and
Dr. Piotr Springer, PhD, Eng. Arch.
The panel discussion was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Agata Gawlak and Dr. Piotr Springer, PhD, Eng. Arch. Together with medical professionals – Prof. Dawid Murawa, Dr. Marcin Karolewski, MD, Dr. Igor Madej, MD, and Dr. Maciej Matłok, MD – they addressed challenges related to medical facility infrastructure. The substantive and experience-based discussion confirmed that effective changes in the healthcare system require close cooperation between different sectors.

Special thanks go to our partners:

• Poznan University of Medical Sciences, represented by Prof. Monika Urbaniak,
• Poznan University of Economics and Business, led by Assoc. Prof. Monika Dobska,
• Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, represented by Prof. Eryk Kosiński, 
  who led the discussions in their respective thematic blocks.

We also thank the speakers invited by our co-organizers:
Dr. Rafał Staszewski, 
Prof. Piotr Stępniak, 
Prof. Szczepan Cofta, Prof. Marcin Mikos, 
Magdalena Kraszewska, MA,
Maria Żórawska-Ewertowska,
Anna Jackowska, MA, MBA,
Robert Judek,
Liwia Polcyn-Nowak,
Prof. Katarzyna Kokocińska, 
Karolina Jesiołowska Mansson, MA, EMBA,
Prof. Dominik Krzyżanowski, Wrocław University of Science and Technology,
Piotr Lissoni,PhD
and Anna Trela, PhD, whose participation ensured a truly interdisciplinary character for the conference discussions.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our strategic partner Saint-Gobain Polska and to our sponsors: Kon-Plast Group, ALVO Medical, PORR S.A., MMM Group, ANMED, and Nowy Styl.

The conference “New Challenges in Healthcare” was held under the honorary patronage of:

• The Rector of Poznan University of Technology, Prof. Teofil Jesionowski,
• The Rector of Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Prof. Zbigniew Krasiński,
• The Rector of Adam Mickiewicz University, Prof. Bogumiła Kaniewska,
• The Vice-Rector for Cooperation of Poznan University of Economics and Business, Prof. Łukasz Puślecki,
• The Wielkopolska Regional Chamber of Architects of the Republic of Poland,
• The Association of Polish Architects, Poznan Branch,
• The Marshal of the Wielkopolska Region, Mr. Marek Woźniak,
• The Polish Society of Physician Managers,
• The Polish Economic Society in Poznan.

The event received media patronage from: Chamber of Architects of the Republic of Poland, Zawód: Architekt, Sztuka Architektury, Architektura-murator, and Builder.

We believe that the conference was not only an opportunity to deepen knowledge but also a catalyst for further initiatives and cooperation aimed at improving the future of public health. We remain open to continued dialogue and future initiatives that, we hope, will lead to concrete and lasting outcomes.

Faculty of Architecture
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