Department of Pathomorphology at the University of Warmia and Mazury Faculty of Medical Sciences was established on January 2008, based on Department of Pathology at the Regional Specialist Hospital in Olsztyn. Hospital Department of Pathology had many achievements in the field of specimen collection and handling and results reporting not only from the parent hospital but also from other hospitals from Warmia and Mazury Region. The Department of Pathology received numerous certificates granted by scientific societies and proffesional organizations. The research program within the Department of Pathomorphology is based on different laboratory and research methods including cytology, histopathology, histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. The head of the Department of Pathomorphology from the beginning of its existence until 30.06.2015 was prof. Marian Sulik, MD, PhD. From 01.03.2016, the head of the Department of Pathomorphology was Konrad Ptaszyński, MD, PhD, MBA- specialist in pathomorphology.
In the first years, classes and seminars for medical program students took place in conference rooms in Warmia and Mazury Medical Chamber. Since 2012/2013 academic year the Department of Pathomorphology has its own building on the grounds of the Regional Specialist Hospital in Olsztyn. There are two available seminar rooms with computers, microscopes and audio visual devices and one autopsy room. . Since April 2012, the Student Pathomorphology Science Club has been operating, and its supervisor until August 2020 was Magdalena Misiukiewicz-Poć, MD. Then, until July 2022, it was Aleksandra Sejda, MD, PhD. Currently, the supervisor of the Student Pathomorphology Science Club is Krystian Golon, MD.
Currently, the following researches are carried out at the Department of Pathomorphology and Forensic Medicine:
Analysis of the microRNA mutation and it’s expression profile and expression of the proteins involved in the biogenesis and functioning of microRNA in cases of endometrial cancer as potential biomarkers in correlation with histological subtype, molecular and clinical data;
Assessment of the relationships between clinical and pathological feature with prognostic significance of nerve fiber density in non-small-cell lung carcinomas;
Assessment of an algorithm for the histopathological evaluation of vascular invasion in malignant tumors.
The Department of Forensic Medicine of the Faculty of Medical Sciences was established on 01 June 2013 by resolution of the Senate of University of Warmia and Mazury (resolution no.607 of 17 May 2013) on giving opinions on organizational changes at the Faculty of Medical Sciences.
On September 1, 2017, the medical faculty – School of Medicines was established, and Department of Forensic Medicine was included in its structures.
Apart from research and didactic tasks, the Department of Forensic Medicine also undertakes consultative activities, conducted when necessary teamwork with other specialists in medical and other non-medical questions (road traffic, etc.) in the field of:
• issuing opinions on the assessment of bodily injuries and health status for the needs of criminal proceedings;
• medico-legal assessment of the possibility of participating in a court hearing and determination of the possibility of serving a prison sentence;
• forensic medical opinions (expertise) based on the court records and other official documents, conducted at the request of the administration of justice (Courts and public prosecutors' offices, police);
• forensic medical certification, assessment of the impact of injury; working capacity assessment; giving opinions on appeals against judgments of the Social Insurance Institution or other insurance companies;
• determining the effects of alcohol, drugs and especially psychoactive substances on the psychophysical status of drivers or others traffic users;
• reconstruction of road accidents.
In accordance with the Regulation No. 109/2020 of the Rector of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn of December 14, 2020 on the transformation of the Faculty of Medicine on January 1, 2021, the Department of Pathomorphology and Forensic Medicine was established. The head of the Department until September 30, 2024 was Konrad Ptaszyński, MD, PhD, MBA- specialist in pathomorphology. Since January 1, 2025, the head of the Department of Pathomorphology and Forensic Medicine is Aleksandra Sejda MD, PhD.