Krakow Heidelberg
The Polish Society of Nephrology, in collaboration with the Joint Action Nephrology in Eastern Europe, i.e. International Society of Nephrology (ISN), European Renal Association (ERAEDTA) and Kuratorium Gesellschaft Nephrologie organized the second Nephrology Summer School in Cracow. One particular feature was the fact that the American Society of Nephrology (ASN), represented by R. Narins (Detroit) participated in this event documenting the close collaboration between our societies and the joining of efforts.
Similar to the first Nephrology Summer School in Cracow (NDT 1998; 13: 225), this follow-up event was again highly successful. It was attended by a total of 254 colleagues; 204 from Poland, 26 from Lithuania, but also some from Moldavia and Slovak Republic. Of particular note is that two colleagues from Albania were supported by the organizers and attended the meeting. Upon proposal of the Polish Society five Polish nephrologists gave very impressive presentations (F. Kokot, Z. Niemir, B. Rutkowski, M. Myliwiec, W. Sulowicz). The presentations spanned the spectrum from basic science (endothelin and the kidney) to clinical nephrology (vascular access for dialysis). The guest speakers were J. M. Grinyo (Barcelona), P. Harden (Statfordshire), W. H. Hörl (Vienna), K. Konner (Cologne), N. Lameire (Gent), J. Mann (Munich), E. J. Dorhout Mees (Utrecht), R. G. Narins (Detroit), B. Nielsen (Copenhagen), S. Orth (Heidelberg), E. Ritz (Heidelberg), F. P. Schena (Bari), St. Schoenberg (Heidelberg), J. Vienken (Homburg), J. J. Weening (Amsterdam), D. de Zeeuw (Groningen), and P. Zucchelli (Bologna).
A great effort was made to permit interaction with the audience and with this in mind three workshops, i.e. on the nephrotic syndrome (Dorhout-Mees), immunosuppression after transplantation (J. M. Grinyo, Barcelona) and glomerulonephris (J. J. Weening, Amsterdam) were organized. There was a total of 23 formal presentations and a good mix of speakers from different European countries and different age groups.
The local organizing committee (Professor Sulowicz, Cracow) made a great effort to expose the participants not only to high level clinical nephrology, but also gave them a chance to see the treasures of old Cracow and to meet at a get together party in the renovated Department of Nephrology of the Jagellonium University Cracow and at a Gala Dinner in the picturesque Wieliczka underground salt mine.
There was unanimity that this format of nephrological information, permitting close interaction between our Polish colleagues and partners from other countries in the European Renal Association, is most fruitful and should be repeated in the future.
Notes
Cracow, Poland, 1618 July 1999