‘Working together, we can do almost anything’
‘I’m naturally impatient, but change takes time,’ says Prof Przemysław Mitkowski, Professor of Medicine at the University Hospital in Poznan. ‘We cannot change everything overnight. Instead of working on ten problems at once, we should define three priorities and fix those – before moving on to the next challenge.’
As past-President of the Polish Cardiac Society, Prof Mitkowski has a wealth of experience engaging with politicians and officials at national and European level. Working with colleagues, he has ushered in improvements in cardiology that were once deemed ‘impossible’. ‘Sometimes the first meeting may be negative,’ he says. ‘But if you want to move forward on an issue, you must pause, reflect and return at a later date. You’ll get there over time.’
Prof Mitkowski has helped the Polish Ministry of Health to define reimbursement criteria for novel therapies and innovative medical devices. He believes that by supporting his views with robust data and becoming a trusted partner for health authorities, cardiologists can make a real impact on the system.
For example, he was instrumental in expanding access to PCSK9 inhibitors as a treatment for dyslipidemia, and has supported the adoption of leadless pacemakers. His work has brought him into contact with ministers and with the health committee in Poland’s parliament. ‘Over many years, we have contributed to better care for patients and significant declines in mortality,’ he explains. ‘This has reduced spending by the national insurance system, which shows the value of specialists working with politicians.’
Not only has Prof Mitkowski built good relations at national level, he has worked with Polish Members of the European Parliament, with the support of ESC’s Brussels office, to prioritise cardiovascular health during the current political cycle. He was also instrumental in organising a conference on cardiovascular health policy in February 2025, under the auspices of the Polish Presidency of the EU. The event was attended by ESC experts and health ministers from across Europe and included discussion on prevention, novel treatments, patient safety and access to health data.
The workload is considerable, but the results have been gratifying. ‘When you change reality – when you move the system forward – there is a rush of endorphins,’ Prof Mitkowski says. ‘But these achievements are never the work of one person. There are many volunteers in the Polish society and in the ESC working to improve patient care.’
When he first sought the role of President of the Polish Cardiac Society, Prof Mitkowski’s campaign slogan was Together We Can. It’s a motto he continues to live by.