A Polish cardiologist whose research has helped shape European medical guidance on life-threatening conditions affecting the lungs and heart has received one of Poland’s highest academic distinctions.
Professor Adam Torbicki was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education (CMKP) during a ceremony at the Royal Castle in Warsaw on 28 October 2026.
The honour recognises decades of research, clinical innovation and international cooperation in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary embolism and pulmonary hypertension.
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Torbicki has become one of Poland’s most internationally recognised specialists in these conditions, contributing to European clinical guidelines used by medical professionals far beyond his home country.
The ceremony also honoured American orthopaedic surgeon Professor Michael Millis, a specialist in hip disorders and reconstructive surgery.
Helping shape European standards of care
One of Torbicki’s most significant contributions has been his involvement in developing guidance for doctors treating pulmonary vascular diseases.
Pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot, usually originating in a deep vein, travels to the lungs and obstructs blood flow. Severe cases can be life-threatening and require urgent medical treatment.
Pulmonary hypertension, meanwhile, involves abnormally elevated pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs. It can place considerable strain on the heart and may develop from several different underlying diseases.
Both conditions require careful diagnosis and specialist management.
Torbicki’s research and clinical experience helped inform international recommendations addressing these challenges.
In 2008, he chaired the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) task force responsible for its guidelines on diagnosing and managing acute pulmonary embolism.
He subsequently co-chaired the 2014 update alongside Professor Stavros Konstantinides.
He also contributed to European recommendations on pulmonary hypertension, including major guidelines published in 2009 and 2015.
These documents bring together scientific evidence and expert clinical judgement to help doctors assess risks, choose appropriate investigations and determine treatment strategies.
The European Society of Cardiology’s published guidelines independently document Torbicki’s leadership in developing these recommendations.
His work demonstrates how Polish medical expertise has contributed to the broader development of cardiovascular medicine across Europe.
Advancing specialist treatment in Poland
Torbicki’s achievements extend beyond international scientific publications.
Throughout his career, he has helped develop specialist medical services for patients with complex pulmonary vascular diseases in Poland.
He previously led the Department of Chest Medicine at the Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases in Warsaw.
He also headed the Department of Pulmonary Circulation, Thromboembolic Diseases and Cardiology associated with CMKP at the European Health Centre in Otwock.
His earlier research investigated the use of Doppler echocardiography to assess blood circulation in patients with chronic lung diseases.
This ultrasound-based technique allows doctors to study heart function and blood flow without relying solely on invasive procedures.
According to CMKP’s official announcement, this research contributed to the development of non-invasive methods for assessing pulmonary circulation.
Torbicki subsequently helped introduce specialist treatments to Poland, including surgical approaches for chronic thromboembolic disease and medicines for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Another important development involved balloon pulmonary angioplasty.
The procedure uses a catheter-mounted balloon to widen narrowed or obstructed pulmonary arteries in selected patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.
In 2014, Torbicki led a team whose programme introducing this treatment received first prize in Poland’s Złoty Skalpel, or Golden Scalpel, medical innovation competition.
The recognition reflected the development of an important specialist treatment programme rather than the discovery of a new cure.
More than 400 scientific publications
The scale of Torbicki’s academic contribution was highlighted during the honorary doctorate ceremony.
CMKP reports that he has published more than 400 scientific papers, which have collectively received more than 136,000 citations.
The institution also reports a Hirsch index, commonly known as an h-index, of 107 — an indicator combining research output and citation impact.
These figures underline the substantial international attention given to his scientific work, although publication and citation counts vary between databases and over time.
Torbicki has also contributed to multidisciplinary treatment programmes involving specialists from different medical fields.
Among them is PERT-CELZAT, a rapid-response team designed to coordinate care for patients experiencing the most severe forms of pulmonary embolism.
The programme received second prize in the Golden Scalpel competition in 2022.
Beyond his clinical and research work, Torbicki has participated in international cooperation concerning rare diseases and cross-border specialist care.
His previous distinctions include the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, awarded in 2014, and medals from Polish and European cardiology organisations.
Recognition at Warsaw’s Royal Castle
The honorary doctorate ceremony formed part of CMKP’s 55th anniversary year.
The Warsaw-based institution was established in 1971 and specialises in postgraduate medical education, professional development and clinical research.
During the ceremony, Professor Marcin Kurzyna, CMKP’s deputy director for scientific affairs, delivered the formal tribute to Torbicki.
Professor Krzysztof J. Filipiak, the institution’s director-rector, also addressed the gathering at the Royal Castle.
The second recipient, Professor Michael Millis, was recognised for his contributions to paediatric orthopaedics and hip-preserving surgery, as well as longstanding cooperation with Polish medical specialists.
Although the honorary doctorates were awarded by a Polish institution, Torbicki’s recognition reflects a career extending well beyond Poland’s borders.
His work has helped connect Polish clinical research with European medical standards while supporting the development of specialist treatment programmes at home.
The distinction celebrates not one recent discovery, but decades of contributions to a field where better diagnosis, careful assessment and coordinated treatment can make a critical difference for patients.
