About Us

Medicus, the Polish-American Medical Society, was established in the 1950’s in New York City. It is a continuation of the original society founded in Poznan, Poland between the First and Second World Wars. At the time, the prime Minister of the Second Polish Republic, Dr Felicjan Sławoj-Sładkowski, was also the President of Medicus.

During the 1950’s the Society was not only composed of doctors, dentists and pharmacists but also included prominent Polish immigrants residing in the United States. The Society expanded over the years as chapters were formed throughout the United States.

The founder and first President of Medicus in the U.S. was Dr. John J. Danek. In January 1966 he formed Medicus and officially registered the Society as Not for Profit Association in the State of New York.

The original goal of the organization was to help prepare its members for social adjustment and participation in the American Medical Community. This was accomplished through political and charitable endeavors and associations with other prominent Polish and Eastern European organizations, many of whom are still in existence.

Dr. Danek helped to garner recognition for prominent Polish and Polish-American individuals with the institution of the gold medal award. Recipients of these awards were honored and recognized for important social and medical contributions they made culturally in America. The first gold medal was given to Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski. Other prominent recipients were: Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski, Cardinal Josef Glemp, Professor Jan Kakot, M.D., Professor Hillary Koprowski, M.D., Cardinal Franciszek Macharski, General Stanislaw Maczek, Professor Witold Nielubowicz, M.D., and Professor Andrew Schally, M.D.

Medicus has been instrumental in promoting the exchange of students, educators and physicians between Poland and the United States, and it continues to provide medical literature, medicine and equipment internationally.

From 1974 until 1998 Dr. Eugene Demczuk headed up Medicus as it’s President.

On April 22, 1998 Dr. Tadeusz Pyz was elected President of the Society. And since that time Medicus has organized annual chartable balls to support the Society in it’s endeavings, donating most of it’s funds for public and medical necessities among the Polish community both here and abroad.

Likewise during that time period there were many Christmas parties which were organized at the Polish Consulate to further promote Polish medical presence in the USA. Dr. Pyz also organized CME lectures for its members. 

In January 2008 Dr. Janusz Plawner was elected President of Medicus.

From 2008 until 2011 Medicus participated in several scientific seminars organized by the members of the association, including a lecture with Dr. James Dewey Watson, the discoverer of DNA.

Dariusz Konopka was elected President of the Society on May 17, 2015.

On December 2nd 2016 Medicus organized a Christmas Party at the Tribeca – Inglot in New York.

On April 29, 2018  Dr. Tadeusz Pyz was re-elected president of Medicus. Since his election a rebirth has taken place in most part due to very enthusiastic Board of Directors and members. Numerous activities have taken place, eg. (meeting of Polish president Mr. Andrzej Duda and his wife, meeting with USA Ambassador in Poland Ms. Georgette Mosbather, participation in the Pulaski Day Parade in NYC, participation in Polish Television Theater festival, participation in Polish play written by our member Dr. Henryk Cioczek, Christmas Party at the Polish Consulate, meeting and activity with Prof. Krzysztof Zacharow, participation in sashing of Grand Marshall Mr. Darek Barcikowski, participation in Traveler’s Ball, Polish Children’s Smile Foundation Ball, meeting with Polish Prime Minister Mr. Mateusz Morawiecki, weekend with golf in the Catskills, contribution to Wielka Orkiestra Swiatecznej Pomocy, modification of Medicus bylaws, and others).