Prof. Robert Rejdak, Head of the Department of General Ophthalmology at the University Clinical Hospital No. 1 in Lublin, has been nominated for a prestigious award granted by the UK & Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (UKISCRS). His long-standing contribution to the development of international ophthalmology—both in clinical practice and in educational and humanitarian work—has been duly recognized. This is one of the most significant accolades in global ophthalmology, comparable in prestige to the medical Nobel Prize.
The nomination, issued by the heart of the British ophthalmic community, stems from a deep appreciation of Professor Rejdak’s work on many fronts—clinical, academic, and didactic. The official justification highlighted his “exceptional contribution to ophthalmology in service of patients and the international community.”
It is impossible to overlook the significant role Professor Rejdak played in aiding Ukrainian doctors and patients. While much of the world stood by watching the conflict, Prof. Rejdak took decisive and effective action from the very beginning of the Russian aggression. In February 2025, under his leadership, the Medical University of Lublin and the Department of General Ophthalmology organized a specialist training course for over 100 ophthalmologists from Ukraine. This was no ordinary conference—it was a direct and practical response to the urgent needs of people saving vision in conditions lacking not only equipment but often electricity itself.
It was during this very event that Prof. Rejdak earned the particular respect and admiration of Prof. David Lockington, President of UKISCRS. His presence, as it turns out, was far more than a formal visit. It was a key moment in which the efforts of the Polish ophthalmologist were evaluated from the highest international level—and recognized as exemplary on a global scale.
In a time when provincialism is often seen as a shortcoming, Lublin—thanks to individuals like Prof. Rejdak—is becoming a center of modern medicine. And not by chance. The clinic he leads is not only a treatment facility—it is also a forge of talent, a place of knowledge exchange, international collaboration, and uncompromising pursuit of excellence.
It is no surprise, then, that the UKISCRS nomination is not only a personal triumph for the professor. It is also a symbolic recognition of both Polish and Lublin-based ophthalmology. Actions that begin locally often resonate globally—especially when they are driven by people of exceptional knowledge, empathy, and charisma.
Regardless of the final outcome, this nomination already confirms the professor’s place among the global elite. It also proves that one can achieve greatness without forgetting those who need help the most.
Jolanta Czudak
