It is with deep sadness that I inform you that Maria Józefa Harazda, a wonderful colleague and physician, passed away on 17 July 2015.
She was born in Lviv on 17 November 1920, and studied medicine at the Medical Academy in Cracow in 1945-1951. Already during her studies, she took up the position of assistant in the Department of Pathological Anatomy headed by Prof. Maria Kowalczyk.
Maria Harazda’s strong character and her non-conformist attitude towards the political reality in Poland in the early 1950s meant that she was unable to continue her promising research career. After leaving the university, she worked as a prosector at the Provincial Hospital in Opole. Upon the encouragement of the renowned thoracic surgeon Prof. Maciej Wit Rzepecki, she transferred to the Odrodzenie Sanatorium in Zakopane (currently O. Sokołowski Specialist Hospital for Pulmonary Diseases) in 1954. There, practically from scratch, she organized a pathology laboratory. Modern by the standards of the day, it was Poland’s first facility specializing comprehensively in the pathology of the respiratory system. In the 1960s, Maria Harazda completed an internship at a large pulmonology and thoracic surgery centre in Wales. She authored or co-authored about a dozen research papers on the pathology of the lungs and thymus which were published in Polish and international scientific journals. Her professional and scientific commitment contributed significantly to the high reputation enjoyed by the thoracic surgery centre in Zakopane both across Poland and abroad.
In addition to being involved in pathomorphological diagnostics, Maria Harazda worked as a clinician in the pulmonology unit of her hospital for many years.
Thanks to her extensive knowledge, honesty, professional integrity and strong personality, for nearly 60 years she was an authority for several generations of physicians working at the hospital in Zakopane: she continued her diagnostic work even after retiring in 2005, until she was 91 years old.
Her stern glance, her big heart for those in need and her excellent sense of humour will be sorely missed by all.
Juliusz Pankowski
and associates from the Specialist Hospital for Pulmonary Diseases in Zakopane
Publications
1. Harazda M. [Pathology of tuberculoma and round encapsulated tuberculous foci of the lung]. Gruzlica 1956; 24: 827-832. [Polish]
2. Harazda M, Rudnik I. [Pulmonary abscess caused by grasshopper]. Pol Tyg Lek (Wars) 1956; 11: 1718-1719. [Polish]
3. Bledowska J, Harazda M, Rzepecki W. [“Minimal” Tuberculosis in pulmonary tissue resection]. Gruzlica 1959; 27: 513-518. [Polish]
4. Harazda M, Wadolowski W. [Intersegmental abscess as a post-resection complication]. Postepy Hig Med Dosw 1960; 14 Suppl: 182-183. [Polish]
5. Harazda M. [Discussion on resection specimens in Zakopane]. Postepy Hig Med Dosw 1960;14 Suppl: 103-106. [Polish]
6. Harazda M. [Pathological anatomy of bronchial fistula]. Postepy Hig Med Dosw 1960; 14 Suppl: 86-93. [Polish]
7. Harazda M. [Pathological anatomy of operated segments]. Postepy Hig Med Dosw 1960; 14 Suppl: 164-166. [Polish]
8. Paryski E, Harazda M, Jedrazejewska H. [Results of bacteriological and histological examinations of tuberculous nodules removed during pulmonary resection]. Postepy Hig Med Dosw 1960; 14 Suppl: 114-119. [Polish]
9. Harazda M, Wadolowski W. [Post-resection inter-segmental empyema]. Pol Przegl Chir 1960; 32: 587-593. [Polish]
10. Kowalczyk H, Frenkiel S, Harazda M. [Effect of chemotherapy on morphological and bacteriological pulmonary changes in resected pulmonary tissues]. Gruzlica 1962; 30: 341-348. [Polish]
11. Rzepecki W, Harazda M, Kowalczyk H. [Aspergilloma cured by resection of the pulmonary tissue]. Pol Przegl Chir 1962; 34: 493-498. [Polish]
12. Rzepecki W, Harazda M, Mlekodaj S. [Indications for resection in patients with severe forms of pulmonary tuberculosis]. Gruzlica 1962; 30: 913-925. [Polish]
13. Frenkel S, Harazda M, Nowakowska E, Sauer J. [Role of scale lymph and bronchial biopsy and of bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of pulmonary cancer]. Gruzlica 1964; 32: 493-500. [Polish]
14. Lukiański M, Harazda M. [Assessment of combined diagnostic procedures in the diagnosis of primary bronchogenic carcinoma]. Gruzlica 1971; 39: 229-234. [Polish]
15. Lukiański M, Harazda M. [Assessment of particular procedures in the diagnosis of primary bronchogenic carcinoma]. Gruzlica 1971; 39: 221-227. [Polish]
16. Rzepecki W, Lukasiewicz M, Lukaszczyk E, Harazda M. [Surgical treatment of myasthenia]. Neurol Neurochir Pol 1970; 4: 327-330. [Polish]
17. Rzepecki W, Harazda M, Lukasiewicz M. [Determining of the so-called surgical risk in resection of the lung tissue]. Gruzlica 1970; 38:137-144 [Polish]
18. Rzepecki W, Lukasiewicz M, Lukasiewicz E, Harazda M. A contribution to the surgical treatment of myasthenia. Pol Med J 1970; 9: 1225-1228.
19. Lukiański M, Harazda M. [Value of various diagnostic procedures in bronchial carcinoma]. Gruzlica 1970; 38: 761-763. [Polish]
20. Paryski E, Maly W, Michelini H, Rzepecki W, Harazda M. [A case of infection with Mycobacterium xenopei]. Gruzlica 1969; 37: 1081-1085. [Polish]
21. Lawkowicz W, Olk J, Michalowska R, Rzepecki WM, Harazda M, Lukaszczyk E. [Aregenerative anemia in the course of a so-called benign thymus tumor]. Pol Arch Med Wewn 1969; 43: 1073-1078. [Polish]
22. Rzepecki W, Harazda M, Lukasiewicz M. [Analysis of the causes of deaths related to lung surgery]. Gruzlica 1969; 37: 243-250. [Polish]
23. Rzepecki W, Harazda M, Lukasiewicz M. An analysis of the causes of deaths related to surgery of the lung. Pol Med J 1969; 8: 1321-1330.
24. Rzepecki W, Góralczyk J, Harazda M.[Contribution to diverticulosis of the trachea. Case report]. Otolaryngol Pol 1969; 23: 93-99. Polish.
25. Radecki A, Harazda M, Rzepecki W. [Bronchiectasis imitating lung tumors]. Gruzlica 1968; 36: 761-771. [Polish]
26. Rzepecki W, Langer J, Drzewski Z, Lejawka W, Mlekodaj S, Kamieńska I, Lukiański M, Góralczyk J, Harazda M. [Results of pneumonectomy in cases of persistent tuberculous cavities during bacteriological quiescence]. Gruzlica 1967; 35: 233-238. [Polish]
27. Harazda M. [Pathology, clinical picture and bacteriology of cleared cavities]. Gruzlica 1967; 35: 211-218. [Polish]
28. Szyszko S, Harazda M. [Value of thoracotomy and intraoperative biopsy in early lung cancer]. Gruzlica 1967; 35: 1123-1127. [Polish]
29. Rzepecki W, Birecka-Jaworska A, Drzewski Z, Harazda M, Lewandowska-Lukasiewicz D. [Oncologic significance of undiagnosed round shadows in the lung]. Gruzlica 1966; 34: 867-879. [Polish]
30. Rzepecki W, Donderowicz A, Harazda M. [Aspergillosis within a cancerous cavity]. Gruzlica 1966; 34: 161-165. [Polish]
31. Harazda M, Kanwiszer H, Langer J, Rzepecki W. [Intraoperative hemorrhage in a case of pulmonary sequestration]. Gruzlica 1965; 33: 817-820. [Polish]
32. Frenkel S, Kowalczyk H, Harazda M. [Effect of substitute drugs on the viability of Tuberculosis bacilli in autopsy specimens]. Gruzlica 1965; 33: 111-115. [Polish]
33. Lukasiewicz M, Harazda M.[BRONCHIAL ADENOMA]. Pol Przegl Chir 1964; 36: 863-871. [Polish]
34. Zieliński M, Hauer L, Kuzdzał J, Sośnicki W, Harazda M, Pankowski J, Nabiałek T, Szlubowski A. Technique of the transcervical-subxiphoid-videothoracoscopic maximal thymectomy. J Minim Access Surg 2007; 3: 168-172.
35. Zieliński M, Kuzdzał J, Staniec B, Harazda M, Nabiałek T, Pankowski J, Szlubowski A, Narski M. Extended rethymectomy in the treatment of refractory myasthenia gravis: original video-assisted technique of resternotomy and results of the treatment in 21 patients. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg 2004; 3: 376-380.
36. Papla B, Harazda M, Kuzdzał J, Wozniak A, Limon J, Stachura J. Primary intrathoracic biphasic synovial sarcoma – a case report. Pol J Pathol 2005; 56: 207-210.
37. Papla B, Zieliński M, Kuzdzał J, Harazda M. Hyperplasia of endocrine cells, tumorlets and atypical carcinoid of the lung – a case report. Pol J Pathol 2004; 55: 31-33.
38. Zieliński M, Kuzdzał J, Staniec B, Harazda M, Nabiałek T, Pankowski J, Szlubowski A, Medoń J. Safety for preoperative use of steroids for transsternal thymectomy in myasthenia gravis. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2004; 26: 407-411.
39. Papla B, Malinowski E, Harazda M. Pulmonary mucinous cystadenoma of borderline malignancy. A report of two cases. Pol J Pathol 1996; 47: 87-90.
40. Papla B, Harazda M, Lukasiewicz M, Młodkowski J. Amyloid tumour (amyloidoma) of the mediastinum. Patol Pol 1993; 44: 227-231.
41. Papla B, Niezabitowski A, Harazda M, Lukasiewicz M. [Primary neoplasms of the mucous glands of the bronchi (data based on our experience)]. Patol Pol 1987; 38: 240-253. [Polish]
42. Góralczyk J, Buchwald J, Drózdz W, Harazda M, Kołodziejczyk E, Krynicka E, Laczyńska E, Lukasiewicz M, Mackowska I,
Młodkowski J, et al. [Is a delay in diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer still a problem?]. Pol Tyg Lek 1985; 40: 403-406. [Polish]
43. Góralczyk J, Buchwald J, Drózdz W, Harazda M, Kołodziejczyk E, Krynicka E, Laczyńska E, Lukasiewicz M, Mackowska I, Młodkowski J, et al. [Diagnostic tactics in lung cancer. II. Usefulness of various diagnostic methods and diagnostic tactics in lung cancer]. Pneumonol Pol 1984; 52: 183-186. [Polish]
44. Góralczyk J, Buchwald J, Drózdz W, Harazda M, Kołodziejczyk E, Krynicka E, Laczyńska E, Lukasiewicz M, Mackowska I, Młodkowski J, et al. [Diagnostic tactics in lung cancer. I. Practical possibilities and diagnostic tactics in lung cancer]. Pneumonol Pol 1984; 52: 175-181. [Polish]
45. Langer J, Rzepecki W, Lukasiewicz M, Góralczyk J, Lukiański M, Harazda M. [Histological type of bronchial carcinoma and long-term remission following tissue resection]. Nowotwory 1978; 28: 179-186. [Polish]
46. Rzepecki W, Harazda M, Dolezal M. [Identification of tumor-like disease in Aspergillus-infected lungs. II. Intra- and postoperative morphological and serological data]. Pneumonol Pol 1978; 46: 293-303. [Polish]
47. Rzepecki W, Harazda M, Dolezal M. A trial of isolating a tumor-like form of pulmonary cavities infected with aspergilli. II. Intra- and postoperative, morphologic and serologic data. Bronchopneumologie 1978; 28: 87-98.
48. Rzepecki W, Langer J, Lukasiewicz M, Góralczyk J, Lukiański M, Harazda M, Brodecki W, Krynicka E. [Factors affecting long-term survival following lung cancer resection]. Pol Przegl Chir 1976; 49: 1149-1155. [Polish]
49. Rzepecki W, Lukasiewicz M, Lukaszczyk E, Harazda M. [Thymectomy in the treatment of myasthenia]. Pol Przegl Chir 1975; 47: 881-886. [Polish]
50. Lukaszczyk E, Marcinkowski M, Zytkowicz Z, Harazda M. [Pulmonary embolism as a complication of thoracotomy]. Pol Tyg Lek 1975; 30: 29-32. [Polish]
51. Rzepecki W, Langer J, Góralczyk J, Harazda M, Lukasiewicz M, Lukiański M. [Features determining long-term survival in patients treated surgically for lung cancer]. Pol Tyg Lek 1971; 26: 1025-1028. [Polish]
52. Lukiański M, Harazda M, Frenkel S, Krzak J, Kempisty A. [Value of needle biopsy of the lung in the diagnosis of pulmonary diseases]. Gruzlica 1971; 39: 503-507. [Polish]
53. Góralczyk J, Harazda M, Dynowski J. [Postinflammatory subscapular cyst as a complication of posterolateral thoracotomy]. Pol Przegl Chir 1971; 43: 747-751. [Polish]
