Award winners review Baltic19

Award winners review Baltic19

In recognition for their scientific contributions, three promising and talented urologists were given prestigious awards during the 6th Baltic Meeting.

Dr. Arnas Bakavicius (LT) is recipient of the Berlin-Chemie Best Poster award; Dr. Janis Berzins (LV) is winner the Young Urologist Competition (pictured in the centre); and Dr. Aliaksei Ryndzin (BY) is first-prize awardee of the Karl Storz Award.

Overall impressions

“Baltic19 had fantastic speakers and an excellent scientifi c programme,” said Dr. Bakavicius. “Meetings like these increase the quality of urological care in the region significantly.”

“This is a very important meeting as young urologists from the Baltic States get the opportunity to present their research data, attend expert lectures, gain practical skills in laparoscopy
and endoscopy. The scientific programme and organisation of the meeting met my expectations,” said Dr. Ryndzin.

Dr. Berzins stated “It was my fi rst Baltic meeting. I was impressed, from the venue, number of participants, quality of the scientific work presented, organisational aspects and so on. I look
forward to Baltic20 in Minsk.”

Baltic19 highlights

According to Dr. Ryndzin, his meeting favourites were the course “New perspectives in the management of upper tract tumours” organised by the European School of Urology; the “Laparoscopic
urological surgery” session; and the Young Urologists Competition.

Dr. Bakavicius’ highlights included topics on molecular markers changing the diagnostics of prostate cancer; local treatment becoming more common in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma;
and consideration of neoadjuvant systemic treatment before radical nephroureterectomy.

Preparations and topics

Dr. Ryndzin shared “Working at the tertiary referral oncological hospital, we often have to deal with suboptimal results of muscle-invasive bladder cancer treatment. A national database of radical
cystectomies was created to study this problem, analyse and compare the outcomes of radical cystectomy in various hospitals in the country in order to improve the results. The analysis of the database was the focus of my Baltic19 presentation.”

“I was able to prepare well for my presentation on Fournier gangrene through the support and guidance of Dr. Linards Redmanis (LV), supervising doctor for my study; Assoc. Prof. Vilnis Lietuvietis (LV), head of the clinic; and my colleague Dr. Arvis Freimanis, previous winner of the Young Urologist Competition,” said Dr. Berzins.

On the podium

Dr. Bakavicius said “I like going outside my comfort-zone. Defending my work enables me to learn more and gives me extra motivation to move forward.”

I was excited and anxious at fi rst, but once I started talking and saw the support from my colleagues, delivering my presentation came easy. After my talk, I felt truly honoured by Prof. Jens Sønksen’s kind words. I’m glad my speech moved him. It was encouraging for me to keep studying and talking about Fournier gangrene,” shared Dr. Berzins.