Poland – a New Destination for Wellness, Health Resorts and Medical Tourism – Conference in Chicago
Poland – a New Destination for Wellness, Health Resorts and Medical Tourism- Conference in Chicago
The Polish National Tourist Office in Chicago, together with the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago, have the pleasure of inviting you to the conference held under the honorary patronage of:
Mrs. Regina Jurkowska Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago and Prof. Joanna Głogowska-Szeląg, MD, PhD President of the Polish Society of Balneology and Physical Medicine!
The conference is held under the honorary patronage of the Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago, Mrs. Regina Jurkowska, and Professor Joanna Głogowska-Szeląg, MD, PhD, President of the Polish Society of Balneology and Physical Medicine.
The event will bring together representatives of the Polish Society of Balneology, as well as leading stakeholders from Poland’s health resort and medical tourism sectors.
The conference is dedicated to professionals from the travel industry, healthcare sector, and media. Its goal is to present Poland as a modern, safe, and competitive destination that combines high-quality medical care with a well-developed wellness and spa offering.
The program will demonstrate how travel to Poland can be designed as a comprehensive experience — integrating medical treatment, recovery, and leisure. Key topics will include the integration of medical and tourism services, the use of digital tools in serving international patients, and the development of attractive health-focused travel packages for global markets.
Speakers and Experts
The conference will feature distinguished experts representing medical, academic, and tourism sectors:
Prof. Joanna Głogowska-Szeląg, MD, PhD – President of the Polish Society of Balneology and Physical Medicine. Associate Professor Graduate of the Faculty of Medicine in Zabrze at the Silesian Medical University. Specialist in internal medicine, rheumatology, balneoclimatology and physical medicine. Affiliated with the Department of Pathophysiology and Endocrinology, where she earned her PhD and habilitation. Former Chief Physician of the WORR Health Resort in Goczałkowice-Zdrój. Co-founder of the Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Clinic in Katowice. Author of numerous scientific publications and conference presentations. President of the Polish Society of Balneology and Physical Medicine.
Agnieszka Ziętara, Director of the Wieliczka Salt Mine Health Resort. Graduate of the Faculty of Management at the University of Economics in Krakow. Brings many years of experience in the insurance sector, including technical and travel insurance. Previously active in the tourism and culture sector, contributing to the organization of international festivals and conferences at the Krakow Festival Office. Gained practical expertise in destination promotion and tourism event management. Former publisher of social and cultural magazines, involved in shaping the region’s image and developing tourism offerings.
Dr. Magdalena Kostrzon – PhD in Health Sciences. Deputy Director for Research and Development at the Wieliczka’ Salt Mine Health Resort. Specialises in health tourism, combining pulmonary rehabilitation and climatotherapy. Responsible for research partnerships, development of medical programs, and international promotion of therapeutic offerings. Author of publications on salt mine climate and subterraneotherapy. Earned a doctoral degree from the Jagiellonian University Medical College and completed postgraduate studies in medical services management. Co-organises international scientific conferences and contributes to professional forums.
Anna Michalska-Saczko –
Managing Director of the Laser Eye Microsurgery Center, Prof. Jerzy Szaflik’s Clinic. Graduate of the Faculty of Medicine at the Medical University of Warsaw. Completed residency in Otolaryngology at the Medical University of Gdańsk. Earned an MBA from the University of Gdańsk and completed postgraduate management studies at the University of Warsaw. Previously affiliated with the pharmaceutical industry, including Eli Lilly, Solvay Pharma, and Santen Oy. Since 2017 at the Laser Eye Microsurgery Center, where she serves as Managing Director and provides ENT care at a Warsaw medical center.
Jan Korsak, A long-standing President of the Polish Chamber of Tourism. Member of the Council of the Polish Tourism Organization. Chaired the Tourism Committee of the Polish Chamber of Commerce (KIG). Member of the Tourism Councils advising the Minister of Economy and the Minister of Economy, Labour and Social Policy.
Member of the Interministerial Team for Tourism. Initiator of the Innovative Program for the Activation of Inbound Tourism. Member of the National Council of the “Wspólnota Polska” Association. Owner and Managing Director of the POLONIA MEDICA project.
Magdalena Korsak Sabino Belo – a manager at the Collegium Medicum of Jan Długosz University, where she focuses on international medical education and academic-clinical management within the European and global context. She is responsible for student and staff mobility and agreements with foreign academic partners, including those in Malta, Spain, and Italy. She actively organizes international scientific conferences and expert events. She is also involved in expanding the Polonia Medica project, a linked health device, and a connected and additional mobile device with an additional connection to the device.
Dr. Karina Przybyło-Kisielewska– Vice President of Bristol Hotel Art & Medical Spa in Busko-Zdrój and the Fontia Clinic.Doctor of health sciences. Graduate of the AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow. Academic lecturer in Health Tourism at Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce. Completed postgraduate studies in Wellness & Spa Hotel Management and Healthcare Management. Co-creator and implementer of research and development projects on innovative spa treatment directions. Author of therapeutic tourism products: Sulphur Reduction Diet and Femitherapy. Coordinator of hotel investments, involved in launching and introducing hotel facilities to the tourism market.
Paula Fanderowska, director of the Polish Tourism Organization North America, promoting Poland as an attractive destination for both leisure travel and MICE. Her professional experience covers the following roles: Polish Consul in Caracas (2010-2014), vice president of the management board at Krakow5020 (ICE Kraków Congress Centre operator), president of the Conferences and Congresses Association in Poland (SKKP 2019-2025), vice president of TUgether’s Meetings and Events Industry Council (2021-2025) and member of the Council of the Polish Tourism Organization.
Poland: Where Health, Travel, and Quality of Life Meet
The conference highlights Poland’s growing position as a destination where modern medicine, a strong health resort tradition, and diverse tourism experiences come together. This unique combination is increasingly attracting international travelers seeking not only medical treatment, but also recovery, well-being, and an improved quality of life.
