Scientific Idea of Professor Marian Weiss
This year marks the 100th birth anniversary of Professor Marian Alan Weiss. The following article serves as a reminder of this magnificent man, doctor and scientist and his indisputable multifaceted accomplishments. Prof. Weiss was a brilliant organizer. He proposed and then formed the largest medical rehabilitation centre in Poland, the STOCER Capital Rehabilitation Centre in Konstantin, and established one of the first university departments of rehabilitation in Europe. His medical achievements included Weiss’ spring arthroplasty, a method for stabilising the spine after an injury. He also promoted myoplastic amputation and early intraoperative prosthetic support (so-called rapid prosthesis) as well as early comprehensive rehabilitation, which is widely recognized today. Prof. Weiss was a first-rate scientist and lecturer. He published more than 200 articles in Polish and international journals, a few textbooks and monographs. He delivered many lectures and presentations at domestic and international congresses and symposia. As early as 1959, he lectured at international seminars on prosthetics and rehabilitation of amputees. As an expert of the WHO Regional Bureau, he organized international training workshops on rehabilitation, with English and French as languages of instruction. He was an honorary member of the New York Physical Medicine Society, held an honorary doctorate from Rennes University and an honorary membership of the Swedish Orthopaedic Society, and received the Honorary Medal of Vishnevsky Institute in Moscow. He also was Vice-president of the “Paraplegia” International Medical Society. His unexpected death in 1961 put an end to his further organizational, professional, scientific and educational plans.
