Ep170 | Redefining a Medical Career: From Gynecological Oncology in Poland to Psychiatry in the U.S.

We heard stories of physicians practicing in the USA in a specialty different from the ones they originally trained in, perhaps even from a different country. In this episode, Dr. Czarnkowski shared with us about his journey of how he first got interested in medicine, then gynecological oncology, and finally to psychiatry as well as his insights and hopes for the field of psychiatry.

Trigger Warning: suicide

Dr. Czarnkowski (Tscharnkoffsky), is an Affiliate Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and an Attending Psychiatrist at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, where he also serves as Director of Emergency Psychiatry Services and provides care in the Acute Recovery Clinic and outpatient mental health. He previously held faculty and consultation-liaison roles at the University of Illinois at Chicago and served at Advocate Christ Medical Center, including leadership of CL and Acute Inpatient Psychiatry services.

Dr. Czarnkowski earned his medical degree from Jagiellonian University Medical College in Krakow, completed postgraduate training in gynecological oncology in Poland and the UK, and completed psychiatry residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is board certified in General Psychiatry and Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. He’s clinician-educator, he teaches key residency curricula, supervises trainees and medical students across emergency and outpatient settings, and has received multiple institutional awards for teaching excellence including Dept. of Psychiatry Chairman’s Award for Dedication in Teaching and Resident’s Education and was a three time recipient of Wolf and Kettle Award.

Episode produced by: Deborah Chen

Episode recording date: 12/02/2025

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