The proceedings leading to the conferral of the highest academic dignity on prof. Moll was initiated by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, from which the scholar had graduated. Mandatory reviews of his research, scholarly and organizational accomplishments, and extraordinary medical practice were prepared by prof. Jerzy Wranicz from the Medical University of Lodz and prof. Janusz Skalski from the Collegium Medicum of the Jagiellonian University.
Prof. Krzysztof Jóźwik, rector of TUL, was the proceedings promoter. In his laudation speech, the rector highlighted to prof. Jacek Moll's ligatures to Lodz University of Technology:
Considering the achievements of the renowned medical doctor, one is struck by his virtuoso-like ability to combine medicine and engineering in his cardiosurgical practice. What gave him the skills to design and handcraft artificial heart valves was his background in mechanical engineering.
Prof. Jóźwik collaborated with the honorary doctor in the construction of the Polish artificial heart valve, in an interdisciplinary team on one of the most beautiful projects in the history of Polish science:
The Candidate’s involvement among the collaborators was of immeasurable value. It allowed us to know him as a creative, outstanding, and courageous scientist. Professor Jacek Moll played a pivotal role in pioneering research that contributed to the advancement of world-class cardiac treatment in our country, championed at the Prof. Zbigniew Religa Foundation for Cardiac Surgery Development in Zabrze. I have the honor of serving alongside the Candidate on the Scientific Council of the Foundation, which compels me to declare once again that he is a person fully deserving of an honorary doctorate.
The new doktor honoris causa was welcomed with a standing ovation by the assembled guests, among whom were family, friends, colleagues, representatives of the City Hall and local government, as well as clergymen, patients, and the academic community of Lodz University of Technology.
In keeping with the tradition of the proceedings, the doktor honoris causa delivered a lecture. Prof. Jacek Moll gave it the title Engineering and Medicine (Technika i medycyna). In it, he drew upon philosophy, ethics, technology, and advancement of humanity towards understanding and development. He spoke about the complexity of the human body, referred to artificial intelligence, noting that it will not replace the physician and that it is feelings and emotions that give humans advantage over technology. He also remarked that many questions in health sciences remain unanswered yet called for exercising humility when one is faced with the perfection of nature.
What followed were warm and touching gestures galore. Professor Jack Moll’s colleagues sang Cheers to a Hundred Happy Years (Sto lat). Endless congratulations, words of gratitude, appreciation, and respect. The ceremony drew 200 attendees. The event also received media attention.
Professor Moll appreciated the role wife, professor Jadwiga Moll, herself an excellent cardiologist, and his family have played in his life, both private and professional. He also emphasized how important teamwork is when it comes to saving lives, and in this department he has plenty of experience. He participated in 15,000 surgeries, in 10,000 of which the surgical scalpel was in his hands. He championed innovative methods fusing medicine and engineering. His engineering background allowed him to design and handcraft artificial heart valves for the little tykes – children suffering from heart conditions.
He authored a 100 scientific publications. He sought knowledge and experience at leading medical centers in Europe and North America. Following his one-and-a-half-year fellowship at the Deborah Heart and Lung Center, he wrote 3 research papers which were published in prestigious foreign journals. At the same time, he was granted two US patents for his models of mechanical heart valves. Professor Jacek Moll had a long collaboration with Lodz University of Technology, including his participation in the research on nanocrystalline diamond coatings for medical applications.
His entire professional life was associated with Łódź, for which he was thanked by Wojewoda Łódzka, Dorota Ryl. He created and for many years was the head of the Department of Cardiac Surgery at the Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital - Research Institute in Łódź, contributing to leading the hospital to become a prime clinical center in Poland and the world. He retired in 2020.
Professor Jacek Moll is the father of three daughters and a son. He enjoys skiing and gardening. He has been honored with many awards, including the Order of the Smile. He is held in high esteem by the public, as demonstrated by the titles of Honorary Citizen of the City of Łódź and Honorary Citizen of the Łódzkie Voivodeship, of which he is a holder.
The solemn session of the Senate of Lodz University of Technology on the occasion of the award of the honorary doctorate to professor Jacek Moll shall long remain in the memories of our community, not least because the fellowship of distinguished scientists welcomed an exceptional human being who, with his glorious life, shall certainly be an inspiration for generations to come.
