Graduate (1959), Polish Medical School, and retired doctor. Name: Halina Lewicka (neé Marszalek)Category: AlumniRole: Graduate (1959), Polish Medical School, and retired doctorTime active with Edinburgh Medical School: 1959 medical graduate Our journey escaping from the advancing German armies began the day the war started. We reached Scotland in 1940. The future was uncertain. I cherish my medical student days as a memory of normal life. The end of the war found Poland under a different occupation and most of us did not return. I have lived through difficult, stormy times and I will always deeply appreciate how much Edinburgh and its medical school contributed to the small successes in my long life. Halina Lewicka was born in Poland in 1924. When war broke out, she crossed Europe from one end to another to find safety. She enrolled at the Polish School of Medicine in 1943. The school was established at the University of Edinburgh in 1941 to enable Polish civilians and medical students who were in the army to finish their education. 336 students attended the school: 227 gained a medical degree and 19 a PhD or MD. After graduating, Halina spent the next 35 years working full time in hospitals and 19 years as a senior partner in general practice, before retiring in London. This article was published on 2026-03-13
