Katarzyna Żak-Jasińska, MD, joins the St. Jude Graduate School from Gdynia, Poland, where she currently serves as the medical director of Amber Haven, a home hospice for children, as well as director of the Pediatrics Palliative Care Team of the University Clinical Center Hospital. She is also a member of EPEC Europe Advisory Board Group.
Żak-Jasińska began her journey at the Medical University of Gdansk in Poland before taking on several fellowships at the University Clinical Center, with specializations in pediatrics and pediatric oncology and hematology. She is currently working on a palliative care fellowships at the Saint Lawrence Hospice Association.
She is passionate about researching and working to improve the quality of care for children during oncological treatment, especially those on palliative treatment and for other serious diseases leading to premature death. Pain and other symptoms accompanying the treatment of children with oncological diseases is an area of research that requires constant improvement and while organizing all possible forums of palliative care for a child and their families is a big challenge, she believes that it improves not just the standard of care, but also the development of doctors.
Taking part in creating the hospice for children in Poland showed Żak-Jasińska that hard work and big dreams pay off and that using experience and sharing it with other people whenever and wherever people can is an important tool. She is driven by the belief that every child across world should have access to the best treatment, and palliative care if necessary.
By joining the St. Jude Graduate School Global Child Health program, Żak-Jasińska believes it will help her carry out her dreams regarding expanding palliative care delivery for children. She looks forward to learning more about how to be a better researcher and leader and would like to learn how to change policy, specifically related to healthcare education and palliative care. As a student, she will have the opportunity to meet great mentors and thought leaders in pediatric global health and education, all of which will help her prepare an advanced care plan for children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
Hometown: Gdańsk, Gdynia, Poland
Education:
2024-Present Fellowship, Palliative Medicine, Saint Lawrence Hospice Association
2024 Observership in Pediatric Palliative Care (Dr. Michael McNeil), St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
2015 Fellowship, Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Clinical Center
2011 Fellowship, Pediatrics, University Clinical Center
2004 Medical University of Gdansk, Poland
Publications:
Magdalena Szalewska, Katarzyna Żak-Jasińska, Anna Balcerska, Ninela Irga-Jaworska, “Invasive fungal infections in children treated for oncohematological diseases: selected diagnostic and therapeutic problems.” Onkologia Polska. 1505-6732. T. 13, nr 4 (2010), s. 185-190
Marta Mierzejewska, Ninela Irga, Elżbieta Drożyńska, Piotr Czauderna, Mariusz Sroka, Katarzyna Żak-Jasińska, Małgorzata Jarosz, “Asplenic child in a family physician’s practice.” Forum Medycyny Rodzinnej, ISSN 1897- 3590, e-ISSN 1897-7839
Katarzyna Żak-Jasińska, “Organization of home care palliative care in hospices financed by the WHD Foundation” Palliative care for children, Tom XVI / 2008 Warsaw Hospice for children.
Beata Papiernik, Piotr Holajn, Katarzyna Żak- Jasińska, Andrzej Basiński “Post-traumatic stress disorder in the professional work of paramedics” Anestezjologia i Ratownictwo 6, nr 3 (2012): 339-342
Barbara Kaczorowska- Hac, Beata Burzynska, Danuta Plochocka, Katarzyna Żak-Jasińska, Katarzyna Rawa, Elżbieta Adamkiewicz- Drozynska “The first reported case of G6PD deficiency due to Seoul mutation in Poland.” Ann Hematol 2014: 93(5): 879-880
Dr. Megan Doherty, “Global Handbook of Children’s Palliative Care A Resource for Frontline Care Providers published in 2025 by Global Health Dynamics.” – one of the Co-authors