History of the Institute
The origins of Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine are closely connected with the beginnings of the Medical Academy of Łódź, which was established in 1950. Two years later, the Minister of Health established the Institute within the Academy. The Polyclinic of Occupational Diseases and the Department of Hygiene of the National Institute of Hygiene were then included into Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine.
In accordance with the Government resolution of 31 January 1954, the Institute of Occupational Medicine was separated from the Medical Academy and the independent institution called the Institute of Occupational Medicine in Textile and Chemical Industry subordinated directly to the Minister of Health was set up. 88 people were then employed in the Institute and its activity was mainly focused on industrial toxicology and occupational pathology. The rector of the Medical Academy, Professor Emil Paluch, was appointed the first director of the Institute.
Professor Jerzy Nofer, a close associate of professor Paluch, became the next director of the Institute. Under his management the Institute developed its versatile activity in the field of scientific research, specialized training, medical services, organization and supervision over industrial health services. The Clinical Department, which embraced the Clinic of Occupational Diseases, was established in 1958. The Department became the only institution in Łódź, and the first one in Poland, where occupational diseases and acute poisonings were treated. The Institute has been located in Teresy Street since 1961. Professor Nofer also began the expansion of the Institute, which took place during the years 1970-1976. In 1975, the Institute became a WHO reference center and, at the same time, Poland’s largest training center for industrial health service and sanitary service. In accordance with the decision of the Ministry of Health issued in 1983, the Institute was named after professor J. Nofer due to his great contribution to the development of occupational medicine in Poland.
In 1977, professor Janusz Indulski, who was an initiator of the new study areas in the field of occupational medicine and public health, became the professional successor of professor Nofer. Throughout the period of time during which professor Janusz Indulski was its director, the Institute became the undisputed authority in both of these spheres. The Institute was entered into the research and development units register in 1986. A year later, it obtained the right to award the scientists with post-doctoral and MD PhD degree in the field of medicine and medical biology. Since 2010, the Institute has had the authority to confer on the scientists the Doctor of Health Sciences degree. Thanks to Professor Indulski, the School of Public Health was established within the Institute in 1992.
The Minister of Health appointed professor Konrad Rydzyński as the director of the Institute on 1 January 2000 and professor Rydzyński still performs this function today. In 2006 the Institute received "Crystal Brussels Sprout" award as the best research unit.
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