A Distinguished Honor: Dr. Ludwik Branski Receives the González Medal

This past October 2024, Ludwik Branski M.D., a plastic surgeon at Shriners Children’s Texas, was awarded the Dr. José Eleuterio González Medal by the Autonomous University of Nuevo León. Named after a 19th-century doctor who started the university and its hospital, the medal honors people who carry on Dr. González's work of improving medical care and teaching. The honor recognizes Dr. Branski’s contributions to burn care and scar management through Shriners Children’s outreach clinic in Monterrey, Mexico.

Dr. Branski’s journey to this award spans continents and decades. Born in Poland and raised in West Germany, he attended medical school in Bann, Germany, before embarking on a combined residency in plastic and general surgery at the University of Munich. Midway through his residency, a mentor encouraged him to pursue research at the internationally-renowned burn center in Galveston, Texas, under David Herndon M.D., a trailblazer in burn care.

In 2005, Dr. Branski arrived in Galveston to begin a research fellowship at Shriners Children’s. “I thought I’d stay for two years, maybe three,” he said. “But I loved it here. I worked on fascinating projects, received a fellowship and stayed on, even when the hospital had to temporarily close after the 2008 storm.” He continued to expand his expertise through fellowships in critical care and reconstructive surgery before completing his residency in Germany. Shortly after, he returned to Galveston to join the faculty at Shriners Children’s Texas.

In 2013, Dr. Branski assumed leadership of the Monterrey outreach clinic from his mentors. The partnership between Shriners Children’s Texas and Monterrey's medical community has deep historical roots, dating back to the collaboration between Ángel Oscar Ulloa Gregori, M.D., a founding figure in plastic and reconstructive surgery in Mexico, and Truman Blocker, M.D., a pioneering burn surgeon at the University of Texas Medical Branch, who played a pivotal role in establishing Shriners Children’s Texas in Galveston. Today, Dr. Branski and his team work alongside local surgeons and residents in Monterrey, performing surgeries, managing clinics and sharing knowledge.

Dr. Branski views the clinic as an essential extension of Shriners Children’s mission, particularly for patients unable to travel to the United States. “We see patients who don’t have visas or passports,” he said. “Outreach clinics are vital for bringing care to those who need it most. Even with limited resources, we can make a huge difference in children’s lives.”

Reflecting on his career, Dr. Branski expressed gratitude for the mentors who guided him and the collaborative spirit of the Shriners Children's team. “You can’t succeed without mentors like Dr. Herndon, Dr. Phillips and Dr. Wong,” he said. “And you can’t do this work alone. At Shriners, we have an incredible team full of surgeons, nurses, therapists, psychologists and more. I’ve also learned so much from the dedicated surgeons in Mexico. Everyone works together to give kids the best care possible.”

The medal, Dr. Branski emphasized, symbolizes the collective effort behind his work. “This isn’t just about me. It’s about all of us.”