News

On 5-6 November 2026, the Medical University of Bialystok (MUB) hosted Professor Carlos Luis O’Connor Reina, a certified sleep medicine specialist and the first otolaryngologist to receive the title of Expert Somnologist awarded by the European Sleep Research Society (ESRS).

Professor O’Connor Reina is the creator of the Airway Gym medical application, which supports myofunctional training of the upper airways. He is also a co-founder of the Ibero-American Society of Sleep Surgery.

During his visit, Professor Carlos O’Connor Reina delivered classes and held consultations for PhD students of the MUB Doctoral School. The meeting focused on myofunctional therapy, effectiveness of treating sleep apnea syndrome (OSA).

During the classes, the Professor presented modern approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). He discussed various mechanisms underlying OSA, including anatomical factors, impaired muscle tone in the upper airways, and abnormal respiratory control. Particular attention was given to personalised treatment approaches based on the patient's disease phenotype, functional test results, and drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE). An important part of the sessions was devoted to myofunctional therapy, its impact on tongue function and the muscles of the upper airways, as well as the potential use of mobile applications to support rehabilitation. PhD students also learned about methods for assessing tongue strength and function, and research findings on lingual frenuloplasty combined with myofunctional therapy as a potential treatment option for selected patients. The Professor emphasised the importance of personalised medicine and the need to combine anatomical and functional assessments when planning effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Professor's visit to MUB was made possible thanks to the invitation and involvement of Professor Ewa Olszewska, who also hosted and accompanied him throughout his stay. During the meeting, she introduced the PhD students to the Professor's professional background, scientific achievements, and clinical experience.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Professor Ewa Olszewska for inviting the Professor to MUB, her involvement in organising the visit, hosting and accompanying the Professor throughout his stay, and providing PhD students of the MUB Doctoral School with the opportunity to meet such a distinguished specialist in sleep medicine.

At the end of the visit, Professor Barbara Mroczko, Director of the Doctoral School, together with Professor Ewa Olszewska, thanked Professor Carlos O’Connor Reina for accepting the invitation and travelling to Białystok, as well as for his time and for sharing his knowledge and extensive experience with PhD students of the MUB Doctoral School.

Classes are conducted as part of the project entitled „Intensification of internationalization process and development of the Doctoral School of the Medical University of Bialystok” is financed by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange under the "STER NAWA – Internationalisation of Doctoral Schools – Call 2024" Programme.

International Cooperation Department