Assoc. Prof. Lina Zabulienė, M.D., a consultant endocrinologist, has worked at Vilnius University (VU) for over two decades. In 2020, she was named the Best Lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine (MF). Assoc. Prof. Zabulienė teaches public health specialists the secrets of internal disease prevention and coordinates the module of Preventive Medicine. She is also a member of several committees – the Committee for the Programme for the Study of Medicine and Vilnius Regional Biomedical Research Ethics Committee. She is the head of the Working Group for the Self-analysis of the Programme for the Study of Medicine and the Final Examination Working Group. Thanking her students and colleagues for their support and trust on receiving her award, Assoc. Prof. Zabulienė said the award confirms that she has chosen the right approach to teaching: “This makes you believe in what you are doing and to have confidence in continuing meaningful pedagogical activity.”
Last year was full of challenges that changed how the world lives. In the opinion of Assoc. Prof. Zabulienė, distance learning under the circumstances has not only created challenges but also offered many new opportunities. Changes led to progress – the study material and teaching methods were reviewed and updated and hitherto unimaginable study prospects have opened up. Because of their exceptional abilities and experience in using IT, VU students have easily adapted to new forms of study, yet they miss the real student life and communication.
What was Lina Zabulienė’s professional path? What influenced her? Why does she love her job and life? Read more in the interview below.
In the photo: Assoc. Prof. Lina Zabulienė
Where did you, the Best Lecturer of 2020, spend your childhood? What were you like as a pupil and student?
I was born in Vilnius. I had one brother and we grew up in a happy family. My father was a chemist and constructor-inventor and my mother was an economist, doctor of social sciences. I spent my childhood surrounded by nature in Antakalnis, a picturesque area of Vilnius.
In school I was in the literature stream. Since then, I have taken to writing in order to share my thoughts, experience, and to seek inspiration and encouragement. I was very keen on solving mathematical problems, reading about the secrets of chemistry and natural sciences. I also attended a music school, athletics and other clubs. I have met a lot of smart people and developed my creativity and endurance.
I have learned that if you want to get the result you want, you not only need patience, effort or stubbornness, but you also need people around you who make you feel safe and secure. Curiosity, diligence, and perseverance are the best path to discoveries. I was the winner of the Latin Language and Mathematics Olympics of the city of Vilnius and of the Biology Olympics of Lithuania. In this interesting world of knowledge, my family, teachers and loyal friends were by my side.
As it got nearer to leaving school, I had to decide which path to take – the easier (to become a student of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of Vilnius University without any examinations) or the more difficult one (to take the entrance examinations to the Faculty of Medicine). Another dilemma I had was to choose between being a paediatrician or a doctor for adults. I opted for the studies of therapeutic medicine and became a very inquisitive, diligent, committed and responsible student of the Faculty of Medicine of Vilnius University, a real “nerd”.
The university environment was inspiring. The Faculty of Medicine is in one of the most beautiful locations in Vilnius. I was in the company of very experienced, knowledgeable teachers and positive, friendly and sincere fellow students. In fact, we were called the “nerd group”. We are still all great friends. My studies sucked me in like a whirlwind – everything was interesting, unknown and the material at the lectures was never enough. I spent time in libraries looking for answers to questions and learned from books by Lithuanian and foreign authors, medical atlases, and journals by taking notes. All my notebooks were colourful, with comments, explanations, diagrams and drawings.
I remember in the first year I became fascinated with medical history and supplemented my notes from lectures by translating pages of V. Micelmacher’s medical history page by page into Lithuanian. I believe my notes were good because they changed hands from one generation of students to another. Maybe they are still in someone’s dusty drawer, I have not seen them since I first lent them.
You are known as a “hormone specialist”, a creator of a universal “medical prescription for happiness”. How did you become interested in endocrinology?
I am lucky to have met so many experienced, knowledgeable teachers who have inspired my curiosity. When it came to the point of choosing the direction of my residency, I found myself at a crossroads again, as there were many areas I wanted to explore. My decision was determined by the seminars of endocrinologist Saulius Grigonis and my infinite desire to know the mysterious world of hormones and metabolism. Each day of my studies was like a refreshing gust of wind in spring and brought new experiences. Valuable insights of the head of the unit, Saulius Grigonis, and Prof. Virgilijus Šapoka sharing their interpretations of the connection between reasons and consequences enriched my knowledge and facilitated the search for clinical solutions.
In the residency study programme for endocrinology, I often visited the gastroenterology unit, which was like another home for my clinical practice. My aunt, Irena Baliukynienė, was one of the gastroenterologists there. Her humanity, clinical thinking, attentiveness and care of patients influenced my attitude towards people and my daily work as a doctor. My conversations with Prof. Jonas Valantinas, gastroenterologists and dieticians in the doctors’ room were very genuine – I always wanted to go back to that room.
Following my residency programme, I started my own clinical work. I have attended several training courses at the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism in the United Kingdom. My mentor there was Processor John Wass whose openness, innovativeness, ability to share experience, communicate, inspire others and be inspired himself (and his unforgettable laughter) have left an indelible impression. This experience has expanded not only my approach to endocrinology, clinical work, communication with patients, and the importance of teamwork, but also strengthened my common human values. Each time I meet the professor he asks me: “where do you see yourself in 5 years?” This is usually the start of a pleasant conversation intermingled with the professor’s memorable laughter.
On my path to learning about hormones and in my daily work I still find many minor and major surprises. Sometimes these moments make me wonder “how I could not have known it?”. This fascinates me and inspires to move forward.
Why did you become an educator?
Often our choices and decisions are determined by values, experiences, people we meet, circumstances, the number of times you hear “yes”, being brave enough to make changes, and sometimes the determination to leave your comfort zone. Assoc. Prof. Juozapas Butkus was my first teacher of pedagogy. He was a wise, bright, sincere and open person full of energy and dreams. He was a good writer, had a sense of humour and was well known for his speeches which were entertaining for students, fellow doctors and patients at the Red Cross Hospital. The echo of the Cathedral belfry not far from the hospital encouraged us and strengthened our faith in the power of medicine, humanity and goodness.
During my student years, the opportunity to teach at the old Vilnius University with its deep-rooted traditions seemed like an unattainable dream. One cold winter day I suddenly heard a playful question from Prof. Butkus: “the Department of Therapy is looking for a new lecturer, perhaps you would like to apply?”. I did not hesitate to answer “Yes”. This was the start of my pedagogical career. The following month, still a resident doctor of internal medicine, I started conducting seminars on propaedeutics of internal diseases, later on, seminars on internal disease prevention for students in the public health, paediatrics and physical therapy programmes.
After becoming an educator, I had regular support and received advice on how to make the subject I taught more interesting and attractive. I was so fortunate to work with Prof. Butkus, our strong, professional friendship lasted for more than 15 years until his death. Butkus’ lessons on life and diplomacy have remained with me to this day.
What do you like about the subject you teach?
Preventive medicine is special, all-encompassing and one of the most important healthcare areas. Today everyone – from children to older people – knows this. The aim of protecting people and society against diseases and their spread has been relevant since ancient times and was described in ancient Chinese writings, the Old Testament, and the works of Hippocrates and Galen. Nutrition, exercise, rest, abstinence and hygiene have been emphasized as the most important guarantees of good health.
Preventing diseases is easier than treating them. Undoubtedly, modern preventive medicine is not only a healthy lifestyle. It seeks to control risk factors, to recognise diseases early and to protect against their development and complications through a variety of tools and techniques. One of the most effective ways of protecting against infectious diseases is vaccination, which was started by Edward Jenner in England at the end of the 18th century and reached Lithuania six years later. Preventive medicine is an endless area of activities. Its crowning achievement is a healthier society and healthier people. I find this fascinating and it encourages me to follow and analyse innovations closely.
On the other hand, while teaching preventive medicine, I can also share my practical experience as an endocrinologist, clinical practice experience as a doctor of internal medicine, and my academic, management and administrative, project implementation, educational and international experience. I believe that this brings us closer to real life and results in better communication with students.
One of the important components of preventive medicine is health literacy, public education and patient training. For many years we have been preparing educational publications with like-minded colleagues and students. The textbook for students: “Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes in Adults” was the result of another beautiful friendship with Prof. Gintautas Česnys, an exceptional person. I am grateful for his help, his pearls of wisdom and knowledge, for being a role model of humanity and honesty, and the moments of wit and adventure. We all have learned love for our language, freedom and motherland from him.
Does time change your attitude to the essence of pedagogical work?
I am very pleased that the overall approach to teaching has changed in my 23 years of teaching. This has to do not only with experience, easier access to academic and pedagogical literature or the internet as a source of information. Pedagogical competences have evolved, exchange of ideas and academic knowledge has accelerated, and the learning process has been interpreted in different ways during different periods. The speed of IT development came as a surprise and opportunities to participate in international training, to study and do your practice abroad have appeared. Generations of students have changed and the differences between generations have become visible. I believe that with time, the attitude towards students as persons with their own expectations, social environment and experience has improved. The conscious society has matured.
Teaching for me is a coherent, continuous, inclusive process of learning and teaching. It is a lifestyle. A mutual constructive and rational communication. The lecturer not only shares their knowledge and experience, life examples, histories of success and failure, but also adapts to the student’s expectations and needs. It is important to look for new, effective ways of teaching or innovation that are interesting to students, to motivate them, make them curious, and promote critical and non-standard thinking. Lecturers play a very important role in the student’s life, because basically they inform the student’s professional choice, which is a highly responsible task.
I like to learn, discover and share on a regular basis. I am the kind of person who would share with others no matter whether it is a stone with a hole, a shell or a piece of amber on the beach, or some new piece of information and insights, or make a discovery and observation: “did you know …?”. My philosophy of life is to do what makes the heart sing and beat faster, and to never give up. I am pleased to see that students share my enthusiasm. I believe and see that my students are curious, talented, resourceful, often very different, but very smart.
In fact, I have been lucky enough to meet many great and wise people in my life. Prof. Algirdas Venalis and Prof. Irenos Butrimienė from the administration of the Clinic of Rheumatology, Orthopaedic Traumatology and Plastic Surgery, Prof. Janina Tutkuvienė, the supervisor of my dissertation, Prof. Zita Aušrelė Kučinskienė and Prof. Algirdas Utkus, deans of the MF, and Assoc. Prof. Jelena Kutkauskienė and Assoc. Prof. Kęstutis Štaras, heads of clinical practice institutions, were among those who offered valuable support, trust, freedom to act and to actively engage in everyday activities. The personal qualities, values and kindness of supervisors, lecturers, teachers, colleagues and peers from Lithuania and abroad, friends and family have inspired me, encouraged me to seek, not to stop, to live here and now, and to enjoy what I have. I am grateful to each of them.
Who are these modern students?
Every student is like a bud capable of becoming the most beautiful flower at the right time, place and under certain circumstances. Much depends on whether they are just a student or actively and consciously engage in the study process. There is a very fair rule of the “magic 10,000 hours” or “how much effort you put in – that is the result you can expect”. In order to become a good specialist, to acquire competences and to achieve mastery, you have to practice. It is not enough to imagine the peak and believe that you are already there. Instead, you have to climb to the peak in small steps, because everyone can overcome the obstacles if they really want to.
Generally, after the first few meetings, you have a good idea of what a student will achieve in their life. Sometimes even an absent-minded or lazy young person can be very successful, provided they are receptive and resourceful. I have no doubt that anyone who is open, genuine and curious and who pursues their goals consistently will always find their place in life.
Modern students have broad horizons, diverse knowledge and experience. They are not afraid of speaking out, asking, criticizing and can use modern technologies. The task of the lecturer is to feel the pulse of life and to keep up with time, adapt to innovation, guess what is going on in the heads and souls of students, and be able to interest and inspire the young person.
Studying and teaching are related processes, an equal partnership. In case of failure, both sides will suffer and in case of success both sides will celebrate. Every year, I am impatient to meet my students, I benefit from their youthful enthusiasm and learn new things. I believe that a sincere smile, laughter, kindness, compassion and empathy open the way to every heart. You just need to listen. There are hardly any solo parts during studies – not even duets, trios or quartets. It is the whole orchestra.
What are your hobbies? What do like to do in your free time?
Music has always been a part of my life since my childhood – I sang in the school choir, and song festivals in Vingis Park in Vilnius were my most wonderful experiences of community. In school, we formed an ensemble of folk songs with friends. At music school, I played cello and classic zither. The sound of zither has thrilled me ever since. When I went to university, I played in the VU Song and Dance Ensemble. This charged me with energy, and was an escape from the everyday routine and studies. It taught me discipline, how to listen to others and be part of a team. After graduation, the leader of the ensemble, Daiva Čičinskienė, invited me to the folk music group Kankleliai. This has been food for my soul.
I became interested in the history of medicine in my first year of university when preparing a presentation on Hippocratic medicine. I was encouraged by Assoc. Prof. Dalia Triponienė, member of Vilnius Medical Society. From that moment on, the light of medical history has followed me and it was important to take the first step. In 2014, I became the executive secretary of Vilnius Medical Society. The society, led by Prof. Algirdas Utkus, the dean of MF, promotes the search for historical values, interdisciplinary cooperation, activities of young scientists and the dissemination of ideas. I am honoured to have this position and enjoy it immensely.
I look at life with eyes wide open. I love walks in the historical parts of Vilnius. I read each newly published happy and sad story of love and discovery about Vilnius. I love to travel with my family, learn about other countries, their customs and people’s lives. In summer I love to stay at the Baltic coast. In the shade of the pine trees and gentle breezes I read books. I enjoy opera and concerts at the Philharmonic Hall. I am not indifferent to a good detective story and discovery shows. Cosy evenings with my family or friends are a real joy and blessing for me.