Noel Hernández Rodríguez, scalpel in hand plastic surgeon

Resumen

Dr. Noel Hernández Rodríguez was born in the town of Guayos, municipality of Cabaiguán on January 14, 1947; he was 14 years old when he joined the Alphabetization Campaign going to Baracoa in Guantanamo, from April 17, 1961 until December 26 of the same year. On his return, he continued his high school studies at Ciudad Escolar Libertad, former military camp in Columbia, first fortress of the regime of Fulgencio Batista, this camp was given to Armando Hart by Fidel Castro, Minister of Education, in order to be converted into a school. Once he finished this education level he enrolled in a medical career, he graduated as a first-degree specialist in Plastic Surgery and Caumatology in april 1975 and he worked at the Las Villas Provincial Hospital; He was granted the teaching rank on june 2, 1977 at the Santa Clara Medical Sciences Institute.

In November 1978 he moved to Sancti Spíritus province in order to work in what then was called "Hospital Viejo" (Old Hospital), where he founded the Plastic Surgery and Caumatology service, of which he was the service head and the provincial group head in the specialty, he held this last position until the time of his retirement in 2019. During several years he was in charge of the recruitment medical commission. In 1986, he participated in the inauguration of the Hospital Provincial General Camilo Cienfuegos de Sancti Spíritus, moment in which the burns ward of the same institution was founded.

He was a simple, modest, hardworking, persevering man, which allowed him throughout his life to assume seriously the assigned responsibilities, both in his professional life as well as in the heart of the family, in these aspects he always was an example for the new generations. He was characterized by his cheerfulness and friendliness; he recalled life anecdotes to his elders and he got a laugh out of all those young people who attentively listened to him.

His praiseworthy curriculum highlights his international collaboration in Venezuela for 3 years, the distinctions for being a higher medical education founder (21/Dec/2006), distinction "Founder with Fidel XX Anniversary" (27/July/2006), distinction "In the service of life" (17/Nov/2006), the Alphabetization medal, "30th Anniversary of the FAR", “Manuel Piti Fajardo" medal and the distinction "For Cuban Education".

For many years he was the only second-degree specialist in Plastic Surgery and Caumatology, member and founder of the Provincial Chapter of Plastic Surgery and Caumatology and titular member of the Cuban Society of Plastic Surgery and Caumatology, he obtained the rank of assistant professor and later the consultant rank until his 72 years of age when he decided to retire. We will reveal, with the consent of his daughter, a little secret: his real name was Hilario, that is why he could not be found when he was searched for official documents, he never allowed to be called this way, he did not like that name, he had been called Noel since he was a child.

He faced illnesses, an accident, family losses and he always emerged victorious by the strength of an unbendable spirit. He faced his final illness with the courage of the brave and knew how to face death with dignity, that, proper to one who knows he is beloved and with his duty fulfilled. He will remain in the memory of those who knew him as the competent, fast and dynamic surgeon he always was, as the man of wisdom and emotional intelligence, the doctor who was capable of contributing to his profession with achievements reflected in the history of public health in Sancti Spíritus province. Respected by professionals throughout the country, recognized by the National Society of Plastic Surgery and Caumatology, beloved by all colleagues and friends; a tribute is rendered to the man with scalpel in hand who knew how to write with hard work and effort in the history of this specialty.

Dr. Hilario Hernández Rodríguez, "Noe", as he was affectionately called by his residents and by all those who knew him as Noel, passed away on December 24, 2023, leaving an empty physical space next to family, friends, co-workers, patients and those who were his students for many years.