On a day like today but in the year 2000, Dr. René Favaloro, pioneer in coronary by-pass surgery, an innovative technique that revolutionised the treatment of heart disease, saving countless lives around the world, passed away.
René Gerónimo Favaloro was born on 12 July 1923 in a humble house in the ‘El Mondongo’ neighbourhood in the city of La Plata, province of Buenos Aires. He attended primary and secondary school in his hometown and in 1949 he graduated as a medical doctor from the National University of La Plata. He did his residency at the Hospital Policlínico in the city of La Plata.
In 1950 he settled in Jacinto Aráuz, a town in the department of Hucal, province of La Pampa, where, together with his brother Juan José, also a doctor, he started up a health care centre adapted to the needs of the area.
In 1962 he travelled to the United States to specialise in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. Five years later, he successfully developed the technique of coronary artery bypass grafting. This coronary artery bypass surgery has saved and continues to save millions of lives worldwide.
‘I would like to be remembered as a teacher rather than a surgeon’ - René Favaloro
Beyond his medical achievements, Favaloro was a strong advocate of ethics and education in medicine. In 1975, he returned to Argentina and founded the Favaloro Foundation, an institution dedicated to research, teaching and highly complex medical care. His vision of accessible, quality medicine for all was reflected in each of his projects and in his tireless work to improve the country's healthcare system.
More than four hundred and fifty professionals from all over the country and Latin America trained under Favaloro's supervision at his foundation, the largest number of residents trained in a single centre.
This eminence received innumerable international distinctions, among them: the John Scott Award 1979, granted by the city of Philadelphia, USA; the creation of the Chair of Cardiovascular Surgery ‘Dr René G. Favaloro’ (University of Tel Aviv); and the ‘Dr René G. Favaloro’ Chair of Cardiovascular Surgery (University of Tel Aviv). Favaloro’ (Tel Aviv University, Israel, 1980); the distinction of the Conchita Rábago de Giménez Díaz Foundation (Madrid, Spain, 1982); the Maestro de la Medicina Argentina Award (1986); the Distinguished Alumnus Award of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (1987); The Gairdner Foundation International Award, granted by the Gairdner Foundation (Toronto, Canada, 1987); the René Leriche Award 1989, given by the International Surgical Society; the Gifted Teacher Award, given by the American College of Cardiology (1992); the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement (1993); the Prince Mahidol Award, given by His Majesty the King of Thailand (Bangkok, Thailand, 1999).
On 29 July 2000, worried and burdened by the enormous financial debt of the Foundation, Favaloro took his own life by shooting himself in the heart. At the time, former president Fernando de la Rúa declared a national mourning day. His ashes were scattered in Jacinto Arauz where, since 27 September 2003, the Historical Museum of the Rural Doctor ‘Dr. René G. Favaloro’ has been located in the former railway station.
Today, we honour his memory by highlighting his legacy of dedication and humanity, his invaluable contribution to medicine, his commitment to ethics and medical transparency, which undoubtedly continue to be a source of inspiration for health professionals of today and the future.
