Evelio Liberato Cabezas Cruz

Dr. Evelio Cabezas is a renowned Cuban professor and gynecologist-obstetrician.

A native of Santa Isabel de las Lajas, he graduated as a Doctor of Medicine from the University of La Habana in 1962.

He was Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics in the Faculties of Medical Sciences of Santiago de Cuba in the former province of Oriente and Ciudad de La Habana, Head of the Department of Obstetrics first and then of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the National Hospital Dr. Enrique Cabrera. He was also Director of the hospitals América Arias and Eusebio Hernández, expert in cervical cancer for the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance.

He served as head of the Student Assistant Fronts and Student Scientific Activity of the Finlay Albarrán Faculty from 1976 to 1980 and Member of the Advisory Commission of the Rector of the University of Medical Sciences of La Habana.

He carried out an internationalist mission in the Democratic Republic of Yemen and participated as a temporary advisor to the Pan American Health Organization in the Program for Early Diagnosis of Cervical Uterine Cancer.

He was founder of the National Advisory Group of the Ministry of Public Health for the specialty of Gynecology and Obstetrics, of which he was Head for more than 25 years.

He was First Vice President and later President of the Cuban Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He presided over the National Special Group for early diagnosis of cervical-uterine cancer.

He served as Principal Investigator in several Projects of the World Health Organization and received the designation of Master of Latin American Obstetrics and Gynecology.

He received the following Orders and Honors: Manuel Fajardo, August 23 (awarded by the Federation of Cuban Women), Internationalist Combatant Medal of 2nd class, Guest Professor of the University of Oriente. He was declared Guest of Honor, Distinguished Guest, or Illustrious Guest in three Latin American countries and received more than 30 recognitions.

He was author of more than one hundred national and international publications and more than 20 specialized textbooks, among them, for the subject of Comprehensive General Medicine, for the Medical program and for the Latin American Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He gave more than 150 presentations at national and international scientific events.

During his scientific career he was affiliated with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the Latin American Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology, was a Full Member of the Section of Endocrinology and Reproductive Biology, Honorary Member of the Bolivian Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Foreign Corresponding Member of the Paraguayan Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics, and Corresponding Member of the Peruvian Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

He presided over the National Commission for the Scientific Analysis of Maternal Deaths, of which he was the founder.

He tirelessly traveled throughout the country, from east to west, analyzing maternal and infant morbidity and mortality for years, even despite his advanced age, supporting and ensuring the ethical and scientific analysis of maternal deaths in the country. Both at the head of the National Group and of the Society, he fought tirelessly for the sexual and reproductive health of Cuban women and their families.

He was characterized by kind treatment, respect toward his colleagues, and for delivering masterful, active, participatory lectures, highlighted by his charisma, which awakened applause from his students throughout the country, where he sowed, fertilized, watered, and reaped the fruit of his love for his profession and his specialty.

When Dr. Cabezas passed away, he was 86 years old.