Guillermo Fernández Hernández-Baquero

Guillermo Fernández Hernández-Baquero (1917-1987) a paradigm of Cuban Dermatology, was one of the great pillars for the development of this specialty in Cuba.

Born in the La Maya neighborhood, Alto Songo, Santiago de Cuba. He graduated as a physician in 1945 in La Habana where he began providing services at the Central Dispensary of the Patronage for Leprosy Prevention, which linked him to this disease from his graduation, making periodic visits to the leprosarium, training all those who had connections with the disease and personally supporting the patients.

In June 1959 he took charge of the Dermatology service at the Dr. Carlos J. Finlay Military Hospital and became part of the Revolutionary Armed Forces where, for maintaining an exemplary attitude, he attained the rank of Colonel.

In 1960 he was appointed head of the Dermatology chair at the University of La Habana, based at the Calixto García General Hospital. From 1962 until 1978 he was President of the Cuban Society of Dermatology.

His main theme of work and research for many years was leprosy; his work contributed to improving the diagnosis and treatment of this disease in Cuba. He created the occupational therapy department, improving the incorporation of these patients into daily activities. Thus this leprosarium ultimately took his name.

A precursor in Cuba of the application of laser rays in dermatological conditions, he conducted multiple investigations with national and international contributions on leprosy, chromomycosis, heliotherapy, and histopathology of the skin. He introduced natural medicine in diseases such as vitiligo through the use of St. John's lily, as well as countless natural curative and cosmetic treatments.

He conceived and built the first treatment center for psoriasis in Cuba.

He published more than 400 works in national and international scientific journals and two dermatology textbooks.

He obtained the title of Doctor in Medical Sciences in 1981.

Honorary member of scientific dermatology societies in Italy and Argentina. He had close ties with the Institute for Standardization of Venereal and Skin Diseases in Moscow.

He received the Carlos J. Finlay Order.