José Gilberto Fleites Batista

Dr. José Gilberto Fleites Batista passed away in La Habana on October 15, 2013, at 88 years of age, victim of a heart condition.

Born in Sagua La Grande, son of Buenaventura Fleites and María Batista, he studied Medicine at the "General Calixto García" Hospital until his graduation in 1951.

Together with his Surgery professor, Dr. Juan Bolívar, he formed the first Oncological Surgery team in the history of Cuba, and was part of the founding collective of the Madame Curie Cancer Institute (today National Institute of Oncology), where he remained as the sole surgeon following the triumph of the 1959 Revolution.

His professional life was very rich. A highly skilled surgeon, his hands dissected delicately and quickly "guided by anatomy and tumor biology," making even the most complex tumor resections seem easy.

He was a teacher to hundreds of surgeons, trainer of nurses in Oncology, director of the Cuban Society of Oncology, an engaging speaker, always kind and concerned about his patients. He excelled in thoracic surgery, introducing to Cuba revolutionary methods and techniques for his time: expanded resections of lung tumors, bronchoplasties, mediastinoscopy and thoracoscopy, radical esophagectomy, esophageal prostheses, the combination of lung cancer surgery with radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and many more.

For his professional dedication, his kindness and humility, his loving devotion to family – to his dear Susy, to his four children, to his grandchildren –, his loyalty toward colleagues and friends, we will remember him forever with infinite love.