René Cirilo Vallejo Ortíz

He was born in Manzanillo, was a physician and combatant, and due to his revolutionary activities the leadership of the 26 de Julio Movement ordered him to go to the Sierra. He arrived in free Cuban territory on March 27, 1958. Upon joining the Rebel Army, Vallejo provided medical services to troops in operations and participated in several combats.

After the overthrow of Batista, he performed various tasks assigned by the Revolution in the implementation of Agrarian Reform in Camagüey and Oriente. From 1961 onward, he provided services alongside the Commander-in-Chief without abandoning his medical profession.

DOCTOR René Cirilo Vallejo Ortiz was born in Manzanillo, Oriente. His parents, Antonio Vallejo Cisneros and Carmen Ortiz Pacheco, had considerable economic means, as during this period his father owned a coffee roasting plant. They had three other children: Antonio, Carmen, and Rolando.

He completed his primary education in his native city and his secondary education in Santiago de Cuba and Manzanillo, but when classes were interrupted due to student strikes, his parents took the opportunity to send him to the United States to study English, from where he returned when his mother died.

His father's coffee roasting plant went bankrupt as a result of his family's economic crisis. Young Vallejo then dedicated himself to milk distribution to help support the family. Since he spoke English well, he obtained a contract with a Manzanillo radio station as an English-to-Spanish translator of the World Series baseball broadcasts, which he did live.

In 1938 he enrolled in Medicine in Havana, and graduated on May 3, 1945, being selected along with 24 other physicians to join the UNRRA group—a UN agency—created to work on the rehabilitation of victims of World War II and was sent to France, the country where the organization's headquarters was located.

He was assigned to Tirschenreuth (Germany) to join unit no. 168 in order to organize a hospital in that locality, where he remained for approximately one year.

He arrived in Tirschenreuth in mid-September. In this place there were thousands of war refugees of different nationalities, mostly former prisoners of Nazi concentration camps. Everyone wanted to see the physician. Everyone wanted to be treated. Some could barely walk due to malnutrition; others had the beginnings of gangrene, very frequent in those times due to infected wounds. There was widespread hunger throughout Europe.

Doctor Vallejo distinguished himself, among other things, for the medical aid he provided at recently liberated Nazi concentration camps, where in some cases he spent several consecutive days performing surgical operations on former prisoners suffering from pulmonary diseases.

In Tirschenreuth, Germany, he worked for one year as a member of Unit 168. From his arrival, Vallejo undertook the task of organizing the hospital in a hotel designated for that purpose, with the help of the Red Cross. Due to his demands and insistence, supply quotas and clothing for the sick were obtained, and thanks to his command of several languages, his work was facilitated. Besides English and French, he learned German there and came to understand Russian and Polish.

In November 1945 the hospital was inaugurated and by 1946 it had 181 beds, a surgery department, gynecology, clinic, orthopedics, and five additional beds for children.

Subsequently transferred to Wildflecken, he organized a hospital for people from concentration camps and another for tuberculosis patients in the same place that had been a Gestapo camp.

In 1947, after a brief stay in Paris, he visited Berlin, where he established relations with doctor Sauerbruch, a famous surgeon specializing in pulmonary surgery, and attended two of his operations; he then traveled to Innsbruck, Austria, where he visited hospitals and scientific centers.

Later he was transferred to Wildflecken, where he also organized a hospital for people from Nazi concentration camps. He performed surgery, gynecology, internal medicine and treated patients with malnutrition problems. Here he also organized a hospital for tuberculosis patients, since the location, situated among dense pine forests at considerable altitude, was suitable for the treatment of such patients. Wildflecken had previously been a Nazi Gestapo camp.

Upon his return to Wildflecken, he married María Witowska, from which marriage René Vladimir, now a physician, and Carmen Alexandra were born.

He later visited the best medical centers in London and subsequently the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Mayo Clinic in the United States. His permanent contact with eminent physicians and his visits to these centers made him a brilliant surgeon, specialized in pulmonary surgery.

In 1948, rejecting magnificent offers to work in the United States, he returned to Cuba, preferring to practice his profession in his native Manzanillo. He was already a man with progressive ideas and profound human sensitivity who had drawn conclusions from his post-war experience. He had also witnessed the horrors left behind by Nazi imperial expansionist ambitions.

In Manzanillo he took charge of the Caymari hospital and, despite the political conditions of the time, carried out effective work in serving the people, administrative reform, and improvement of medical services. His constructive activity led him to clash with the interests of the customary political games, which later caused his removal from the position.

Determined to carry forward his projects, he then founded the "La Caridad" clinic in the city itself. This center, despite its private character, demonstrated the eminently social and human orientation that characterized Vallejo and his companions, apart from any mercantile conception.

In the months prior to the landing of the Granma, the integration of the first nuclei of the 26 de Julio Movement began in Manzanillo and Doctor Vallejo joined the revolutionary groups acting clandestinely. Shortly before the arrival of the expedition, on December 2, 1956, Celia Sánchez and Vallejo agreed to convert the clinic into a unit in service of the Revolution. The doctor "Piti" Fajardo, a physician at the center, collaborated in the endeavor, and from the first combats in the Sierra Maestra the Clinic became an important conspiratorial focus and base of support for the insurrectional movement, where several wounded from the theater of armed struggle were treated.

Once these activities were detected by the agents of tyranny, "La Caridad" was assaulted and looted. Detained and released due to pressure from the people, Vallejo took the first opportunity to march toward Free Territory in the Sierra Maestra on March 27, 1958.

Incorporated into the Rebel Army, where he provided medical services alongside troops in operations, he participated in various combats. Later he directed and took part in the construction of the Pozo Azul hospital, which he named "Hospital 26 de Julio," where, besides treating rebel wounded and peasants from the area, he developed an intense social work program that included the construction of schools for children and adults, health conferences, and the building of roads connecting the hospital with Habanita, Montería, and Cupeyal.

One of his great merits as a rebel physician was laying the groundwork for what would later become the revolutionary work of rural medicine, education, and social development.

A letter written by him during the struggle in the mountains shows the measure of his revolutionary spirit: "[...] After what I have seen in this Land of Freedom, I have, if possible, an even firmer determination to struggle with all the strength of my being for the grandiose destinies of Cuba to be fulfilled."

After the triumph, with the rank of Comandante, René Vallejo was Head of Agrarian Reform in Manzanillo, provincial delegate of INRA first in Camagüey and later in Oriente, where he remained until 1961.

From that moment on, he provided services alongside the Head of the Revolution until his death, which occurred on August 13, 1969.

With the death of Doctor René Vallejo, the Revolution lost a tireless fighter of proven loyalty, modest and capable, who always fulfilled his duty as both combatant and professional.

The nurses at the Manzanillo hospital always remember him as affable and smiling. Before surgical interventions, he would joke with the team, tell a joke; while preparing to enter the operating room, he would recite a poem.

During University of Havana medical school vacations, many students at that time would go to that hospital to receive theoretical and practical training free of charge from Vallejo.

Comandante René and the Rebel Army.
Detected in his revolutionary activities by agents of tyranny, the leadership of the 26 de Julio Movement ordered him to go to the Sierra Maestra. He arrived in free Cuban territory on March 27, 1958.

Upon joining the Rebel Army, Vallejo provided medical services to troops in operations and participated in various combats. He took part in the construction of the Pozo Azul hospital, in which he was the chief physician and director.

Between August 26 and September 10, 1958, according to a report from the Rebel Army, 86 bullet wound victims were surgically treated at this center, including 48 soldiers of the tyranny.

Despite the conditions under which the operations were performed, he gave infinite thanks to God for having had no deaths.

In letters to Che and Faustino from that period, he frequently commented on clinical cases and referred "to a plan to guarantee the continuity of medical-health care in the Sierra... We have continued with the [health] conferences and intensified the construction of latrines."

In a report to the General Command, he stated: "The field that the Sierra offers for the development of medical-social work that will undoubtedly be brilliant is of enormous magnitude. My enthusiasm is such and my hopes for the future are even greater."

Once, before a group of colleagues, he defined: "The role that the medical profession should assume is guaranteeing medical services to the entire population... To socialize medicine is, above all, the humanization of that work, to bring medical care to the most remote corner of the Republic."

As a combatant and as a physician, Comandante Doctor René Vallejo Ortiz fully fulfilled what he once wrote: "I have, if possible, a firmer determination to struggle with all the forces of my being for the grandiose destinies of Cuba to be fulfilled."

Death
Victim of a cerebral hemorrhage, which left him in grave condition for several weeks, Comandante and physician René Vallejo Ortiz died on the night of August 13, 1969, as Fidel noted:

"he never lacked faith in the Revolution nor confidence in the capacity of the Cuban people to struggle and triumph in all areas."

Words of Fidel Castro at the Funeral Honors for René Vallejo Ortiz

Summary: Version of Fidel Castro's words at the funeral honors for René Vallejo, August 14, 1969 at Colón Cemetery.

Words spoken by Comandante Fidel Castro Ruz, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and Prime Minister of the Revolutionary Government, at the funeral honors for Comandante René Vallejo. Colón Cemetery, August 14, 1969, "Year of Decisive Effort." (SHORTHAND VERSIONS DEPARTMENT OF THE REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT.)

Compañeras and compañeros:

As a friend and revolutionary companion of Comandante René Vallejo, we will speak a few brief words in this sorrowful moment.

The accident that ended his life—a biological accident—was as abrupt as prolonged the agony that preceded his death. Approximately 40 days ago his lungs ceased breathing spontaneously, and yesterday his heart stopped definitively. And although this outcome had been expected for many days, nonetheless it has left all of us plunged in profound grief.

A selfless man, he did not hesitate to abandon everything, did not hesitate to abandon possessions and comforts to join the ranks of the revolution and march as a physician and combatant to the Sierra Maestra.

An optimistic man, never, not even in the most difficult moments, did he lack faith in the triumph of our cause; never did he lack confidence in the capacity of our people to struggle and triumph in all areas and he always faced difficulties with absolute confidence in success.

A studious man, self-taught, he acquired broad general culture and moreover deepened his knowledge in the field of medicine and acquired notable skill as a surgical physician.

A hardworking man, he never spared a moment of effort, never hesitated an instant in his noble work as a physician and as a revolutionary.

A generous man, he had nothing for himself and was always ready to help others, to sacrifice himself for others.

A helpful man, countless people at one moment or another needed him and he always readily provided assistance. He devoted himself to serving everyone, to helping everyone.

An essentially kindhearted man, an affectionate man and a loyal man.

The Revolution and his revolutionary companions could always count on his absolute loyalty.

These factors of his personality and character made him equally deserving of the affection and love of all.

He lived with us through long years of struggle, lived with us through the difficulties and lived with us the successes, but above all he lived through the difficulties in war and the difficulties in these years.

It pains us to think that when our people are approaching important achievements and successes for which we have worked hard during this time, when even some of the important tasks that captured everyone's attention are being realized, he was unable to also participate in those successes.

As a physician he was always aggressive in fighting disease and quick. As a civilian physician and as a guerrilla and revolutionary physician, he saved countless lives; he helped countless people recover their health. And in the face of his own grave condition—which had not been the only one, since some years ago he spent weeks at death's door—on this occasion the physicians attending him also used the same spirit, the same style, and waged a tenacious and titanic struggle against death. They acted with him just as he would have acted in a similar case.

And we must say and express our recognition and our admiration for the group of eminent physicians who during forty days fought under the most difficult circumstances, since the prognosis for the hemorrhage was very unfavorable and yet they did not cease to struggle with exemplary determination day and night, never leaving his bedside for even a moment.

The most modern medical techniques, and above all a group of physicians who demonstrated in this case an exemplary spirit, were employed in trying to save the life of Comandante Vallejo. It is notable that even an eminent neurosurgeon specialist, Bulgarian professor Karagiosov, traveled from Kuwait in the Middle East to our country to contribute to that effort.

That battle could not be won, because it was perhaps a battle lost from the very first instant. We even believe that perhaps medicine may come to prevent a bit more, may adopt procedures that contribute to prolonging human life; but faced with an accident of this nature, under certain conditions, it does not seem possible, in light of the knowledge that exists, to find a solution.

Nevertheless, that titanic struggle to save a life that could not be saved, apart from what is heartening about it, apart from what is exemplary about it, should not be considered a strategically lost battle; since this experience, the things that could be demonstrated, the possibility of prolonging life for forty days through artificial respiration, the possibility of prolonging life under very difficult biological conditions through intensive care, with the use of modern technicians and equipment, and everything that this struggle demonstrated, will undoubtedly be useful in the future to countless people. Since many other cases not exactly of the same severity in people who suffer cerebral accidents and diseases that in a high percentage lead to death, the physicians who have waged this battle believe that using that same technique, using that same intensive treatment, using that newly developed equipment, many lives could be saved.

So that even in that moment, in that moment when physicians fought for the life of another physician, even in that final moment, the life of Comandante Vallejo rendered his compatriots a final service.

The moment of coming to bury a companion, a friend is always bitter. And not because it is an experience known to revolutionaries throughout the struggle, for a long time, no one can become accustomed to it. The death of a companion is always bitter and painful.

But in the face of death, revolutionaries have a duty. For those who die comes the hour of final rest; for those who live remains the duty, remains the work, remain the tasks, which are like a mandate from all those who have fought for them, from all those who have given their life or their health for them. And in the work, in the duty, we will always find the only and legitimate compensation for the pain, to conclude what they did not see concluded, to carry forward what they could not finish.

May these bitter moments always serve to exhort us to fulfill our duty, so that life for man always has the deepest and truest meaning.

Thank you very much.

Homeland or Death! We Will Win!

Manifesto of René Vallejo

Summary: Manifesto to the people of Manzanillo and adjacent areas where René Vallejo explains the differences with the Board of Trustees of Caymari Hospital and why he is replaced as director of said medical facility.

TO THE PEOPLE OF MANZANILLO AND ADJACENT AREAS
January 22, 1954.
Mr. Ramón Escobar Tamayo.
President of the Board of Trustees of Caymari Hospital and Gentlemen Members of the Board of Trustees of Caymari Hospital.
City.

Gentlemen:

This afternoon I read a communication from you, which was delivered to me by Mr. César Saez, Administrator and Treasurer of Caymari Hospital, in which that Board informs me that I have been removed as Director of Caymari Hospital, leaving me as a Physician of the same. I returned, unsigned, said communication as I consider the attitude of that Board incorrect in not delivering it to me through one of its Members or by summoning me to a Meeting to notify me.

By this letter I hereby present to that Board my Resignation, with Irrevocable character, from the position of Director and Surgeon of Caymari Hospital, but effective the first day of the coming month of February of the present year of One Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty-Four (February 1, 1954) since the sick patients who have been operated on surgically by me, naturally I am the sole responsible party for the evolution of said patients and only God can prevent me from continuing to care for them Personally until the day they are discharged, which will be, God willing, by that date.

I am unaware of the reasons that Board may have had for removing me and changing its opinion about my person so abruptly, since on numerous occasions each and every one of you, not just once but on multiple occasions, have praised and applauded my attitude and performance at the head of Caymari Hospital.

It is true that in recent months discrepancies had arisen between that Board and myself, because I opposed, in principle, reducing the number of beds for poor patients as well as the medicines that have been provided to them; expensive, certainly, but Essential to save their lives (cases of Tetanus, Typhoid Fever, Acidosis, etc. etc.)

I continue to believe, contrary to the opinion of that Board, that the Hospital's economic situation is not at all critical and quite the opposite, as can easily be demonstrated.

In any case, I do not believe it is the moment for explanations from one who should be asking for them, and I take the opportunity to thank that Board for the attentions, flattery and praise that it has always shown me as well as to reiterate to each and every one of its Members the expression of my most distinguished consideration. I also take the opportunity to reiterate to you that if anyone, at any time, believes that I can be useful to you personally or professionally, do not hesitate to turn to me, and I will know how to reciprocate.

Yours very respectfully,

Dr. René C. Vallejo Ortiz.
Director of Caymari Hospital.

January 23, 1954.

On the first day of the coming month of February of the present year of One Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty-Four, I presented my Resignation from the Position of Director-Surgeon of Caymari Hospital of this city, because I was removed by the Board of Trustees of said Hospital from the position of Director thereof.

I believe that said removal is fundamentally due to discrepancies that arose between that Board and myself regarding the number of poor patients that should be admitted to said Hospital as well as different opinions between said Board and myself regarding the Economic Situation of Caymari Hospital.

The entire people of Manzanillo and from many adjacent places know quite well our performance at the head of said Hospital, so I do not believe it is necessary to repeat it here; it is known to all that from a Hospital, without equipment, with buildings in ruins, without credit, with averages of 18 to 20 hospitalized patients, we have succeeded, thanks to God infinitely, in converting it into a Model Institution of its kind that has come to have more than One Hundred Hospitalized Patients with an Outpatient Consultation Service and dispensary, etc., like, and we cannot say it without Pride, there are very few in the Republic.

The same line of Conduct that we had to trace for ourselves when we took charge of the Direction of Caymari Hospital in November of 1948 we have maintained until today; that is, to admit patients only when they actually required hospitalization without taking into account their Race, Religion, Political Affiliation, etc., etc., and thanks to God, that same line we have maintained until today.

We Abandon the Hospital with Joy; Joy that comes from the satisfaction of having fulfilled our Duty fully and served Everyone, at all times, without hesitation or wavering of any kind.

We Abandon it with Sadness: with Sadness to see that ambitions and selfishness still continue to blind Men.

We want to take this opportunity to give our most heartfelt thanks to all the people of Manzanillo for the attentions that you have shown us at all times as well as for the most valuable help that you have always given us.

We take this opportunity also to reiterate to All of you our frank and complete willingness and Will to Serve you, in everything and at all times without Distinction of any kind.

Dr. René C. Vallejo Ortiz.

Note: Original spelling has been respected.

Source: EcuRed