# Eminent Cuban Pediatrician Dr. José González Valdés Passes Away

**Date:** 02/11/2023

On the night of Sunday, February 5, 2023, the illustrious Full Professor and Consultant Dr. José González Valdés passed away in Havana at the age of 86, due to malignant lymphoma.

He was the founding director of the Pediatric Hospital of Centro Habana and director of the Institute of Nutrition. Furthermore, he was a Master to several generations of Cuban pediatricians. He was an Honorary Member of the Cuban Society of Pediatrics and founding member of the National Group of the specialty.

Graduated as a Doctor of Medicine in 1962, Specialist of First and Second Degree in Pediatrics in 1966 and 1984, respectively; Specialist of Second Degree in Health Administration in 1984.

He obtained the Principal Teaching Category of Full Professor in 1984 and the Special Teaching Condition of Consultant Professor in 2004. Master's in Comprehensive Child Care in 2007. He entered Higher Education in 1964.

Author of more than seventy publications and research works, with the receipt of awards. He served as director of the "Pedro Borrás" and Pediatric Hospital of Centro Habana, as well as at the Institute of Nutrition and Food Hygiene.

Member of the Coordination and Support Team of the Executive Committee of the Council of Ministers in activities related to Public Health from 1981 to 1994.

As an advisor to the Medical Aid Program, he conducted visits to Haiti and Niger in 1998 and 1999. He completed medical collaboration in Brazil 2002-2003.

Member of Tribunals, of the Advisory Committee of the MEDIC Review Journal and Secretary of the Editorial Committee of the Cuban Journal of Pediatrics, since 2007 and President of the Scientific Council of the Pediatric Hospital of Centro Habana.

Member of the Cuban Society of Pediatrics, of the International and Latin American Association of Pediatrics, among others.

He held the Distinction for Cuban Education 1989, "José Tey" Medal in 1992, the "Frank País" Order of Second Degree in 2009, FAR Commemorative Medal, Distinguished Service in the FAR, "Manuel Fajardo" Medal, the "Frank País" Order of First Degree. Proposed for the Special Teaching Category of Professor Emeritus in 2021.