Prestigious professor and surgeon DrC Gerardo de la Llera dies in La Habana

March 4, 2021

In the early morning of March 2, 2021, at Miguel Enríquez Hospital, DrC. Gerardo de la Llera Domínguez passed away, just one month after turning 91 years old.

He graduated with a doctorate in medicine in 1954 from the University of La Habana, and was an internal medicine physician at Jackson Park Hospital in Chicago, USA. That same year and the following year, he obtained a position as an internal medicine physician at the "General Calixto García" University Hospital, and in 1958 he obtained through competitive examination a position as a Resident in Surgery at the same hospital, achieving the category of First-Degree Specialist in General Surgery in 1960 and Second-Degree in 1967. In 1980 he received the title of First-Degree Specialist in Health Administration.

Since 1959 he began his work as a professor, categorizing himself as an Instructor, and in 1977 he obtained the professorial category of Full Professor. Professor de la Llera held the scientific degree of Doctor in Medical Sciences and was a Consultant Professor and Professor of Merit at the University of Medical Sciences of La Habana.

Throughout his fruitful life he held various positions and assumed numerous responsibilities: Head of the Department of Surgery, Vice-Technical Director and Vice-Educational Director at the "Manuel Ascunce Domenech" hospitals in Camagüey, "Martín Chang Puga" in Nuevitas, and "General Calixto García" in La Habana. In the capital he was also Head of the Department of Surgery of the School of Medicine, Head of the Department of Higher Medical Education in the Provincial Health Department, and later Provincial Vice-Director of Teaching, Vice-Dean for Teaching and Member of the Scientific Council of the School of Medical Sciences "General Calixto García," and Vice-Educational Director, Vice-president of the Scientific Council and Member of the Ethics Commission of the "General Calixto García" University Hospital, Secretary of the National Surgery Group, Member of the National Panel for granting scientific categories in surgical specialties, and Member of the Scientific Degrees Commission in Medicine of the Ministry of Higher Education.

He was a Member of several Cuban Scientific Societies: Member and President of Honor of the Society of Surgery, Full Member of the Society of Gastroenterology and Member of Honor of the Society of Health Sciences Educators. In addition to this, he also collaborated with the Cuban journal of surgery as a member of its editorial committee. Also of several International Scientific Societies and societies from other countries: Founder and President until the year 2000 of the Ibero-Latin American Society of Surgeons, Secretary and later Vice-President of the Caribbean Medical Association (AMECA).

He was a Full Member of the International Society of Surgery (ISS/SIC) and of the Latin American Federation of Surgery (FELAC), Corresponding Member of the Academy of Surgery of Perú, Honorary Academician of the Royal Academy of Medicine of Granada, Andalucía, Spain, Foreign Corresponding Member of the Paraguayan Society of Surgery and of the Venezuelan Society of Surgery, and Member of the Cuban Association of the United Nations (ACNU). He was also a Member of the Editorial Committee of the journals: SILAC (Official Organ of the Ibero-Latin American Society of Surgery) and AMECA (Official Organ of the Caribbean Medical Association).

He conducted important research on the topics of intra-peritoneal infections, colon and rectal cancer, and acute pancreatitis, among others. He participated in 49 International Congresses and published approximately fifty scientific articles, five books, and seven videos.

In official travels he visited 22 countries in North, Central, and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia, and conducted educational collaboration in Venezuela for one year.

His extensive culture was manifested especially in his literary production, achieving publication in Extramuros Editions, Magazine of the "José Martí" Library, and also on the CIRURED website.

Awards and Honors:
Manuel Fajardo Medal
250th Anniversary Medal of the University of La Habana
José Tey Medal
Distinction for Cuban Education
Frank País Order II Degree, Lázaro Peña Medal of 3rd Degree
Carlos J. Finlay Order
Lázaro Peña Order of Second Class
National Vanguard (1991-1992-1993-2002-2003-2004-2005-2006-2007 and 2008)
Hero of Labor of the Republic of Cuba
Certificate of Recognition from the Government of Nicaragua
Distinguished Guest of Acapulco, Mexico
Medal of the Pan-American Association of Anatomy
Recognition Plaque from the Ecuadorian Society of Surgery
Francisco de Miranda Order of 2nd Class
"Andrés Bello" Order
Recognition Plaque, awarded by the Institute of Advanced Health Studies "Dr. Arnoldo Gabaldón" of Maracay
Member of Honor of the Venezuelan Society of Medicine and Surgery of Trauma