History of Latin American Dermatology

History of Nicaraguan Dermatology• Dr. Orlando Sarria Berríos, who graduated in Mexico.• Dr. Aldo Edgar Martínez Campos returned to Nicaragua in 1977, after having graduatedin Argentina.• Dr. Federico Prado Rocha, who graduated in France, returned to our country in1979. He was a co-founder of the undergraduate and graduate Chairs of Dermatology atthe Autonomous National University of Nicaragua (León and Managua, respectively). Hewas also a co-founder of the National Dermatology Hospital. In 1991, the AutonomousNational University of Nicaragua, Managua, marked its appreciation for his eight yearsas a faculty member of the institution. During 1997-98, he was the Deputy Minister ofHealth. He has participated as a Guest Professor in various national congresses.• Dr. Hermann Allan Schaffer Urbina returned to Nicaragua in 1980, after havinggraduated in Uruguay.• Dr. Marlene Parra García, who returned in 1985, graduated in Mexico in the specializedsubfield in Pediatrical Dermatology, becoming the first pediatric dermatologist inthe country. From 1996 to 1999 she was the coordinator of the graduate Dermatologycourse at the Dr. Francisco José Gómez Urcuyo National Center of Dermatology. Since1992, she is full professor of the undergraduate Chair of Dermatology of the AutonomousNational University of Nicaragua Medical School, in Managua. She has participated as aGuest Professor in many national congresses.All these dermatologists, as well as others who have not been mentioned here, haveworked responsibly and with love for Nicaraguan dermatology. But we consider it necessaryto issue special recognition for some of them who have stood out through theyears for their outstanding dedication and delivery.Outstanding personalities■ Outstanding personalitiesDr. Jorge García EsquivelHe stood out for his work as the head doctor of the Leprosy Asylum (1951-1970), thename of which was changed under his administration to “St. Lazarus Sanatorium.” Heintroduced to Nicaragua the first effective treatment against leprosy, the sulfones (DDS).He began the first field-study treatment to treat non-hospitalized patients, and, with thesupport of Dr. Rodolfo Matus, a plastic surgeon, conducted the first reconstructive surgeriesfor patients who needed them. He was the first Nicaraguan specialist to report hisdermatological experiences at national and international congresses. He was a foundingmember of the Nicaraguan Society of Dermatology and the General Secretary of the CentralAmerican Society of Dermatology; as such, in 1976 he organized the Tenth CentralAmerican Congress of Dermatology. He was also on several occasions president of theNicaraguan Society of Dermatology.Dr. Francisco José Gómez Urcuyo (1943-1995)Figure 2.Francisco JoséGómez UrcuyoHe was one of the most outstanding dermatologists seen in Nicaragua, and his prematureabsence was an irreparable loss. He devoted a large part of his life as a dermatologistto leprosy patients, with scientific and mystical capability, with love anddedication. He was the head of the St. Lazarus Sanatorium from 1976 to 1981, and a cofounderand encourager of the founding of the National Dermatology Hospital that currentlycarries his name in just homage to his memory, for the arduous task he began onFebruary 1, 1978. From that moment on, the hospital underwent an important transformationin its physical and medical structures, producing an improvement in the hygiene275