History of Latin American Dermatology

ALDO EDGAR MARTÍNEZ CAMPOS, JORGE ISAAC NEIRA CUADRAFigure 6.Hermann AllanSchäffer UrbinaFigure 7. Left toright: ErasmoAguilar,HermannSchäffer Urbina,BerthalinaCuevas, FedericoPrado and AldoEdgar MartínezCamposIn 1986, the Higher Office of the Ministry of Health established the goal of decentralizingnational Dermatology. Martínez Campos was selected to found the DermatologyTeaching and Treatment Unit at the Eastern Policlinic, where dermatology residencydoctors carried out their teaching and treatment internships six months a year.In 1991, the Autonomous National University of Nicaragua, Managua, offered him itsrecognition for his ten years as a faculty member at the institution. In 1994, he was a cofounderof the Medical School of the American University, the first private medical universityin Nicaragua; there, he was a co-author of the study plans and programs andfounded the Chairs of Medicine and Labor and of Dermatology. At present, he is a fullprofessor of the latter. He was a member of the Faculty Council and a founder and headof the Graduate Department of that University, offices he gave up in 1999.In 1996, as the General Secretary of the Central American Society of Dermatology, heorganized the Twentieth Central American Congress of Dermatology, in the city of Managua.In 1997, he was appointed Teaching and Research Head of the Ministry of Health.During that year, the Autonomous National University of Nicaragua (Managua) organizedan event in recognition for his invaluable work in the development of graduate coursesin Dermatology. He was the teaching sub-head of the National Dermatology Hospital. In2001, the Medical School of the American University, in recognition of his educationalwork, granted him the Diploma of Honor to Merit.At present, he continues his activity as full professor of the Chair of Dermatology ofthat University. He also continues to participate as a lecturer at national and internationalmedical congresses.Dr. Hermann Allan Schaffer Urbina (1945-1998)In 1980, he was a co-founder of the undergraduate Chair of Dermatology at the MedicalSchool of the Autonomous National University of Nicaragua (Managua). During thatyear, he participated in a field study for the detection of new cases of leprosy in the Chinandegaand Managua departments (Figure 6).His participation was fundamental in the construction and development of the graduateChair of Dermatology, where he participated actively and efficiently in the draftingof the study programs and plans of the specialized field. As an educator, he had the artof knowing how to convey his knowledge, which made him a very respected physician inthe medical community of Nicaragua.He was the teaching sub-head of the present-day Dr. Francisco José Gómez UrcuyoNational Center of Dermatology, a job he performed with great efficiency, which contributedto a better training of residents 12 . (Figure 7).He was a guest professor at many national and international congresses, where hepresented his works and personal experiences. He was the president of theNicaraguan Society of Dermatology and, on two occasions, the associatesecretary for Nicaragua before the Central American Society of Dermatology6 .In 1991, the Autonomous National University of Nicaragua marked itsappreciation for his outstanding work as a faculty member during ten yearsat the institution. In 1999, the Ministry of Health, at a solemn ceremony, unveileda marble plaque at the Auditorium of the National Center of Dermatologyto honor his work as and educator and his life example.He was one of the most important dermatologists Nicaragua has had,and his absence is deeply felt by everyone.278