Fernando González del Valle y Cañizo, Founder of the First Chair of Surgery in Cuba

Abstract

Introduction: It is of fundamental importance to understand the work carried out by figures who have played a prominent role in the history of Cuban medicine. In 2024, the bicentennial of the creation of the first chair of surgery in Cuba (1824) was commemorated, an initiative led by Dr.  Fernando González del Valle y Cañizo (1803–1899).

Objective: To describe the essential aspects of the life and work of Dr. Fernando González del Valle y Cañizo.

Methods: A narrative literature review was  conducted to provide an overview and comprehensive  understanding of the topic, using the most widely used search engines available to the authors—such as Google Scholar and Acimed—as well as scientific journals published by the Cuban Medical Sciences Publishing House.

Methods: In Cuba, Dr. Fernando González del Valle y Cañizo was a pioneer in the introduction of various medical and surgical procedures, such as local anesthesia and the surgical treatment of cancer. He taught for seven decades and went on to become Rector of the University of Havana.

Conclusions: Knowledge of the history of medicine—and of surgery in particular—as well as of the prominent figures in these fields, is fundamental to the professional training of those who are now beginning to practice this science and art.