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Puerto Rican League Against Cancer787-763-4149onegron@ligacancerpr.orgBo. Monacillo #150, Ave. Américo MirandaMetropolitan Medical Center Area
Dr. Isaac Gonzalez Martinez

OUR FOUNDER

Dr. Isaac Gonzalez Martinez

1904
1904

1904

During his research work, he examined a stool sample from two young Mayagϋezan patients and found very different eggs. His interest led him to follow the clinical course of the patient and when they died, he performed an autopsy and found the eggs of the "Bilharzia" in the vessels of the intestine, with changes in the liver, as it is known in Puerto Rico. Bilharzia, later defined as Bilharziosis, was discovered in Europe by Theodor Ma ximilian Bilharz, who gave the genus its name. This disease is epidemic in Africa and was probably introduced in the island in the times of slavery with the blacks coming from Angola, Congo and Cafrería. In the medical report made by Dr. Isaac Gonzalez Martinez to the Medical Association of Puerto Rico, was the first description of the disease "intestinal Bilharziosis" in America, whose publication toured all medical libraries and researchers around the world. He was appointed as Special Commissioner for the clinical and bacteriological diagnosis of some cases of leprosy in Aguadilla and an epidemic of typhoid fever in Mayagϋez. In Arecibo he discovered the first case of a new species of "Distomatosis Hepatica" in a peasant.

1905

1905

The discovery of the "Intestinal Schistosotomiasis (Bilharzia)" in the American continent is officially confirmed. Together with Dr. Pedro Malaret, they create the Municipal Commission for the Study of "Uncinariasis and Bilharzia" in the city of Mayagϋez.

1906

1906

With Dr. Malaret, he established a dispensary for the diagnosis and treatment of the tropical anemia, "Uncinariasis", a research subject of Dr. Bailey K. Ashford.

1907

1907

The second Anemia Commission of Puerto Rico is officially founded. Dr. González Martínez's great contribution to the international medical world is recognized.

1909

1909

Moved to the capital city of San Juan, was appointed Island Director of the Biology Laboratory at the island level and member of the Board of Medical Examiners.

1911

1911

Presented the first case of "Ainhun" on the island at a meeting of doctors of the San Juan Municipal Beneficence. He was appointed Director of the Island Biological Laboratory.

1912

1912

An epidemic of bubonic plague occurred in Puerto Rico. His experience in Lisbon, Portugal allowed him to carry out his bacteriological diagnosis in 48 hours, eradicating it, a feat never before accomplished in the history of this disease. Founded with his great friend, Dr. Ramón Ruiz Arnau, the medical journal "Anales Médicos de Puerto Rico".

1913
1913

1913

He discovers on the island, the condition of "Canine Piroplasmosis", which is transmitted through the tick that also gives it to other animals. In the photo taken at Finca San Andres in Utuado appear the health leaders of the time who together made great contributions to the country, from left to right: Dr. Bailey K. Ashford, Founder of the Institute of Tropical Medicine; Dr. Bailey K. Ashford, Founder of the Institute of Tropical Medicine; Dr. Bailey K. Ashford, Founder of the Institute of Tropical Medicine. Ashford, Founder of the Institute of Tropical Medicine; Dr. Federico Trilla Aguiar, Surgeon; Dr. Pedro Malaret, Executive Secretary of the Anemia Commission; Dr. King, U.S. Navy; Dr. William F. Lippit, First Commissioner of Health, under the Jones Act; Dr. Isaac González Martínez, Co-Founder of the Institute; Dr. Pedro Gutiérrez Ygaravides, Co-Founder of the Institute; Dr. Ric. Mestre of Mayagüez.

1914

1914

Dr. Gonzalez Martinez and his colleague, Dr. Pedro Malaret, join in crusade in the diagnosis and treatment of anemia typical of the tropical zone, research undertaken by the North American Dr. Bailey K. Ashford, together with a group of outstanding physicians. Ashford, together with a group of distinguished physicians, founded the Institute of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, replacing the Anemia Commission.

1916

1916

He chairs the Science Section of the Ateneo Puertorriqueño.

1917

1917

Presides over the Academy of Medicine of Puerto Rico. Moves to France and begins studying Radiology at the School of Medicine of the University of Paris.

1919

1919

He was conferred the title of Radiologist with outstanding grades. Became a member of the French Society of Radiology. He passed a course in Urology from the Necker School of the University of Paris, obtaining the title of Urinary Tract Monitor from the School of Medicine of the University of Paris. He graduated in Applied Bacteriology at the aforementioned university in Paris, which allowed him to be associated with the Pasteur Institute. He arrives on the island and is named President of the Medical Association of Puerto Rico. Dr. Jorge del Toro, eminent surgeon of the Surgical Department of the Municipal Hospital of San Juan, together with Dr. Manuel Diaz Garcia, noticed and denounced the frequency of patients with cancer disease, which led to the emergence of different theories about cancer disease. Dr. González occupied the position of Director of the Insular Biological Laboratory.

1922

1922

Invited to the Annual Meeting of the "American Roentgen Rays Society" in St. Paul, Minnesota where he is recognized for his work. Dr. Isaac Gonzalez motivated by his thirst to discover the unknown is that a new challenge was born in his life. He wanted to expand his knowledge in the application of X-rays as a treatment for cancer patients, because he was not satisfied with what he had acquired so far. He travels to the United States with the intention of acquiring equipment with more technological advances. Dr. Manuel De La Pila Iglesias de Ponce raises the need for the government to establish a Cancer Institute, a project that was supported by Dr. Isaac Gonzalez Martinez, but this request was not heeded in the corresponding spheres. Years went by and Dr. Gonzalez continued arduously advocating for this project to become a reality, but the government maintained its position.

1926

1926

Inauguration of the School of Tropical Medicine. Dr. Gonzalez becomes a consultant in Radiology.

1927

1927

Enrolled at the Medical School of Ehrlangen, Germany, where he learned to handle new techniques in the treatment of breast and womb cancer. He travels to the Medical School of Strasbourg, Vienna, where he expands his knowledge in bladder cancer. In this tour of the Old Continent, he could not miss an educational stop in the city of Seine, Paris, nothing less than at the Curie Institute, to study the wonders of radium in cancer patients, being one of the first disciples of this institution. There he met with the highest eminences in this field. This is how Dr. Gonzalez Martinez prepares himself to face this new challenge, the treatment for the cancer disease that continued to increase in Puerto Rico. He returns to the island and begins to treat cancer using the methods acquired in France, based on the premise that "Prevention and Early Diagnosis" should be our major focus. He dedicates himself fully to treating cancer patients and after six years of offering treatment and studying cancer as such, he presents his first communication to the Medical Association of Puerto Rico on the observations and...

1929

1929

He was appointed Chief of Radiology at the Diaz Garcia Clinic, located where the Pavia Hospital in Santurce is currently located.

1938

1938

Founded the Puerto Rican League Against Cancer. Diplomate of the American Board of Radiology and is designated Fellow of the American College of Radiology.

1941

1941

Mrs. Mendoza de Muñoz Marín begins the groundbreaking ceremony for the projected League Against Cancer Hospital. To her left is Miss Gloria Campos; to the far left is Mrs. Ana de Oliveras Guerra; and to the far right is Dr. César A. Toro, current president of the League. At that time, Dr. Isaac González Martínez was hospitalized in very delicate health, so he was represented by the First Lady of the Country, Mrs. Inés Mendoza de Muñoz Marín.

1941
1941

1941

Mrs. Mendoza de Muñoz Marín begins the ceremony of laying the first stone for the projected Hospital of the Liga Contra el Cáncer (League Against Cancer). To her left is Miss Gloria Campos; to the extreme left, Mrs. Ana de Oliveras Guerra; and to the extreme right, Lic. César A. Toro, current president of the League. By that date, Dr. Isaac González Martínez was hospitalized in very poor health, for which he was represented by the First Lady of the Country, Mrs. Inés Mendoza de Muñoz Marín.

1954

20 April 1954

On April 20, 1954, Dr. Isaac González Martínez died in a deep sleep, with his glasses on, the lamp lit and in his hands he held an open science book, "Luminiscence and the Scintillation Counters". His life is noted for his research career and medical wisdom both locally and internationally. The discoveries and achievements of Dr. Isaac Gonzalez Martinez were impressive and of great impact throughout the island. Since founding the Puerto Rican League Against Cancer, his medical career took a turn towards research and treatment for the disease of cancer. Dr. Isaac Gonzalez Martinez gave back to his homeland his scientific knowledge. He created a concept of comprehensive care for cancer patients by providing specialised services under a single institution, ahead of the times. He worked until his last day and studied until the moment of his departure. His departure caused a great stir in the print media, to the extent that there was mourning in the Senate and the House of Representatives. Copies of reviews follow.

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