Ignacio Chávez Sánchez facts for kids

Tomb of Ignacio Chávez in the Panteon Civil de Dolores cemetery in Mexico City

Ignacio Chávez Sánchez was a very important Mexican doctor, especially known for his work with hearts. He was also a great teacher and a leader in education. He helped start many important medical groups and even led Mexico's biggest university. He was born on January 31, 1897, in Zirándaro, Guerrero, and passed away on July 13, 1979, in Mexico City.

Becoming a Heart Doctor

Ignacio Chávez studied at the Colegio de San Nicolás and later at the School of Medicine in Morelia. He earned his medical degree in 1920. After that, he became the leader, or rector, of the Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo for a short time.

He taught medicine in Morelia and then in Mexico City. Dr. Chávez decided to specialize in cardiology, which is the study of the heart. He went to Paris, France, from 1921 to 1927 to learn from famous heart doctors like Henri Vasquez and Charles Laubry. He also visited clinics in other European cities to see how they worked.

Building Medical Centers

When he returned to Mexico, Dr. Chávez did amazing things. In 1924, he started the very first Department of Cardiology at the General Hospital of Mexico. This was a big step for heart medicine in the country. He also served as the director of this hospital from 1936 to 1939.

His biggest achievement in this area was founding the National Institute of Cardiology in 1944. This was the first hospital in Mexico completely dedicated to heart health. He led this institute for many years, helping countless patients and training new doctors.

Leading Universities and Organizations

Dr. Chávez was also a respected leader in education. He was the head of the National School of Medicine from 1933 to 1934. Later, he became the rector of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, which is one of the largest universities in the world. He held this important position from 1965 to 1966.

He was very active in setting up medical societies. In 1935, he founded the Mexican Society of Cardiology. He also helped create the Interamerican Society of Cardiology in 1946, connecting heart doctors across the Americas. That same year, he helped start the International Society of Cardiology, a global organization. He even helped organize the fourth World Congress of Cardiology in Mexico City in 1962.

Awards and Recognition

Ignacio Chávez received many awards and honors for his important work. Some of these include:

• The National Order of the Honor Legion from France (received three times).
• The Manuel Ávila Camacho Science Award in 1945.
• The Mexico City Medal to the Civic Merit in 1945.
• The National Science Award in 1961.
• The American College of Physicians Gold Medal in 1963.
• The Belisario Domínguez Medal in 1975, which is one of Mexico's highest honors.

Many universities around the world, about 95 of them, gave him honorary doctorates or made him an honorary rector. A statue of him was unveiled in 1980 in a park named after him in Mexico City, honoring his legacy.

Writings

Dr. Chávez also wrote several books and articles about medicine and culture. Some of his works include:

• Lecciones de clínica cardiológica (Lessons on Clinical Cardiology) (1931)
• Enfermedades del corazón, cirugía y embarazo (Heart diseases, surgery and pregnancy) (1945)
• México en la cultura médica (Mexico in Medical Culture) (1947)

See also

In Spanish: Ignacio Chávez Sánchez para niños