Lya Imber facts for kids

Lya Imber (1914–1981) was a very important doctor who specialized in helping children. She was a pioneer in medicine in Venezuela.

Lya Imber was born in Odessa, Ukraine, on March 17, 1914. She passed away from cancer in Caracas, Venezuela, on September 23, 1981. She was a famous pediatrician, which means a children's doctor. She also became the vice president of UNICEF, an organization that helps children around the world.

Her Early Life and Education

Lya Imber's parents, Naúm Imber and Ana Barú, moved from Soroca (Moldova) to Venezuela when Lya was 16 years old. Her sister, Sofía, also came with them. Lya studied very hard and graduated from the Central University of Venezuela in 1936. She earned a special degree called Doctor of Medical Sciences. She was the first woman in Venezuela to achieve this! She was also the first woman to be on the board of the Medical School of the Federal District.

A Pioneer in Medicine

Lya Imber helped start the Venezuelan Society of Childcare and Pediatrics. This group focuses on the health and well-being of children. She was the treasurer of its first board from 1939 to 1941. Later, she became the president of the society from 1949 to 1951.

She worked at the Municipal Children's Hospital Dr. José Manuel De Los Ríos for many years. She started as a resident doctor, then became a deputy and head of internal medicine. By 1954, she was the Head of Service, leading a whole team of doctors.

Helping Children's Mental Health

Lya Imber also cared a lot about children's mental health. She was the director of the First Clinic of Child Mental Hygiene for the Ministry of Health and Welfare from 1956 to 1958. In 1941, she founded the League of Mental Hygiene. She later served as its president from 1972 to 1976. This shows her dedication to helping children in every way possible.

Lya Imber had two children, María Elena and Fernando Coronil.

Her Writings

Lya Imber wrote many important works about her medical specialties. These books and articles shared her knowledge and helped other doctors. Some of her published works include:

• Treatment of Bilharziasis (1954)
• Development of Childcare and Pediatrics in Venezuela from 1926 to 1955
• Post-vaccinial Encephalitis (written with other doctors)
• Study of Some Cases of Anemia in Childhood (1947)
• The Problem of Rehospitalization and Some Problems of Hospital Assistance for Children
• The Mental Health of Children (written with other doctors)
• My Notebook of Childcare (1978)
• Compilation of her Scientific Dissemination Articles (1959)
• Scientific Articles on diario El Nacional (1980), which included topics like:
  • Hunger in Venezuela
  • Quiet Children
  • Breast Milk

See also

In Spanish: Lya Ímber de Coronil para niños