Fernando Antonio Bermúdez Arias
Encyclopedia
Fernando Antonio Bermúdez Arias (30 May 1933 – 10 December 2007) is one of Venezuela’s most prolific doctor, cardiologist, scientist, writer, teacher, historian, artist and social defender. Born in San Cristobal – Tachira State, he spent most of his life in Maracaibo
, Zulia State, Venezuela
.
). His family moved to Caracas
and then to Maracaibo
in 1940, searching for better work opportunities. He first attended elementary school at "Escuela Experimental Venezuela" and then in Maracaibo at the Instituto Pestalozziano (1941–1947) and finally at Maracaibo’s traditional “Udon Perez” elementary school (1947–1952).
(Universidad del Zulia) where he graduated as a surgeon (July 26, 1958).
While attending medical school, he volunteered at the Pathology anatomy service at Maracaibo’s Sanatorio Antituberculoso and at the Cardiology service at the hospital “Dr. Urquinaona”. He finally served as a resident at the Coromoto’s Hospital up to July 1960.
He applied for a scholarship, which he won, from Venezuela’s public health system (Ministerio de Sanidad y Asistencia Social de Venezuela) to study in Mexico City - Mexico where he specialized as cardiologist at the National Autonomous University of Mexico
(UNAM). During his studies in Mexico
he was mentored by Doctor Ignacio Chavez Sanchez
(one of the most prominent physicians in Mexican history).
While in Mexico he also enrolled at the Phonocardiography and Hemodynamics Service Unit and attended several courses on medical nephropathy, clinical cardiology, superior electrocardiography and external graphical registry.
Given the outstanding performance and effort of his pursuits and their positive impact on the medical community, he is named a correspondent member of the Mexican Cardiology Society (October 15. 1962). He was also appointed as a member of the interns and scholars society at the National Institute of Cardiology of Mexico. Fernando Bermúdez Arias completed his Medical Degree by November 30. 1962.
Was Associate physician at the Central Hospital for the Cardiology services and Blood Bank, physician at the organization for student’s protection at Zulia State University (LUZ) and associate physician at Maracaibo’s “Sanatorio Antituberculoso”. After his studies in Mexico
he was appointed as fellow physician at the Cardiology services of the “Sanatorio Antituberculoso”.
In 1966 Fernando Bermúdez Arias obtained his Doctorate in Medical Science, marked by the completion of his thesis entitled “Interatrial Communication, Clinical Correlation, Phonomecanography, Hemodynamic and Surgical in twelve patients” (“Comunicacion Interauricular, Correlacion Clinica, Fonomecanografia, Hemodinamia y Quirurgica en doce pacientes”).
In 1968 he also became a member of the “Fellow American College of Chest Physicians
” in the United States of America.
Fernando Bermúdez Arias founded several medical services and medical labs: a Phonocardiography laboratory (1963), a Hemodynamic laboratory (1966) and three Echocardiograph services (1972) in Maracaibo’s Central Hospital, Maracaibo’s South General Hospital and at Policlinica Maracaibo. He had a private office at Policlinica Maracaibo where he practiced Cardiology for over 32 consecutive years.
Among his prominent scientific activities are: several studies on pediatric preparation, infant radiology and medical hypnotism.
Was a very active participant in medical and scientific events at a national and international level. He participated in over 200 scientific congresses and related events. He published more than 150 investigative studies and was guest speaker of over 200 conferences. Among other scientific studies, the most note-worthy are: “La Cinecoronariografía Selectiva”, “Doble Fistula Coronaria Derecha a Ventriculo Izquierdo” (first Works on this subject in Zulia State -1972), and “El enfermo Funcional en Cardiologia” (1981).
In 1983 he coordinated a round table on Isquemic Cardiopathy in the 2nd Biannual meeting of the Zulia State Medical Academy.
He also created the 'F-Cap diet': Chronobiologic, antirust, polarizing (hypo-sodic and hyper-potassium)
Was a professor at the Zulia State University (LUZ), teaching “History of Medicine” (1985–1991). He also served as adviser for several postgraduate and Clinical Cardiological studies in the area of Biochemistry.
Participated as a vocal member of the Venezuelan Atherosclerosis Association (AVA) from 1992–1994. Then, from 1996 to 2000, he served as Vice-President and from 2000 to 2003 as President of the institution. He also founded the Zulia State chapter of the Venezuelan Atherosclerosis Association – Zulia (AVA-Zulia).
Worked mentor of electrocardiography at the Cardiology postgraduate course at the Zulia State University (LUZ). He was active participant at the biochemistry-metabolic “Dr. Felix Gomez” (CIEM) research center in Maracaibo.
Dr. Fernando Bermúdez Arias was permanent member of the Venezuelan Cardiologist Society and was an active collaborator for its Zulia State Chapter. He also belonged to the Venezuelan Critics Society, the SIBIC of Mexico, the Venezuelan Agiology Society, National Society of Medicine History and served as President and founder of the Zulian Center of Medicine History (1984–1986).
On November 20, 2003 Dr. Fernando Bermúdez Arias is given the honor to have a "Permanent correspondent seat (Seat No. 13) at the Venezuelan National Academy of Medicine" after the presentation of his work “La recuperacion del Miocardio Hibernado mejora el pronostico de la Cardiopatía Isquémica Metabolica”. He was also an emeritus member of the Zulia State Medical Academy. He was also an honorary member, as a physician, of the Honorable Auronautical Fire Fighters Institution - Zulia State.
He also was a prolific writer and belonged to the Venezuelan Writers Association, writing over 20 books. Among his most outstanding titles are:
Fernando Bermúdez Arias was a humble and outstanding professional in his field. He died from kidney failure on December 10., 2007. His remains rest in Maracaibo
– Zulia
State at the “Jardines La Chinita” cemetery.
Maracaibo
Maracaibo is a city and municipality located in northwestern Venezuela off the western coast of the Lake Maracaibo. It is the second-largest city in the country after the national capital Caracas and the capital of Zulia state...
, Zulia State, Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
.
Early life
Only son of Soledad Arias de Bermudez (Merchant and Teacher) and Eduardo Bermúdez (Tax Accountant). Fernando Antonio Bermúdez Arias was born in the Venezuelan Andes (City of San Cristóbal, TáchiraSan Cristóbal, Táchira
San Cristóbal is the capital city of the Venezuelan state of Táchira. It is located in a mountainous region of Western Venezuela. The city is situated 818 m/2,625 ft above sea level in the northern Andes overlooking the Torbes River, 56 km/35 mi from the Colombian border. San...
). His family moved to Caracas
Caracas
Caracas , officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English . It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range...
and then to Maracaibo
Maracaibo
Maracaibo is a city and municipality located in northwestern Venezuela off the western coast of the Lake Maracaibo. It is the second-largest city in the country after the national capital Caracas and the capital of Zulia state...
in 1940, searching for better work opportunities. He first attended elementary school at "Escuela Experimental Venezuela" and then in Maracaibo at the Instituto Pestalozziano (1941–1947) and finally at Maracaibo’s traditional “Udon Perez” elementary school (1947–1952).
Academic Background
He enrolled in Venezuela’s Central University (Universidad Central de Venezuela) for his first three years of medical school and then at University of ZuliaUniversity of Zulia
The University of Zulia , is a public university whose Main Campus is located in the city of Maracaibo, Venezuela...
(Universidad del Zulia) where he graduated as a surgeon (July 26, 1958).
While attending medical school, he volunteered at the Pathology anatomy service at Maracaibo’s Sanatorio Antituberculoso and at the Cardiology service at the hospital “Dr. Urquinaona”. He finally served as a resident at the Coromoto’s Hospital up to July 1960.
He applied for a scholarship, which he won, from Venezuela’s public health system (Ministerio de Sanidad y Asistencia Social de Venezuela) to study in Mexico City - Mexico where he specialized as cardiologist at the National Autonomous University of Mexico
National Autonomous University of Mexico
The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México is a university in Mexico. UNAM was founded on 22 September 1910 by Justo Sierra as a liberal alternative to the Roman Catholic-sponsored Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) (National Autonomous...
(UNAM). During his studies in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
he was mentored by Doctor Ignacio Chavez Sanchez
Ignacio Chávez Sánchez
Dr. Ignacio Chávez Sánchez was a prominent Mexican physician.-Education and professional career:...
(one of the most prominent physicians in Mexican history).
While in Mexico he also enrolled at the Phonocardiography and Hemodynamics Service Unit and attended several courses on medical nephropathy, clinical cardiology, superior electrocardiography and external graphical registry.
Given the outstanding performance and effort of his pursuits and their positive impact on the medical community, he is named a correspondent member of the Mexican Cardiology Society (October 15. 1962). He was also appointed as a member of the interns and scholars society at the National Institute of Cardiology of Mexico. Fernando Bermúdez Arias completed his Medical Degree by November 30. 1962.
Professional career
Among other highlights of his professional career he:Was Associate physician at the Central Hospital for the Cardiology services and Blood Bank, physician at the organization for student’s protection at Zulia State University (LUZ) and associate physician at Maracaibo’s “Sanatorio Antituberculoso”. After his studies in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
he was appointed as fellow physician at the Cardiology services of the “Sanatorio Antituberculoso”.
In 1966 Fernando Bermúdez Arias obtained his Doctorate in Medical Science, marked by the completion of his thesis entitled “Interatrial Communication, Clinical Correlation, Phonomecanography, Hemodynamic and Surgical in twelve patients” (“Comunicacion Interauricular, Correlacion Clinica, Fonomecanografia, Hemodinamia y Quirurgica en doce pacientes”).
In 1968 he also became a member of the “Fellow American College of Chest Physicians
American College of Chest Physicians
The American College of Chest Physicians is a medical organization in the United States consisting of physicians and non-physician specialists in the field of chest medicine, which includes pulmonology, thoracic surgery, and critical care medicine....
” in the United States of America.
Fernando Bermúdez Arias founded several medical services and medical labs: a Phonocardiography laboratory (1963), a Hemodynamic laboratory (1966) and three Echocardiograph services (1972) in Maracaibo’s Central Hospital, Maracaibo’s South General Hospital and at Policlinica Maracaibo. He had a private office at Policlinica Maracaibo where he practiced Cardiology for over 32 consecutive years.
Among his prominent scientific activities are: several studies on pediatric preparation, infant radiology and medical hypnotism.
Was a very active participant in medical and scientific events at a national and international level. He participated in over 200 scientific congresses and related events. He published more than 150 investigative studies and was guest speaker of over 200 conferences. Among other scientific studies, the most note-worthy are: “La Cinecoronariografía Selectiva”, “Doble Fistula Coronaria Derecha a Ventriculo Izquierdo” (first Works on this subject in Zulia State -1972), and “El enfermo Funcional en Cardiologia” (1981).
In 1983 he coordinated a round table on Isquemic Cardiopathy in the 2nd Biannual meeting of the Zulia State Medical Academy.
He also created the 'F-Cap diet': Chronobiologic, antirust, polarizing (hypo-sodic and hyper-potassium)
Was a professor at the Zulia State University (LUZ), teaching “History of Medicine” (1985–1991). He also served as adviser for several postgraduate and Clinical Cardiological studies in the area of Biochemistry.
Participated as a vocal member of the Venezuelan Atherosclerosis Association (AVA) from 1992–1994. Then, from 1996 to 2000, he served as Vice-President and from 2000 to 2003 as President of the institution. He also founded the Zulia State chapter of the Venezuelan Atherosclerosis Association – Zulia (AVA-Zulia).
Worked mentor of electrocardiography at the Cardiology postgraduate course at the Zulia State University (LUZ). He was active participant at the biochemistry-metabolic “Dr. Felix Gomez” (CIEM) research center in Maracaibo.
Dr. Fernando Bermúdez Arias was permanent member of the Venezuelan Cardiologist Society and was an active collaborator for its Zulia State Chapter. He also belonged to the Venezuelan Critics Society, the SIBIC of Mexico, the Venezuelan Agiology Society, National Society of Medicine History and served as President and founder of the Zulian Center of Medicine History (1984–1986).
On November 20, 2003 Dr. Fernando Bermúdez Arias is given the honor to have a "Permanent correspondent seat (Seat No. 13) at the Venezuelan National Academy of Medicine" after the presentation of his work “La recuperacion del Miocardio Hibernado mejora el pronostico de la Cardiopatía Isquémica Metabolica”. He was also an emeritus member of the Zulia State Medical Academy. He was also an honorary member, as a physician, of the Honorable Auronautical Fire Fighters Institution - Zulia State.
He also was a prolific writer and belonged to the Venezuelan Writers Association, writing over 20 books. Among his most outstanding titles are:
- Angina de Pecho e infarto al miocardio. Diagnostico, prevencion y tratamiento.
- El enfermo funcional en cardiologia. Un enfoque psicosomatico.
- Conozca y cuide su Corazon.
- Las miocardiopatias.
- Forjadores de una historia. Autores medicina y universidad del Zulia.
- Medicina sin fronteras.
- El mundo desconocido de la Alimentacion.
- Electrocardiografia Diagnostica.
- Cuenca y la Cardiologia Zuliana: Pioneros en Venezuela.
- El mensaje de los Medicos.
- Cardiopatia Isquemica.
Awards and recognitions
Among other awards and recognitions Dr. Fernando Bermúdez Arias received:- Luis Razetti Award (1966)
- Dr. Adolfo D´Empaire Award (1978 and 1980)
- Joaquín Esteva Parra (1976 y en 1981)
- Andres Bello Award (Orden Andres Bello)
- Health Cross (Cruz de la Sanidad)
- Health Merit (Mérito en Salud)
- Scientific Activities Award at the X Interamerican Congress of Cardiology – Honorific Mention (Premio Actividades Cientificas del X Congreso Interamericano de Cardiologia - Mencion Honorifica)
- Zulia State Legislation Award - 1976 (Premio de la Asamblea Legislativa del Estado Zulia – 1976)
Family
While in Mexico, Fernando Bermúdez Arias met whom would be his wife for over 40 years, born in Uruapan – Michoacan in Mexico, Ms. Maria Cristina Caravia Andrade(†). They were married on May 1963, and established permanent residence in Maracaibo – Venezuela. They had three children: Sara Angelica, Carlos Francisco and Alejandro Jose Bermúdez Caravia, whom he taught, up to the last moment of his life, the great importance of values, courage, fighting for one's own ideas and goals, and defending one's ideals and beliefs. He was an excellent son, father, grand father, godfather and husband, but also a hard-working, understanding and beloved human being.Fernando Bermúdez Arias was a humble and outstanding professional in his field. He died from kidney failure on December 10., 2007. His remains rest in Maracaibo
Maracaibo
Maracaibo is a city and municipality located in northwestern Venezuela off the western coast of the Lake Maracaibo. It is the second-largest city in the country after the national capital Caracas and the capital of Zulia state...
– Zulia
Zulia
Zulia State is one of the 23 states of Venezuela. The state capital is Maracaibo. In June 30, 2010, it had an estimated population of 3,821,068, giving it the largest population among Venezuela's states. It is located in the northwestern part of the country...
State at the “Jardines La Chinita” cemetery.
External links
- Academia Nacional de Medicina - Venezuela
- Libreria Universitaria On-Line - España
- Red de Revistas Científicas de América Latina y el Caribe, España y Portugal - Sistema de Información Científica Redalyc - Latino América
- CENTRO DE INVESTIGACIONES ENDOCRINO-METABÓLICAS "Dr. FÉLIX GÓMEZ - Venezuela"
- Fondo Nacional de Ciencia Tecnología e Información - Venezuela
- Diaz de Santos Editores - España