Manuel De la Pila Iglesias
Encyclopedia
Dr. Manuel de la Pila Iglesias (1882 – October 5, 1950) was a Puerto Rican
physician practicing in Ponce, Puerto Rico
. He was a physician who specialized in a half-dozen medical specialities. He founded a medical clinic
in Ponce that grew into a large medical center. Dr. Manuel de la Pila Iglesias is considered "one of the giants of Puerto Rican medicine". He was one of the leaders behind the development of the School of Medicine of the University of Puerto Rico
.
.
, Dr. de la Pila started his journey through specialization into many areas of medicine. He went to the San Antoine Hospital in Paris, the Mayo Clinic
in Minnesota
, the Laboratory for Technical Surgery in Chicago, the Philadelphia Hospital in Pennsylvania
, and the Hamburg Hospital in Germany. Afterwards, he studied electrocardiography in Berlin, otorhinolaryngology in Vienna
, and allergy
in Venezuela
and Cuba
.
, which had been built in 1875. He also practiced at the San Lucas Hospital and the Ponce Santo Asilo de Damas Hospital, where he became medical director
. An X-ray
machine Dr. de la Pila purchased in the United States in 1913 was the first such machine in Ponce. He also later acquired an EKG machine in Germany. It is believed this was the first EKG in Puerto Rico.
. Dr. de la Pila implemented various novel and experimental treatments in Puerto Rico earning him a reputation as the physician of physicians.
. The highly regarded Dr. de la Pila was chosen many times to attend national and international medical congresses as a delegate from Puerto Rico. He was even honored into the Order of the Knights of Saint Gregory by Pope Pius XI
as evidenced in the photograph displayed to this day at the Museo de la Historia de Ponce
.
. Appointed by UPR Rector Jaime Benitez, Dr. de la Pila Iglesias was one of the major leaders in the study that later made possible de creation of the medical school that for many decades was the only school graduating physicians in Puerto Rico. The maginitude of his work was felt for many years after his death.
, as he returned from a meeting of the Puerto Rico Medical Association.
in that city, still carries its name. There is also a high school in Ponce named after Dr. Pila. In addition, also in Ponce, there is a public housing development named to his memory. He is also recognized for his contributions to medicine at the Ponce Park for the Illustrious Ponce Citizens.
Puerto Rican people
A Puerto Rican is a person who was born in Puerto Rico.Puerto Ricans born and raised in the continental United States are also sometimes referred to as Puerto Ricans, although they were not born in Puerto Rico...
physician practicing in Ponce, Puerto Rico
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Ponce is both a city and a municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico. The city is the seat of the municipal government.The city of Ponce, the fourth most populated in Puerto Rico, and the most populated outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, is named for Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the...
. He was a physician who specialized in a half-dozen medical specialities. He founded a medical clinic
Clinic
A clinic is a health care facility that is primarily devoted to the care of outpatients...
in Ponce that grew into a large medical center. Dr. Manuel de la Pila Iglesias is considered "one of the giants of Puerto Rican medicine". He was one of the leaders behind the development of the School of Medicine of the University of Puerto Rico
University of Puerto Rico
The University of Puerto Rico is the state university system of Puerto Rico. The system consists of 11 campuses and has approximately 64,511 students and 5,300 faculty members...
.
Early years
Manuel de la Pila Iglesias was born in Cádiz, Spain, in 1882. After the death of his father and brother, he moved to Ponce with his mother. He was brought up in the home of his uncle on his mother's side, Dr. Iglesias, whom he came to admire and on whose footsteps he later follow. He studied at the Colegio Central Ponceño (Ponce Central High School) and upon graduation traveled to Spain to study medicine at the University of BarcelonaUniversity of Barcelona
The University of Barcelona is a public university located in the city of Barcelona, Catalonia in Spain. It is a member of the Coimbra Group, LERU, European University Association, Mediterranean Universities Union, International Research Universities Network and Vives Network...
.
Medical studies
After receiving his medical degreeDoctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
, Dr. de la Pila started his journey through specialization into many areas of medicine. He went to the San Antoine Hospital in Paris, the Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical practice and medical research group specializing in treating difficult patients . Patients are referred to Mayo Clinic from across the U.S. and the world, and it is known for innovative and effective treatments. Mayo Clinic is known for being at the top of...
in Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
, the Laboratory for Technical Surgery in Chicago, the Philadelphia Hospital in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, and the Hamburg Hospital in Germany. Afterwards, he studied electrocardiography in Berlin, otorhinolaryngology in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, and allergy
Allergy
An Allergy is a hypersensitivity disorder of the immune system. Allergic reactions occur when a person's immune system reacts to normally harmless substances in the environment. A substance that causes a reaction is called an allergen. These reactions are acquired, predictable, and rapid...
in 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...
and Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
.
Medical practice
In 1917, Dr. de la Pila Iglesias returned to Ponce to start his prolific professional career. He first worked as a municipal government physician at Ponce's Tricoche Municipal HospitalAlbergue Caritativo Tricoche
The Albergue Caritativo Tricoche or Hospital Tricoche is a historic building located on Tricoche street in Ponce, Puerto Rico, in the city's historic district. The articulated Classical revival style building dates from 1885. It was designed by the Spanish Royal Corps of Engineers...
, which had been built in 1875. He also practiced at the San Lucas Hospital and the Ponce Santo Asilo de Damas Hospital, where he became medical director
Medical director
As laboratory director,means that you are responsible for the overall operation and administration of the laboratory, including the employment of competentqualified personnel. Even though you have the option to delegate some...
. An X-ray
X-ray
X-radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation. X-rays have a wavelength in the range of 0.01 to 10 nanometers, corresponding to frequencies in the range 30 petahertz to 30 exahertz and energies in the range 120 eV to 120 keV. They are shorter in wavelength than UV rays and longer than gamma...
machine Dr. de la Pila purchased in the United States in 1913 was the first such machine in Ponce. He also later acquired an EKG machine in Germany. It is believed this was the first EKG in Puerto Rico.
Foundations
In 1925, Dr. de la Pila founded the Dr. Pila Surgical Clinic in Ponce. A few years later he founded the Mercedes Hospital and the Central Clinic to provide medical care to low income families. In 1929 he founded the Children's Catholic Dispensatory. He also worked for the Federal Public Health at the barrio Playa de PoncePlaya (Ponce)
La Playa de Ponce, Ponce Playa, La Playa, or simply Playa, is one of the thirty-one barrios that comprise the municipality of Ponce, Puerto Rico. Along with Bucaná, Canas, Vayas, and Capitanejo, Playa is one of the municipality's five coastal barrios...
. Dr. de la Pila implemented various novel and experimental treatments in Puerto Rico earning him a reputation as the physician of physicians.
Medical insurance legislation
Dr. de la Pila's efforts at the Puerto Rico Legislature resulted in the first medical insurance plan in the island: Cruz Azul de Puerto Rico. The plan provided help to working people and middle class individuals in the payment of medical expenses.Civic and social activities
He was also involved in the civic and social environment in Ponce. In 1919 he was amongst the founders of the Ponce Rotary Club, the second such club on the Island. He also founded the Ponce Country Club.Representative in the medical community
Dr. de la Pila was heavily involved in the Puerto Rico Medical Association, becoming its president during a two-year term. He was also a delegate from Puerto Rico in the American Medical AssociationAmerican Medical Association
The American Medical Association , founded in 1847 and incorporated in 1897, is the largest association of medical doctors and medical students in the United States.-Scope and operations:...
. The highly regarded Dr. de la Pila was chosen many times to attend national and international medical congresses as a delegate from Puerto Rico. He was even honored into the Order of the Knights of Saint Gregory by Pope Pius XI
Pope Pius XI
Pope Pius XI , born Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti, was Pope from 6 February 1922, and sovereign of Vatican City from its creation as an independent state on 11 February 1929 until his death on 10 February 1939...
as evidenced in the photograph displayed to this day at the Museo de la Historia de Ponce
Museo de la Historia de Ponce
The Museo de la Historia de Ponce is a museum in the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico, depicting the city's ecology, economy, architecture, government, and elements of daily life. Inaugurated in 1992, it was the first museum in Puerto Rico established to cover the history of the people of a town or city...
.
University of Puerto Rico Medical School
Among the many contributions of Dr. de la Pila was his involvement on the establishment and development of the medical school at the University of Puerto RicoUniversity of Puerto Rico
The University of Puerto Rico is the state university system of Puerto Rico. The system consists of 11 campuses and has approximately 64,511 students and 5,300 faculty members...
. Appointed by UPR Rector Jaime Benitez, Dr. de la Pila Iglesias was one of the major leaders in the study that later made possible de creation of the medical school that for many decades was the only school graduating physicians in Puerto Rico. The maginitude of his work was felt for many years after his death.
Death
Dr. de la Pila died on Octobre 5, 1950, in a tragic automobile accident in Cayey, Puerto RicoCayey, Puerto Rico
Cayey is a mountain town in central Puerto Rico located on the Central Mountain range, north of Salinas and Guayama; south of Cidra and Caguas; east of Aibonito and Salinas; and west of San Lorenzo Cayey is spread over 21 wards and Cayey Pueblo...
, as he returned from a meeting of the Puerto Rico Medical Association.
Legacy
The clinic he founded in Ponce, now a major medical centerMedical Center
- Medical care :* Clinic* Hospital* larger complex of medical facilities often including hospitals, research facilities, medical schools, and/or other health care facilities- Transit :*Medical Center , a Metro station...
in that city, still carries its name. There is also a high school in Ponce named after Dr. Pila. In addition, also in Ponce, there is a public housing development named to his memory. He is also recognized for his contributions to medicine at the Ponce Park for the Illustrious Ponce Citizens.
See also
- Ponce, Puerto RicoPonce, Puerto RicoPonce is both a city and a municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico. The city is the seat of the municipal government.The city of Ponce, the fourth most populated in Puerto Rico, and the most populated outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, is named for Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the...
- List of famous Puerto Ricans