Last Friday, in the province of Tucumán, excited because our friend was improving from his severe COVID-19 infection, I thought: “What a big hug I’ll give you when you get out of hospital!” The next morning, on September 12, 2020, we were woken up by a devastating blow: after many days of struggling -a battle as only he could wage- the relentless pandemic claimed an irreplaceable life, that of Dr. Jesús Amenábar. Pain, emptiness and grief quickly took over our entire community; we were losing a generous fighter for equity and justice, dedicated to serving health and life. Despite my deep sadness and bewilderment, I only hope that my words will be objective and clear; I will rely on some of those that can express such intense feelings.

Son of a Master of Surgery in Tucumán, the Great Professor Amenábar, from whom he inherited his medical and human conditions, Jesús had many things in common with his father, valuable genes that his brothers, Pilolo and Fufa, both physicians, also inherited. He graduated from the School of Medicine of the National University of Tucumán (UNT) on February 27, 1981.

He completed the General Surgery Residency and was Chief of the Hospital Ramos Mejía in Buenos Aires, and of the Oncology Surgery Residency at Instituto Ángel Roffo.

From 1988 to 1994, he improved his skills in France, in outstanding surgical centers in Paris: College of Medicine of the Hospitals of Paris, Porte de Choisy Medical and Surgical Center, Tenon Hospital, Saint Antoine Medical School, and Gustave-Roussy Oncology Institute.

He returned to Tucumán in 1994. He participated actively in the Argentine Association of Surgery (AAC), he was MAAC and candidate for President in 1994. He was former President of the Society of Surgeons of Tucumán. He served as a certified specialist in General Surgery, Coloproctology, and Thoracic and Oncological Surgery.

In the world of teaching, Jesús worked at all levels: from Head of Practical Works to Full Professor of the II Chair of Surgery at UNT; in turn, he was a postgraduate teacher and instructor of the Surgery Residency of the Hospital Centro de Salud and the Sanatorio Modelo de Tucumán.

He developed his professional tasks in the Department of General Surgery of the Hospital Centro de Salud Zenón J. Santillán and in the Sanatorio Modelo Tucumán since 1995.

Due to his brilliant conditions and training, Dr. Amenábar could have continued his career in France or in any other country, where he would have been an outstanding professional; fortunately for the fellow citizens of his province, he decided to return to his city to develop his activity and fulfill another dream: starting a family with his professional colleague, María Emilia Caram, and their two children, Delfina and Alejandro.

We met about 30 years ago, and shared the Hospital Centro de Salud, the Sanatorio Modelo, and the School of Medicine; I knew I could count on him 24 hours a day. We have always treated each other with admiration, respect, affection and unconditional loyalty.

He enjoyed medicine, surgery and teaching with his hallmark: passion, with working capacity, call to service and inordinate dedication rarely seen. As Alfredo -his inseparable brother- recalls, when Jesús was young, he was demanding and tried to seek the best with an admirable will and personal conditions that allowed him to achieve what he proposed at the highest level. He was a great swimmer and a great musician (I still listen to Adiós Nonino perfectly played on his piano in the Virla); he trained in the most outstanding surgical centers; in the teaching world, he was Professor of Surgery; in the social field, he fought for the health workers’ rights, an undisputed reference, with his megaphone, sometimes surrounded by 3 or 4 people or by hundreds, but always with overwhelming force, defending fair ideals with no political flags; his words exposed him, but he risked everything -even his life- with his first-line presence.

If the conditions a leader must meet in our profession are Physician - Surgeon - Mentor - Friend, he met them by far; as a doctor, he stood out for his capacity and mettle; with his patients, he showed spotless ethical and human dedication; with a vocation for teaching, he loved to transmit his knowledge, he was a great motivator and shared his love for surgery, he provided the tools of comprehensive training for his students, residents and people close to him, in the academic, moral and human levels. The sadness of the residents and colleagues for his death proves it; he was an outstanding, honest, loyal, and true friend; he was a role model, and we are so sorry for his loss.

It’s worth a couple of memories of his passion: one early morning, driving alone to the province of Jujuy for a MBT repair, he was approached by an armed criminal at a traffic light; Jesús accelerated, but was shot in the hand. He went to hospital, underwent some tests, was healed the wound, and went to Jujuy to perform the surgery; his wound took a long time to heal.

He showed his passion for teaching when one night we were at a meeting discussing topics of the two chairs, and he said: “I tested positive for COVID-19”. And so I told him: “Let’s stop here. Go and have a rest.” He replied: “No, let’s go on. I’m fine”; but then, with an oxygen mask on, he would give directions to his associate professor.

He was great, he was passionate about life and medicine, a true doctor, a bright and prestigious surgeon, one of the best in our province, a model of professional and person, whose example will always live among us.

Yes, my friends, yesterday I got broken, I felt that we were losing a great value; I shared a lot with him, I was his partner and chief; I could never (nor did I want to) stop his -at times- excessive determination, always on the edge; I just wanted to protect him; he was valuable, I knew he always acted in good faith; the residents accepted his vehement scolding during the rounds because of spelling mistakes or failures in the presentation; they knew his aim was to make them better.

What a great person! How much better the world would be with people like him! When this pain eases, we will remember the thousand stories we shared and the examples of how to be and act in this beautiful and difficult profession.

Professor Dr. JESÚS AMENÁBAR, death will not have the last word with you. Your effort was not in vain; fortunately, there will be many others following your example and devoting their lives to medicine, surgery, our country and life as a result of the rich legacy of faith and hope that you leave us today.

Rest in peace, dear friend.

September 13, 2020