Dr. Elicio de Jesús Rodríguez Martí, a renowned proctologist from Santiago, passed away this Sunday after a brief and sudden illness. The "Saturnino Lora Torres" Provincial Clinical Surgical Teaching Hospital announced on Facebook that Rodríguez, born on December 19, 1945, and recognized as a pioneer in Coloproctology in Eastern Cuba post-1959, has left an indelible mark on Cuban medicine.
He was part of a generation of eminent physicians, alongside notable figures like Ciro Dionisio Carrero Fernández and Isaac Jorge Polo Kessel. Known for his clinical expertise and warm personality, Dr. Rodríguez's colleagues, friends, and patients fondly remember him.
The Santiago de Cuba Provincial Hospital shared a heartfelt message on social media, mourning his loss and celebrating his legacy: "Rest in peace, may the earth be light upon your body and the good light guide your path to heaven." Similarly, the Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso General Hospital, where the late physician spent much of his professional life, paid tribute on Facebook, expressing condolences to his family.
"During the morning gathering, a minute of silence was observed to honor Dr. Elicio de Jesús Rodríguez Martí, an icon of proctology in Santiago, who passed on October 13," noted the institution in another post. Colleagues, patients, and acquaintances have shared numerous condolence messages online, highlighting the late doctor's human and professional qualities.
A Day of Mourning in Cuban Medical Community
On the same day, Cuban paramedics mourned the death of Yosmedy García Cobas, a young colleague from the Emergency Medical System (SIUM) in Havana, affectionately known as “El Moro.” Aris Arias Batalla, head of Operations and Relief in Santiago de Cuba, expressed condolences on Facebook: "We lament the loss of our great colleague, Yosmedy García, affectionately known as 'El Moro.' You left us too soon due to a painful illness that took your life in such a short time."
Television World Mourns a Legend
Recently, the television world also grieved the passing of Mayra Gómez Kemp, the charismatic Cuban presenter who left a significant impact on Spanish television for decades. At 76, Gómez Kemp passed away after a life filled with professional and personal achievements. She died in the European nation where she resided, following a battle with tongue cancer. Her passing came shortly after suffering a serious domestic fall, as reported by La Razón.