Commemorative conference dedicated to university professor Ion Prisacari

On February 5, 2025, representatives of the administration of ”Nicolae Testemitanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova, scientific and teaching staff and students, as well as representatives of public healthcare institutions of the country participated in the work of the Commemorative Conference dedicated to Professor Ion Prisacari, eminent pedagogue and Scientist Emeritus, on the 90th anniversary of his birth.

In his opening remarks, Rector Emil Ceban noted that the life and work of distinguished professor Ion Prisacari served as a worthy example for the younger generations of medical specialists. "His valuable scientific legacy, ideas and aspirations continue to live on through his disciples, through the members of ”Nicolae Testemitanu” Department of Social Medicine and Management.” 

University Professor Tudor Grejdianu, President of the Public Health and Management Association, noted that "the event marks a new page in the history of national medicine - of the legendary man Ion Prisacari, a prominent scholar and statesman. He will remain the personality of the 20th century, who laid the foundation for the development of oratory skills not only in the University but also in the entire republic."

According to University Professor Elena Raevschi, Head of Nicolae Testemitanu Department of Social Medicine and Management, this event aims to express our gratitude to the distinguished forerunner and to instill more safety as regards the future.

Professor Mihail Ciocanu, Deputy Medical Director of the Emergency Medicine Institute, one of the first disciples of Professor Ion Prisacari, highlighted the extraordinary support he had received from him. "As vice-dean, upon his appointment as dean of the Faculty of Physicians Refresher Training, we had the opportunity to work together. There I trained as a specialist, I learned in detail about the structure of the health system, the types of services, the development of normative acts, etc.,” the professor added. 

Further, presentations were given during the event by: University Professors Ion Mereuta and Mihai Ciobanu, Associate Professors Valeriu Pantea and Mihai Palanciuc, and Alexandru Lavric, senior lecturer.

The scientific event was organized by Nicolae Testemitanu Department of Social Medicine and Management of ”Nicolae Testemitanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, in partnership with the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Moldova and the Scientific-Practical Association of Public Health and Management and is part of the list of activities planned in the context of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Alma Mater.

Ion Prisacari was born on February 5, 1935, in the village of Ruseni, Edinet district. Until 1950, he attended secondary school in his native village, afterwards he continued his studies at the School of Physicians and Midwives in the city of Balti, from which he successfully graduated in 1953. In the same year, he enrolled at the Chisinau State Institute of Medicine (currently Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy), without taking the entrance exams.

After graduating in 1959, he was employed as an otolaryngologist at the Hospital in the town of Cornesti, Ungheni district. After three years of activity, he continued his doctoral studies at the Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics of the CSIM, being directed to the Scientific Research Institute in the Field of Traumatology and Orthopedics in the city of Kiev, which he completed in 1967 with the defense of his doctoral thesis in medical sciences on the topic "Traumatism at the enterprises of the canning industry and its prophylaxis". He continued scientific research in the same field, and in 1977 he also defended his habilitated doctoral thesis on the topic "Social and hygienic aspects of traumatism and the organization of traumatological medical assistance for the urban and rural population".

Between 1963-1968 he held the position of trainer in the Administrative Division, later in the Health and Social Protection Division of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Moldova. 

He began working at Chisinau State Institute of Medicine in 1968, initially as an assistant, then as a senior lecturer and Associate Professor at the Department of Social Medicine and Health Care Organization, led at the time by renowned professors Moisei Ghehtman and Nicolae Testemitanu. In 1979, he was awarded the scientific and didactic title of professor. 

In 1982, Ion Prisacari was promoted, on a competitive basis, to the position of Head of the Department of Social Medicine and Health Care Organization at the Faculty of Medical Education, and then was appointed Dean of this faculty (1986-1990). While holding these positions, Professor Ion Prisacari carried out extensive work aimed at improving the postgraduate training system, developing a revolutionary concept for selecting management staff in the health system.

As an experienced scientist, endowed with excellent organizational skills, Professor Ion Prisacari, together with Professor Nicolae Testemitanu, participated in the founding of the Scientific Research Laboratory in the field of medical assistance provided to the population in rural localities. The results of his research constitute the basis for the development of programs and policies for health promotion and the reform of the national health system in the new socio-economic conditions.

His qualities as a skilled teacher, illustrious scholar, and excellent organizer of medicine enhanced his reputation, resulting in his election as a deputy to the first Parliament of the Republic of Moldova (1990-1993), simultaneously serving as chairman of the Parliamentary Commission on Health Care and Social Assistance. During that period, he participated in drawing up strategic directions for the development of the health system, including the development of additional legislation and methodology in the context of the social health insurance transaction in the Republic of Moldova. He was also the founder and first president of the League of Doctors of the Republic of Moldova.

Ion Prisacari has a valuable scientific track record, publishing over 200 scientific papers, including 8 monographs. In his scientific research, Professor Prisacari addressed multiple issues related to morbidity, mortality, trauma and the organization of medical care for the urban and rural population. Accordingly, he initiated the direction of studying the social aspects of trauma, implementing methods for predicting the dynamics and level of different types of traumas. Over a span of 10 years, he has scientifically substantiated and developed complex projects and programs to improve the health of the population of the Republic of Moldova, submitted to local and central public administration. He contributed to the application of various new methods and forms of organizing medical care: "Organization of medical care for workers according to the territorial professional principle", "Emergency medical aid to the rural population", "Organization of medical care for the population in rural medical outpatient clinics and assessment of the effectiveness of their activity", "Collective forms of organization and remuneration of medical personnel's work", "Professional activity of the family doctor", "Organization of traumatological aid to the population" and "Organization of medical care for children in rural districts".

During his career, Prof. Ion Prisacari had a long collaboration with the Academy of Sciences of Moldova in the field of sociology, ecology and applied mathematics. He was the president of the Division of Social Problems in Health Care of the Association of Sociologists of the Republic of Moldova and the leader of the project "Human and the Biosphere". Ion Prisacari developed major works in the field of finalizing the ways of organizing medical assistance for the rural population, by launching and implementing scientific cooperation projects with specialized subdivisions from Russia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania. In partnership with the Institute of Scientific Research in the Field of Maternal and Child Health Protection, scientific research was carried out with the aim of studying the medical and social aspects of infant mortality at home in rural areas. Thus, the diversity of risk factors that condition infant mortality was elucidated. The results of these studies formed the basis of complex programs for the prevention of infant mortality and the adjustment of legislation regarding the protection of maternal and child health. 

Under his leadership, 15 doctoral theses in medical sciences and 4 habilitated doctoral theses were developed and defended.

For outstanding merits in the training and education of medical professionals, and considerable contribution to the development of medical sciences, in 1989 he was awarded the honorary title "Distinguished Scientist".

Ion Prisacari passed away on August 30, 1996, following a heart attack.

Professor Ion Prisacari will remain in the memory of his colleagues and disciples as a dedicated pedagogue, a distinguished scholar and great speaker, who left an impressive scientific treasure trove to his descendants. In February 2023, on the frontispiece of the building on 31 August 1989 Street, no. 137, where the Department of Social Hygiene and Health Care Organization no. 2 was once located, a commemorative plaque was installed in memory of the distinguished predecessor.