In Memoriam Natalia Gheorghiu – the founder of the local school of pediatric surgery

"Outstanding personalities - the people who founded clinics, medical institutions, local centers - are immortal for Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy from the Republic of Moldova. It is an honor for us that Professor Natalia Gheorghiu was an emblematic figure of the University and the health system, being a prima donna of local medicine". The statement belongs to rector Emil Ceban and was made at the inauguration of the international scientific conference dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the foundation of pediatric surgery in the Republic of Moldova and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the National Scientific-Practical Center for Pediatric Surgery "Academician Natalia Gheorghiu" . The event took place on 29 November at the Academy of Sciences of Moldova (ASM).

Professor Emil Ceban emphasized that the activity of the renowned pediatrician was highly appreciated at all times, she was the first woman to obtain the title of Habilitated Doctor of Medical Sciences, titular member of ASM, eminent scientist, illustrious educator and specialist in the field of pediatric surgery. "We want the values ​​created and transmitted by academician Natalia Gheorghiu to be promoted  by her disciples. This manifestation is also a component part of academic immortality, which reflects the scientist’s participation in the fields of: research, science, clinical activity and education, as well as in promoting the University, the Mother and Child Institute and, of course, the National Scientific-Practical Center for Pediatric Surgery which is named after her", mentioned rector Emil Ceban.

According to the president of ASM, acad. Ion Tighineanu, academician Natalia Gheorghiu was a personality of our nation who left a deep mark in the development of local medicine. "She had the most beautiful qualities, pediatric surgery being the meaning of her life... She was our only member of the Academy of Medical Sciences from the former USSR, being also a member of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova. And the fact that several experts are present today and each of them already represents a school, a direction, means that the roots also go back to academician Natalia Gheorghiu", stated President Tighineanu.

In his speech, State Secretary of the Ministry of Health Ion Prisacari expressed his gratitude to the organizer institutions, especially the Department of Surgery, Orthopedics and Pediatric Anesthesiology, which, in fact, represents that continuity by the fact that it is named after the academician. "A process initiated many years ago by Professor Natalia Gheorghiu is the establishment of the Pediatric Surgery Center. I am sure it was not easy during those years and the achievements we benefit from today deserve to be appreciated," added the Secretary of State. The official listed the Center's collaborations with foreign development partners and prominent institutions, but also with the entire medical and scientific community of our country.

Academician Eva Gudumac and university professor Petru Moroz delivered speeches in the memory of Professor Natalia Gheorghiu as well.

During the scientific conference, held in sections, the following topics were addressed: achievements, realities and prospects in child surgery; anesthesiology, intensive care and pediatric endoscopy; oral-maxillofacial pathology in children; newborn surgery; abdominal surgery of the child; pediatric urology and pediatric thoracic surgery.

The scientific event brought together academicians, university professors, scientific researchers, doctoral students, managers of medical institutions, pediatricians and other renowned specialists. The event was organized by the "Natalia Gheorghiu" Chair of Pediatric Surgery, Orthopedics and Anesthesiology, the Life Sciences Section of ASM, the Mother and Child Institute and the "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest, Romania.