Our colleague Dr. Mariano Moreno Azcoita dedicated his life to the Asociación Española de Cirujanos (AEC – Spanish Association of Surgeons), and to the preparation of specialists in General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, surgical science and medicine.
During thirty years of intensive collaboration with the AEC, he had occupied several different representative positions: Editor of the CIRUGÍA ESPAÑOLA journal, General Secretary, Treasurer, and President of the 23rd National Congress, the Association (2000–2002), his Scientific Committee and the Spanish Foundation of Surgery (2002–2004). He was later elected chairperson of his University Board and was made an Honorary Member in 2012. Dr. Moreno Azcoita worked with honesty, rigor and commitment in service to the Association, showing no desire to be the center of attention. Undoubtedly, he was loyal to his duties and to “doing things right” and fully deserved the acknowledgement of Domum Servavit.
Dr. Moreno Azcoita spent forty years training surgeons, promoting the education and research activities of medical residents as well as the professional development of staff physicians in specific training areas. At the start of the 1990s, he understood the importance of endoscopic surgery and minimally invasive techniques. He was also a staunch supporter of the organization of surgical units by pathology. As a surgeon, many hours were spent in operating rooms, but our colleague always had a need to actively participate in basic and clinical research, for instance his interest and collaboration in leading studies on the molecular biology of cancer.
Fifty years of exemplary medical practice was his legacy from his father, an endearing rural physician in the Spanish village of Cebreros, Ávila. Mariano Moreno was a persevering and humble physician, with a commendable cultural knowledge of art, literature and classical music, which were his favorite pastimes. As a surgeon, he was an impeccable professional throughout his career, from the time he was an intern until he became Department Head at different hospitals: Virgen de las Nieves in Granada, Central de la Cruz Roja in Madrid, Universitario de Getafe and La Paz in Madrid, all of which he achieved through public examinations at a national level.
An excellent surgeon has died. A man of few words and many good acts, he was loyal to the Asociación Española de Cirujanos and an outstanding person who faced his challenges in life with courage and exemplary conduct.
Please cite this article as: Ruiz de Adana JC. Doctor Mariano Moreno Azcoita. Cir Esp. 2014;92:642.
