Professor Carlos E. Baena-Cagnani, renowned Argentinian physician, suddenly passed away on New Year's Eve. He was celebrating the beginning of 2015 with his family in Ascochinga, in Colón, a province of Córdoba, Argentina.
Born on May 11th, 1951 in Unquillo (Córdoba), Dr. Baena-Cagnani showed a great interest in medicine since his childhood, following in the footsteps of his father, Dr. Carlos Baena-Cagnani (Sr.). He attended medical school at the National University of Cordoba and completed his specialty in Allergy Treatment and Clinical Immunology at the University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain, from which he graduated in 1980. From an early age he vigorously promoted the scientific development of allergy treatment. A strong advocate and promoter of scientific evidence-based medicine, Dr. Baena-Cagnani practiced it especially in the treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis. With his work in this field, he contributed a significant change in the conceptualization of allergy treatment to his generation in Latin America.
Throughout his professional life he worked very closely with renowned researchers in the field of allergy and immunology. Together they created international work teams and scientific networks, in which they included allergists and physicians of related specialties from different parts of the world. His contributions to the world of allergy treatment and clinical immunology are reflected in his multiple publications in scientific journals and books related to this area. He participated as an expert in different panels and scientific committees and contributed to the development of guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of different diseases, mainly allergic rhinitis and asthma, among other respiratory diseases. He also contributed to the creation of guidelines for the clinical practice of allergen immunotherapy. He was a member of a number of allergy and immunology associations and organizations in Argentina and around the world. Dr. Baena-Cagnani had an outstanding participation as President of the Argentine Association of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, the Latin America Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and the World Allergy Organization as well as the Global Asthma Association (Interasma).
Professor Baena-Cagnani's teaching practice had an international presence. In addition to participating in different forums, symposiums, courses and regional, national and international conferences, he worked with several universities worldwide. For over ten years he contributed as a professor in the Asthma and other Allergic Diseases Education Program of the Regional Center of Allergy and Clinical Immunology at the “Dr. José Eleuterio González” University Hospital of the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico. In 2010 he was honored as guest lecturer of the School of Medicine of said university. His ties with this institution grew stronger in May 2013, when he joined the editorial committee of “Revista Medicina Universitaria”.
For his contribution to science and the development of clinical care in the field of allergy treatment and immunology, he will always be an example for generations of allergists to come. Dr Baena-Cagnani has left an indelible mark, not only because of his academic and scientific work, but because of his value as a person. To him, the value of friendship and the love for his family occupied a very special place in his life.
May the soul of Professor Carlos E. Baena-Cagnani rest in peace.