- The doctor of the poor, this is how he was widely known in Venezuela for his vocation towards the most needy.
*This report was originally published on April 27, 2021
Venezuela still celebrates beatification of José Gregorio Hernández, a prominent doctor born in 1864 in Los Andes, who conquered the people with his benevolence and generosity, and those who shared with him anecdotes and experiences that hide his lesser-known side.
The doctor, whose beatification was approved by Pope Francis after verifying the miracle granted to the girl Yaxury Solórzano, to whom doctors gave no hope of life after being shot in the head, was faced with the dilemma of leaning towards dedication exclusively to religion or a life as a couple. But, in the end, he did not marry either the Church or a woman.
Below, this and other curiosities about his life:
religious vocation
He was born into a family of religious values. His biographers assure that from a young age he expressed his closeness to God.
When he began his secondary education, after having moved from his town -Inostú- to Caracas, he expressed to the director of the boarding school where he would study, Guillermo Tell Villegas, his desire to be “a good Christian,” one of the authors of the book told EFE. book “Doctor Hernández is ours”, Alfredo Gómez. At that moment, it all began.
discipline inspector
Due to his obedience and intelligence, he was appointed as “discipline inspector” at the school, and tutor for those who had difficulties with some subjects.
Gómez assures that, due to this charge, “goyito” had to face an altercation with an older young man who tried to attack him for having given him a discipline fault. The attack was stopped by Hernández when he pushed him to the ground to defend himself, despite being smaller.
Death in your family
One of his sisters, María Isolina, died at seven months old.
His mother, Josefa Antonia Cisneros, died after her last birth and by then, he was eight years old, while the death of his father, Benigno Hernández, occurred when “goyito” was around 26 years old and was studying in Paris.
His favorite brother, José Benjamín, died at the age of 24, as a result of yellow fever, and another of his brothers, Pedro Luis, died a year before him.
His loves
He never married, but in his youth he expressed interest in several girls.
He had his first love at the age of 15 when he met María Gutiérrez Azpúrua, who did not reciprocate, but he also became interested in some girls with the last name Elizondo, according to a letter sent to his friend Santos Dominici, cited in the book “His name was José Gregorio Hernández”, written by Father Francisco Javier Duplá.
Contribution to medicine in Venezuela
Although he wanted to study law, he prepared to be a doctor on the recommendation of his father and was awarded a scholarship by the Executive to specialize in France and update medicine in Venezuela.
The doctor was in charge of founding the first laboratory in the country and bringing the advances of the time.
The doctor of the poor
He dedicated an hour a day to caring for the sick without financial resources and, on occasions, he gave them money for their treatments.
He began to be known as the “doctor of the poor,” even though he was named the doctor of President Juan Vicente Gómez, according to biographer Alfredo Gómez.
Politics saw him as an enemy
After completing his studies in Caracas, he returned to Los Andes to work as a doctor, but after several months traveling through the area, local authorities began to consider him as an “enemy.”
According to a letter cited in Father Duplá’s book, the doctor told Dominici that the local government was discussing his expulsion from the State after calling him a “goth” – conservative, oligarch – due to his training and his father’s “comfortable” position. .
He returned to Caracas.
Frustrated priesthood
The first time he wanted to be a priest he was around 30 years old and entered the Carthusian order in Italy, but his weakness prevented him from continuing and they recommended that he enter a less austere community, such as that of the Jesuits.
He returned to Caracas and did so, but after a plea from some medical students to the priest who received him, in which they expressed that the country needed him as a professor and doctor, José Gregorio abandoned his wish.
On another occasion, he contracted tuberculosis and left the mission.
Death
It is said that after the death of his brother Pedro in 1918, he indicated that he would die the following year; It is also stated that he offered his life in exchange for the end of the First World War, whose treaty was signed one day before his death, that is, on June 28, 1919.
Thousands of his compatriots attended his funeral and when he was going to be taken to the cemetery they began to shout “Doctor Hernández is ours” to prevent him from being carried in a carriage and carrying him on their shoulders.
With information from EFE.
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Interview with Professor Alfredo Gómez: Noted Biographer of José Gregorio Hernández
Interviewer: Good evening, Professor Gómez. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the remarkable legacy of José Gregorio Hernández, a doctor revered in Venezuela. Can you tell us what inspired you to write about his life?
Alfredo Gómez: Good evening, and thank you for having me. My interest in José Gregorio Hernández stems from his profound impact on both medicine and society in Venezuela. He was known as “the doctor of the poor,” a title that speaks to his deep commitment to serving those in need. His life story is not only a testament to his medical contributions but also an exploration of his ethical and moral values.
Interviewer: Hernández’s beatification brought renewed attention to his life. What do you think made him stand out as a humanitarian?
Alfredo Gómez: What set Hernández apart was his relentless dedication to helping the underserved. He treated patients for free and sometimes even provided financial assistance for their treatments. His vocation to aid the needy was intertwined with his strong religious background, making his compassion a core aspect of his identity.
Interviewer: Can you share a particular anecdote from his life that illustrates his character?
Alfredo Gómez: Certainly! One remarkable story involves a dangerous encounter he had as a discipline inspector at school. Despite being physically smaller, he defended himself against an older student who attacked him. This moment highlighted not only his bravery but also his sense of justice and integrity—traits that ultimately defined his approach as a physician as well.
Interviewer: It’s fascinating that he had a tumultuous relationship with politics and was even seen as an enemy by local authorities. How did this impact his career?
Alfredo Gómez: Hernández faced significant challenges. After returning to Los Andes, local officials harbored suspicions about his intentions, considering him a threat due to his education and familial background. Despite the political turmoil, he remained committed to his practice and his patients, which solidified his reputation as a dedicated doctor.
Interviewer: what do you think Hernández’s legacy means for the people of Venezuela today, especially in regards to healthcare?
Alfredo Gómez: His legacy is deeply ingrained in the Venezuelan spirit. Today, José Gregorio Hernández symbolizes hope, compassion, and the ethos of service over profit in medicine. His beatification reminds us that healthcare should not only be a privilege but a right, especially for the most vulnerable. This message resonates more than ever, given the current challenges in the healthcare system in Venezuela.
Interviewer: Thank you, Professor Gómez, for shedding light on the life and legacy of this remarkable individual. Your insights help us appreciate the significance of José Gregorio Hernández in both historical and contemporary contexts.
Alfredo Gómez: Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure to share his story.
W did his political stances influence his medical career?
Alfredo Gómez: Hernández’s relationship with politics was quite complex. On one hand, he was deeply committed to his work and believed in the betterment of his community, which put him at odds with certain political figures. He was branded as an “enemy” for his conservative views and for the social circles he came from. This perception by local authorities led to challenges in his medical practice, pushing him back to Caracas after initially working in Los Andes. Instead of allowing this political strife to deter him, Hernández focused on his mission to serve the impoverished and marginalized, demonstrating how he prioritized his ethical convictions over political affiliations.
Interviewer: His desire to enter the priesthood is also intriguing. How did his aspiration to become a priest shape his life?
Alfredo Gómez: Hernández’s aspiration to become a priest reflects his strong spiritual foundation and his desire to serve others. His first attempt to join the Carthusian order was rooted in his commitment to faith; however, it was his medical calling that ultimately drew him back. Although he faced challenges, including illness, he chose to use his talents as a physician instead of a priest. This decision emphasizes his belief that he could serve God and humanity through healing, and it became a critical part of his identity as a doctor dedicated to the welfare of his patients.
Interviewer: can you talk about the legacy José Gregorio Hernández left behind?
Alfredo Gómez: Hernández’s legacy is profound and multifaceted. He is celebrated as a pioneer in Venezuelan medicine but is equally revered for his humanitarian spirit. His beatification has led to a resurgence of interest in his life, highlighting the values of compassion and selflessness he exhibited. For many, he represents the ideal of medical professionalism coupled with deep ethical commitment. His influence is seen not only in medicine but also in the value placed on helping others, making him a lasting symbol of hope and altruism in Venezuela.
