Scientific Associations in Santa Clara during the Neocolonial Period: The Society of Internists and Cardiologists of Las Villas

Authors

Keywords:

scientific societies; origins; neocolonial period

Abstract

    Introduction: The spirit of scientific association in Santa Clara, within the field of Medical Sciences, experienced significant development during the neocolonial period, placing the territory among the most prominent in the country. An example of this is the 1952 founding of the Las Villas Society of Internists and Cardiologists, a scientific organization previously unknown within the development of the specialty. Objective: To clarify the foundations that gave rise to the Las Villas Society of Internists and Cardiologists and its characteristics as a scientific association. Methods: A historical documentary research study was conducted during 2024. Theoretical methods were employed to analyze the study's objective, based on the interaction of historical and logical perspectives, and from temporal and spatial dimensions. Empirical methods included documentary analysis and interviews with key informants. Methodological triangulation was performed to arrive at integrative conclusions.
Results: The historical background of the development and emergence of the first scientific associations in the field of Medical Sciences in Santa Clara was examined, culminating in the establishment of a Cardiology Scientific Society that, due to its unique characteristics, was the only one of its kind outside the nation's capital. Conclusions: The founding of the Las Villas Society of Internists and Cardiologists represented a pivotal step in the development of Cardiology in the region and was inspired by the prestigious Mexican cardiologist and friend of Cuba, Enrique Cabrera Cosío, who was named its Honorary President.                        

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    Background: The spirit of scientific association in Santa Clara in the field of Medical Sciences experienced significant development during the neocolonial period, placing the territory among the most prominent in the country. An example of this is the founding in 1952 of the Las Villas Society of Internists and Cardiologists, a scientific organization previously unknown within the development of the specialty. Objective: To clarify the foundations that gave rise to the Las Villas Society of Internists and Cardiologists and its characteristics as a scientific association. Methods: Historical documentary research was conducted during 2024. Theoretical methods were used to analyze the study objective, based on the interaction of historical and logical aspects, and from temporal and spatial dimensions. Empirical methods included documentary analysis and interviews with key informants. Methodological triangulation was carried out to arrive at integrative considerations. Results: The historical background of the development and emergence of the first scientific associations in the field of medical sciences in Santa Clara was addressed, leading to the formation of a Scientific Society of Cardiology, which, due to its unique nature, was unique outside the nation's capital. Conclusions: The founding of the Society of Internists and Cardiologists of Las Villas represented a transcendental step in the development of cardiology in the region. Its greatest inspiration was the prestigious Mexican cardiologist and friend of Cuba, Enrique Cabrera Cosío, who was nominated as its Honorary President.

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Author Biographies

Elsa Nuñez Escobar, Faculty of Medical Sciences of Sagua la Grande. University of Medical Sciences of Villa Clara. Cuba

Doctor of Medicine. First-Degree Specialist in Family Medicine. Assistant Professor and Associate Researcher. Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of Sagua la Grande. University of Medical Sciences of Villa Clara. Cuba.

José Ramón Ruiz Hernández, University of Medical Sciences of Villa Clara. Cuba.

Doctor of Medicine. Second-Degree Specialist in Health Organization and Administration. Doctor of Health Sciences. Assistant Professor and Research Consultant. President of the Scientific Degrees Commission. Member of the Union of Historians of Cuba. University of Medical Sciences of Villa Clara, Cuba.

Nubia Blanco Barbeito, Faculty of Medical Sciences of Sagua la Grande. University of Medical Sciences of Villa Clara. Cuba

Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences. Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Master of Science in Medical Education. Full Professor and Researcher. Teaching Methodologist at the Faculty of Medical Sciences of Sagua la Grande, Villa Clara, Cuba.

References

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Published

2026-02-15

How to Cite

1.
Nuñez Escobar E, Ruiz Hernández JR, Blanco Barbeito N. Scientific Associations in Santa Clara during the Neocolonial Period: The Society of Internists and Cardiologists of Las Villas. Acta Méd Centro [Internet]. 2026 Feb. 15 [cited 2026 Feb. 28];20:e2369. Available from: https://revactamedicacentro.sld.cu/index.php/amc/article/view/2369

Issue

Vol. 20 (2026): PUBLICACIÓN CONTINUA

Section

Culture and Medicine

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Copyright (c) 2026 Elsa Nuñez Escobar, José Ramón Ruiz Hernández, Nubia Blanco Barbeito

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