O Pediatra e Professor Universitário Norberto Teixeira dos Santos. A Visão alargada e pluridisciplinar de um Homem sem fronteiras

Abstract

Introduction The Professor Norberto Teixeira dos Santos (1932-1999) was Pediatrician, Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, promoter in the creation of Social Pediatrics and the formation of the Faculty of Nutrition Sciences. Demanding on a personal and professional level, the Pediatrics Service owes him the national and international prestige. Materials and methods The information was obtained from interviews to the family and personalities who had the privilege of working with Professor Norberto. It was also carried out a bibliographic research in the FMUP Library and in the Archive of the Museum of History of Medicine "Maximiano Lemos", in addition to articles in various magazines, directly or indirectly related to the Professor. Results He graduated in Medicine by the Faculty of Medicine of Lisbon, where he also did specialty of Pediatrics. The newly specialist and military doctor goes to Mozambique. Despite the difficulties, nothing discourages him and he manages to reconcile military action (in two long periods) with the assistance and university activity in the area of Pediatrics. Discussion Living in two continents that are so different and with such different realities soon this reality awakened him to the problems of malnutrition, vaccination and, therefore, Nutrition and Social Pediatrics. The management capacity was improved and put into action in all the Services he passed. When he arrives in Portugal, he assumes the chair of Pediatrics at FMUP and the Direction of the Pediatrics Service at Hospital São João. He gets involved in the training of the Faculty of Nutrition Sciences, in the training of the Social Pediatrics Section of the Portuguese Society of Pediatrics. Conclusion Norberto Teixeira Santos is an example of civic commitment and high professionalism, dedication and selflessness in the exercise of excellence in his professional activity. His life reflects the social conscience of his time. As Pediatrician, Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Porto, he knew how to combine scientific research with pedagogical activity, cultural action and civic responsibility.