Aloysio de Salles Fonseca

Aloysio de Salles Fonseca, son of José de Salles Fonseca and Anna de Salles Fonseca, was born on December 16, 1918, in Rio de Janeiro. 

He completed his undergraduate studies in medicine at the National College of Medicine of the now extinct Universidade do Brasil (currently, the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro – UFRJ) in 1940. Soon after graduating, he opened his medical practice at his father’s pharmacy, which was located close to the Morro da Mangueira in Rio de Janeiro, and also volunteered for the position of Assistant and Teacher at the Genival Londres Center of Souza Aguiar Hospital. 

In 1944, he took on the position of Coordinator of the Medical Department of the National Centre for Agronomic Research and Teaching (currently, the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro – UFRRJ), where he conducted research studies and campaigns to spread awareness on the subject of proper sanitation, several of which were undertaken in conjunction with the then National Malaria Service. Additionally, he served as Head of the Department of Clinical Medicine at the Rio de Janeiro-based Hospital dos Servidores (State Government Employee Hospital).

Dr. Salles Fonseca was elected for a Full Member position at the Academia Nacional de Medicina (National Academy of Medicine – ANM) on June 14, 1962, after submitting a dissertation named “Polycythemia vera”, and became an Emeritus Member in 2002. He amassed several positions at the Board of the institution and was sworn in as its President for three different terms: 1983-1985, 1987-1989, and 1999-2001.

He was Chairman of the International Conference on Medical Education in 2000 (ANM), during which time he drew up a remarkable celebratory volume. During his second tenure, Dr. Salles Fonseca secured the donation of property adjacent to the ANM building, where the new headquarters, whose construction works are almost completed (2011), are located today the Medical Memory Centre (Centro da Memória Médica). 

Dr. Salles Fonseca was one of the founders and visionaries behind the Hospital dos Servidores do Estado (State Government Employee Hospital – HSE). Moreover, he helmed INAMPS (the National Institute for Medical and Social Security) and served as Full Professor at, and later, Head of the Fluminense Federal University (UFF) Medical School. 

The physician additionally took on the role of Dean of the Antônio Pedro University Hospital, composed the Ministry of Health’s National Council, presided over the Rio de Janeiro Medical and Surgical Society and the Pan-American Federation of Associations of Medical Schools. Also, he was in charge of the Brazilian Association of Medical Leagues and was appointed as a Corresponding Member of the Venezuelan Academy of Medicine.

Furthermore, Dr. Salles Fonseca introduced a Medical Assistance Reform Plan for the country’s Social Security system, known as the CONASP Plan, and whose Integrated Health Actions make up the cornerstone of the current Brazilian Health Reform. He was also an acting member of the Ministry for Social Security and Social Assistance and was acknowledged as an Emeritus Professor by the Teresópolis Faculty of Medicine, in addition to receiving an honorary doctorate from the Federal University of Pernambuco Medical School.

The renowned doctor also received appreciation from the Brazilian Government, who bestowed upon him the Order of Rio Branco, the National Order of Medical Merit, Order of Naval Merit, and the Order of Aeronautical Merit. Finally, he was honored with the Minas Gerais State-issued Juscelino Kubitschek Medal of Honor. 

Aloyisio de Salles Fonseca passed away on April 28, 2007.