A book about the life of a pediatric doctor and surgeon pays tribute to his career. Gentil Martins' own work reveals knowledge and continuous innovation. His work is universally recognized.
Lisbon, April 11th - O Professor Gentil Martins, an inspiration to several generations of health professionals, was honored this Wednesday as one of the most inspiring people for several generations of doctors and the example of his work recognized by all quarters of Portuguese society.
The tribute, at the Grémio Literário in Lisbon, which you can now watch at video, The event featured the presentation of two books that showcased the specialist's remarkable career in pediatric surgery, pediatric oncology and plastic and reconstructive surgery, as well as his dedication to his work, to medicine and to the doctor's public cause.
The first work, “António Gentil Martins: a life, many lives”, by Ana Sofia Lopes, was presented by Minister of Youth and Modernization, who highlighted Gentil Martins“ ”exemplary dedication to the common good“ and ”promotion of dialogue and bridge-building".
Margarida Balseiro Lopes said that only in the title of the book “we see portrayed the human, professional and civic richness of someone who dedicated his entire life to helping others” and stressed that the work captures “the essence of a man who lived and lives by high values: dedication, integrity, courage and a sense of responsibility. Values that have always guided his actions and decisions".
"It is this inner strength, this determination in the face of challenges, that makes António Gentil Martins an essential figure in Portuguese society” he recalls Margarida Balseiro Lopes, for whom, in highlighting the teacher, “we are not only honoring her extraordinary career, we are also transmitting to the new generations, as the author intended, an important message about the type of citizens and professionals who can and should aspire to be".
"The book shows us that it is possible to build a meaningful life, based on daily effort, study, commitment and dedication to something we believe is worthwhile”, he said Margarida Balseiro Lopes, to emphasize that “civic literacy is built through examples and not just speeches, theories or norms” and that the “young people learn from real people, from real lives, from people whose journey shows that it is worth having principles, taking responsibility and contributing to the common good".
For her part, the author of “António Gentil Martins: a life, many lives” argued that the work “is an act of gratitude and a call to conscience. That there are lives that can't be counted, they must be counted. Lives written with courage, with clarity of mission, with a sense of duty.r”. For Ana Sofia Lopes, o “The name António Gentil Martins doesn't just belong to the history of medicine, it belongs to the collective conscience of a nation, which, in recognizing him, finds itself with the best it has to offer”, and so the book “was born out of a clear desire to write to young people about citizenship” but without wanting to “transmit abstract concepts”, but rather “talk about concrete lives, about the strength of examples, about the strength of the examples we have”.
The dentist says that “The book speaks to everyone, but it is to young people that it makes the most urgent appeal (...) It is in them that hope resides and it is in them that more is demanded. Because it is possible to live with the right values, it is possible to refuse shortcuts and noise. It is possible to be whole in a world that so often lives by halves. It is possible to be fair, even when it costs. Even when no one sees. Even when silence is the only witness”. For the author, “book doesn't ask for perfection, it asks for courage. And it reminds us firmly: integrity is still, and always will be, the highest form of freedom".
The book by Ana Sofia Lopes, author of several philanthropic children's books, advocate of oral health and committed to multiple civic causes, is a work dedicated to the humanism of a unique, pioneering person who is absolutely committed to science and dignity. The proceeds will go to CAVITOP - Centro de Apoio a Vítimas Tortura Portugal, an IPSS whose main objective, through its network of volunteers, is to support victims of ideological or political torture.
It was up to Rita Gentil Martins, The father, for whom he is “a great doctor” who has always “fought for what he believes in”, spoke of his mother's very important and impactful role in their lives. They lost her less than a year ago and, with some emotion, she also gave a boost to the role of women in society.
The book “The treatment of Hypospadias” by Professor António Gentil Martins himself, also published by the International Lusophone Movement (MIL), was presented by Dr. Vanda Pratas Vital, who had the opportunity to praise a doctor with a “tireless desire to teach and share knowledge” that made him “an essential reference, not only in Portuguese medicine, but also worldwide".
His new book, “always controversial, sometimes frustrating, sometimes groundbreaking, but always, always fascinating” is “an indispensable read for anyone who enjoys this subject” and the place of Gentil Martins “will always remain a great inspiration for everyone". us” said specialist in Pediatric Surgery.
At the age of 94, and despite the fact that an accident prevented him from being physically present, Gentil Martins participated remotely in the session to share his reflections on these two works, his experience and what inspires him to continue working. O teacher began by recalling that the book “The treatment of Hypospadias” comes from a work “I thought it was good, but it was too big. I sent it to various magazines who told me: so many words. Just for one book".
“And suddenly a miracle came to me. Ana Sofia Lopes and Renato Epifânio came along and offered to publish this book. And the truth is that if it hadn't been for them, this book wouldn't have come out”, recalled doctor. “And so, I hope I can be of some use, because I tried to compare my techniques, what I used in my daily practice with what internationally were the most respected, most considered methods".
Gentil Martins recalled that “in fact, I think it's fundamental that we in medicine, above all, have a vocation” and who wrote “at a time when it wasn't legitimate just to have good grades to get into medicine. There's even a book out that says being a good student isn't enough. In fact, I think it's not enough. Either we have a vocation and are willing to make a certain sacrifice for others. Or, in fact, it's better to choose another profession".
"I've made my career by always working and, above all, by respecting one thing, for example, that my grandfather used to tell me: never go to the front row, because, at most, they never send you to the back. You always go to the back and then they send you to the front. And I really think that was a good practice that he taught me and that guided me for a long time”, said specialist in pediatric surgery, pediatric oncology and plastic and reconstructive surgery before thanking everyone present at the tribute.
The session was a special moment of celebration and tribute to Gentil Martins, who in the words of Renato Epifânio, from MIL, é “a great civic reference”, with a “extraordinary career” built with “humility, conviction and courage".
About MIL: International Lusophone Movement
MIL is a cultural and civic movement that already has more than a hundred thousand members from all the countries and regions of the Portuguese-speaking world. It advocates the strengthening of ties between the countries and regions of the Lusophone space on a cultural, social, economic and political level and the creation of a Lusophone community, based on freedom and fraternity. https://movimentolusofono.wordpress.com/