Francisco Rojas Villegas | |
|---|---|
| Minister of Health | |
| In office 26 September 1963 – 3 November 1964 | |
| President | Jorge Alessandri |
| Preceded by | Benjamín Cid |
| Succeeded by | Ramón Valdivieso |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1909-06-14)14 June 1909 |
| Died | 18 December 1993(1993-12-18) (aged 84) |
| Spouse | María Palma Carrasco |
| Children | Two |
| Alma mater | University of Chile |
| Profession | Physician |
Francisco Rojas Villegas (14 June 1909 – 18 December 1993) was a Chileanphysician,academic,researcher, andpolitician. He served as a Minister of State — in the portfolio ofPublic Health — during the administration of PresidentJorge Alessandri between 1963 and 1964.[1][2]
Rojas was born inSantiago on 14 June 1909, the son of Francisco Rojas Huneeus and Elena Villegas. He completed his primary and secondary education at the German Lyceum of Santiago, graduating in 1928.[3] He continued his higher studies at theUniversity of Chile School of Medicine, qualifying as amedical doctor in 1936.[1][3]
He married María Patricia Palma Carrasco in his birthplace on 4 December 1937, with whom he had two children.[3]
In his professional career, Rojas practiced as a cardiologist, served as assistant in the department of Professor Rodolfo Armas Cruz, and held the position of head of thecardiology service of the National Medical Service for Employees.[3] He is regarded as one of the pioneers ofcardiac surgery formitral stenosis and certain adultcongenital heart diseases, as well as the founder of the firstcoronary care unit in Chile. He was also among the founders and leaders of the Cardiology Foundation.[1]
He became a full member of the Academy of Sciences in 1985. Two years later, he was named Master of Chilean Medicine, and two years thereafter, Master of Chilean Cardiology.[1]
In 1991, he was awarded the title ofprofessor emeritus of theUniversity of Chile, in recognition of his extensive and prolific work as a lecturer and researcher incardiac surgery at the School of Medicine of that institution.[1][3]
Politicallyindependent, on 26 September 1963 he was appointed by PresidentJorge Alessandri asMinister of Public Health, assuming office as the successor toBenjamín Cid. He held the post until the end of the administration on 3 November 1964.[2]
Among other activities, he was a member of the Country Club and the Automóvil Club of Chile.[3] He died in Santiago on 18 December 1993 after a long illness, aged 84.[1]
He authored the following works:[3]