Tulio Briceño-Maaz, MD, and his time: the story of Venezuela

Abstract

Tulio Briceño-Maaz, MD, was a multifaceted man. During his long life, he developed very many activities in several fields of medicine, including dermatology and mycology. All were signaled by quiet work, firm objectives, and measurable achievements. They showed tenacity, genteelness, and lasting positive results. His life span coincided with the sinusoidal transition of Venezuela from a rural background country, plagued by armed and civil unrest, to a nation ready to position herself in the ranks of countries achieving development. By the time of Dr Briceño-Maaz's death, unfortunately, Venezuela involuted into a process of degeneration and autophagy still present today.