Senior retired doctor Robert Dion participates in the vaccination effort. In all humility, with empathy, just to curb the virus.
This week, the Bizet vaccination center resumed service. Local medical staff rub shoulders with good souls who help. This is how, on Monday and Tuesday, a world leader in cardiac surgery, Professor Robert Dion, vaccinated the Cominese!
“In March, I offered my volunteer services as a doctor, explains the one who lives in Vresse-sur-Semois. I worked at the Dinant, Gedinne and Mesnil-Saint-Blaise centers. One day, Isaline, one of the people in charge of the Walloon centers, asked me if I didn’t want to go to Comines, 250 km from my home! And I took up the challenge, staying in my son’s apartment in Saint-Idesbald! “
Professor Robert Dion, now 74 years old, has been counted among the world leaders in his field: “At 68, I put an end to my career. And what an emotion, in 2017, when I received a phone call from New York to tell me that I had been awarded an award for my entire career! A decision that emanates from the world association of cardiac surgeons! “
He operated with Professor Barnard
It must be said that his career is impressive. “I was born in Congo; I studied medicine at UCL, then a specialization in cardiac surgery. I went to South Africa where, in 1976, I operated with Professor Barnard, the author from the first heart transplant in 1967. “
After fine-tuning his art in the largest hospitals, he became head of department at Saint-Luc in 1985: “Subsequently, I went to Leyden (the Netherlands), Genk and Leuven. Learning myself and passing on to younger generations have always been my leitmotivs.”
In 40 years of practice, he has seen the techniques evolve: “Medical imaging has revolutionized surgery, especially in my favorite fields: arteries and valves. I have operated all over the world. In 1994, in Baku, I implanted the first artificial heart on the Russian soil. I also taught my art in the poorest countries: I went three times to India, five times to China, Tunisia, Pakistan, Egypt, etc. I have often been amazed by these surgeons who worked miracles with rudimentary equipment “.
It was also an emotional moment in 2015 when he returned to Cape Town, South Africa. “The hospital decided for me to reopen the operating room, closed for years, where I had operated with Professor Barnard, in 1976! Almost 40 years, punctuated by immense progress, had passed!”
In 2016, he put an end to his career: “With my wife, we moved to Orchimont, my grandfather’s home village. Our three sons have enabled us to be eight times grandparents. What a pleasure! I took up the violin, I study ornithology, I am involved in the advice of elders, I volunteer at the library, etc. The meaning of my life is to be of service. I will do it as long as my health allows me! “
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