The passing of two colleagues and pioneers

Abstract

During July 2016 the College lost two important figures who advanced family medicine in Malta. Dr. Denis Soler served medical politics throughout his career. He was an avid GP and even co-started one of the biggest occupational health services organisations on the island. But he is mostly remembered as the President of the Malta College of Family Doctors and was very proud of saying that the first meeting was held in his own kitchen. I mentioned this a few years ago when, as President of the College for the second time, I felt it appropriate to award Denis with the first Honorary Fellowship of the MCFD. I asked him whether he was happy, given that whoever occupies the place of President knows the difficulties it carries and often the perception that no-one appreciates what you are doing. His reply came from the heart and I could see joy in his face. I am proud that as a College we appreciate the work of people during their lifetime. But Denis was also the foundermember of the first Department of Family Medicine in the Faculty of Medicine & Surgery at the University of Malta, with the help of then Dean, Prof. Mark Brincat and became the head of department until his retirement.