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Francisco Tejada Obituary

Born July 25, 1942 in Moyobamba, Peru. Passed away on Wednesday, September 24, 2014. An esteemed Oncologist in Lima, Peru, Miami and the Keys throughout the 80's and 90's, Dr. Tejada transitioned to Medical Educator at University of Miami, and Cayetano Heredia University in Lima Peru. Over the last few years he served as a consultant to the Peruvian Ministry of Health in Lima. His memory lives on with his wife Barbara Ann and three daughters and their spouses: Ana Maria and Michael Frank, Semiramis and Mark Trotto, Barbara Lee Tejada. His name is carried on by his two sons and their spouses: Francisco and Kristen Tejada and James Tejada and Nobby Nakamura His legacy lives on through his grandchildren: Joelle, Jaikob, Justis and Jaxxon Frank, Paul and Sophia Trotto, and Francisco and Alex Tejada. He is survived by his five sisters and their families in Lima Peru. There will be no funeral or formal services. There will be a Celebration of His Life. Sunday September 28, 2014 at Dr. Tejada's residence. 6880 SW 132 Street Pinecrest FL 33156 11 am to 4 pm In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the TEJADA FAMILY FOUNDATION, established by the Tejada family in 80's as a source of funding for prizes given to promising young physicians at Cayetano Heredia. This year's prizes were awarded on September 16, 2014 by Dr. Tejada in Lima Peru. Donations will be used for the creation of a new prize at or a lasting improvement to Cayetano Heredia in the name of Dr. Francisco Tejada. The Tejada Family Foundation Care of Northern Trust Bank Attn: Gregory Werra 600 Brickell Ave Suite 2300 Miami, FL 33131

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Published by the Miami Herald on Sep. 27, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Francisco Tejada

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Jane Jackson (O´Donnell)

June 30, 2024

I worked with Dr Tejada for a few years at dePoo Hospital in Key West. I was saddened to see he passed 10 years ago and I just found out. He was a very caring doctor and all his patients loved him.

December 4, 2014

love you poppop

Paco Tejada and Dr. Fabiola León Velarde at 2013 UPCH Ceremony honoring him.

November 17, 2014

OBITUARIO - Al Dr. Francisco Tejada Reátegui
A nuestro Profesor y amigo Dr. Francisco Tejada Reátegui (Paco) van estas líneas… al médico, investigador y ser humano excepcional, quien en 1962 inició sus estudios de Medicina en la Facultad de Medicina, San Fernando, de la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, y luego los continuó en la recién creada Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia.
Paco Tejada continuó sus estudios y labores de investigación en el Centro Oncológico Integral Sylvester de la Escuela de Medicina Miller de la Universidad de Miami.
Lo caracterizó siempre su vocación de servicio, así como su deseo de compartir sus logros profesionales, intelectuales y económicos, con los estudiosos de nuestro país, siendo benefactor desde 1992 de dos importantes premios para jóvenes que realizan investigación o su tesis a través del Premio Francisco Tejada- Semíramis Reátegui – en honor a sus padres – para los mejores trabajos de Medicina, este apoyo ha continuado de manera ininterrumpida hasta la actualidad.
La partida de Paco ha sido una gran pérdida para Cayetano Heredia, pero también para los programas de lucha contra el cáncer en el Perú, ya que, como asesor del Plan Nacional para la Atención Integral del Cáncer: Plan Esperanza, dejó cultivado un espíritu humanista, la investigación genuina, y de lucha permanente a favor de los pacientes con cáncer, fomentando con su ejemplo y entrega, asimismo, una visión multisectorial del cáncer. Cabe resaltar también que Paco promocionó activamente a una generación de jóvenes oncólogos, que sin duda continuarán imbuidos de la mística y dedicación con las que Paco Tejada impregnaba todo su quehacer, porque para él, el cáncer no fue solo un problema de oncólogos, sino, un problema de todos.
Cómo no resaltar el amor de Paco Tejada por la Universidad Paruana Cayetano Heredia. Siempre creyó en la Familia Herediana, y lo demostró con una gran generosidad. Su generosidad comenzó, como ha sido arriba señalado, con el apoyo a las mejores Tesis de Medicina, extendiéndose en los últimos años a otros premios estímulo para nuestras ocho Facultades de Ciencias de la Salud, la Vida y la Educación (Premios ex Barbara Ann Kotowski, ahora Fernando Porturas), así como, un premio para la investigación en cáncer.
Cómo no expresar aquí, y en nombre de toda la comunidad Herediana, mi más profundo agradecimiento a Paco Tejada. Gratitud, no sólo a su desprendimiento, el que transmitió a su maravillosa familia, sino principalmente porque con éste nos motivaba e impulsaba a ser cada vez mejores, y porque con esa generosidad expresaba su confianza en nosotros, así como su certeza, tal vez aprendida en nuestras aulas, que no se concibe una institución universitaria sin investigación. Así, las becas Tejada, no sólo han generado importante conocimiento sobre nuestra propia realidad, sino también, han abierto nuevos horizontes en diferentes temas de investigación. Con estas subvenciones, Paco Tejada ratificaba año a año su compromiso en la acción para que la universidad sea una institución en la cual no sólo se transmite el saber, sino un espacio donde se verifica y renueva el conocimiento a través de la investigación.
Paco, gracias por tu ejemplo. Nunca te vamos a decepcionar.

Fabiola León-Velarde Servetto
Rectora
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia

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OBITUARY – To Francisco Tejada Reátegui
These words are dedicated to our Professor and friend Dr. Franciso (Paco) Tejada Reátegui, Physician, researcher and exceptional human being. Paco began his medical studies in 1962, in the Faculty of Medicine of San Fernando, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, and later continued them in the then recently created Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia.
Paco Tejada developed much of his studies and research in the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

Paco was always characterized by his vocation to serve, as well as his desire to share his own professional, mental and economic accomplishments with the intellectuals in our country. He established important prizes for young people doing research for their Theses through the Francisco Tejada – Semíramis Ramis Prizes – named after his parents – for the best work related to Medicine, in 1992. This support has continued with no interruption, and has even increased, to the present.

Paco's departure has been a great loss for the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, and also for the Peruvian efforts against cancer, since he was an Advisor of the National Plan for Comprehensive Cancer Care – the Peruvian Plan Esperanza. He contributed to infuse Plan Esperanza with a spirit for true humanism, genuine research, and a sustained resolution to fight for cancer sufferers, promoting it with his example and devotion, and his multisectorial view of cancer. It must be added that Paco actively stimulated a new generation of young oncologists, who will continue being imbued with his dedication, since for him cancer was everyone's problem, and not a problem just for oncologists.
We must also bring up the love that Paco Tejada had for the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. He always believed in the Heredian Family concept, and showed it with great generosity. He began supporting the best Theses in Medicine, as has been said above, and later extended his contributions to each of the 8 Faculties of our university, which is devoted to the Sciences of Health. Life, and Education. These were the Barbara Ann Kotowski Prizes, now renamed Fernando Porturas Prizes, and a special additional prize earmarked for cancer research.
I must express here, in the name of the whole Heredian community, my deepest gratitude to Paco Tejada. This gratitude is not just for his generosity towards our university, transmitted to his marvelous family, but mainly because with it he motivated and stimulated us to improve and be better, and because with that generosity he expressed his trust in us, and his conviction, perhaps learned in our classrooms, that no university institution can exist without research. The Tejada Prizes have not only generated important knowledge of our own realities, they have opened new horizons in various research subjects. Paco Tejada ratified, year after year, his active committment to the effort to build a university which not only transmits knowledge, but becomes a space where knowledge is verified, renewed and refined through research.
Fabiola León-Velarde Servetto
Rectora
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia

A year ago, I arranged a great meeting between Paco and Dr. Uriel Garcia Cáceres. Hace un año, tuve el honor de juntar a Paco con el Dr. Uriel García.

Guido Lombardi

November 12, 2014

Paco is very much still present with me; ever since our paths crossed thanks to his generous grant, he became a permanent counselor and coach. His unique cheerful and witty personality inspired me as well as many others. His energy and roller-coaster lifestyle also made us believe there were no limits to our dreams. Though I can't tell for everyone else, I can certainly assert that, in my case, his influence shaped my professional life. I decided to return to Peru after my training in the US, suggested to me right after receiving the Tejada – Reategui prize by another dear professor, Dr. Duccio Bonavia. My involvement with paleopathology and research at Dr. Uriel Garcia – Caceres lab and elsewhere has produced interesting and celebrated papers; all of which honor the spirit of the prize and our Alma Mater, Cayetano Heredia University. The last time I spoke with Paco, a mere two days before his passing, he minimized his health issues and asked me to proceed with ‘the projects' (‘saving' the old San Andres Hospital in Lima and organizing a Bioarchaeology Center at Cayetano). Yes Paco, the torch is alight. Neither ‘los muchachos' (as he called all grants' recipients), nor I will let you down.
Guido P. Lombardi, MD MA.
Francisco Tejada - Semíramis Tejada Prize 1993

Paco está aún muy presente para mí. Desde que nuestros caminos se cruzaron gracias a su generoso premio, él se convirtió en consejero y motivador permanente. Su personalidad única, alegre e inteligente, me inspiró así como a muchos otros. Su energía y acelerado estilo de vida también nos hizo creer que no había límites para nuestros sueños. Sin duda puedo afirmar que su influencia formó mi vida profesional. Decidí regresar a Perú después de mi entrenamiento en los EE.UU., sugerido inmediatamente después de recibir el premio Tejada - Reátegui por el Dr. Duccio Bonavia. Mi participación en Paleopatología y la investigación con el Dr. Uriel García - Cáceres y otros ha producido interesante y exitosos artículos científicos, los cuales honran el espíritu del premio y nuestra Alma Mater, la Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. La última vez que hablé con Paco, apenas dos días antes de su fallecimiento, minimizando sus problemas de salud, me pidió que continúe con los proyectos ('salvar' al antiguo Hospital de San Andrés, en Lima, y la organización de un Centro de Bioarqueología en Cayetano) . Sí Paco, la antorcha está encendida. Ni 'los muchachos' (como nos llamaba a los premiados), ni yo lo vamos a defraudar.
Dr. Guido Lombardi A.
Premio Francisco Tejada - Semíramis Tejada 1993

Kathy La Torre

November 12, 2014

Gracias por tu ejemplo, tu cariño. Te queremos

Cecilia Ma

November 11, 2014

I wish to express my deep appreciation to a great mentor. I am President of the Sectorial Commission for the "Plan Esperanza" Implementation in the Ministry of Health in Peru ("Plan Esperanza" is the public policy for the control and treatment of cancer). I had the privilege of hiring him as a consultant. We lost not only a brilliant oncologist with a vast knowledge about implementation of cancer control programs, also a mentor, who generously shared his sense of life and strong commitment to make the changes and improvements that are required to achieve comprehensive care for Peruvians and prevent chronic diseases, including cancer. Thank you very much for all the time, patience and support during these two years of working together. Thanks Paco.

Deseo expresar mi profundo reconocimiento a un gran mentor. Como presidenta de la Comision Sectorial de implementación del Plan Esperanza del Ministerio de Salud del Peru, una política pública orientada al control y tratamiento del cáncer tuve el privilegio de contratarlo como asesor. Hemos perdido no solo un oncólogo brillante con una vasto conocimiento de la implementación de un plan de control de cáncer, sino un mentor, que con suma sencillez y generosidad compartió su sentido de vida y compromiso para realizar los cambios y mejoras que se requieran para lograr una atención integral para que peruanos y peruanas prevengan enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles incluyendo el cancer. Muchas gracias por todo el tiempo, paciencia y apoyo en estos dos años de trabajo conjunto. Gracias Paco.

Tatiana Vidaurre

November 11, 2014

I would like to thank you Dr. Francisco Tejada as an advocate for Perú supporting global opportunities for INEN and Plan Esperanza.

DIEGO VENEGAS

November 10, 2014

Francisco Tejada, is and will remain a source of inspiration for young people who are struggling through their work and creation in forging a better country. Until forever Paco!, We will continue on! Spiritus Ubi Vult spirat!

Víctor Hugo Berrospi Polo

November 10, 2014

I was honored to know him 22 years ago when I received the first "Francisco Tejada and Semiramis Reátegui" award (1992). At that time, I was amazed at his simplicity and humility as a person despite being a successful professional who practiced medicine in the United States.
Paco's passing leaves a great void; we will miss the whole, humane, simple and gifted person that he was; the very enthusiastic, inviting man who bound us together and encouraged never to detach ourselves from Cayetano Heredia University, whom always kept us embarking on projects to improve the nation's health. Paco Tejada was very grateful to life, to his professors; to the opportunity he had to go grow professionally abroad, thanks to his alma mater, Cayetano Heredia. So we can better understand the origin of his long - standing altruism.
For all teachings and life model that he has left us, Paco will always remain in our minds and hearts because people like him definitely leave indelible memories and are destined to transcend time.
We know that until the very end of his life, he did not stop supporting research promotion at our university, having delivered this year's awards barely a week before.
Last year, on behalf of the winners, we had the opportunity to thank him for the support he was giving on uninterruptedly over the years to the University and to promote research. It was at the awards ceremony in 2013, organized by the University.
I would like to quote a couple of Paco's phrases that impressed me the most over last year's award - giving ceremony. Facing all the university authorities and attendees, he said: "We all make up a family, without any distinctions… Giving not only brings satisfaction to recipients, but also to givers", and that "The university expects of all of us, wherever we stand.
These are just glimpses of the much many great life examples I would have liked to convey.
We only have words of thankfulness. Thanks Paco for everything you gave and taught us.
May God rest his soul.
Victor Hugo Berrospi Polo
1st Recipient of the “Francisco Tejada – Semíramis Reátegui” Annual Prize for Medicine, 1992.

Tuve el honor de conocerlo hace 22 años cuando recibí el primer premio “Francisco Tejada y Semiramis Reátegui” (1992). En ese entonces, quedé sorprendido de su sencillez y humildad como persona a pesar de ser un profesional exitoso que ejercía la medicina en los Estados Unidos.
Con su partida, Paco nos deja un gran vacío, ya que vamos a extrañar a esa persona íntegra, humana, sencilla, de un gran don de persona, siempre muy entusiasta en invitarnos y alentarnos a estar juntos y no desligarnos de la Universidad y a embarcarnos en proyectos que mejoren la salud del país. Paco Tejada fue una persona muy agradecida de la vida, de sus maestros, de haber tenido la oportunidad de salir de las aulas de la Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. Por eso se puede entender tanto altruismo de su parte.
Por todo lo que nos deja, por todas sus enseñanzas, Paco siempre estará en nuestras mentes y nuestros corazones porque personas como él definitivamente deja huellas profundas y están destinadas a trascender en el tiempo.
Sabemos que hasta el último momento de su vida no dejó de apoyar la investigación entregando el Premio Tejada a los ganadores de este año 2014.
El año pasado, a nombre de los galardonados, tuvimos la oportunidad de agradecerle, por el apoyo que estaba dando en forma interrumpida en todos estos años a la Universidad y por fomentar la investigación. Fue en la ceremonia de entrega de premios del 2013, organizado por la Universidad.
Una de las frases de Paco que más me impresionó, en la reunión del año pasado en la entrega del premio Tejada, fue cuando en su intervención, en frente de todas las autoridades de la UPCH y los asistentes, dijo "...somos una familia…sin distinción…. Tengan presente que la gratitud no solo trae satisfacciones a quien lo recibe (el beneficiario) sino también a quien lo da (el dador)..." …y …”que la Universidad espera de nosotros, desde el lugar donde nos encontremos”.
Ese fue uno de los grandes ejemplos que quiso transmitirnos y que debemos seguir.
Solo tengo palabras de agradecimiento. Gracias Paco por todo.
Dios te tenga en su gloria.
Victor Hugo Berrospi Polo
1er Galardonado Premio Anual de Medicina
“Francisco Tejada y Semiramis Reátegui” (1992)

Cristina Guerra

November 2, 2014

Many generations of young researchers from Cayetano Heredia will remember Dr. Paco Tejada's generosity, his clever remarks and his joyful nature with gratitude and admiration. He was a truly unique person who did so much for his country in such a kind, quiet way. My deepest condolences for his family and many friends.

Renzo Gutiérrez Loli

October 27, 2014

In September 16th, my thesis project received the scholarship “Fernando Porturas Plaza”, a prize sponsored by Doctor Tejada in order to support the investigation in undergraduates from biomedical careers at UPCH.
In his speech at the award ceremony, he remembered to the young scientists that the goal of our profession does not end in a paper or publication: “The effort of investigate in our region must finish in a real benefit for the population. The social factor of biomedical research has a critical impact in development of our society and never should be underestimated.”
Sadly just a few days after the ceremony we were noticed about his sudden death. His legacy will live in his students, colleagues and everyone who had the honor to learn from him.

Humberto Guerra

October 2, 2014

I have been a friend of Paco Tejada since we both were medical students. We both did research with Dr. Hugo Lumbreras, who was the mentor for Paco's Thesis on the seroprevalence of Chagas disease in San Martín, where he was from and where he travelled extensively. Several years later I was a Professor of Tropical Medicine at our Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH), and we resumed our friendship when Paco established his generous series of prizes for medicine and other professions at UPCH, which definitely sparked a response from students and professors alike, and have a lasting influence on the university. It came as a complete shock to learn, on September 24th, of his sudden death. Many of our conversations and plans have been interrupted, and we will sorely miss him and his enthusiastic, well-informed and forceful arguments on so many ideas.
I join all the members of the Cayetano Heredia community in deep feelings for Paco's family, expressing my condolences and regret for Paco's untimely departure. I will keep him in my prayers.
Humberto Guerra, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, UPCH

He sido amigo de Paco Tejada desde que ambos éramos estudiantes de medicina. Los dos realizábamos investigaciones con el Profesor Dr. Hugo Lumbreras, quien fue el mentor de la Tesis de Paco sobre la seroprevalencia de la enfermedad de Chagas en San Martín, su querido terruño, que recorrió en toda su extensión. Varios años después, yo era un profesor de medicina tropical en nuestra Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH), y reanudamos nuestra amistad, especialmente cuando Paco estableció su generosa serie de premios para medicina y otras profesiones en la UPCH, lo que innegablemente provocó una gran respuesta por parte de los estudiantes y profesores, y tienen una influencia duradera en la universidad. La repentina muerte de Paco el 24 de septiembre nos llegó como una sorpresa total. Nuestras conversaciones y planes se han interrumpido, y desde ya sabemos que extrañaremos la falta de Paco y de sus argumentos entusiastas, bien informados y contundentes fomentando sus muchas ideas.

Me uno a todos los miembros de la comunidad Herediana en saludar muy sentidamente a la familia de Paco, expresando mis condolencias y pesar por la intempestiva parlida de Paco. Lo mantendré en mis oraciones.
Humberto Guerra, Profesor Emérito de Medicina, UPCH

Dorothy Parker

September 28, 2014

I'm honored to have worked with and known Paco. He was an inspiration and visionary.

Cesar Jara

September 28, 2014

His legacy will continue, improving health and fighting disease, here and abroad, specially Peru.

Charles Frank

September 27, 2014

Our prayers go out to the Tejada family over the loss of a great person who always gave back with much LOVE and emotion and helped so many. The few times I got to visit with him while at the Frank's were a lot of fun and full of great entertainment.
With great sympathy- Chuck and Priscilla Frank and family

Ed Trapido

September 27, 2014

Shocked and saddened, Paco was the most energetic friend, colleague and mentor, that I have ever had the pleasure of working with. His work ethic was incomparable, and he was a mensch besides! I will miss him very much.

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