The Spanish Society of Cardiology mourns the passing of Leandro Plaza Celemín, a highly respected cardiologist who devoted his life to promoting cardiovascular health and who for many years held key positions within the Society.
Leandro Plaza Celemín, born in 1937 in Corral de Almaguer, Toledo, relocated to Madrid at a young age. His early years were shaped by his family's exile during the Spanish Civil War, when they left for Mexico. There, in 1968, he completed his cardiology specialization at the Instituto Nacional de Cardiología, becoming part of a notable cohort of Spanish cardiologists who trained at the Institute and who would subsequently significantly influence the field in Spain. He further honed his expertise at Syracuse University in New York, refining his knowledge and experience.
One of Leandro's defining characteristics was his unwavering dedication to cardiovascular health. From 1978 to 1987, he served in prominent roles within the Spanish Society of Cardiology, including terms as secretary and president, and also chaired the Spanish Heart Foundation. Throughout his tenure, Leandro championed Heart Week, an annual campaign aimed at encouraging healthy lifestyles and preventing cardiovascular diseases.
Throughout his career, Leandro also served as head of the Cardiology Department at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Clínicas y Epidemiología of the Instituto Carlos III, the Hospital Carlos III in Madrid. He also held leadership roles at Revista Española de Cardiología, the Spanish National Board of Medical Specialties, and various national and international cardiology-related committees.
Leandro was more than a renowned cardiologist; he was a man of profound culture and deeply passionate about dialogue and friendship. An intellectual with an open mind, his insatiable curiosity drove him to explore classical and modern traditions in diverse fields. One of us was fortunate to share evenings with him at the opera and engage in postperformance conversations. With Leandro and his inseparable Maripi, their sharp judgment and commentaries enhanced the pleasure of listening to an opera and enriched every moment we spent together.
Leandro Plaza was a true gentleman of cardiology, always inclined toward consensus and bridging differing viewpoints. He favored constructive debate where ideas were shared and enriched, shunning the sterile conflict and unnecessary confrontation that are so commonplace in today's society. His amiable demeanor, coupled with a genuine willingness to listen and understand others, left an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to know him personally. As a humanist committed to dialogue and harmony, Leandro's legacy will outlive his passing, serving as a beacon of tolerance, friendship, and the unending search for mutual understanding to those who knew him. We have lost a good man, in the broad sense of the words of Machado.
His legacy will live on in the medical community, in the Spanish Society of Cardiology, and in the constant struggle for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. His passion for medicine, dedication to his patients, and commitment to public health make him an example for future generations of cardiologists.
