Medicine is truly a unique art and is undoubtedly the synthesis of a triple humanizing
and ethical role, translated as personally helping older colleagues perform a therapeutic
act and teaching younger ones to do the same.
People who know Professor Aroldo ([Fig. 1]) will aver that he was the embodiment of that maxim.
Fig. 1 Prof. Dr. Aroldo Miniti.
Born on December 29, 1935, in São Paulo, Brazil, he pursued his studies at the Rio
Branco de São Paulo College and graduated as a physician from the USP Faculty of Medicine
in 1960, undergoing the Otorhinolaryngology residency training at the HCFMUSP.
He defended his doctoral thesis titled “Closure of perforations of the tympanic membrane
using dura mater: experimental study in mice,” and applied for the position of Associate
Professor in 1970.[1]
[2] He did his internship in Chicago, U.S.A., with David Austin, one of the most notable
otologists of the time, wherein he developed techniques that he learned from Professor
Correia, his mentor in middle ear surgery.
The technique of using dura mater was practiced for many years in Brazil.
An outstanding ear surgeon, he leaves behind a teaching legacy in HC and in Brazil,
after teaching hundreds of surgeons not only the art of medicine but, most importantly,
the ethical and moral principles of the profession.
He chaired numerous conferences and always participated spiritedly in all events and
congresses in Brazil ([Fig. 2]).
Fig. 2 Prof. Miniti attending one of many congresses along side with Prof. Alexandre Medicis
da Silveira and Prof. Ricardo Bento.
A disciplinarian, but with a big heart, Professor Aroldo was revered by the medical
residents and assistants and held in high esteem by otorhinolaryngologists from across
the country.
Despite his generosity, he always imposed strict discipline at the workplace, but
strived to ease differences and maintain harmony in the Clinic.
He treated everyone equally, from the humblest to the most important, and was generous
toward all those seeking his help ([Fig. 3]).
Fig. 3 Prof. Miniti with Prof. Lamartine Paiva, then Chairman Otorhinolaryngology Department
and Clinic assistants.
Professor Aroldo Miniti was the person who initiated the modernization of the ORL
clinic of the FMUSP and of our specialty in Brazil. The unique aspect of this clinic
was to encourage formation of groups of various specialty areas, which were then expanding,
and give them the freedom to perform. This helped create a generation of great names
who are today opinion leaders in their fields ([Fig. 4]).
Fig. 4 Prof. Miniti in 2005 with colleagues. From left to right: Domingos Tsuji, Perboyre
Sampaio, Aroldo Miniti, Ricardo Bento, Luiz Ubirajara Sennes, Silvio Antonio Marone,
Ivan Miziara.
Having performed the first ear homograft, he would always say that the ORL was once
again a pioneer in that it was the first specialty to perform an “organ transplant,”
which came into practice only much later in other specialties such as kidney and heart
transplants, among others. He said that the Clinical Hospital had built an Institute
(INCOR – Heart Institute) for the first heart transplant in Brazil not knowing that
the ORL had already performed transplants many years previously!
Otorhinolaryngology was experiencing a golden moment with the expansion of its areas
of action beyond the classic ear, nose, and throat to sleep medicine, facial plastic
surgery, facial nerve diseases, and electrophysiology and modern otoneurology. With
these developments, the ORL was no longer treated as the hospital “basement,” looked
down upon by other specialties as a “minor” field, and began to gain status. This
was a worldwide phenomenon. In the career history book of Dr. William House, one of
the main, if not the main, otologists of the 20th century, states that in choosing this specialty, he was criticized by his colleagues
and professors who said, “You are doing ORL? It's a sub-area and its only purpose
is to remove tonsils! Choose something else.” There were even unfilled vacancies for
ORL residencies in the 1950s.
In such a context, Professor Aroldo proved his worth by initiating the development
of the sub-areas of the specialty and, with that, there were many among his assistants
who gained experience abroad and later developed their respective groups.
Professor Aroldo was one of the founders of the International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology
and was part of its Editorial Board for several years.
He retired from his academic career in 2006, and I had the privilege and the difficult
job of succeeding him; in every decision, until this day, I still think of his teachings
([Fig. 5]).
Fig. 5 Staff of ENT Department in December 2006.
Sadly, Professor Aroldo, our dear master, is no longer with us today and his journey
has ended. More important than the sadness of this moment is the knowledge that the
path he showed us still bears the fruits, wisdom, and teachings of his life. We are
glad that he was able to fulfill his mission among us and are certain that wherever
he is, he is looking after his friends and disciples who are following his footsteps.
Professor Aroldo, thank you for everything!
“To teach is to learn twice.”
