David Martins , with 70 years old, ophthalmologist from Hospital da Luz Setúbal, will present on June 25 in Lisbon, and 2 July in Setúbal, his autobiographical book “ Segredos da vida de um médico – 40 anos no Serviço Nacional de Saúde ” (Secrets of the life of a doctor – 40 years in the Health National Service). Pioneer of vitreoretinal surgery in Portugal, former president of Hospital de Setúbal Administration Board and founder of Hospital de Santiago (presently Hospital da Luz Setúbal), the physician decided to turn into writing “the memories, secrets and confessions” of a very full life. In a book with a preface by Father Vítor Melícias and edition of By The Book, David Martins tells the story of his family and describes his personal and professional path. Throughout the work – which includes memories of the most memorable cases and testimonies of patients –, the physician states: “To restore people’s ability to see is something that I’m passionate about and delighted to accomplish. It is the most rewarding of it all! (…) The idea that each patient is unique never leaves my mind.” Born in 1951, in Kirimbo (Angola, where his father, an evangelical preacher, founded the Vista Alegre Evangelical Mission), David da Fonseca Martins graduated in 1977 by the Lisbon School of Medicine, and started his medical internship in 1978, at Hospital de Santa Maria. He provided medical service to the peripheral region, in Palmela, worked at health centres in that location and also in Sines, then opting for the speciality of ophthalmology at Hospital Egas Moniz, in Lisbon. It was during his tenure (1996-2003) as president, that Hospital de São Bernardo was expanded and renovated. He has always maintained his activity as ophthalmological surgeon, having then been the director of the respective service of ophthalmology (2009-2018). In 2002/2003, he was one of the founders of Hospital de Santiago (Hospor), one of the first private hospitals in the country, later acquired by Luz Saúde, being presently the Hospital da Luz Setúbal, where David Martins continues to exercise. Dates and time of the book launching: June 25, 2022 (Saturday), 5 p.m., Portuguese Medical Association auditorium (Lisbon) July 2, 2022 (Saturday), 6 p.m., Salão Nobre, City Council of Setúbal
