My mentors (Dascălii mei)

“Dascălii mei” (“My mentors”) is a book of memoirs, which evokes different aspects of the education and remarkable teachers and professors, from kindergarten to university. The author – Prof. Dr. Sorin Nicu Blaga – proves, once again, his profound respect and admiration for his masters. It is useful to mention that the author's concern in the field of history and, particularly, in the medical history, is documented by the fact that he has already published two books: “Iuliu Haţieganu de la Şcolile Blajului la Şcoala Medicală Clujeană” (“Iuliu Haţieganu from the Blaj Schools to the Cluj Medical School”) and “Şcolile Blajului” (“The Schools from Blaj”). “Dascălii mei” is opened by “Cuvânt de binecuvântare” (“Word of blessing”) written by Cardinal Lucian, Major Archbishop. The book has six chapters. Their titles are as follows: Argument; “La început a fost...grădiniţa” (“At the beginning it was... the kindergarten”); “Elev la Micăsasa” (“Pupil in Micăsasa”); “Gimnazist şi licean la Blaj” (“Middle school and high school pupil in Blaj”); “Student la Facultatea de Medicină din Cluj” (“Student at the Cluj Faculty of Medicine”) and “Omagiu dascălilor mei” (“Tribute to my teachers'”). In all of them the author describes the positive influence of different teachers and professors he had. He also mentioned some very interesting historical and touristic data about the places in which he studied. From the kindergarten, Mrs. Doina, the first teacher, is mentioned. Then the portrait of the primary school teacher in Micăsasa is outlined: Dumitru Şofron. There are also some portraits of teachers from the middle school from Blaj: Veturia Popa, Viorel Mişca, Aurel Bărbuleţ and Virgil Mărculeţiu. From the lyceum, Eugen Dulăcioiu is remembered. It is important to mention that during the secondary studies S. N. Blaga learned to play the violin. His mentor was Florin Handrea. In 1968 young Sorin Nicu Blaga was awarded with the first prize at the Interregional Competition held in Cluj. What is very interesting is the fact that S. N. Blaga wanted and chose to be physician even though he had important success in playing the violin; he was also the winner at a national competition of chemistry. When the author was student at the Faculty of Medicine in Cluj, he had the chance to have prestigious professors, such as: Ioan Albu, Ion Baciu, Mircea Dorofteiu, Octavian Bârzu, Victor V. Papilian, Victor Preda, Augustin Mureşan, Eugen Cosma, Octavian Fodor, Dumitru Dumitraşcu, Roman Vlaicu, Emil Câmpianu, Ioan Păcurariu, Iuliu Căpuşan and some future professors, such as Marius Motocu and Nour Olinic. In the chapter “Tribute to my teachers” S. N. Blaga mentioned that the formative “octet” for his career was composed of: D. Şofron, F. Handrea, V. Mărculeţiu, E. Dulăcioiu and, at the Cluj Medical Faculty O. Fodor, R. Vlaicu, M. Motocu and N. Olinic. The book is written with talent and passion. It is easy to read and brings interesting information about some of the most important professors of the Cluj Medical Faculty. The volume has a well chosen documentary illustration and is printed in stylish conditions. We consider this volume a faithful reconstitution of the formative period in a rich medical career.