One of the most qualified argentine oncologist, Dr Mario Gregorio Rabinovich, died on September 4, 1993, in Neuquen where he worked as medical oncologist and clinical researcher for most of his career.

Dr Mario Rabinovich was Chief of the Servicio de Oncologia of the Hospital Provincial Neuquen and co-founder of the Grupo Oncologico Cooperativo del Sur. He was born in Buenos Aires in 1947, here he did his primary, secondary and university studies, receiving his degree as a physician from the University of Buenos Aires in 1972, and then he graduated as a specialist in clinical Oncology at the University of Salvador in 1977. One year later, he was granted a fellowship by the Italian Foreign Office, as a visitor physician at the Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura del Tumori, in Milano, Italy.

Once back in Argentina, he become one of the promoters and founders of Grupo Oncologico Cooperativo del Sur, with idea of promoting and developing clinical investigation in oncology in the southern provinces of the country. Because of his special way of being, he left very well stablished norms within the scientific community, where his vast capacity for work and his ability in the development of methods for scientific study earned him a high recognition by his colleagues, becoming a natural representative of the G.O.C.S.

In 1980, he received the Annual Award “Catedra de Oncolgia” from the University of Salvador. From 1978 he was an active member of the Argentine Association of Clinic Oncology and of the Grupo Argentino de Tratamiento de los Tumores Solidos. From 1979 he was an active member of the Associazione Italiana di Oncolgia Medica. He had also been an active member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the European Society for Medical Oncology, since 1988.

Dr. Rabinovich devoted his investigational efforts mainly to breast and colorectal cancers, with a special interest in the field of biochemical modulation. In this area he was the author of several publications, becoming a central figure of reference in subjects related to biochemical modulation regarding the association of methotrexate-5-fluorouracil-leucovorin. He will be undoubtedly remembered by his colleagues of the Oncology Society, not only for his scientific values, but also for his humane qualities and his evident affability and good nature; and there must be few people that not feel the loss of his personal and professional example.