I

Born on February 8th 1909 in the island of Rhodes, the largest of the Dodecanese islands, then possession of Turkey, then Italy, now Greek territory. Emigrates to Uruguay with his parents, Sephardic Jews, to settle in Montevideo. This island in the Aegean Sea, off the coast of Turkey, was one of the Italian possessions of the eastern Mediterranean. At 9 months of age, he came with his parents, Felix Soriano and Catalina Junio, to Uruguay, carrying therefore Italian citizenship.

He always said that if on their arrival to the country his parents had registered him as born here, he could have become President, as he was closely linked to General Gestido, and when Gestido launched his candidacy for the Presidency in 1966, he asked him to be his vice-president.

He died in Montevideo on May 21st 2005, at the age of 96.

II

His parents were settled, like most of Sephardic Jews, at the "Barrio Viejo" neighborhood that he never left. Initially they lived in a house in Alzáibar street between Reconquista and Recinto, and then moved to Washington Street. All of them old tenement houses that no longer exist. Today remains true to his old neighborhood living with his wife in a stately home in Buenos Aires Street and Alzaibar, considered an architectural gem of Spanish Style, built by architect Armando Acosta y Lara, in the mid 20s.

At the age of 5, his mother enrolled him in 2nd grade of School No. 12, located in Buenos Aires Street between Alzaibar and Colon, where he studied until 4th grade when he had to move to a boy's school. Back then mixed schools were only available for the first four grades. He was called "Turk" by his classmates, like all other Sephardic kids, but it was not in a mean way. He also remembers horse trams going down Sarandi street.

He finished primary school at age of 10. To enroll in secondary school you had to be at least 12 years old so his mother claimed that he had lost his ID managing to start high school at the age of 11, obtaining a Bachelor's degree with only 16 years of age, in 1925.

His father had a tailor shop at home, and also worked on the famous English Shop so from an economic point of view the family did not go through hard times. Being a very religious person, he founded the first Sephardic synagogue, initially settled at his own home. Victor attended a Talmud Torah (Jewish school) in his neighborhood, where he learned Hebrew. At home they spoke Ladino, a Romance language derived from Old Spanish, from the 15th century during the expulsion of the Jews from the peninsula. This language was preserved in the countries of the eastern Mediterranean where Jews found refuge.

As a child he was very studious. Soriano´s 6th grade teacher told his mother that he should go to University. His love of knowledge led him to extend his scope, studying more advanced texts at the National Library, where he went after school. At the time the Library was located in Eduardo Acevedo street, between Guayabo and 18 de julio, at the University building.

III

In his youth, he attended football games on Sundays, and then wrote the chronicles, which he then sent to newspapers La Razon, El Siglo and El Telégrafo. Enrique Rodriguez Fabregat was one of the directors at El Telégrafo and the two of them became acquaintances. Later on, in 1947 they met again in New York, where Rodriguez Fabregat was a representative of the Uruguayan government to the United Nations. Soriano remembers often visiting him on Sundays and, among other topics of conversation, they discussed the partition of Palestine which was only a project back then, and in whose approval our representative was a decisive factor.

IV

He became a student at the Faculty of Medicine in 1925 at age 16, graduating in January 1934. From 1929 to 1933 he served as Practitioner. Once graduated he worked first as Attending Doctor, then as Chief of Clinic in 1935 at the Institute of Neurology, led by Prof. Américo Ricaldoni. (The Institute of Neurology was back then called "Dr. Américo Ricaldoni " , since the death of the Professor in 1928. As described by Edward Wilson, there was long succession process after the death of Ricaldoni, which occurred in July 1928. Only on February 23rd in 1937 Alejandro Schroeder was appointed Associate Professor and Director at the Institute of Neurology. Therefore Victor Soriano could not have been in touch with Américo Ricaldoni as a doctor, since he graduated five and a half years after Ricaldoni´s death. However, he may have attended his classes as a medical student).

Edward Wilson mentions him in his book three times. The first time is when Alexander Schroeder takes over as Director of the Institute of Medicine "Dr. Américo Ricaldoni" stating that a new Director "appointed Bernardino Rodriguez as Assistant Professor and started to work together, along with the three Heads of Clinics appointed in 1935: Carlos María Fosalba, Juan Brito del Pino and Victor Soriano. As always, the hard work attracted young people that were incorporated to the growing number of activities. Most of them settled down at the Institute."

The second mention of Soriano is when he reports that "the candidates for the position at the Neurology Department were four: Roman Arana, Castells Constancio, Jose Bernardino Rodriguez and Victor Soriano. The Faculty Council concluded that two of the candidates were better suited for the position, but not being able to decide between the two of them they called for a public contest between Arana and Castells. The contest was historic due to the level of knowledge demonstrated by the contestants. Arana triumphed. In October 31st, 1957 he was appointed Professor of Clinical Neurology and Director of the Institute of Neurology. "Finally, when Roman Arana Iniguez gave his opening speech as Professor Dr. Victor Soriano was mentioned in his speech."

V

At that time he worked at the Maciel Hospital in the mornings and at his practice at home in the afternoons. Most patients were Sephardic countrymen from his neighborhood. He also worked at a Clinic established by the Sephardic community. Later he worked at the Spanish Mutual society and at the Israelite Mutual Society.

In 1939 he married Clara Benzecry, becoming an exemplary marriage. Clarita, as everyone knew her, joined him on all his trips and conferences, as well as in his scientific and social activities. She was the life and soul of the Uruguayan Committee of Friends of the Weitzman Institute of Science, founded by Soriano, established for many years at his home. To this day, scientific and literary meetings continue taking place at their home, every Tuesday evening. At this meetings, guests talk about different topics. Clarita entertains them with coffee and music. Soriano is a tango devotee, and likes to sing it.

An interesting aspect of his multifaceted life was his work as a pioneer of medical journalism. We already discussed his work as a sportswriter during his youth.

VI

In a chronicle wrote in NOTICIAS (of the S.M.U) he was regarded as the Dean of the Uruguayan medical press.

In 1940, he began this task in the newspaper El Pais. His first articles dealt with health issues in general. Then he started working at La Mañana newspaper, where he wrote about child psychology. So did in El Plata newspaper. His columns on neurology are remembered by distinguished professionals of the time as were the articles he wrote for the newspapers Sunday magazine.

Soriano claimed that an article of medical disclosure "should contain good information, be explicit and specific. I always worried about clarity, as mass media readers often come from very different cultural and educational backgrounds."

VII

Becomes a student at the Faculty of Medicine in 1925 at age 16. Serves as a Practitioner between 1929 and 1933.

Joined the SMU on June 10th, 1929.

Graduates as a Doctor at the age of 25 in 1934. Since this year is Assistant at the Institute of Neurology, Chief of Clinic at the same Institute since 1935, Assistant in 1939. Between 1938 and 1940 is Assistant Neurologist at the Prof. Bordoni Posse Clinic, where he taught semiotics. In 1940 is Assistant Neurologist at the Prof. Montes Pareja Clinic where he taught Neurology. Since 1942 was a Neurologist at the Prof. Benigno Varela Fuentes Clinic.

Since 1940 is Internist Assistant at the Institute of Orthopedics and Orthopedic surgery founded by Prof. José Luis . Since 1941 he is honorary Neurologist at the Institute of Infectious Diseases. Since 1940 is reporting Neurologist State Insurance Bank, and from 1942 to 1945, consultant neurologist at the Institute of Retirement.

In 1943 works as Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Medicine. In 1944 as Acting Professor of Medical Pathology, and in 1945 as Honorary Assistant of Physiology.

In 1950 becomes Head of Division of the Prof. B. Varela Fuentes Clinic, and since 1952 is appointed Professor of Clinical Medicine , designation renewed in 1953.

Abroad has been Instructor of Physiology at Yale University (1945), Visiting Investigator of the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research (1947), Fellow of the Rockefeller Foundation (1945) and of the Montefiore Hospital (1947).

Since 1950 becomes the Uruguayan representative at the Ibero-American School of Neurologists and since 1951, Honorary Member of the Society of Neurology and Psychiatry of Porto Alegre. Attends the First International Conference on Medical Education held in London in 1953 with an active participation due to his teaching experience. Since 1953 is a regular assistant at the International Congress of Neurology, in which he presents numerous works. In 1957 in the 2nd. International Congress of Neurology in Belgium, he presented his book on "Spinal Cord Injury ", the result of his experiences at the Institute of Orthopedic surgery. In 1961, during the International Congress of Neurology held in Rome ,he invites assistants of Dr. John F. Fulton, (outstanding physiologist at Yale University, humanist and bibliophile) , who died in 1960, creating the "Fulton Society" , becoming its ongoing President by unanimous decision. From that moment symposiums are hold every two years, one at the American Neurological Association and another at the World Congress of Neurology. The first of them was held in Atlantic City in 1963. So far over 20 symposiums have been held and they will be in the future, as decided by the World Federation of Neurology and the American Neurological Association.

He is author of over 200 scientific publications on clinical and experimental topics. Delivered lectures on Neurology at Yale University, the Mayo Clinic , the Sorbonne and for Professor Mennier of Paris, Prof. Kuroiwa in Fukuoka, Japan, at the University of Istanbul, Turkey, in Department of Physiology of Prof. M. Terzioglu. He has also delivered lectures at the service of Professor Garcin in Paris, Prof. Gozzano in Rome, Prof. Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Prof. Boshes at the University of Chicago, at the Academy of Medicine of Barcelona, ​​in the Department of Pharmacology of Prof. Valdecasas, Prof. Anand, in New Delhi, India, Prof. Hazaler in Frankfurt and at the Max Plank Institute. In Tokyo delivered lectures in the Department of Prof. Tsubaki, in Manila for Prof. Gamez and the Neurological Society of Manila, in Hong Kong in the service of Prof. Huang and Prof. Lie Mak.

He gave courses in Chile, Argentina, Peru, Brazil (several cities) and Mexico.

Appointed Honorary Member of the French Society of Neurology, Neurological Society of America and Neurological Society of Japan, is a member of the Academy of Medicine of Argentina and the Royal Academy of Medicine of Barcelona.

He is the author of several books, three of them published in Spain: “Ciática, lumbagos y dolencias afines” in 1945, “Traumatismos medulares” in 1953 and “Epilepsias” in 1955.

He is the Founder and Director of the International Journal of Neurology, with worldwide distribution.

Was devoted to medical journalism for over four decades, with memorable travelling chronicles for newspaper El Día and longstanding contributions on health education for newspaper El País.

That is why the Medical Union of Uruguay award him a Distinction of Merit for his scientific, teaching and professional excellence on August 11th 2001.

VIII

In 1987 he creates the Victor and Clara Soriano Foundation intended to contribute to the progress of culture, social welfare and the sciences, especially those related to the nervous system. This Foundation has established prizes are awarded by major scientific organizations such as the National Academy of Medicine of France, the World Federation of Neurology, and the National Academy of Medicine of Uruguay.

IX

At meetings of the International Congress of Neurology in Rome in September 1961, Dr. A. Earl Walker from Baltimore, Dr. Giuseppe Moruzzi from Pisa and Dr. Victor Soriano from Montevideo, paid tribute to the memory of John F. Fulton.

At the same meeting friends of Dr. Fulton organized The Fulton Society in his memory. They agreed to meet every two years in symposiums about some phase of modern neuroscience with which he had been particularly committed.

X

The Society of Biological Psychiatry of Uruguay was established by Prof. Dr. Victor Soriano June (1909-2005) , Medical Neurologist , Prof. Emeritus at the Faculty of Medicine, Member of the Academy of Medicine of Paris and member of the Academy of medicine of Buenos Aires.

At first the Society´s board consisted of Psychiatrists who worked as Heads of service in hospitals Vilardebó and Colonia Bernardo Etchepare. Dr. María Inés Villanueva (Secretary), Dr. Ricardo Marchese (Treasurer) and Dr. Luis Barindelli (Pro -Treasurer ) . The head office of the Society was the home of Prof. Soriano (363 Buenos Aires St., Montevideo).

Many years before the Society was established, a group of doctors from various fields, medical students and other people with diverse artistic and literary backgrounds met there. Personalities such as Gloria Alba Vega (writer and poet from our country). The aim was to read the latest scientific publications and books that Prof. Soriano received from abroad, back when information technology did not exist or not many people had access to them.

XI

He was the Founder and President of the B'nai B'rith Uruguay where he developed an intense and important community work. The organization commemorated his death.

XII

In 2012 the family of Clara Benzecry Soriano together with the National Academy of Medicine of Uruguay established an International Prize named "Clara and Victor Soriano" with a budget of USD 10,000. The first call will go out in 2013.

Guidelines:

CLARA and VICTOR SORIANO PRIZE

Objetives

Encourage the development of knowledge, especially research in the following fields: Neurology , Internal medicine and Biological psychiatry.

Periodicity

The prize is awarded annually.

Topics will alternate within the three fields stated at the objectives, the first one being Neurology, the second one Internal Medicine and finally Biological Psychiatry. This will be repeated in future awards.

The registration period will be six months from the date of the call.

Manuscripts

Works must relate to matters within the fields specified in the objectives. They can develop in experimental research, basic knowledge, clinical or para-clinical aspects, social medicine, history of the specialty or any of its aspects.

3.2 Must be original and not previously published.

3.3 Must be written in Spanish or English.

3.4 Must be accompanied by:

3.4.1 Summarized author CV

3.4.2 Declaration of conflicting interests

3.4.3 Approval by the Research Ethics Committee of the institution or institutions in which it was made.

3.5 The structure shall comply with the standards set at the international level in the field. Pages must be numbered. The least possible amount of acronyms must be used. The first time one appears in the text the name must be written in full and the acronym or abbreviation must be written in brackets. For non-original sources must be cited.

3.6 The manuscripts must be delivered in both printed and digital versions.

3.7 Only one manuscript per author/authors will be accepted.

Award money

The allocation will be USD 10,000 (ten thousand dollars). This sum is indivisible. If Honorable Mentions are granted they will not receive a cash prize.

Scope

This is an international award.

Submission

6.1 Entries may be submitted by mail or email to the Administrative Secretariat of the National Academy of Medicine. Entries will be received up to the date and time that will be notified.

6.2 The Secretariat will give a receipt for each work received.

Committee

7.1 There will be a Committee of five members appointed by the National Academy of Medicine.

7.2 Once the members of the Committee are appointed their names will be informed to the people registered.

3.1 The Committee will have 90 days to make a decision.

Award ceremony

Prizes will be awarded in a formal sitting at the National Academy of Medicine with the assistance of university authorities , the donor or his representative, special guests and public. The donor or his representative, or in his absence the President of the National Academy of Medicine will award the prize.