A grandfather and his adult son, who are both doctors in Florida, both died after contracting COVID-19.
Dr Carlos Francisco Vallejo, 57, is thought to have been infected by one of his patients and five family members became ill with coronavirus including his wife and father Dr. Jorge A. Vallejo.
Dr. Jorge, 89, became a widow in 2005 and Dr Carlos – an intern who worked at the front with up to 76 patients, including residents at three nursing homes – often provided his care.
Both Hialeah residents were admitted to the hospital on June 27, but Jorge – a retired obstetrician and gynecologist – died six days later at Palmetto General Hospital, where Dr. Carlos was a director.
A grandfather and his adult son, who are both doctors in Florida, have both died after contracting COVID-19
Dr. Carlos Francisco Vallejo (left), 57, is thought to be infected by one of his 76 patients at three nursing homes. The father-of-three cared for his father Dr. Jorge (pictured right, before his retirement), 89, and both were admitted to a hospital in Florida on June 27.
Carlos – who was a father of three – lost his battle with the virus on August 1 after 42 days in intensive care at the Cleveland Clinic Florida in Weston.
“We just lost both anchors of our entire family,” Cica4 News reporter Jessica Vallejo told the Miami Herald. ‘In my eyes, [my grandfather] was the American dream. ‘
Dr. Carlos was her uncle and Dr. Jorge was her grandfather. Dr. Jorge – who fled Cuba to Florida with his wife and children – raised eight of his nine grandchildren.
He delivered the late Cuban salsa icon Celia Cruz and was also famous locally for delivering the smallest baby in the US 28 years ago, at less than one pound in weight.
“It made me feel close to God,” he said. Jorge the Miami Herald in 1992, about delivering Baby Zascha.
Children of Dr. Carlos also called him a hero, saying he took all precautionary measures in the pandemic and would use his personal time to make sure patients had everything they needed.
‘He was actually a hero to so many people. I did not even want him to go to the nursing home and the hospitals because I was scared, ‘his 31-year-old daughter, Gisselle Vallejo, told the Herald.
‘He wanted to be faithful. It seemed like he was getting 24/7 for her. He really was the real definition of a hero. I knew that when COVID started, he was going to be a hero. ‘
‘He was actually a hero to so many people. I did not even want him to go to the nursing home and the hospitals because I was scared, ‘said his 31-year-old daughter, Gisselle Vallejo (right)
Dr Jorge Vallejo is pictured in hospital before dying of COVID-19 after 42 days in the ICU
Dr Jorge delivered the late Cuban salsa icon Celia Cruz (right) and was also famous for delivering the smallest baby in the US 28 years ago
‘He was just my role model. I could talk for hours every day for hours, ‘said his 23-year-old Kevin Vallejo. “He was such a doctor who gave that if his patients were going through a hard time … he would see them for free and tell them they did not worry about it.”
Kevin was admitted to medical school on Monday, but his studies were delayed at Florida International University due to the death of his father.
Carlos’ 26-year-old son Charlie said his father took the career path for internal medicine, despite being offered a scholarship in the Caribbean.
‘My father was a great athlete … he actually knew one [sports] scholarships to study medicine in the Dominican Republic, ‘said Charlie.
He added about the great work of his father on the front lines: ‘Many of these patients are scared and alone. Many families cannot say their final farewell and it is a tragedy. ‘
There are 20 family doctors, dentists and medical students in her family.
CBS4 reporter Jessica said her family is the “perfect example of what doctors should be … doctors who dedicate their lives to their patients.”
Charlie told the station: ‘Just as firefighters put their lives on the line, we do the same thing when we go to hospitals. It is something you can do to heal and save your patients. ‘
Carlos’ psychiatrist’s wife hopes her sons will follow in his footsteps.
‘I will ask God for strength so that my sons can finish medical school and follow in their father’s footsteps. I think that’s what he would like me to do, ‘Coronavirus survivor Lisette Vallejo, 57, told CBS4.
Carlos ‘son Charlie (center) told the station:’ Just as firefighters put their lives on the line, we do the same thing when we go to hospitals. It is something you can do to heal and save your patients. ‘Carlos’ wife’s psychiatrist hopes her sons follow in his footsteps
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