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José Gregorio Hernández [er-NAHN-deth] (October 25, 1864 - June 29, 1919) was a Venezuelan physician. Born in Isnotú, Trujillo State, Venezuela, he went on to reach legendary status, more so after his death.
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In 1888 Hernández graduated as a medical doctor in the Universidad Central de Venezuela, in Caracas. He was awarded a grant to study further in Europe by the Venezuelan government. Hernández travelled to Paris, France, where he studied such other fields of medicine as bacteriology, pathology, microbiology and histology, and philology as well. He returned to Venezuela equipped with the necessary knowledge and technology to emerge as a leading doctor in the Hospital José María Vargas.
Between 1891 and 1916, Hernández dedicated itself to teaching, the professional exercise, and in the religious practice. On two occasions he wanted to become a priest, but his fragile physical conditions was his greater impediment. He studied during ten months in 1908, in the Monastery of Lucca (Italy). Then, in 1913 he enrolled at the Latin American Pío School of Rome to continue the priestly career, but he had to abandon the intent by motives of health and returned to Venezuela. Among the scientific publications of this famous Venezuelan doctor are found Bacteriology Elements (1906), About the Angina Pectoris of Malaric Origin (1909) and Philosophy Elements (1912).
Dr. Hernández treated the poor for free and even bought them medicines with his own money. One day, while bringing medicine to one of his patients at home, Hernández was walking on a Caracas street when he was struck by a car and killed.
After his death, the legend of Dr. Hernández started growing around Venezuela when people from that country started claiming to have received miracles after praying to him. At present, Dr. Hernandez is commonly invoked as "José Gregorio" by both doctors and patients for healing. He is also called upon for protection during journeys over land. Eventually, his name reached all over Latin America and Spain.
In 1949, Venezuelan Catholic Church officials begun the process that could lead Dr. Hernández to become a saint. It was opened in the Vatican one the process of its canonization, having granted him, in 1985, the degree of «Venerable», penultimate category before of «Saint». His remains are venerated in the holy church of the La Candelaria in Caracas city.