Halitov Valentina

About

Valentina Halitov was born on October 1, 1926, in Chișinău, into a working-class family, and graduated from the Chișinău Institute of Medicine in 1950, as part of the first graduating class. She began her career as an ophthalmologist in Leova, then specialized in pediatric infectious diseases, becoming an assistant at the respective department in 1953. In 1962, she obtained her doctorate in medicine, and in 1967, she founded and headed the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the "Nicolae Testemițanu" State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, which she led for almost 40 years, simultaneously serving as dean of the Faculty of Pediatrics and Preventive Medicine and as vice-rector between 1981-1986. As a renowned specialist in the diagnosis, prophylaxis, and treatment of pediatric infectious diseases, Valentina Halitov made essential contributions to combating scarlet fever, polio, diphtheria, and viral hepatitis in the Republic of Moldova, studying gastrointestinal infections, their pathogenesis, and immunology. She published over 300 scientific papers, trained 12 heads of clinics, and organized a school of pediatric infectious disease specialists. She was president of the Society of Infectious Disease Specialists of the Republic of Moldova, chief specialist of the Ministry of Health, a member of the leadership of the Scientific Society of the USSR, and the initiator of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Service and an immunological laboratory, participating in international congresses. Deceased on July 9, 2012, at the age of 85, Valentina Halitov received the Order of the Badge of Honor twice (1971 and 1981) and the Order of the Republic (1995), the highest state distinction. Recognized as the founder of the Moldovan pediatric infectious diseases school and an Honored Worker, her legacy is honored by the Children's Infectious Diseases Clinic bearing her name and a bas-relief unveiled at the Municipal Clinical Hospital for Contagious Diseases in Children.