Luis A. Galainena Quesada

Luis A. Galainena Quesada (1897-1962)

This distinguished doctor who practiced all his life in the Villa of Güines, was born in Guanajay, Pinar del Río Province on May 16, 1897. The son of Dr. Luis Galainena Rivero and María Luisa Quesada. He attended schools in his native town and finished high school in Havana. He was admitted to the School of Medicine at Havana University, becoming a doctor in 1922.

Immediately after graduation he went to Güines, starting to work in his brother Dr. Manuel Galainena’s clinic on Havana Street, where later on San José de la Montaña’s (Saint Joseph of the Mountain) Orphanage was installed.

At the same time that he was working in his brother’s clinic, he set up his own private practice in the same Havana Street, practicing general medicine, obstetrics and gynecology as well as being an assistant surgeon in his brother Dr. Manolo Galainena’s clinic.

Several years later his brother moved to Havana and Luis definitely remained in the Villa of Güines practicing general medicine.

In 1923 he worked as honorary physician of Compañia Azucarera de Güines, S.A. (Güines Sugar Company, Inc.) owner of Providencia Sugar Mill whose majority shareholder was the Aspuru family, mainly Don Manuel and Doña Clarisa Aspuru.

As years went by, he was appointed Medical Director of Providencia Sugar Mill, a position he held until his death.

He married Nena Rodríguez Marín on February 20, 1935, and from this union a son was born, Luis Alberto Galainena Rodríguez also a doctor, who practiced his profession in Cuba and in Boynton Beach, Florida, until his retirement.

He was Medical Director of all sugar plantations belonging to his father-in-law Alfredo Rodríguez Bernal and Doctor Delegate in Güines of the medical group Quinta de Dependientes (Store Clerks' Medical Association).

He went into politics being a candidate as Mayor of Güines for the Liberal Party in 1936, being the other candidate Mr. Armando Fernández Jorva who won the election.

During the government of President Dr. Carlos Prío Socarrás (1948-1952) the National Coroner Medical Board was created and Dr. Galainena was appointed Coroner for the Judicial District of Güines which comprised not only the Municipality of Güines but also neighborly municipalities and towns such as San Nicolás de Bari, Madruga, Nueva Paz, Los Palos, Vegas and others.

Among his civic activities he was a dedicated fireman and belonged to Güines Volunteer Firemen Corps, reaching the grade of Medical Captain, and was appointed to research new equipment and its functioning, traveling to the United States of America and consulting with different Fire Departments in several American cities.

The life of this exemplary man came to an end in the Villa of Güines on November 7, 1962.

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