Ana Aslan (1897-1988)

Ana Aslan is renowned for her essential contribution to gerontological research as well as for having patterned the best geriatric treatment influencing the aging process. Ana Aslan was the first person to rule out the fatalistic approach to aging, providing a new method in gerontology by opening the way to the prevention and treatment of old age.

I worked with Professor Ana Aslan for 25 years, from 1963, first as a researcher, then as chief physician and afterwards as the Director of the National Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics in Bucharest, Romania, between 1978 and 1990.

In the last 3 years of her life, Aslan chose me as her personal physician and three months before her death she asked me to do some personal things, including to write a book about her life and her work. So I took notes at her bedside as a moral testament.

In addition to her life, she talked of her views of politics, religion, euthanasia, dying, death and love. As such I had the opportunity to know her private thoughts and personal thinking.

On her 90th solemn birthday celebration at the Romanian Academy in Bucharest on May 22nd, 1987, on behalf of the Romanian National Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics, I said; "I want to express my emotion and say how difficult it is to talk about Ana Aslan, being such a complex personality, the story of Gerontology might as well be the story of Aslan."

"Ana Aslan’s life can be seen in her work. She has battled courageous fights, all for the service of good, to make man’s dream to live with dignity for as long as possible. Now we celebrate the inventor, the scientist, the physician, and the professor. For 35 years since 1952, she has led us as the first Institute of Gerontology in the world. Ana Aslan is the Ambassador of Gerontology and a brilliant woman. As a scientist she is an inventor, not an imitator. She has played such an important role in Gerontology at the world level. She has given the world decades of research that revealed that Gerovital-H3 is the most effective treatment in geriatrics. Ana Aslan is the original contributor in the basic research concerning cellular and molecular aging, and researching her product reaction in the body. She has a special empathy for the elderly and has always fought to improve their condition all over the world. She worked with others to initiate the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization on aging, held in Vienna, 1983. Aslan has a remarkable understanding and appreciation for beauty and culture. At one time she visited Hippocrates grave and on which she stated, "I now realize how small I am."

As a disciple and collaborator, and being inspired by the University Hymn, I declare "Viva Academia! Viva Professores! Viva Ana Aslan!"

Aslan’s distinctions:

1. Commander of the order "Meritor Della Republica," Italy, 1969
2. Commemorative Gold Medal, Nicaragua, 1971.
3. Cross of Merit, first class Order of Merit, Germany, 1971.
4. Hero of Socialist Labor, Romania, 1971.
5. "Augusto Pinaud," Medal, Venezuela, 1972.
6. Cavalier de la Nouvelle Europe, Prize Oscar, Italy, 1973.
7. Knight of the Order "Les Palmes Academiques," France, 1974.
8. International Prize, "Eva," Italy, 1974.
9. Commander of the Order "De Orange Nassau," Holland, 1975.
10. "L’Ordre du Merite," Grande Officier, Senegal, 1976.
11. "Dag Hamarskjoeld," International Prize, Italy, 1977.
12. "Dama di Collare Del Santo Graal," Nice, 1978 (granted by Italy)
13. Honorary Foreign Citizen and Honorary Professor of Sciences, Manila, Philippines, 1978.
14. President and Honorary Guest of the Symposium, "Ageing Comes of Age," Philippines Academy, Philippines Association of Geriatrics and Gerontology, 1978.
15. Officer of the Order "Merito Della Republica Italiana," 1979.
16. La Medaille et le Prix "Leon Bernard" La 35eme Assemblee Mondiale de la Sante, 1982.

Last update: 2004, October 27
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