Professor Marcel Mayer Medal – Léon Bérard Center – Lyon
In bronze
Weight: 200.1 g
Diameter: 71.8 mm
Biography (Source: Website of the Léon Bérard Center in Lyon):
” He was an excellent surgeon, as much as he could be brusque in person, he could be of an incomparable gentleness and precision during his surgeries, all his gentleness resided there. He was very appreciated by his patients. »
Statement by Annie Pignol, Head Nurse of the operating theatre from 1954 to 1984.
In 1974, two years after the tragic death of the director of the Léon Bérard Center, it was the head of the surgery department who was chosen for this role: Professor Marcel Mayer. He was a man of character, uncompromising and extremely diligent in his surgeries who was preparing to lead the Léon Bérard Center for nearly 15 years. The Mayer era saw many leaps forward. Whether in medicine, surgery or oncological radiotherapy. It was in 1976 and at the Léon Bérard Center that the first French autologous bone marrow transplant for solid tumors was performed. In the 1975s, Professor Marcel Mayer himself introduced portalization of the left adrenal gland. This technique, combined with excision of the right adrenal gland, consists of diverting blood flow from the portal vein through the liver. It allows the secretion of biological cortisone to be preserved. Before this, women who had undergone bilateral adrenalectomy were forced to take cortisone treatment for life. This new surgical innovation once again supports the national expertise of the Léon Bérard Center. At the same time, the first pulmonary metastasectomies were performed by Professor Mayer and Rémi Blondet. They make it possible to eliminate pulmonary metastases that are resistant to chemotherapy and increase the life expectancy of patients.
Obverse:
Profile bust to the left of Professor Marcel Mayer
Reverse:
Circular inscription:
HOSPITAL SURGEON – DIRECTOR OF THE LEON BERARD CENTER
1974 – 1989
In the center, a heraldic lion recalling the coat of arms of the city of Lyon.
Cornucopia hallmark (Paris Mint).
AGMM Fleurette Hallmark (Coin and Medal Engraving Workshop)
Edge:
Cornucopia hallmark (Paris Mint) + BRONZE
