She is an exceptional woman who left us this Saturday, June 15… As revealed by AFP, Professor Francine Leca, first female surgeon in Francedied at the age of 86, and left behind an indelible mark on the history of French medicine, and the place reserved for women.
In 1971, Francine Leca became the first French woman surgeon in France at the age of 33. Passionate about cardiac surgery very early on, she became head of dedicated units at Laennec hospital from 1989 to 1999, she then moved to Necker-Sick Children hospital, which she directed from 1999 to 2006. In more than fifty years of career, Francine Leca has operated on thousands of sick children. A specialist in congenital heart disease, the professional has also helped save the lives of more than 5,000 children around the world, thanks to the association she founded in 1996, Cardiac surgery sponsorshipand of which Ingrid Chauvin and Inès de la Fressange were notably the godmothers.
A woman ready to do anything to save the children
On Instagram, Paul Belmondo paid tribute to the deceased, whom he knew personally: “Francine, you were an extraordinary woman and we will miss you, rest in peace”. And for good reason… The son of Jean-Paul Belmondo was also a godfather of the associative movement that she created in the mid-1990s. A few months ago, interviewed by our colleagues from France SundayPaul returned to a lunch that he had shared with Francine Leca, and during which the latter had explained her work to him.
“I remember this lunch with Professor Francine Leca, who explained to me what the association was doing to these children from developing countriesnamely, to bring them to France so that they can have surgery in the best possible conditions.” he explained.
Journalist Laura Tenoudji, wife of politician Christian Estrosi, also paid her little tribute: “The world is definitely going down the drain… Dear Francine, we will miss you! Your generosity, your talent, and this permanent desire to always save more children. I was very lucky to know youyou will forever remain an example.”
The political world in mourning, Valérie Pécresse saddened
Many other tributes have emerged on social networks, such as that of politician Valérie Pécresse, who presides over the Île-de-France region and who has obviously worked with Francine Leca in the past: “Francine Leca was a great lady of medicine. The first French woman cardiac surgeon, she devoted her life to children in danger. Great emotion to see her leave us, but all the patients she saved keep her – literally – in their hearts !”
