Founding Member of the ESA, Prof. Bernard Gribomont, Passes Away at 91

October 23, 2023
Brussels, Belgium

The medical community mourns the loss of Prof. Dr Bernard François Gribomont, a distinguished anaesthesiologist and a founding member of the European Society of Anaesthesiologists (one of the three European anaesthesiology societies that amalgamated in 2005 into the European Society of Anaesthesiology, now ESAIC, the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care). Prof. Gribomont, born on May 25, 1932, in the Ardennes, passed away on October 12, 2023, at the age of 91. His lifelong dedication to the field of medicine and anaesthesia has left an indelible mark on the profession.

Prof. Gribomont’s journey in the field of medicine began at the University of Louvain (Belgium), where he pursued his medical studies and specialised in anaesthesia. In 1962, he embarked on a four-year tenure at the Service of Anaesthesia at the Lovanium University Clinics in Leopoldville (now Kinshasa, DRC). His career path led him back to Herent in 1967, where he served as a consultant anaesthesiologist. In 1970, he faced the challenging decision to leave this role to return to the Saint-Pierre Clinics in Leuven at the request of academic authorities to prepare the Anaesthesia Department for relocation to Brussels. Prof Gribomont ensured its successful establishment and managed its operations until 1993.

His contributions to the medical community extended beyond his clinical work. Prof. Gribomont was appointed a professor at the Faculty of Medicine in 1977 and was known for his unwavering commitment to patient safety. In 1989, he played a pivotal role in the publication of the Belgian Safety Standards in anaesthesia, reflecting his dedication to ensuring the well-being of patients undergoing anaesthesia procedures. Moreover, he was a founding member of the European Society of Anaesthesiologists (one of the three international European anaesthesiology societies, that amalgamated in 2005 to the European Society of Anaesthesiolgy (ESA, now ESAIC)) and served as its treasurer between 1993 and 1995.

Prof. Dr Bernard Gribomont’s legacy in the field of anaesthesia and patient safety is profound and enduring. His contributions have left an indelible mark on the profession and continue to benefit patients and anaesthesiologists. The medical community and his colleagues mourn the loss of a remarkable individual whose passion and dedication to the field will be remembered for generations to come.