The magazine MD, founded in Manhattan during the 1950s, distinguished itself through a radical layout that deprioritized advertising and often featured images without captions. Its editor-in-chief, Félix Martí Ibáñez, was a physician and polymath who utilized the publication to bridge the gap between clinical medicine and the humanities, eventually compiling his essays into numerous books.
Early Education and Spanish Government Service
Born in Cartagena in 1911, Martí Ibáñez pursued medical studies at the University of Barcelona between 1928 and 1932, later graduating from the Universidad Central in 1934. His academic interests encompassed the intersection of physiology and Eastern philosophy. By his mid-twenties, he had transitioned into public administration, serving as the director of public health for Catalonia and eventually as the under-secretary of public health for the Second Spanish Republic.
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Following the fall of Barcelona in 1939, Martí Ibáñez fled the Franco regime and eventually settled in New York City. Having previously served as a major in the Spanish Air Force medical corps, he redirected his professional focus toward literary and scientific pursuits in America. He became a naturalized United States citizen and established MD Publications, Inc., which served as the engine for his extensive writing career and journalistic ventures.
Editorial Contributions and Intellectual Scope
Beyond his flagship magazine, Martí Ibáñez oversaw the publication of international editions including MD of Canada and MD en Español. His intellectual reach extended into diverse subjects such as anthropology, architecture, and history of medicine. In 1956, he held a post at New York University and later served as a chair at New York Medical College. His 1955 warning regarding the over-prescription of antibiotics highlighted his foresight concerning public health risks.
Final Years and Legacy
Martí Ibáñez continued his editorial work until his death in 1972 in New York City. Throughout his life, he authored numerous works, including The Epic of Medicine and Centaur: Essays on the History of Medical Ideas. In 1970, he received the José Vasconcelos World Award of Education. His influence on medical literature earned him recognition as a contemporary successor to the historian Henry Sigerist.
Fast facts
- Born: 1911, Cartagena
- Died: 1972, New York City
- Education: University of Barcelona, Universidad Central
- Citizenship: Spain, United States
- Key Publication: MD Magazine
- Major Award: José Vasconcelos World Award of Education (1970)
Questions readers ask
What was the professional background of Félix Martí Ibáñez?
He was a trained physician, psychiatrist, and polymath who held government health positions in Spain before becoming an author and medical publisher in the United States.
What was the significance of the magazine MD?
Founded in 1957, it was known for its unique layout that minimized advertising and promoted the integration of culture, philosophy, and history within medical discourse.
Achievements
- Held posts at New York University
