Obituary—Prof. Dr. Herminio Pérez Garrigues

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of our long-time Editorial Board Member Prof. Dr. Herminio Pérez Garrigues. Dr. Herminio Pérez Garrigues was Head of the Otoneurology Section at the Hospital La Fe de Valencia, Spain. The international scientific community remembers him as an eminent otoneurologist, but friends mourn his death for the loss of a great and generous man. He passed away on 3 February 2021, on the day of the commemoration of San Biagio, patron saint of otolaryngologists. We will always remember him on this special day and as an example of a gentle and special man in our hearts.

HERMINIO PÉREZ GARRIGUES was born on July 22, 1953, in Alzira, Valencia. He belongs to the fourth generation of doctors in his family, and the second of otorhinolaryngologists, with his brother. He studied Medicine and Surgery at the University of Valencia (1970–1976), where he obtained a Bachelor's Degree with the qualification of Outstanding (1976). After starting his specialization in Internal Medicine, he became interested in vestibular pathology, a fact that then determined his specialism in Otorhinolaryngology at the Hospital Universitario La Fe de Valencia (1978–1980). Later, he obtained the Degree of Doctor with the qualification of Outstanding "Cum Laude" (1985).

From his beginnings as an otolaryngologist, he was interested in otology and otoneurology, occupying the Head of the Otorhinolaryngology and Otoneurology Section of the Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe de Valencia. His research lines have always been linked to vestibular disorders. He highlights his authorship and co-authorship in 67 articles in indexed journals and more than 25 in high-impact journals in the field of Otoneurology. His scientific activity has focused on Usher's Syndrome (1995–2010), on immunological alterations in Menière's disease (1999–2003), on the evolution of Menière's disease (1990–2010), and on various other aspects of the genetics of said disease.

In the academic area, he has been Associate Professor of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Valencia since 1987, obtaining the title of Professor accredited by ANECA in 2017. Regarding the most relevant positions held, the most important positions have been Founding Member and President of the Spanish Society of Skull Base Pathology, President of the Otoneurology Section of the Spanish Society of ENT (2009–2015), Organizer and Founder of the Meetings Iberian Otoneurology, Founder of the MEN group, Honorary Member of the Portuguese Otoneurology Association (APO) and Honorary President of the APO 2018 National Congress. Personally, he always considered the design and execution of an experimental program for the rehabilitation of balance in Usher syndrome as one of his greatest achievements, as well as the organization of a Congress on the matter in which the patients themselves participated.

He shared and enjoyed his passion for Otoneurology and Medicine with his wife, Amparo, and his daughters, Ana and Macarena, who have supported him unconditionally throughout his career.

Dr. Giacinto Asprella Libonati
Editor-in-Chief of Audiology Research