Eleanor Jiménez Colón, MD

Dr. Eleanor Jiménez Colón, MD, FAAP, affectionately known as "Baby," passed away peacefully on October 12, 2024, in Rockville, Maryland, at the age of 84. Born on June 16, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York, she embodied a spirit of compassion and dedication both in her personal life and her professional as a physician.

Her journey through life was marked by extraordinary achievements and a profound commitment to the well-being of others. As a devoted mother, she leaves behind her beloved daughter, Enilda, her grandchildren, José Angel, Gabriella María and Anna Laura, who will cherish the memories and lessons imparted by her mother and their grandma throughout their time together.  She was preceded in death by her daughters, Eleonora, Eliana, and Elina, who were an integral part of her life and legacy. Their absence has left an indelible mark on those who knew and loved them, and her family will forever hold them close in their hearts.

Dr. Baby Jiménez graduated from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine in 1964 and was one of the first pediatricians on the island with a specialty in hematology and oncology certified by the American Academy. She dedicated her life to public service by making extraordinary contributions to clinical research, to the preparation of physicians and pediatricians specializing in hematology and oncology and serving as an expert witness in the most complex pediatric cases in the country.

She directed the Department of Pediatrics and the Hematology and Oncology Program at the Municipal Hospital of San Juan while providing services in her areas of specialty at the Children's Hospital of Puerto Rico. For more than two decades she supervised and educated hundreds of residents of the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine.

She pioneered innovative treatments and clinical studies in pediatric patients with Leukemia. In 1988 he created the Pediatric Clinical Research Group (GRUPEDIC) in the Hematology and Oncology Section of the Municipal Hospital of San Juan, leading clinical research in the United States in pregnant women, children and adolescents infected or affected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). One of its many research projects contributed to the substantial decrease in perinatal transmission of the virus and providing the largest number of female patients participating in the study compared to all other research centers in the United States. Dozens of articles in academic journals include the results of her research and her work has been cited in hundreds of publications worldwide. Under her leadership, Puerto Rico made transcendental contributions to the scientific development of preventive and clinical treatments for HIV and AIDS patients.

During her career, Dr. Baby Jiménez was recognized with the Honorary Award of the Medical Association of Puerto Rico, Honorary Award of the Mayor's Office of San Juan, Research Award granted by the Pharmaceutical Company GlazoSmithKline and the Honorable Felisa Rincón de Gautier Award as Woman of the Year in 1995. In addition, her achievements led her to be named a "Fellow" of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Baby Jiménez was characterized by her love for Puerto Rico and her national pride. His life mission was to fight against ignorance, stereotypes, discrimination, inequality and injustice.

Her daughter and grandchildren invite their colleagues, students, friends, and family to celebrate our Baby's life and her vast contributions to Puerto Rico, pediatric medicine, and clinical research.

Borinquen Memorial Funeral Home in Caguas on Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.