Final Victim of Fierce Earthquake in Cali: The Story of the Surgeon Who Restored Smiles for Disadvantaged Children in Valle del Cauca

The search and rescue phase for the devastating August 10 earthquake in Cali, Colombia, officially concluded with the recovery of the final victim: Dr. Julio Sendoya Hincapié. The maxillofacial surgeon and dentist was found under the rubble of the Ana Pilar building near the former bullring, now known as the Arena Cañaveralejo.

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A great day of work, doing what I like most.

Dr. Sendoya was widely recognized for his dedication to social causes, particularly his work with underprivileged children in the Valle del Cauca region. He performed reconstructive surgeries for congenital malformations like cleft lip and palate, corrected severe jaw deformities to improve bite and facial symmetry, and treated facial fractures from accidents.

His passing has sent waves of grief through the medical community in Valle del Cauca and among the countless families he assisted. The Colombian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ACCOMF) issued a statement mourning the "irreparable loss" of their colleague, remembering his "vocation and dedication."

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The national board of the Colombian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ACCOMF) and the community of associates nationwide, deeply regret the sensitive passing of our esteemed colleague and friend Dr. Julio César Sendoya Hincapié.

The recovery of Dr. Sendoya's remains brought the official death toll to its final count, allowing authorities to shift focus from rescue to debris removal and the long road to urban reconstruction. For many, however, his death signifies more than just a statistic; it marks the irreplaceable loss of a physician committed to restoring smiles and improving lives.

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His unexpected departure represents an irreparable loss for our association and for maxillofacial surgery in Colombia. At ACCOMF, we will keep the memory of his vocation with immense gratitude.