The invitation to write an editorial about Professor Angelita Habr-Gama was received with great joy, a deep sense of honor, and a strong sense of responsibility. For surgeons, the privilege of authoring this text is comparable to that of athletes attempting to describe the brilliance of Pelé, architects interpreting the distinctive lines of Niemeyer, or French scientists recounting the groundbreaking achievements of Madame Curie. A brief review of her 797-page Curriculum Lattes reveals an H-index of 66, more than 17,766 citations, and numerous awards and honors conferred by nearly all surgical societies — national and international6. Such distinction has also attracted the attention of renowned biographers, including José Renato Nalini, José Pastore, and Ignácio de Loyola Brandão7,8,11. One might ask: what more could possibly be added? Drawing upon decades of professional, academic, institutional, and personal connections, as surgeons, former assistants, and long-standing colleagues, this editorial presents additional insights into her extraordinary influence. The aim was to briefly convey the breadth and impact of this remarkable surgeon and friend on the lives of countless doctors and non-doctors, both within Brazil and abroad. Professor Angelita has been a true pioneer in many aspects of her life, consistently demonstrating exceptional proficiency in all her endeavors, as will be illustrated. The word “no” has never been an option in her life, and assertions that women were unfit for surgery only served to strengthen her resolve, ultimately leading her to become the most renowned and decorated Brazilian surgeon, both nationally and internationally2.
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