In memory of AO Honorary Trustee José Soares Hungria Neto (1945-2026)

The AO Foundation mourns the passing of Prof Dr José Soares Hungria Neto, AO Honorary Trustee, whose vision and lifelong dedication were instrumental in shaping trauma care education across Latin America.

Born in 1945 in Brazil, Hungria Neto devoted more than five decades to orthopedic surgery following his graduation from the Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo in 1970. A pioneer in fracture management, he helped introduce modern, scientifically grounded surgical techniques to the region. 

His connection to the AO began early. After attending his first AO Trauma course in 1975, he rapidly progressed from participant to instructor and faculty member, becoming a passionate advocate for AO principles in clinical practice and education. Through his commitment to teaching and dissemination, he played a central role in introducing AO techniques throughout Brazil and beyond, influencing generations of surgeons. 

Hungria Neto was also a driving force behind the formation of AO Latin America. As one of its founding members in 1998, he helped establish a regional network that would overcome infrastructural challenges and expand access to high-quality trauma education across diverse healthcare systems. His leadership contributed to building a vibrant AO community in Latin America that continues to advance patient care today. 

Alongside his AO contributions, he pursued an outstanding academic career as Associate Professor and Head of Clinic at the Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, where he trained countless orthopedic surgeons and fostered a culture of excellence, ethics, and mentorship. Deeply influenced by AO founder Hans Willenegger, he embodied the principles of rigorous science, surgical precision, and professional integrity. 

Hungria Neto will be remembered as a gifted surgeon, dedicated educator, and visionary leader. His legacy lives on through the many surgeons he trained, the AO community he helped build, and the countless patients who benefited from his work.

The AO Foundation extends its deepest condolences to his family, colleagues, and friends.

“I first met Prof Soares Hungria Neto, my admired “Zé Neto," in 1981, when I started my trauma and orthopedic training at the Santa Casa de Misericordia Hospital in São Paulo, where he was responsible for the Trauma group. As a young resident, he introduced me to Hans Willenegger while lecturing in Sao Paulo during one of his trips to Latin America. José became a true sponsor and mentor throughout the early years of my career, and we both joined the AO as Trustees in 1989. A long-standing friendship evolved throughout the years, and thanks to him I was privileged becoming a Visiting Professor in my former department years later! He was also instrumental as one of the founders of AO Latin America in 1998, and with his permanent support, we established several AO chapters in different countries in Latin America. I was privileged to join José and other distinguished Brazilian AO members in different AO educational activities in Brazil and in Latin America. José was a virtous and humble educator, a warm personality, always supportive, and an excellent listener. He was currently retired and lived in his farm in Avaré, about 260 km from São Paulo. His sons, José Otavio and Mauricio Soares Hungria, have followed the family tradition and are both very well known and highly respected colleagues in their fields, orthopedic trauma and spine. To Marisa and the whole Hungria family our deepest sympathies."

Jaime Quintero
AO Past President