Manuel de la Pila Iglesias

Manuel de la Pila Iglesias (November 16, 1884 – October 7, 1950) was a Puerto Rican physician practicing in Ponce, Puerto Rico, who specialized in a half-dozen medical specialities. He founded a medical clinic in Ponce that grew into a large medical center. Pila Iglesias is considered "one of the giants of Puerto Rican medicine". He was also one of the leaders behind the development of the School of Medicine of the University of Puerto Rico.

Early years Main entrance to the old Dr. Pila Clinic/Hospital (now an apartment building) looking Northwest in Barrio Primero, Ponce, Puerto Rico. Founded in 1925.

Manuel de la Pila Iglesias was born in Cádiz, Spain, on 16 November 1884. His parents were Manuel de la Pila Mantes, a Spaniard, and Asuncion Iglesias Geneviera, a Puerto Rican woman. After the death of his father and brother, he moved to Ponce with his mother. He was brought up in the home of his uncle on his mother's side, Dr. Iglesias, whom he came to admire and on whose footsteps he later follow. He studied at the Colegio Central Ponceño (Ponce Central High School) and upon graduation traveled to Spain to study medicine at the University of Barcelona.

Death Main entrance to the Dr. Pila High School in Barrio Canas Urbano, Ponce, Puerto Rico Pila Iglesis died on October 7, 1950, in an automobile accident in Cayey, Puerto Rico, as he returned from a meeting of the Puerto Rico Medical Association. There is also a high school in Ponce named after Pila. Escuela Superior Dr. Pila opened on 17 September 1954. Also in Ponce, there is a public housing development named to his memory, Residencial Dr. Pila. He is also recognized for his contributions to medicine at the Ponce Park for the Illustrious Ponce Citizens.